Toamasina
Province
Toamasina ( Tamatave in French ) is a city in Madagascar with 206 390 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2005 ) and the only natural harbor on the east coast.
Toamasina frequently changed hands. On the Portuguese were followed by the French, the British, the Merina and finally again the French. 1927 Toamasina was totally destroyed by a hurricane.
The city then had to be completely rebuilt. In 1986, she was again almost completely destroyed by a cyclone.
Population
More than half the city's population is under 20 years old. The largest ethnic group are the Betsimisaraka. Her name means " the many indivisible ". This folk group founded in the early 18th century by a merger of several tribes who defended themselves together against invaders from the south ( Confederation of Tsikoa ). The Betsimisaraka are as sedentary farmers, sailors, fishermen and traders operate. In addition to other population groups are there in the city a larger number of Indians, which are among the most affluent citizens. Occasionally there is therefore against these pogroms.
Economy and Transport
The most important oil refinery of the country is based in Toamasina: Solitany Malgasy ( SOLIMA ).
Since 1817, Toamasina developed into the most important commercial port of Madagascar, released today by the Ministry of Transport assumed SEP ( Société d'exploitation du port de Toamasina ) is managed. In the four docks are, inter alia, Bulk goods and containers transshipped; the port overcame early nineties nearly 1 million tons of goods.
A single-track railway line connects with Toamasina, Antananarivo.
Ranger station and Zoo ( Parc d' Zoological Ivoloina ) north of the city in Ivoloina, operated by the Madagascar Fauna Group ( MFG).
Transport
In the city of Toamasina dozens of rickshaw drivers waiting for a business. The Pousse - pousse, as the rickshaw is called here, is the usual means of transport for short distances and a way for the particularly poor to earn a livelihood. Into the countryside to best come by taxi or bush taxi.
From Toamasina can make excursions to the beaches in the area. Also popular are trips by bicycle for about 12 kilometers away, Zoo Ivoloina. Regular bus shared taxis to Antananarivo. Nearby is also the well-developed tourist island of Sainte Marie is located. This is best achieved with the aircraft. But you can also take the bush taxi to Soanierana - Ivongo to ferry there by boat. The latter is cheaper but slow and dependent on the weather.
Food
Especially popular are the Indian and Chinese cuisine.