Toliara
Province
(Also called Tulear ) Toliara is a city in the southwest of Madagascar. It is the capital of the province of Toliara and the Atsimo - Andrefana region. It lies on the Mozambique Channel between the rivers Fiherenana and Onilahy.
Population
The majority of the population belongs to the people of the Vezo. However, there are numerous immigrants from other regions of the island and from the Indian subcontinent. The city counted in the census 1975 45.676, with that of 1993 80.826 inhabitants. Today one expects around 120,000 residents.
History
The name means " Where to anchor well ." The city was founded in the Middle Ages and was dominated by the 16th century to the conquest by the Merina 1835 by the Mahafaly. European settlements failed due to the climate and malaria. Only a pirate base existed a long time. The French conquered the city in 1895 and named it Tulear.
Economy
Toliara is an important port and trading center. Important trade goods include cotton, peanuts, rice, soap and sisal. A brewery and a Kautabakfabrik are the only major industrial companies. The trade is almost entirely in the hands of Indians and Pakistanis.
Infrastructure
There is a new, well-developed road about Fianarantsoa to Antananarivo, the Route Nationale 7 Southeast is a regional airport. In addition, there is a university and several hospitals and clinics. Toliara is since 1957 the seat of a Catholic bishop; since 2003 even archbishopric. On February 23, 2013 Toliara was pretty devastated by cyclone Haruna, where the infrastructure has suffered greatly.
Attractions
The city itself has no major tourist attractions. There is a small oceanographic museum, the naval station, as well as the Musée Mahafaly - Sakalava, a folklore museum. North of Toliara, there are numerous excellent beaches.