Antananarivo | |
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![]() Map of Madagascar with Antananarivo highlighted | |
Coordinates: 18°45′S 46°45′E / 18.750°S 46.750°E | |
Country | ![]() |
Capital | Antananarivo |
Area | |
• Total | 58,283 km2 (22,503 sq mi) |
Population (2004) | |
• Total | 5,370,900 |
• Density | 92/km2 (240/sq mi) |
ISO 3166 code | MG-T |
Website | www |
Antananarivo Province is a former province of Madagascar with an area of 58,283 square kilometres (22,503 sq mi). It had a population of 5,370,900 in 2004. Its capital was Antananarivo, which is also the capital of the country.[1] Established in 1965, it was the most important province of Madagascar in terms of industrial production.[2] It was one of the most literate provinces and was dominated by the Merina people. Along with the other five provinces, it was abolished in 2007 after a referendum in favour of creation of smaller regions to help in development was approved. It was badly affected by plagues in the 20th century. In 2002 a state of emergency was proclaimed by the then president Didier Ratsiraka. The events that followed led to the other five provinces announcing the creation of a new republic that would have excluded Antananarivo Province. Peace was restored only when Marc Ravalomanana was installed as the country's president.