Vatomandry (district)

Place in Atsinanana, Madagascar

19°19′51″S 48°58′41″E / 19.33083°S 48.97806°E / -19.33083; 48.97806Country

MadagascarRegionAtsinananaDistrictVatomandry (district)Population

(2019)3ieme recensement

• Total169,861Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)

Vatomandry is a district located in Atsinanana Region, Madagascar.

Etymology and location

Located on the coast, the town's name means 'Sleeping Rocks', derived from two black rocks near the shore. It is also on the path of the Canal des Pangalanes and Route Nationale (RN) 11.

History

In the pre-colonial era of the 19th century, Vatomandry was a center of Hova government with an active port.

Cyclone Manou caused great damage in 2003 to the town and left 68 people dead. Cyclone Giovanna in 2012 also caused significant damage.^[1]

Religion

Roman Catholic Apostolic Prefecture of Vatomandry^[2]

Notable personalities

Didier Ratsiraka (1936-2021), former President of Madagascar

Communes

The district is further divided into 15 communes:

Ambalavolo
Amboditavolo
Ambodivoananto
Ampasimadinika
Antanambao Mahatsara
Ifasina I
Ifasina II
Ilaka Est
Maintinandry
Niarovana Caroline
Nierenana
Sahamatevina
Tanambao Vahatrakaka
Tsivangiana
Vatomandry

References

^ Quick response to Cyclone Giovanna had 20,000 children back in the classroom in Madagascar, Unicef.org, Retrieved 5 March 2013)
^ http://www.gcathuntil 1olic.org/dioceses/diocese/toam0.htm