The main advantage of Ivory Coast is its people, and is the nation that must visit all those interested in history, the music or the art of Africa. The country offers travelers beautiful scenery such as mountains around Man, a fascinating region Senoufo along Korhogo, Comoé National Park (the largest in West Africa) and the remote fishing villages and beaches of Sassandra . These sites are accessible to visitors through a network of roads is among the best in the continent.

best time to travel Ivory Coast

In February, celebrate the Fêtes des Masques (festival of the masks) in the towns scattered across the region of Man Another festival highlight is the Festival Dipri organized in mid-April in Gomon, 100 km northwest of Abidjan, and in which all the villagers strongly exorcise their homes against evil. The time of year to visit the country with peace of mind cover from November to February, but fans will get the picture much more attractive image for the rainy season between May and October. The tourist season usually extends from December to March and to a lesser extent, during the months of November and April.

Ivory Coast Holidays and festival

One of the most famous festivities Ivory Coast is the Fête des Masques (Festival of Masks), which is celebrated in the villages of Man every February. Another major event is the carnival in Bouaké in March. When visiting the country in April, is essential in Dipri Fête du Gomon. This festival starts at midnight, when women and naked children quietly leave their huts at night and perform rituals to exorcise the curse of all people. Before sunrise the chief appears, echo the drums and the locals are in a state of trance. The frenzy continues until late afternoon the next day. The major Muslim holiday, Ramadan, develops over a month (around December) when the population between the fast rising and setting sun, fulfilling the fourth pillar of Islam. Ramadan ends with a big celebration, the Eid al-Fitr, where everyone gathered to pray, to visit their friends, and supercharged gift. The National Day is commemorated on December 7

Ivory Coast attraction and places

Abidjan

Abidjan, a large metropolis, glamorous and undermined by crime, lack of interest until 1951, when the French completed the construction of the canal Vridi, linking Abidjan's lagoon with the ocean. The city has since then a great port and its population has grown to reach nearly three million inhabitants, divided into four peninsulas around the lagoon.

Known as the Paris of West Africa, many French live in Abidjan, but also attracts many Africans from neighboring countries, it has become the most cosmopolitan city in the region. Many travelers know their only wealthier neighborhoods, especially Le Plateau, the central point of full commercial skyscraper, and Cocody, elegant residential area where the hotel recognized Ivoire. Poorest districts, as Treichville, Marcory and Adam, are much more interesting. Le Plateau United by two bridges, the neighborhood of Treichville the majority of clubs.

The Hotel Ivoire, West Africa's most famous, is also one of the main attractions. Is proud to possess it all: swimming pool, ice rink, bowling, cinema, casino and even a major art gallery in the basement. Abidjan's modern museum, the cathedral of St Paul, only surpassed by one in the capital, Yamoussoukro, justifies visiting the sights you can see from the top of its bell tower. It was designed by an Italian architect and consecrated by the Pope in 1985.

In the far north-west is the Parc du Banco, a rainforest reserve with its freshness lends itself to walking. A few hundred meters from the entrance on the dirt road is the outdoor laundry largest Africa: an unforgettable spectacle in which hundreds of fanicos (sandpipers) meet in the middle of a stream to make casting. Daily, vigorously rubbing the clothes on huge stones covered by old tires, and spread on the rocks and grass along a half kilometer. Never be confused or wrong garments each.

We must not forget that from the end of the 1980s, Abidjan has a reputation of having the highest crime rate in West Africa, and no part of town is considered sufficiently safe to walk alone at night.
Yamoussoukro

Yamoussoukro became the capital in 1983. Since the 1960s, President Houphouët-Boigny spent in his home town, and turned it into a strange city. It has eight lanes of highway, the desert and lined with more than ten thousand lamps, and avenues that end in the jungle. Most houses were replaced by traditional African structures cement themselves to the middle class. But simultaneously there is no other city of its kind in the entire continent, and its center is much more aggressive at night than would be assumed by his appearance impersonal.

The stunning centerpiece of the city is the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Paix, an almost exact replica of St. Peter in Rome. Built in just three years, stands as the highest of any church, Christianity, probably something illogical in a country with few practicing Catholics. Apart from its shape and size, you will remember everything about the 36 huge stained glass made by hand in France. The $ 300 million cost equivalent to half the national budget deficit.

Yamoussoukro is located about 200 km northwest of Abidjan. Is very well connected to the rest of the country thanks to its central location. Buses are often the best means of transportation, faster and cheaper, to get there and move around the city.
Taï National Park

This National Park is one of the last areas of virgin rainforest in West Africa, with trees that reach 50 m in height, enormous trunks and roots. Primeval forest walk is a great experience: the towering trees, hanging vines, fast-running streams and wildlife habitat that has been combined to create a calm and charming. Researchers have spent decades studying chimpanzees in the park and have discovered that they have developed ingenious ways to hunt monkeys.

The park stands out for the frequent rains and humidity, the best time to visit is from December to February, the dry season. Taï to enter is strictly necessary to require a permit issued by the Ministry of Water and Forests in Abidjan. It is also complicated to get there. The best way is to take a bus, followed by a local taxi and a minibus from the end of Man (450 km northwest of Abidjan) and San Pedro (280 km west of Abidjan) Guiglo to follow in the direction of the population Tai hitchhiking and cover the remaining 30 km to the center's research park.
Man

Man of the region, which covers the central and western Ivory Coast, is formed by a succession of hills covered by lush vegetation that stretch to the horizon. It is primarily known for its excellent market (Man City), masks the characteristics of each people and the dancers Yacub acting on stilts during the annual Fête des Masques (Festival of Masks). The populations of the region of Man have many masks they use to represent their rituals.
The City of Man only has a daily market as a main attraction, but it is a good base for exploring the region, especially the Cascade, a very popular waterfall in a forest of bamboo and 5 km west of the city. The valley of Mount Tonkoui, the second highest peak of Ivory Coast, is located 15 km north of Cascade. From its summit you can see the territory of Liberia and Guinea. Walkers will also appreciate the steep mountain-shaped teeth of the dent of Man (Man of the tooth), the guardian angel of the region. Another element of the constituent peoples: a bypass road 275 km north of Man to visit Biankouma, Gouéssésso, and Sipitou Danané.
Man is about 450 km northwest of Abidjan. Air Ivoire has a service to Abidjan Man twice a week. Various bus companies and taxis cover the long ride several times a day

Sassandra

Sassandra, known for its magnificent beaches, has as its main point of attraction with a fishing population of ethnic fanti with a very active port and an attractive river to explore. Travelers willing to try the highly recommended Bangui (palm wine), can be found in large quantities. This enclave in the past acted as an important commercial center, but its activity declined with the construction of the neighboring port of San Pedro.
The beaches are located west of Sassandra, along a dirt road. The first, with strong waves, called Plage Le Bivouac, can be reached on foot from the people, for others, it is necessary to take a taxi or hitchhiking. The most recognized is the peaceful Poly-Plage and the tiny fishing village fanti. Sassandra is located 210 km west of Abidjan. There are daily bus services to return.
Korhogo

Korhogo, capital of senufu, was built in the thirteenth century. The senufu are famous for their carved wood, but also for his skills in blacksmithing and pottery. Most of the wood sculptors live and work in the small neighborhood Quartier des Sculptures. Its bustling market is at the center of the city.
The associations have senufu secret Poro divided by religion, for children, and worship Sakrobundi, for girls, which are initiated through to adulthood. The target group is to preserve traditions, tribal customs to teach and inculcate self through rigorous testing. Youth education is divided into three periods of seven years, after which held an initiation ceremony, with circumcision, isolation, training and use of masks. Each community has a sacred forest where the training, and do not ever allow the uninitiated to witness the tests. Certain ceremonies are conducted in the population and are not forbidden to visitors, as the men panthère dance (the dance of the panther men), which happens when the boys return from a training session in the woods.
Korhogo is located over 500 km north of Abidjan. Air Ivoire offers regular flights between the two populations during the weekends. Buses runs Korhogo Abidjan-made half a dozen trips a day. In Korhogo also can rent a car to explore the region.
As National Park

As the reserve of wildlife largest West Africa, lies at the northeastern tip of Ivory Coast. One of the best known route crosses the river Comoé, where wild animals tend to go for water during the dry season.

Lions are plentiful in the southern part of the reserve, especially in the area called the triangle Kapkin. An estimated one hundred elephants in the park, so the visitor has a high probability of seeing any. Other animals that share this habitat are the green monkey, the hippo, the baboon, the Colobus monkey, water deer, several species of antelope and 21 species of pig. Leopards also live freely in the reserve, but rarely has the good fortune to glimpse one. The reserve is open from December to May.

As is 570 km northeast of Abidjan. There are several entrances to the reserve, the most common are Kafolo north and Kapkin and geese in the South. Buses and taxis tend to use the northern entrance

Ivory Coast activities

The Parc du Bank, Abidjan, is the ideal spot for excursions. You can go trekking through the virgin rainforest in the Taï National Park, located on the southwestern tip of the country. There are good conditions for climbing in the high and steep mountain Tonkoui La Dent de Man, in the region of Man, in the center and west of the country. Coastal areas are more prominent in the west of Abidjan. Grand Lahou has become one of the best parts of the country to enjoy surfing. There are great waves to the west, the Plage Le Bivouac in Sassandra, to swim, it is preferable to the beach adjacent Poly-Plage. Sun lovers to enjoy in Grand Béréby, a fishing village 340 km west of Abidjan, near the border with Liberia

Ivory Coast History

Little is known of Ivory Coast before the arrival of European ships in the decade of 1460. The major ethnic groups came to the country from neighboring areas relatively recently: the kru migrated from Liberia around 1600; the lubi senufu and moved south from Burkina Faso and Mali. And until the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries akan not arrived, including the ethnic group of the trunk and from Ghana to the east of the country, and the Malinké of Guinean origin, who settled in northwestern Ivory Coast . Unlike its neighbor, Ghana, Ivory Coast has not suffered too much the slave trade. European ships carrying goods and slaves preferred enclaves along the coast with the best natural harbors. France was interested in the country in 1840, manipulating the local leaders to secure a monopoly of trade with coastal merchants in France. Subsequently, the Gauls built naval bases to scare away foreign traders and began a systematic conquest of the hinterland, which only ended after a long war in the 1890s against Mandinka forces, mostly from Gambia. Trunks and other ethnic groups in the east of the nation continued to wage a guerrilla war until 1917.

France had one goal: to stimulate the production of raw materials for export. Will soon be planted coffee plantations, cocoa and palm oil along the coast. Ivory Coast was honored for being the only country in western Africa with a sizeable population of foreign settlers in the rest, the French and English residents working in the bureaucracy. Consequently, one third of the cocoa plantations, coffee and bananas in the hands of French citizens and a system of forced labor became the backbone of the economy.

Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the son of a chief Baoule be the instigator of the independence of Ivory Coast. Houphouët-Boigny studied medicine before becoming a thriving cocoa grower and the local chief. In 1944 he began his political career and formed the first agricultural union in the nation, an organization that only defended the interests of African landowners, not farmers. Disturbed by the colonial policy, which benefited the French owners, banded together to recruit immigrant workers for their own farms. Houphouët-Boigny soon became a prominent character, and after one year was elected to the French parliament in Paris. A year later the French abolished forced labor. Over time, Houphouët-Boigny, hungry for power and money, tried to ingratiate itself with the country Gallo, gradually abandoning the more radical of his youth. France accounted for and became the first African to hold a ministerial office in a European government.

When gained independence in 1960, Ivory Coast was the most prosperous French colony in West Africa, contributing over 40% of total exports of the region. When Houphouët-Boigny became the country's first president, his government gave high prices to farmers to stimulate further the performance of their commercial items. Coffee production increased significantly, becoming the world's third largest producer after Brazil and Colombia, the same thing happened with cocoa in 1979, the country was the first producer in the world. He also became the first African nation to export pineapples and palm oil. Among racks, program development, often called the Ivorian miracle had been planned by technicians. Elsewhere in Africa, the processes involve the removal of independentistas Europeans in Ivory Coast, however, came en masse. The French community grew from ten to fifty thousand members, most of them teachers and advisers. For 20 years, the economy maintained an annual growth rate of almost 10%, the highest among African countries exporting oil.

Politically, Houphouët-Boigny in Ivory Coast went hand of steel. There was no free press, and only one political party was tolerated. Houphoët-Boigny was also the largest African producer of shows. It spent millions of dollars to transform their village, Yamoussoukro, in the new capital. In the early 1980s the world recession and drought seriously affected the local economy. Therefore, prompted by improper logging the timber industry and the collapse of sugar prices tripled the country's external debt. The increase in crime came to Abidjan in the European media. The miracle was complete.

In 1990, hundreds of officers began a strike, supported by students, whose violent street protests identified as perpetrators of the economic crisis to corruption and the train of life of senior government officials. The unrest reached levels of unprecedented intensity, weakening the image of Houphouët-Boigny and forcing the government to accept multiparty democracy. The presidential elections of 1990 were the first that had the participation of other political parties, and accordingly Houphouët-Boigny was only 85% of the votes, instead of the customary 99.9%. But the president died in 1993. His successor, Henri Konan-Bédié, was a member of the ethnic Baoule and president of the National Assembly.

In October 1995, Bédié was overwhelmingly reelected to a divided and disorganized opposition. The president increased his control over political life, and jailed hundreds of opponents. The economic outlook, however, appeared to improve, on a decreasing inflation and an attempt to eliminate the debt.

But the unpredictability and volatility of Africa once again become apparent in late 1999. A group of disgruntled general organized a coup and the president went into exile in France Bédié. Led by General Robert Guéï, founded the military COSUR (Oversight Committee for the organization of the referendum). The coup led to a decrease in crime and corruption, and general austerity advocated and promoted a public campaign in favor of a less wasteful society.

In October 2000, held elections in which President Laurent Gbagbo to disputed Robert Guéï but neither peaceful nor democratic. Guei tried to rig the election in his favor, causing a popular uprising, about eighty percent of fatalities and the rapid rise of Gbagbo to power. Alleging that this was a citizen of Burkina Faso, and therefore unqualified for the presidency, the Supreme Court prevented the Muslim opposition leader, Alassane Ouattara to participate in the elections. You will also be closed the doors in the legislative elections of December 12, with a consequent outbreak of violent protests in which his supporters, mainly Muslim north of the country clashed with riot police in the capital, Yamoussoukro. The bloody pre-election violence has shown that ethnic and political tensions in Ivory Coast will not be resolved easily.

Among numerous allegations of coup attempt by the liberal party Union of Republicans of Ouattara, Gbagbo assumed the presidency after the recent elections, the Republican Union had boycotted the result. In an atmosphere of growing hostility towards foreign residents, the situation is far less insecure.

On September 19, 2002, northern troops mutinied and took control of much of the country. The former president Guei was killed at the beginning of the contest. The early ceasefire with the rebels, backed by the full population of the north, mostly Muslim, was short and then resumed the fight in the main coconut producing areas. France sent troops to keep the limits of the ceasefire and militia, including the warlords and fighters from Liberia and Sierra Leone, used the crisis to seize parts of the west.

In January 2003, President Gbagbo and rebel leaders signed agreements for the creation of a 'government of national unity'. It lifted the curfew and the French troops scoured the country's lawless western border. But the central problems remained, and no party achieved its objectives.

Since then, the unity government has proven to be very unstable. In March 2004, 120 people were killed in an opposition march. After it was revealed that the murders were premeditated. Although quotas were sent peacekeepers of the UN, relations between Gbagbo and the opposition continued to deteriorate

Ivory Coast culture and people

The Art of Ivory Coast is among the highlights of the western region of Africa, and every ethnic group in the country has a distinct artistic expression. Particularly famous are the wood carvings of the trunk, hand them (or Yacub) and senufu. In the craft of giving, the most common mask representing a human face, slightly abstract but with realistic features. Another typical expression of this craft is made up of wooden ladles to serve rice are often produced in the form of two human legs that allow them to remain upright. Present on the commemorative ceremonies, Baoule facial masks are very realistic and intended to represent individuals who can be identified by tattoos on their faces or their hair. Senufu masks are characterized by great style: the most famous of these is the helmet-mask spitting fire, a combination of antelope, wild boar verrugoso and hyena.

Although the country has two Catholic cathedrals of the world's monuments, only 12% of the population profess Christianity, and most are Protestants. Nearly one quarter of the population is Muslim, and lives mainly in the North. The vast majority practice traditional religions based on ancestral worship. Believe that the dead are transformed into spirits and remain in constant contact with the living, through various rituals, the living try to gain their goodwill and protection. The practice of magic is also very widespread, and the magic white repels evil spirits. Healers or juju priests dispense charms predict the fate and advice on how to avoid dangers. Also bless grigris, neck amulets that protect specific spells. Specifically, members of ethnic senufu have remained very loyal to their traditional beliefs. Their descendants for many years to learn the history and social customs of his people before being initiated into secret.

The reggae singer Alpha Blondy, world famous, is the best known of Ivory Coast, but his music is not necessarily representative of the country. The traditional style of music consists of melodies and rhythms simultaneously, without one dominating over the others. Historically, this music was considered the exclusive preserve of one social group, the griot (village of artists), using tools made from indigenous materials such as gourds, animal skins and antlers. The most popular and prolific writer of Ivory Coast is Dadie Bernard, whose work has been translated into numerous languages. One of his first novels, CLIMBIAS (1971), is an autobiographical account of a trip to France during his childhood. Aké Loba and Ahmadou Kourouma also highlighted in his literary work.

Homes in villages and urban African-style, continental foods are consumed with the fingers. The most common accompanying the attieke is based on similar to grated cassava couscous, and the visitor can sample a maquis, Restaurant outdoor tables and chairs on the sand. Paradigm of gastronomy, the maquis often serve fish and chicken stews with onions and tomatoes along with attieke or kedjenou, a chicken dish with vegetables and a sauce rather smooth. The crazy, ripe banana in palm oil, seasoned with steamed onions and chile, is one of the tastiest street food, and can be eaten alone or with grilled fish

Ivory Coast Map

Most visitors to South Africa planned at least one safari (journey, in Swahili). It is the ideal way to contact the spectacular wildlife of the region. In general, the tourists made the safari vehicle at an all-powerful, but it is also possible on horseback. Many journeys include the Okavango Delta excursions to islands covered with palm trees, while the Tsodilo Hills are attractive for hiking through the jungle. In the Okavango is possible to fish.

Botswana History

It is believed that the San people (Bushmen) lived in Botswana for thirty thousand years. Followed the Khoi-Khoi (Hottentot) of cattle culture, and later the Bantu, who migrated from regions in northwest and eastern Africa between I and II century AD and settled along the Chobe River. Until the eighteenth century the various Bantu groups, such as tsuana, grouped in small communities coexisted peacefully in the Kalahari. Disputes advocating separation by mutual agreement.

By 1800, the pasture land along the Kalahari were occupied by pastoralists, and peaceful separation was no longer a feasible solution to the dissension. Moreover, the Europeans had arrived in Cape Town and is spreading north. After the union of the Zulu tribes in South Africa in 1818, settlers attacked the villages scattered tsuana, enhancing their vulnerability. In response, regrouped and their society was structured in a complex: a hereditary monarchy tsuana regulate each nation and the people living in towns and villages centralized satellite.

The order and structure of tsuana society impressed the Christian missionaries, which were introduced in the early nineteenth century. Failed to evangelize the vast majority, but managed to advise them, sometimes wrongly, in their dealings with Europeans. Meanwhile, the Boers began the great migration (Great Trek, 1834-1844) into the Vaal, crossing the territory and imposing tsuana Zulu and Western law. Many Indians working in the Boer farms, but the rebellion and violence led to the failure of this partnership work. In 1877, the animosity had grown so that the British intervened to annex the Transvaal, triggering the first war of the Boers. After the 1881 convention Pretoria Boer pressure decreased, but returned the following year to land tsuana, who returned to claim the protection of Britain.

The intervention of United Kingdom led to indigenous people to accept its conditions. The lands south of the Molopo River became known as the Crown Colony of British Bechuanaland, while the area north became the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland (now Botswana). Not counting the years when Britain ceded control to the South Africa Company of Cecil Rhodes, dominated the country until 1966. Nationalism had developed extensively during the fifties and sixties. After the Sharpeville massacre in 1960, formed the Bechuanaland People's Party, whose aim was focused on independence. In 1965 general elections were held, and Seretse Khama was elected president. On September 30, 1966, the Republic of Botswana gained independence.

With the discovery of diamond mines near Orapa in 1967, Botswana was economically transformed. Although most of the population belonged to the poorest, this mineral wealth provided the country huge foreign exchange reserves, and the polish has become one of the major African currencies. But in 1999, the international diamond market slumped, and the first budget deficit in 16 years in Botswana. In any case in relation to the rest of the African continent continues to enjoy great stability and wealth. The government is considered pro-Western and pragmatic, although there is some concern about the increasing military spending on infrastructure. Currently, the country's biggest problems are unemployment, the influx of rural population to the cities and the high birth rate.

At present, the major problems in Botswana are unemployment, AIDS, population exodus to the cities and an unstoppable birth rate, which has begun to slow in recent years by the spread of HIV and AIDS in age for having children. The country suffered a devastating flood in 2000 that left 70,000 homeless, while droughts in recent years have caused great suffering, especially in the west. In 2004, the rate of HIV infection and AIDS in Botswana was 37.5%, and the country attended a dreadful migratory influx of refugees from Zimbabwe. Despite these challenges, Botswana remains a peaceful nation.

Botswana Culture & people

In the primitive religions of Botswana tribal chiefs of the clans headed family issues from the underworld. Among the rites of initiation ceremonies highlighted the male and female and rituals to bring rain. Practiced polygamy, and property inherited from a man the children of his first wife. Folklore San (Bushman) is very rich, and provides explanations of supernatural events earthly N_odima orchestrated by the good, and Gcawama, the mischievous trickster. The missionaries went almost all the traditional customs and Christianity is now the dominant doctrine in the country. The English is the official language, but speech is the most used tsuana, a Bantu language means that approximately 90% of the population.

The artisans of the Botswana primitive aesthetics applied to individual instruments and utensils of daily use. Pottery, fabrics and tools were his most important contributions. The baskets have exquisite designs such evocative names as Tears of the Giraffe, a trace of rust in front of the bull or the zebra. Since there was no writing in indigenous languages, the country does not have a significant literary tradition. The ancient myths and religious poetry of Aboriginal was passed on orally, and was not transcribed until recently. The best-known contemporary literary figure was Bessie Head (1937-1986), originally from South Africa, who took refuge in Serowe, and her novels focus on the beauty of rural life.

In traditional society, men tend the herds and subsisted primarily for meat and milk, while women gathered and consumed wild fruits and vegetables. Currently, millet and sorghum porridge form the basis of gastronomy Botswana, but are being replaced by imported maize meal. The people of remote areas supplement their diet with morama, a tuber, and an edible mushroom known as the Kalahari truffle. You can also find dishes cooked with the mopane worm, a larva similar to a caterpillar that can be cooked in hot ash, boiled in salt water or dried and fried. Among the highlights traditional drinks palm wine, strong and illegal, but tolerated, and kgadi, a distillation of brown sugar or mushrooms. Among the laws include bojalwa, a sorghum beer economic

Botswana Map

Antananarivo (Tana)

Like many other capitals in Asia or Africa, Tana appears overcrowded, polluted and boisterous, but also has some areas of essential visit. In the center of the bottom of the metropolis is Araben ny Fahaleovantena (generally known as the Avenue de l'Indépendance) at one end is located the railway station and in the other Glacier Hotel. This district, called Analakely, permanent street markets brimming with a sea of cream-colored umbrellas, supported precariously on old tires, which are home to vendors.
Southwest of Analakely is Kianja ny Fahaleovantena (Place de l'Indépendance) in the area known as Haute-Ville (Upper Town), where is located the central post office, various banks, restaurants and nightclubs. Uphill, crossing streets and other churches dilapidated buildings up to the actual ruins of the Rova, the former palace of the queen, was razed by fire in 1995, undoubtedly caused by political reasons during the local elections.
The huge market Zoma, alongside Araben ny Fahaleovantena, stands as one of the most visited Tana. Traders are grouped by type of product sold and is one of the best places to buy crafts Malagasy. One must keep in mind there are pickpockets around the area, so it is advisable to carry only enough money to buy what you want. Tana in north-east in the market for Andravoahangy, stone cutters, embroiderers, booksellers, carpenters and other artisans sell their work and articles you can admire the process of developing their work, although the selection of quality products has more Zoma.
For those who have not yet visited the national parks of our country can enjoy the Botanical and Zoological Park Tsimbazaza. It has several species of lemurs (caged and free) including the aye-aye, and other particular types of egrets, herons, crocodiles and radiated tortoises and Aldabra. In the zoo is located the Museum of the Malagasy Academy, with excellent natural and cultural exhibits, which incorporate the skeletal remains and preserved eggs of the extinct elephant bird, the giant lemurs, a short-tailed white hippo and a dugong. Another room contains an exhibit of Malagasy funerary art and the life of a tribal people.
Tana center offers a wide range of accommodation, but the value can not be described as excellent. The cheaper hotels, dirty and noisy, often used as brothels, so that travelers can not afford an accommodation with the highest health and safety would be well advised to go to rural areas. Tana does not have an extensive range of restaurants, despite the almost fifty years of French, and many offer menus du jour and plats du jour on a good price. On the outskirts of the city and the area around the market that Zoma are stalls where you can purchase many different products, from dishes Samosas, yogurt and ice cream to meat and other delicacies fried unidentifiable mass. There are also hotelys of various ranges of quality in the vicinity of the taxi-brousse stops (rural taxis), beyond the urban center, it is always possible to find some food acceptable.

Nossi-Be

Nossi-Bé is the resort island of excellence in Madagascar, in the vicinity, other minors, Nossi-Komba, Nossi-Tanikely, Nossi-Sakatia, Nossi-Mitsias and Nossi-Iranja. A Nossi-Bé those who wish to attend a holiday in the resorts themselves, with a good selection of restaurants and nightclubs, but also where there are superb dive sites with the smaller islands. Although relatively little has to stop and holiday package tour, Nossi-Bé is terribly expensive. Andoany (Hell-Ville, in French), the capital, is a cheerful and friendly population of some thirty thousand people that just seem to have changed since the arrival of their first settlers. You can visit the old prison, built in 1855, and other colonial buildings.
Marodoka, captivating and a little-known enclave of Nossi-Bé, is a remnant coastal slowly devoured by the jungle. Local legend attributes the construction of a shipwrecked boat Indus thrown into the coast in the seventeenth or eighteenth century. The Integral Nature Reserve contains the latest Lokobe has 740 original vegetation of Nossi-Bé, boa constrictor and houses, black lemurs, chameleons and snakes Malagasy nosed pig. Mount Passot emerged as the highest peak on the island, just 329 m high, an ideal location for enjoying the sunset or just admire the view. Surrounded by the beautiful blue waters of the sacred lakes of the craters Anjavibe, Amparihimirahavavy, Bemapaza, Antsahamanavaka, Antsidihy, Amparihibe and Maintimaso.
Air offers daily flights between Madagascar and Tana Nossi-Bé; TAM and Air Austral, both based in Reunion, fly from the island. Nossi-Bé is located 700 km north of Tana.
Integral Nature Reserve Tsingy de Bemaraha
This area before it was almost inaccessible, but since it was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco has a growing number of tourist itineraries. Tsingy de Bemaraha, located west of the country with an immense forest of pinnacles eroded limestone inhabited by an impressive fauna, is the largest protected area in Madagascar (152,000 ha). The reserve consists of two parks, the Petit Tsingy and the Grand Tsingy. To date, there have been 53 species of birds, eight reptiles and six of lemurs. The tours may include a Tsingy a spectacular canoeing on the river Manambolo. South of the Petit Tsingy is the magnificent gorge of Manambolo can atisvarse where waterfalls, lemurs and magnificent forests.
Reach the reserve during the rainy season self is virtually impossible. During the dry season may be taken from Belo-sur-Tsiribihina one of the occasional taxi to Brousses-Bekopaka, 80km away. The taxi will continue until the road is impassable, at which time the passenger must walk through several rivers in a cart pulled by zebu. Access to the reserve is more affordable since Bekopaka. During the tourist season in mid-year, enabling some flights between Morondava and Belo, and can also be used Brousses-taxis that circulate regularly. Bekopaka is located 600 km west of Tana.

National Park Mountain Ambre

The most visited tourist destination in northern Madagascar has covered 18,200 of a prominent volcanic massif. Created in 1958 to conserve the biological treasures of the area and the solid in itself, the National Park Mountain Ambre has a flora and fauna virtually identical to the jungles of the East, with some species endemic to the nonexistent South. The forest is lush, with more than 3,500 mm of rainfall per year. Of the seven species of lemurs that inhabit the park, the most notable are the crowned lemur and Sanford brown lemur. The amphibians and reptiles distinguished by their variety, with frogs, salamanquesas, chameleons and snakes. It is worthwhile to look at the strange chameleon blue nose and tail of the chameleon outbreaks. Birdwatchers will not be disappointed with the 73 species of birds recorded in the reserve.
Ambre mountain presents a magnificent enclave for hiking during the dry season, and has about 20 km of trails well preserved. It is recommended to visit the Petite Cascade, a small and beautiful waterfall that drops off to a magnificent pool surrounded by stone cliffs covered with ferns, and the Petit Lac, a serene lake in a crater which is accessed by a steep trail. In the vicinity of the Petite Cascade, a road known as the Jardin Botanique, an interesting track with a strange mixture of plants, including orchids, palms, lianas and bromeliads.
The park is located about 800 km north of Tana, and the nearest large population is Antsiranana, with daily flights by Air Mad from Tana. You can hire a taxi-brousse from Antsiranana to access the park and 40 km of road are paved.

Mahajanga

Mahajanga is the second largest port of Madagascar, situated at the mouth of the river in Bay Betsiboka Bombetoka, on the northeast coast. Intensely hot, dusty, lethargic and difficult to access, it's just a destination frequented by travelers. This border town is in decline of wide avenues, an interesting architecture, shady arcades and flowering bougainvillea, an explanation of the name is that of the population comes from Swahili and means village of the flowers. It has numerous churches and at least a score of Mosques, which hosts the largest Muslim community in Madagascar. The nearby beaches are relatively safe, but network are stained by the blood of the Uplands to the sea washed away.
Facing the Mozambique channel, Mahajanga is located 400 km north-west of Tana. Is connected by air with Tana, and Antsiranana Nossi-Bé, and is also a transit point for flights that go to the remote settlements on the West Coast. You can also go by taxi-brousse from Tana, the trip between 12 and 15 hours (much longer in the rainy season) gives a true environmental catastrophe.

Isalo National Park

This park was founded in 1962 and has 81.540 Sandstone has a solid subjected to a dramatic erosion. The extraordinary scenery well worth several days of exploration on foot, but must be accompanied by a guide. The Grassy plains are surrounded by Sandstone cliffs carved in extraordinary ways, and hidden among the rocks are many Sakalava tombs. If the leader is reluctant to talk about the Catacombs, we must not insist, as are many taboo (Fady) in the region.
Singer of the Canyon (Canyon monkeys) offers an interesting tour of a day, and the possibility of seeing Sifaka jump (common lemur) between the branches of trees. In the nearby tombs Zafimagnel Canyon desRats Bara, can ask the guide to teach or omit the visit. It is also possible to follow the canyon on foot to the Piscine Naturelle, a hot and thirsty walk but well worth the magnificent landscapes of the journey. La Grotte des Portugais is located at the north end of the park. The cave is not of great interest but, instead, the Forêt de Sahanafa that stands out for its surrounding beauty, with abundant natural sources and lemurs.
The Isalo is approximately 400 km southwest of Tana, the nearest town is Ranohira. It is necessary to travel by taxi from Tana to Ihosy service and hire another to walk 91 km to the Ranohira. From this population to access the park on a short trip by taxi-brousse.

Fianarantsoa

Located in the heart of the most productive agricultural area of the country, Fianarantsoa stands as the academic and intellectual capital of Madagascar. Fiana has a surprisingly interesting selection of comfortable and economical accommodation. To the west, the background of the population is dominated by Mount Kianjasoa of 1374 m above sea level. The city has an authentic atmosphere of high land that is necessary to provide a jacket, because you really can do very cold. In the 1970s, a Swiss company was able to exploit the potential of wine in the surrounding area and now has become the first wine region in the country. It is also possible to visit the tea plantation of Savahamby, 22 km east of FIAN.
Basse-Ville is the poorest but also the most animated of the city, with the central post office, railway station and a surprising style Swiss taxi-brousse stops. Nouvelle-Ville is its shopping area, banks and hotels, but the district is more beautiful Haute-Ville, located on a hill overlooking the rest of districts. It has beautiful streets, a quiet and picturesque views of the lake and rice Anosy around. Haute-Ville is distinguished from below by a bunch of towers, because of intense missionary activity, Fiana is the largest Catholic city in Madagascar.
Given that there is regular transportation by road between Tana and Fiana, find only two weekly flights. The road is in excellent condition and from Tana, 410 km to the north, and Antsirabe, in the same route at 240 km, has a number of taxi-Brouss.

Madagascar activities

Madagascar has excellent dive sites, despite the environmental pressures on many of their reefs. The best are found along the islands and islets surrounding Nossi-Bé. The steep roads are a real challenge for cycling who want to practice and should have strong mountain bike and a generous reserve of spare wheels. Is gaining adherents whale watching, for which there are two areas indicated: Taolognar in southern Madagascar, and the thing west of Île Ste-Marie, near the east coast. The national parks offer wonderful settings for walking in their territory, the possibilities for photography are endless.

Madagascar history

The Malagasy population is a mixture of black people (coming from East Africa) and a people malayopolinesio (probably originating in Indonesia and Southeast Asia), which inhabits the island for about five hundred thousand or two thousand years, although the findings archaeological stone objects suggest the possible existence of an earlier culture. Following the establishment of both towns on the island came with time African slaves, Arab traders, Portuguese and Indians, pirates and French colonists in Europe, to form the so-called official 18 clans living in Madagascar today. Malagasies brought the first crop of his own region of Southeast Asia, the existing agricultural areas, with its endless paddy fields, more reminiscent of Africa than Asia.
Marco Polo and cited the existence of the island in the story of his travels, and also was known to Arab cartographers. The Portuguese became the first Europeans to arrive, with a fleet under the command of Diego Dias in 1500. Over the centuries went by Madagascar Portuguese, Dutch and British, without any permanent basis, until the seventeenth century the pirates had not achieved what they achieved none of his governments provided boots, buried treasure, and genes to the local population especially in the area of Ile Ste-Marie. By the time they start fighting piracy in the Caribbean, more than a thousand corsairs English, French, Portuguese, Dutch, American and other origins were established on the east coast of Madagascar to use as a base and attack the craft double the Cape of Good Hope.
Increasing trade in arms and slaves, sponsored by the Europeans caused the rise of Malagasy kingdoms, thus emerging small rivals. Towards the end of the eighteenth century, the clan had imposed its merino domain. In 1820 the British signed a treaty in which recognize Madagascar as an independent state under the control of the merino. British influence continued well into the twentieth century, but since 1883 France had become the only European power recognized in Madagascar (in exchange for recognition of British sovereignty in Zanzibar by the French).
In 1896, the island was finally annexed by the French, who established a colonial administration under the leadership of General Joseph Gallieni as first governor general. In 1897, the exiled Queen Ranavalona III, abolished the monarchy in this way. Similarly, any attempt to remove British influence and stop the Malagasy language, declaring the French as an official language. Although, in theory, the French had abolished slavery in the island, in practice the tax regime was a repressive force so that those who could not pay the taxes were sentenced to hard labor. The land was expropriated by foreign settlers and companies, a well developed economy based on import and export of coffee plantations.
During WWII, the French administration to pass into the hands of the collaborationist Vichy, United Kingdom responded with an invasion, ostensibly to prevent Japan Madagascar used as a military base in the Indian Ocean. The British returned the power to free the French of De Gaulle in 1943. After the contest, Madagascar underwent a nationalist backlash: many Malagasy, French and educated according to the notions of liberty, equality and fraternity, were no longer willing to be considered second-class citizens in their own country. The 1947 rebellion was put down with a harsh French repression that cost thousands of lives Malagasy (probably about eighty thousand), but the system was already beginning to crumble.
In the 1950s several political parties emerged, and when De Gaulle returned to power in France in 1958, the Malagasy voted for a republic is covered by the autonomous community of French overseas territories. The island enjoyed a peaceful transition to independence in 1960, although the colons, as is still known as the population of French origin, were kept in a prominent position. The first president, Philibert Tsiranana sponsored a model in its repressive government, and although a merino (clan of social trends), refused to establish relations with any communist country. In 1972, violently quelled a revolt in the south, this way of marking the beginning of their decline. Shortly after he resigned and gave full power to General Gabriel Ramanantsoa.
Since independence, Madagascar's economy began a gradual downturn, which accelerated with the withdrawal of the Communauté Financière Africaine (CFA), when the French decided to leave farming community, taking its capital, its methods and technology. A rapid succession of generals in the presidency, one of whom was killed barely a week after taking office, failed to improve the economic situation. A group of officers led by Admiral Didier Ratsiraka tried to save the ship, nationalizing banks and other major businesses without compensation. The French who remained on the island left the country with all their belongings, money and credentials.
Towards the end of the 1970s, Madagascar was completely uncoupled from France and its government seriously courted to communist countries, even Ratsiraka issued its own red book of policies and theories of government. To address the economic crisis, the government was obliged to follow the constraints dictated by the IMF, based on a new policy of austerity. With these measures, the situation improved slightly, but again suffered a further deterioration. Ratsiraka won the election in March 1989, allegations of fraud by their opponents led to riots. They were followed in 1991, renewed fighting, when the presidential guard, trained in North Korea, killed demonstrators in the opulent new palace Ratsiraka (built with help from the same country).
The early nineties led to civil unrest. After a term of four years by Professor Albert Zafy, incapable of uniting the country and overcome years of bureaucratic misrule, Ratsiraka was unexpectedly with victory in the elections of 1996. The fact that only 25% of the 6.5 million registered voters bother to vote indicates low confidence in conserving Malagasy politics. In 1998 he proclaimed a new constitution granting greater powers to Ratsiraka when electing members of the government.
In early 2000, Madagascar was destroyed by devastating hurricanes and cause massive destruction and flooding, caused more than thirty percent casualties and left more than ten thousand people homeless.
The results of the presidential elections of December 2001 were inconclusive, as both Ratsiraka and Ravalomanana claiming victory. After a lot of strikes and mass protests, Ravalomanana declared himself president in February 2002 and settled in the capital, Antananarivo, while Ratsiraka and his forces moved to the port city of Tamatave. Ratsiraka fled to Paris months later, although the forces are loyal to him are still active, sometimes preventing the supply of capital. Ravalomanana largely defeated the opposition in the elections of December 2002, ensuring the legitimacy it needed.
The new president took over the reform of the decrepit economy, and announced salary increases for politicians in an effort to stamp out corruption. Touched the right keys at the World Bank which, along with France and the U.S. pledged a total of 2,300,000,000.00. They, like millions of Malagasy, had hoped that Ravalomanana, a self-made millionaire, could make the end of the economic potential of Madagascar.
In December 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami reached the east coast of Madagascar, destroying infrastructure and leaving about a thousand people homeless.

Madagascar Culture

Most of the contemporary and traditional Malagasy music is based on dance rhythms with influences from Indonesian and Continental, particularly Kenya. These rhythms are accompanied by flutes, whistles and Valiha, a 28-string instrument resembling a bassoon but played in a manner similar to a harp. The lokanga voatavo or cordófono is also very common, as well as various types of guitars, including kabosy, similar to a ukulele. The soave vaky corresponds to a style of singing accompanied only by rhythmical clapping, one of his best-known performers, Paul Bert Rahasimanana developed a personal style that included musical accompaniment. Its themes include poverty, love, loss and hope.
The regional population of Fianarantsoa has become in recent years in a sort of literary capital, to accommodate various contemporary writers and novelists. While the literature did not develop to the decades of 1930-1940, the traditional oratory, called kabary is highly regarded. Its roots go back to traditional political assemblies, whose members took turns the word, following its evolution and popularity, it spread to a wider audience as a form of entertainment. The kabary is an essential part of hira Gasy, a kind of secular entertainment that includes music, dance and oral histories that are represented in Tana Sunday afternoons.
While Madagascar has an official language and common culture, the Malagasy population is divided into 18 clans whose borders are governed more by belonging to the ancient kingdoms that the ethnic characteristics of the population. Most Malagasy are of mixed race, but some, like the merino in the area of Antananarivo, predominantly Indonesian have a profile, while others, such as vezos the southwestern coast, with strong links to Eastern Africa, resemble black Africans.
Madagascar has two official languages: French and Malagasy, the latter widely used. Belongs to the Austronesian family, which includes Indonesian and many other Polynesian languages, its closest relative language spoken in southern Borneo. It has also adopted words from French, Arabic, African languages and English closer.
52% of Malagasy practice traditional religions, including Christians declared (41%) tend to respect the rites of devotion with these beliefs. Malagasies revere the dead, and give much importance to this and beyond. The soul of the deceased played a larger role in the lives of those who live in almost any other culture. At the funeral rituals are very elaborate, and if it is believed that the dead have not been satisfied, additional rituals are performed to appease them. The best known is the famadihana or return of the bones, which exhumed the body, he speaks and he entertains and then bury it again and to present a new shroud. Muslim communities are also among, amount to approximately 7% of the population.
The dominant element of the Malagasy food is rice, vary, but it does not accompany the meal, but the latter is serving as a complement. In general, the bars along the roads serving large plates of rice with a small base of support to beef, fish or chicken. Apart from this source, among the favorite foods of Malagasies, romazava include (a stew of beef and vegetables) and ravitoto (pork stew with cassava leaves). Many dishes are accompanied by a vinegary and spicy curry called achards. Fish from the shore economical and delicious, practically throughout the year can purchase a wide range of tropical fruits (voankazo): pineapples, lychees, mangoes and bananas.
Due to French influence, style coffee is excellent and the tea. The local beer THB (Three Horses Beer) is also much appreciated. In the vicinity of Fianarantsoa and Ambalavao producing several high quality wines, including a gray color called, of course, gray. There are also various types of beverage, all of them more than enough power to take your breath away. The rum is a toaka grasy coarse rice and sugar cane the trembo a coconut punch, and litchel, a fruit drink based lychees. Is the category of most Roma, rum distillate.