Mandritsara

Mandritsara [maɳɖʐiˈtsarə̥] is a city and commune (commune urbain, Malagasy: kaominina) in northern Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Mandritsara, which is a part of Sofia Region. The population of the commune was estimated to be approximately 17,000 in 2001 commune census.[2]

Mandritsara
Mandritsara Location in Madagascar
Coordinates: 15°50′S 48°49′E
Country	Madagascar
Region	Sofia
District	Mandritsara
Elevation [1]	322 m (1,056 ft)
Population  (2001)[2]
• Total	17,000
Time zone	UTC3 (EAT)

The town has a permanent court and hospital Hopitaly Vaovao Mahafaly – a Baptist mission hospital whose name means "Good News Hospital" (or, literally, "Hospital of the news that makes you happy").[2]

Farming and raising livestock provides employment for 40% and 35% of the working population. The most important crop is rice, while other important products are peanuts and cassava. Services provide employment for 25% of the population.[2]

Education

In addition to primary schooling the town offers secondary education at both junior and senior levels. The Social Sciences Training and Research Unit (UFRSS) is the Mandritsara branch of the University of Mahajanga. A regional centre for distance education (CRTE) of the Centre National de Télé-Enseignement de Madagascar (CNETMAD) is located in Mandritsara.

Transport

• RN 32
• Mandritsara is served by a local airport.

References and notes

1. Estimated based on DEM data from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission
2. "ILO census data". Cornell University. 2002. Retrieved 2008-02-28.