RSSFianarantsoa is the academic and intellectual centre of Madagascar, and it lies at the heart of the country's most productive agricultural region and leading wine-producing area.
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To the west is the 1374m (4506ft) high Mt Kianjasoa, and to the east is the Savahamby Tea Estate, which is about 22km (13.6mi) from the town. It is marked from below by a cluster of church spires, witnessing it to be the centre of Catholicism in Madagascar. |
Nouvelle-Ville is the business area with the banks and several hotels. The Haute-Ville district, which sits on a hill overlooking the two other districts, has many lovely narrow streets, a quaint atmosphere and picturesque views across Lac Anosy and the surrounding rice paddies.
Basse-Ville is the liveliest area in the city, with the main post office, a Swiss-styled railway station, and taxi-brousse stations.
