Overview
Anosy is a region in southeastern Madagascar. It borders Androy region in the west, Atsimo-Andrefana in the northwest, Ihorombe in the north and Atsimo-Atsinanana in the northeast. This region is 25,731 km2 (9,935 sq mi), about the size of the US State of Vermont, the island of Cyprus or the nation of Israel, running from approximately Manantenina in the northeast corner of the region, and west to Ranomafana and the Mandrare river. The distance from Manantenina at the northern edge of Anosy to the Mandrare river at the south is almost 150 km. "Anosy" means "island" or "islands" in Malagasy. Possibly, Anosy was named after the island in the Fanjahira (now named Efaho) river where the Zafiraminia first settled when they arrived in this region in the 16th century. Another theory is that the name means "land of the islands" because of the large amount of water in this region. During the rainy season, the Efaho valley floods, creating many temporary islands.
Tôlanaro is the capital and the overall population of Anosy, primarily the Antanosy, was estimated to be 544,200 in 2004. At present it is doubling roughly every 15 years. In terms of people per square kilometer, this varies from 33 in the Tolagnaro district, 16 in the Amboasary Atsimo district, and only 10 in the Betroka district. There are also Antandroy living in the region, especially in Tolagnaro and in the Amboasary-Sud district, and Malagasy from other parts of the island who live and work in Anosy. The Betroka district has Bara people, though they primarily live in the rural part of the district.
The region is divided into three districts:
- Amboasary Sud District
- Betroka District (added in 2004)
- Tôlanaro District
It has 64 communes.
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