Antsirabe is the third largest city in Madagascar and the capital of the Vakinankaratra region. The mostly Betsileo population of the city is approximately 183,000.
Antsirabe is a an agricultural and industrial centre of Madagascar. Industries include brewing, flour, milk processing, oil, textiles and cigarette manufacturing. The city is the headquarters of [[Tiko]] and [[STAR Brewery]]. Agricultural produce include rice, vegetables and fruits and due to the cool climate, apples, pears, plums and other temperate fruit can be grown in the region.
Agricultural produce include riceAt an altitude of about 1, vegetables and fruits and due to 500 metres, Antsirabe is the cool climatecoolest city in Madagascar, appleswith winter temperatures between May and September, pears, plums and other temperate fruit can be grown in the regionusually dropping to zero degrees Celsius.
At an altitude The city was founded in 1872 by Norwegian missionaries who were attracted by the cool climate and healing properties of about 1,500 metres, Antsirabe the many thermal springs and minerals in the area. The city is often nicknamed the coolest city in Madagascar, with winter temperatures between May "Vichy Malgache" and September, usually dropping to zero degrees celsiusthe name Antsirabe literally means "the place of much salt".
The city was founded in 1872 by Norwegian missionaries who were attracted by the cool climate and the healing properties of its many thermal springs and minerals. The city is often nicknamed the "Vichy Malgache". The name Antsirabe literally means "the place of much salt". There is an airfield <!--(IATA code: ATJ)--> but it is only in use by private planes. A railway connects with Antananarivo but us is only used by freight trains. To reach Antsirabe by car coming from Antananarivo takes 3-4 hours.
== Things to do in Antsirabe ==