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'''Ambanja is the capital town of the disctrict district by the same name in northern the northwest of Madagascar. The town is located along the beautiful [[Sambirano]] river, about 20 kilometres from the Mozambique Channel, southeast of [[Nosy Be]] island.'''

Ambanja is the heart of the Sambirano region, which comprises the area along the course of Sambirano River - from the [[Tsaratanana Massif]] down to [[Ampasindava Bay]]. The population climate of the region is approximately 30tropical with regular,000almost daily rainfall, providing ideal conditions for farming. The surrounding of Ambanja is characterised by many lush green plantations. About 60 percent % of the population live from farming , and the most important crop is cacao. Other importantcrops include vanilla, ylang-ylang, coffee, pepper and rice and coffee. <!--Industry provide employment for about 26% and the services sector for about 2%. Approximately 10 percent of the population make a living from fishing.--> One of the biggest cacao plantations in the area is the [[Millot Plantation]].

The town of Ambanja itself offers only a view attractions. Near the northern entrance of the town there is enroute a big fruit market. Along the town's main street a vast number of stalls are set up, selling second hand cloth, cooking utensils and other useful things. At the other end of the town is a smaller, covered fruit market (Bazarbe), just next to the [[taxi-brousse]] station. A few minutes from there a bridge leads over the huge Sambirano River. Ambanja is best reached via Nosy Be]] approximately 20km , from where boats depart to [[Ankify|Ankify harbour]], where boats . From there it is about 18km to Ambanja. A drive from [[Nosy BeAntananarivo]] to Ambanja takes between 18 and 24 hours by taxi-brousse. The car ride from Ambanja to [[Nosy KombaDiego Suarez]] depart(Antsiranana) takes between 3 and 4 hours.  <!-- ??? There is a domestic airport but which is currently not served by [[Air Madagascar]] (March 20102012). <!-- Check: Is there a harbour? -->