Difference between revisions of "Diego Suarez"

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'''The town of Diego Suarez is located in the north of Madagascar in the world's largest natural bay with the picturesque [[Nosy Lonja]] (sugar loaf island) in the middle. Diego Suarez is named after the Portuguese explorer Diego Diaz in who came to Madagascar in 1500 and the sailor Fernando Suarez who came to the bay in 1506. Unfortunately Diego Diaz was rather cruel to the locals and sold them into slavery.'''
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'''The town of Diego Suarez is located in the north of Madagascar in the world's largest natural bay with the picturesque [[Nosy Lonja]] (sugarloaf island) in the middle. Diego Suarez is named after the Portuguese explorer Diego Diaz who came to Madagascar in 1500 and the sailor Fernando Suarez who arrived at the bay in 1506. Unfortunately Diego Diaz was rather cruel to the locals and sold them into slavery.'''
  
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Although since 1975 the officinal name of the town is ''Antsiranana'', literally meaning "port" in Malagasy, many people still call it Diego Suarez. In 1885 the French Navy built a military base on location, giving the strategic importance of the deep-water harbour. During the second world war Diego Suarez was under the control of the Vichy French. In 1942 Britain and the Allies occupied Diego Suarez to prevent the Japanese warships and submarines entering the harbour. Hundreds of British soldiers fell in the Battle of Madagascar. Until 1973, Diego Suarez has served as a port to the French fleet of the Indian Ocean.
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Although since 1975 the officinal name of the town is ''Antsiranana'', literally meaning "that is at the seaside" in Malagasy, many people still refer to Diego Suarez. In 1885 the French Navy built a military base on the location, given the strategic importance of a deep-water harbour. During World War II Diego Suarez was under control of the French Vichy. In 1942 Britain and The Allies occupied Diego Suarez to prevent the Japanese warships and submarines from entering the harbour. Hundreds of British soldiers fell in the Battle of Madagascar. Until 1973, Diego Suarez served as a port to the French fleet of the Indian Ocean.
  
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Today Diego Suarez is Madagascar's 5th largest town and after the capital [[Antananarivo]] the most modern in terms of lifestyle, shops and entertainment. The locals are a vibrant mixture of Malagasy, Indians, Arabs, Creoles, Chinese and Comorians. Most tourists discover only Colbert Street, which is framed by large, colourful colonial brick buildings with verandas. Most hotels, restaurants, tour operators and handicraft shops can be found on this street. The area south of [[Place Foch]] is more Malagasy, with local stores, street markets and the big fruit and food market.
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Today Diego Suarez is Madagascar's 5th largest town and after the capital [[Antananarivo]] the most modern in terms of lifestyle, shops and entertainment. The locals are a vibrant mixture of Malagasy, Indians, Arabs, Creole, Chinese and Comorians. Most tourists discover only Colbert Street, which is framed by large, colourful colonial brick buildings with verandas. Most hotels, restaurants, tour operators and handicraft shops can be found on this street. The area south of [[Place Foch]] is more Malagasy, with local stores, street markets and the big fruit and food market. The entire town will go to sleep between noon and 3pm with its peak of awakeness during night time.
  
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The climate around Diego Suarez is hot with seven months of dry weather a year. Almost all rain falls between end November and April. In those months the landscape turns from beige brown to lush green. Bird lovers will enjoy the dry season as more birds are visible then.  
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The climate around Diego Suarez is hot with seven months of dry weather a year. Almost all rain falls between end of November and April. In those months the landscape turns from beige and brown to lush green. Bird lovers will enjoy the dry season as birds are more visible then.  
  
 
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="-12.27346" lon="49.291105" zoom="15">
 
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="-12.27346" lon="49.291105" zoom="15">
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== Day Exursions ==
 
== Day Exursions ==
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The surroundings of Diego Suarez offer some of the most beautiful natural landscapes of Madagascar. For the active travelers their are plentiful opportunities for hiking, climbing, swimming, snorkelling, diving, kite-surfing, fishing, bicycling etc.
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The surroundings of Diego Suarez offer some of the most beautiful natural landscapes of Madagascar. For the active travellers their are many opportunities for hiking, climbing, swimming, snorkelling, diving, kite-surfing, fishing, bicycling etc.
  
 
* [[Ramena Beach]]  
 
* [[Ramena Beach]]  

Revision as of 08:03, 18 November 2011

The town of Diego Suarez is located in the north of Madagascar in the world's largest natural bay with the picturesque Nosy Lonja (sugarloaf island) in the middle. Diego Suarez is named after the Portuguese explorer Diego Diaz who came to Madagascar in 1500 and the sailor Fernando Suarez who arrived at the bay in 1506. Unfortunately Diego Diaz was rather cruel to the locals and sold them into slavery.

Although since 1975 the officinal name of the town is Antsiranana, literally meaning "that is at the seaside" in Malagasy, many people still refer to Diego Suarez. In 1885 the French Navy built a military base on the location, given the strategic importance of a deep-water harbour. During World War II Diego Suarez was under control of the French Vichy. In 1942 Britain and The Allies occupied Diego Suarez to prevent the Japanese warships and submarines from entering the harbour. Hundreds of British soldiers fell in the Battle of Madagascar. Until 1973, Diego Suarez served as a port to the French fleet of the Indian Ocean.

Today Diego Suarez is Madagascar's 5th largest town and after the capital Antananarivo the most modern in terms of lifestyle, shops and entertainment. The locals are a vibrant mixture of Malagasy, Indians, Arabs, Creole, Chinese and Comorians. Most tourists discover only Colbert Street, which is framed by large, colourful colonial brick buildings with verandas. Most hotels, restaurants, tour operators and handicraft shops can be found on this street. The area south of Place Foch is more Malagasy, with local stores, street markets and the big fruit and food market. The entire town will go to sleep between noon and 3pm with its peak of awakeness during night time.

The climate around Diego Suarez is hot with seven months of dry weather a year. Almost all rain falls between end of November and April. In those months the landscape turns from beige and brown to lush green. Bird lovers will enjoy the dry season as birds are more visible then.


Places to visit

Day Exursions

The surroundings of Diego Suarez offer some of the most beautiful natural landscapes of Madagascar. For the active travellers their are many opportunities for hiking, climbing, swimming, snorkelling, diving, kite-surfing, fishing, bicycling etc.

Restaurants

La Capannina
Bar - Restaurant - Pizzeria

Le Balafomanga
Malagasy - Créole - Seafood

Internet Access

Accommodation

Kartiffa Hotel (14 rooms)
Tel: +261 (0)32 0418583 (mobile)
Email: toto@kikoohotel.com
Website: www.kikoohotel.com/kartiffa-hotel-diego-suarez.html

Grand Hotel
Tel: +261 (0)20 8223063
Email: grandhotel_diego@yahoo.fr
Website: www.grand-hotel-diego.com

Hotel de la Poste
Tel: +261 (0)32 0478575 (mobile)
Email: contact@diego-hoteldelaposte.com
Website: www.diego-hoteldelaposte.com

Video about Diego Suarez (French)

Diego Suarez - Antoine

Photos

Bold text

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