9,573
edits
Changes
no edit summary
'''The Isalo National Park is part of the Ranohira municipality in the Ihorombe region. The park is located 279 kilometres south of Fianarantsoa and 80 kilometres south of Ihosy. The park is the most visited protected area in Madagascar and a popular highlight when discovering the Great South.'''
{| class="imageTable"
|-
|colspan="3" | [[File:Isalo_National_Park_001.jpg|600px]]
|-
|[[File:Isalo_National_Park_047.jpg|196px]]
|align="center"|[[File:Isalo_National_Park_046.jpg|196px]]
|align="right"|[[File:Isalo_National_Park_010.jpg|196px]]
|}
Isalo National Park was founded in 1962 and is administrated by [[Madagascar National Parks]] since 1997. The park is situated along the [[RN7]], a tarred road connecting the capital of [[Antananarivo]] with [[Tulear]]. The road is in very good condition and accessible all year round. The route from Antananarivo to [[Ranohira]], also known as the door to Isalo, takes about 15 hours by car (701km). From Tulear to Ranohira is a 4-hour drive (250km). It is also possible to travel by [[taxi-brousse]], which leave daily from Fasan’ny Karana station in Antananarivo, Antsimo station in [[Fianarantsoa]] and Sanfily station in Tulear.
The Isalo massif is a continental sandstone plateau, dating back to the Jurassic times. The park features various sandy valleys and narrow canyons. Strongly attacked by erosion, the rocks vary in shape and composition. The soil in the park is rich in iron and aluminium.
{| class="imageTable"
|-
|colspan="3" | [[File:Isalo_National_Park_048.jpg|600px]]
|-
|[[File:Isalo_National_Park_038.jpg|196px]]
|align="center"|[[File:Isalo_National_Park_032.jpg|196px]]
|align="right"|[[File:Isalo_National_Park_044.jpg|196px]]
|}
In the eastern part of the park, the following rivers flow from north to south: Marandra, Tsiombivoly, Andriamanero, Andranonkova and Namaza Ianakandrarezo, all small tributary rivers of the Menamaty, a tributary river of Mangoky. In the western part, the following rivers stream from north to south: Sambay, Amboloando, Ankademoky, Sakamalio, Hoanga, Vohibasia, Andranomena and Sambalahitsara Analakira, all of which are small tributary rivers of Malio, another tributary of the river Mangoky.