Sambirano River

Source: The peak of Tsaratanana
Watershed area: 2,980km²
Length: 124km

Daily usage: Source of potable water and for washing laundry or other items, rice cultivation, source of sand for construction, traditional fishing (Gogo, Filapisaka, Antrondro...), river transport and tourism.

Origins of the name Sambirano: According to tradition, a Sakalava King climbed to the source of the river where it branches apart. There, a villager asked him the names of the many forks. The King, not knowing their names, replied Sambirano, which means still water.

Additional information

• The Sambirano area in the north-west of Madagascar