Andilamena

Andilamena is a town and commune (Malagasy: kaominina) in Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Andilamena, which is a part of Alaotra-Mangoro Region. The population of the commune was estimated to be approximately 21,000 in 2001 commune census.[2]

Andilamena
Andilamena Location in Madagascar
Coordinates: 17°1′S 48°35′E
Country	Madagascar
Region	Alaotra-Mangoro
District	Andilamena
Elevation [1]	932 m (3,058 ft)
Population  (2001)[2]
• Total	21,000
Time zone	UTC3 (EAT)
Climate	Cwa

In addition to primary schooling the town offers secondary education at both junior and senior levels. The town provides access to hospital services to its citizens. The majority 65% of the population of the commune are farmers, while an additional 10% receives their livelihood from raising livestock. The most important crop is rice, while other important products are peanuts, maize and cassava. Industry and services provide employment for 1% and 24% of the population, respectively.[2]

Main street in Andilamena

History

Andilamena, it is at this place, in October 2000, where an important ruby deposit was discovered. It caused a rush that definitely transformed this big rural village lost in the middle of nowhere. In 2002, a new sapphire deposit was discovered at a place called Andribabe. Some remarkable samples of royal blue color remind those of Burma. In November 2013 a new sapphire and ruby deposit was discovered at the place said Sahalava, 30 kilometers north of Andilamena.

External links

• Andilamena Sapphire and Ruby Discovery

References and notes

1. Estimated based on DEM data from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission
2. "ILO census data". Cornell University. 2002. Retrieved 2008-03-06.