Didy

Didy is a town and commune (Malagasy: kaominina) in Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Ambatondrazaka, which is a part of Alaotra-Mangoro Region. The population of the commune was estimated to be approximately 15,000 in 2001 commune census.[3]

Didy
Didy Location in Madagascar
Coordinates: 18°7′S 48°32′E
Country	Madagascar
Region	Alaotra-Mangoro
District	Ambatondrazaka
Government
• Mayor	Davidson Radoka
Area [1]
• Total	1,773,16 km^2 (68,462 sq mi)
Elevation [2]	1,034 m (3,392 ft)
Population  (2001)[3]
• Total	15,000
Time zone	UTC3 (EAT)

The town of Didy is situated at 54 km from Ambatondrazaka.[4]

Only primary schooling is available. The majority 85% of the population of the commune are farmers, while an additional 14% receives their livelihood from raising livestock. The most important crop is rice, while other important products are maize, cassava and tomato. Services provide employment for 1% of the population.[3]

History

In the beginning of 2012, a sapphire and ruby rush occurred 25 kilometers south-east of Didy. The rush was due to the exceptional color, clarity and size of the precious stones found there.

Discovered in alluvium, in the core of a wild forest located in the Ankeniheny-Zahamena national park, sapphires and rubies required holes from 50 centimeters to 2 meters depth to be extracted.

Following the arrival of 40,000 people on the occurrence, the government ordained to evacuate the area in June 2012 and the access was denied.

References and notes

1. (in French) www.newsmada.com/
2. Estimated based on DEM data from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission
3. "ILO census data". Cornell University. 2002. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
4. (in French) www.newsmada.com/

External links

• Didy Ruby and Sapphire rush 2012.