Belalanda Explained

Official Name:Belalanda
Pushpin Map:Madagascar
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Madagascar
Pushpin Mapsize:180
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Atsimo-Andrefana
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Toliara II
Government Footnotes:[1]
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Bien-Aimé Fanampia
Population As Of:2001
Population Total:7000
Population Blank1 Title:Ethnicities
Population Blank2 Title:Religions
Timezone:EAT
Utc Offset:3
Coordinates:-23.2833°N 82°W
Elevation Footnotes:[2]
Elevation M:12
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:602

Belalanda is a rural municipality in Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Toliara II, which is a part of Atsimo-Andrefana Region. The population of the commune was estimated to be approximately 7,000 in 2001 commune census.

History

First installations at Belalanda were made around 1700, known at that time as Ampasintanga by the Mahafaly. These have migrated since to Toliara and presently the municipality is mostly inhabited by Vezo people.[3]

Belalanda is served by a local airport. Primary and junior level secondary education are available in town. The majority 60% of the population works in fishing. 19% are farmers, while an additional 20% receives their livelihood from raising livestock. The most important crop is cassava, while other important products are sugarcane, maize and sweet potatoes. Services provide employment for 1% of the population.[4]

Geography

Belalanda lies at the Northern banks of the mouth of the lower Fiherenana River, 10 km North of Tulear.[5]

Roads

This municipality is crossed by the National road 9 (RN9).

Tourism

The beach of Mangily and Ifaty,[6] high spots of tourism in the area of Tulear are situated on the territory of the municipality of Belalanda.[7]

Wildlife

It is home of the endangered chameleon Furcifer belalandaensis. In the village of Amondrolava this municipality disposes of one of the largest mangrove forests in southern Madagascar.

Notable people

References

-23.2833°N 82°W

Notes and References

  1. https://wwfint.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/pour_la_protection_du_cameleon_furcifer_belalandaensis_1.pdf Furcifer_belalandaensis
  2. Estimated based on DEM data from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission
  3. http://biblio.univ-antananarivo.mg/pdfs/ialyRadioMichailD_ESPA_MAST_17.pdf – SEQUESTRATION DE CARBONE DANS LA MANGROVE D’AMBONDROLAVA DU SUD-OUEST DE MADAGASCAR
  4. Web site: ILO census data . . 2002 . 2008-03-13.
  5. http://biblio.univ-antananarivo.mg/pdfs/antufaAllaoui_GEO_M1_11.pdf LES STRATEGIES PAYSANNES DE DEVELOPPEMENT LES STRATEGIES PAYSANNES DE DEVELOPPEMENT DANS LA COMMUNE RURALE DE MIARY
  6. http://biblio.univ-antananarivo.mg/pdfs/andriafanjatianaWeysreckP_IHSM_M1_07.pdf TOURISME DANS LA REGION DE TOLIARA: CAS D’IFATY – MANGILY ET ANAKAO
  7. https://lexpress.mg/21/01/2020/site-touristique-la-plage-de-mangily-malpropre/ L'Express de Madagascar: Mangily