| Official Name: | Vakinankaratra Region |
| Settlement Type: | Region |
| Mapsize: | 180px |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Seat Type: | Capital |
| Seat: | Antsirabe |
| Government Footnotes: | [1] |
| Leader Title: | Governor |
| Leader Name: | Vy Vato Rakotovao |
| Area Total Km2: | 16599 |
| Population As Of: | 2018 |
| Population Footnotes: | [2] |
| Population Total: | 2074358 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Blank1 Title: | Ethnicities |
| Population Blank1: | Merina |
| Population Blank2 Title: | Religions |
| Timezone: | EAT |
| Utc Offset: | 3 |
| Blank Name Sec1: | HDI (2018) |
| Blank Info Sec1: | 0.531[3] · 8th of 22 |
Vakinankaratra is a region in central Madagascar. The capital of the region is Antsirabe. Vakinankaratra covers an area of 16599km (10,314miles), and had a population of 2,074,358 in 2018.[4]
The kingdom of Vakinankaratra, known as the kingdom of the river Andrantsay, was founded at the beginning of the 17th century by Andrianony, a prince originally from Alasora, south of Antananarivo. The capital of the kingdom used to be Fivavahana in today's Betafo District.
The last ruler of the Kingdom of Andrantsay was Andriamanalinarivo who was on the throne when Imerina king Andrianampoinimerina conquered the area with the help of the young prince Radama at the beginning of the 19th century. The territory was integrated into the Merina Kingdom under the new name Vakinankaratra.
During the colonial period the centre of the region shifted to Antsirabe.
Vakinankaratra is the second most populous region of Madagascar and it has the second highest population density, only beaten by Analamanga, where the national capital and biggest city, Antananarivo, is located. In 2018, Vakinankaratra had a population of 2,074,358 and an average density of 117.0 people per km².[5] The vast majority of the population belongs to the Merina ethnic group.
Vakinankaratra generates 10% of the GDP of Madagascar. There is an important textile industry and it is the principal bassin of legume production of the island. It also supplies 65% of the milk produced in Madagascar.[6]
Vakinankaratra is situated in the central highlands of Madagascar. The region covers an area of 16599km2, making it the third least extensive region in Madagascar. It borders the region of Bongolava in the northwest, Itasy in the north, Analamanga in the northeast, Alaotra Mangoro and Atsinanana in the east, Amoron'i Mania in the south, and Menabe to the west.
A number of precious minerals are found in Vakinankaratra, including Ferrocolumbite, Liddicoatite, and Londonite.
Vakinankaratra Region is divided into seven districts, which are sub-divided into 89 communes.
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