Moramanga
Moramanga is a city (commune urbaine) in Madagascar. It is located in the region Alaotra-Mangoro and the Moramanga District. It has a population of 57084 inhabitants (2018). It is situated between the capital Antananarivo and the east coast on the crossroad of RN 2 and RN 44. The name of Moranmanga originates from the slave trade. To differ them from other social classes, they were dressed in blue or "manga". As they were among the cheapest ("mora") in Africa, it became Moramanga. People. Moramanga is also the capital city of the Bezanozano people (one of the eighteen Ethnic  groups of Madagascar). Geography. Moramanga is situated on a plateau between the central highlands and the east coast. Transports. The national road RN 2 connects the city with Antananarivo (115 km) and Toamasina (254 km), the Route nationale 44 to Ambatondrazaka (157 km), Imerimandroso and Amboavory. The city is at the TCE (Tananarive-Côte Est) and the south end of the MLA (Moramanga-Lac Alaotra) railways, so it's the only railway junction in Madagascar (except for the capital). History. The city of Moramanga has an important place in the history of Madagascar. It was in Moramanga, on the night  of the 29th of March 1947 that the Malagasy Uprising against French colonial rule started. Education. Moramanga disposes of 167 primary schools, 17 secondary schools and 1 Lycée. Furthermore the superior school of the Gendarmerie (Ecole Supérieure de la Gendarmerie) is also situated at Moramanga. Health. 20 dispensaries and 1 hospital is found in the city. Furthermore 2 dentists. Wildlife. Protected areas near Moramanga are: The Peyrieras Reptile Reserve (a butterfly farm and reptile center) is at Marozevo, west of Moramanga on National Route NR2.