Alaotra-Mangoro is a region in eastern Madagascar. It borders Sofia Region in north, Analanjirofo in northeast, Atsinanana in east, Vakinankaratra in southwest, Analamanga in west and Betsiboka in northwest. The capital of the region is Ambatondrazaka, and the population was 1,255,514 in 2018. The area of the region is . Administrative divisions Alaotra-Mangoro Region is divided into five districts, which are sub-divided into 82 communes. Ambatondrazaka District - 20 communes Amparafaravola District - 21 communes Andilamena District - 8 communes Anosibe An'ala District - 11 communes Moramanga District - 22 communes Population The region is mainly populated by the Sihanaka in the north, and the Bezanozano in the south. Other minorities are present, notably the Merina. Economy Agriculture With 120.000 ha of planted surface, the region constitutes the main rice basin of Madagascar. Other crops cover manioc (175.000 tonnes), potatoes (49.000 tonnes), corn (50.000 tonnes) and sugar cane (50.000 tonnes). Livestock (Zebu) reaches 265.000 heads and fishing 2000-2500 tons per year. Mining There is an important nickel mine near Moramanga/Ampitambe: the Ambatovy mine. Other mining activities are found in Andilamena, Ambatondrazaka and Didy where sapphire and ruby are mined. Transport National Roads Route nationale 2 (Antananarivo - Moramanga - Toamasina). Route nationale 44 (Moramanga - Ambatondrazaka - Imerimandroso - Amboavory). Railways TCE (Tananarive-Côte Est) railway - (Toamasina - Moramanga - Antananarivo). MLA (Moramanga-Lac Alaotra) railway (Moramanga - Ambatondrazaka). Airports Ambatondrazaka Airport Amparafaravola Airport Ambohijanahary Airport Protected areas Torotorofotsy New Protected Area Part of Ankeniheny-Zahamena Corridor Lake Alaotra Maromizaha Ambatofotsy New Protected Area Ampananganandehibe-Behasina New Protected Area Ampotaka Ankorabe New Protected Area Analabe Betanatanana New Protected Area Analalava New Protected Area Mahialambo New Protected Area Mangabe-Ranomena-Sahasarotra New Protected Area Ambohidray New Protected Area Part of Zahamena National Park Mantadia National Park Analamazaotra National Park Part of Marotandrano Reserve Peyrieras Reptile Reserve (a butterfly farm and reptile center) at Marozevo Rivers Ivondro River Marimbona Sahamaitso Sahatandra Sandrangato Vohitra River References Regions of Madagascar