Mandritsara

Mandritsara [maɳɖʐiˈtsarə̥] is a city and commune (commune urbain, Malagasy: kaominina) in northern Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Mandritsara, which is a part of Sofia Region. The population of the commune was estimated to be approximately 17,000 in 2001 commune census.[2]

Mandritsara
Mandritsara Location in Madagascar
Coordinates: 15°50′S 48°49′E
Country	Madagascar
Region	Sofia
District	Mandritsara
Elevation [1]	322 m (1,056 ft)
Population  (2001)[2]
• Total	17,000
Time zone	UTC3 (EAT)

Mandritsara is served by a local airport. In addition to primary schooling the town offers secondary education at both junior and senior levels. The town has a permanent court and hospital Hopitaly Vaovao Mahafaly – a Baptist mission hospital whose name means "Good News Hospital" (or, literally, "Hospital of the news that makes you happy").[2]

Farming and raising livestock provides employment for 40% and 35% of the working population. The most important crop is rice, while other important products are peanuts and cassava. Services provide employment for 25% of the population.[2]