|
|
 |
 |
|
塔马塔夫
|
|
|
Toamasina, commonly known as Tamatave, is the main city on Madagascar's eastern coast.
The origins of the Malagasy name are controversial. Some say that it is derived from the Portuguese name São Tomas, while others trace it to King Radama I and his first journey made to see the sea in 1817. It is said that, on bending down to taste the water, the sovereign exclaimed Toa masina! ("It's salty!").Founded as a pirate settlement, Tamatave did not become a real town until the nineteenth century and has had a particularly eventful history.
For decades it was the scene of fighting between French and English troops and later between the French and the local people, before the British placed it under the control of Mauritius at the beginning of the 1800s.
Over 70% of Madagascar's imports and exports pass through Tamatave, which is the country's leading port.
However, it is also an attractive city, with long palm-lined avenues, a fine seafront and a good selection of hotels and restaurants.
The lively main streets of the city run north to south. Boulevard Joffre is the main shopping street, with lots of shops and hotels, while Boulevard Ratsimilaho is the favourite promenade for both foreign tourists and Malagasy visitors, who like to spend their holidays in this part of the country. |
|