Antananarivo is the capital and the economic centre of Madagascar. Unlike most cities in Africa, Antananarivo was already a city before the colonial era. In fact, it was founded in the early-17th century by the Merina King Andrianjaka, who conquered the previously known “Analamanga” or “Blue Forest” region. Andrianjaka declared the site capital of the Kingdom of Imerina and built here, on the summit of a rocky ridge, a rova (fortress) that eventually expanded to become the Royal Palace. This glorious building still overlooks the city from the top of the ridge. During the reign of King Andriamasinavalona, the city was renamed Antananarivo (“City of the Thousand”) after the number of soldiers assigned to guard it by the previous chief. As the Merina kingdom grew and gained control of most of the island, Antananarivo became an important military and agricultural centre. Antananarivo remained the island’s capital after Madagascar was colonized by the French – who changed the city’s name to “Tananarive” and restructured much of its urban layout while preserving the historic royal palaces – and after independence in 1960.

Perched on two precipitous mountain ridges, the old part of the city is dominated by the Queen’s Palace (Manjakamiadana).