Antsiranana

Antsiranana is a city situated in the far north of Madagascar. Serving as the capital of the Diana Region, the city has a population of 136,959 inhabitants.

Historically known as Diego-Suarez prior to 1975, the area underwent a major historical turning point during the 1880s when it was coveted by France as a coaling station for steamships. Following the first Franco-Hova War, Queen Ranavalona III signed a treaty on December 17, 1885, which granted France a protectorate over the bay, the surrounding territory, and the islands of Nossi-Bé and Ste. Marie de Madagascar. The French took possession of this new colony, initially named the Etablissement français de Diego-Suarez, under the command of Frigate captain Caillet, who established the city's first barracks at Cap Diego. Early inhabitants of the growing colony included Creoles from Réunion, Mauritius, Toamasina, Nosy Be, Ile Sainte-Marie, Mayotte, and Mahajanga, alongside run away slaves known as Makoas, Antankarana, and Sakalava people.

Decades later, the location played a critical role in international conflict during 1942 as the primary objective of Operation Ironclad, marking the starting point of the Allied invasion and capture of Madagascar. Because of its superb harbour on Antsiranana Bay, the city was selected to prevent the island from being utilized by Axis forces to intercept Allied shipping. Following Malagasy independence in 1960, France continued to operate a military base within the city until French forces were completely withdrawn between 1973 and 1975.

Today, Antsiranana operates with administrative functions utilizing the Malagasy Ariary currency, while higher education is represented by the University of Antsiranana, which was founded in 1976.