Toamasina
Decide whether to visit or live in Toamasina, then explore current conditions, local people, the map, and concise sourced context.
Check visit & living safetyUpdated Tuesday, September 8, 2026 · sourced live layer and versioned editorial content
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Updated information on health risks in Madagascar ('Health' page).
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People and places shaping Toamasina
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Research updated Monday, August 10, 2026Past and future events in Toamasina
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Previously
- Documented history · 1898
During the colonial period, owing to the character of the soil and the formerly crowded native population, the town was often plagued by epidemics; the plague broke out in 1898, and again in 1900.
- Plague outbreak of 1898
During the colonial period, the plague broke out in Toamasina in 1898, and again in 1900.
- Plague Outbreak 1898
The plague broke out in Toamasina in 1898 during the colonial period.
Sources checked (11)
- Toamasina
- THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Toamasina (Tamatave) (2026)
- Toamasina, Madagascar - Travel Guide, Population, Area, Safety
- Toamasina Province - Wikipedia
- Toamasina | Port City, Indian Ocean, East Coast | Britannica
- Toamasina — Wikipédia
- Toamasina, Madagascar: The Ultimate Travel Guide 2025
- Top 10 Places to Visit in Toamasina – Nature, Adventure, and History
- 25 Facts About Toamasina
- Toamasina, Madagascar: Hidden Colonial Charm, Spice Markets
- Wikidata structured records for Toamasina
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01 · SafetySafety and practical guidance for Toamasina
Toamasina is a major seaport city located on the east coast of Madagascar within the Atsinanana region. Positioned at latitude -18.1492 and longitude 49.40234, it serves as an essential coastal hub with a recorded population of 345,107.
How do geographical boundaries shape the layout of Toamasina? The urban center is constructed directly upon a sandy peninsula that extends at right angles away from the general coastline. The city's spatial importance is largely defined by a coral reef offshore, which creates a spacious harbor accessible through two openings.
Where is water located relative to the municipal boundaries? The Indian Ocean borders the region, and directly south of the town lies the mouth of the Ivondro River as it flows outward into the sea. Additionally, the northern end of the Canal des Pangalanes terminates within the local transport network.
What physical conditions govern movement across the area? The surrounding terrain experiences a trade-wind tropical rainforest climate characterized by high annual precipitation averaging 3,368.2 mm. Because the area lacks a true dry season month with less than 60 mm of average rainfall, visitors navigating the regional geography encounter distinct wetter periods between February and April alongside relatively drier spans from September to November.
Where can travelers find further geographic records? Detailed topographical data and regional coordinates are cataloged in official registry databases such as the GeoNames record for Toamasina and documented background texts available via Toamasina.
02 · VisitVisiting Toamasina
Toamasina is a city situated on the east coast of Madagascar on the Indian Ocean within the Atsinanana region. Serving as the country's chief seaport, the city had a population of 325,857 in 2018.
How does geography define the city's layout and climate?
Toamasina owes its importance to a coral reef that creates a spacious harbour entered through two openings. The city center is built on a sandy peninsula projecting at right angles from the general coastline. South of the town lies the mouth of the Ivondro River in the Indian Ocean, and the settlement also marks the northern end of the Canal des Pangalanes.
The area features a trade-wind tropical rainforest climate under the Köppen climate classification. While there is no true dry season month where less than 60 mm of precipitation falls on average, the seaport experiences noticeably wetter and drier periods throughout the year. September through November marks the driest period, while February through April constitutes the wettest time. Average temperatures remain relatively constant across the year, with July and August being slightly cooler and January and February being warmer. The locality averages 3,368.2 mm of precipitation annually.
03 · OverviewToamasina, in brief
Toamasina is a coastal city positioned on the east coast of Madagascar along the Indian Ocean. Serving as the capital of the Atsinanana region, the municipality functions as the chief seaport of the country.
Where is Toamasina located geographically?
The city sits at coordinates -18.1492 latitude and 49.40234 longitude in the Indian/Antananarivo timezone. Geographically, Toamasina owes its commercial importance to a natural coral reef that creates a spacious harbour accessible via two openings. The core of the city center is constructed on a distinct sandy peninsula that projects at a right angle away from the general coastline. South of the municipal boundaries, the mouth of the Ivondro River empties directly into the Indian Ocean.
What are the climatic and regional characteristics of the area?
Positioned within the Atsinanana administrative division, the region experiences a trade-wind tropical rainforest climate under the Köppen climate classification. While the area lacks a true dry season month where average precipitation drops below 60 mm, it exhibits distinct wetter and drier periods across the calendar year. September through November marks the driest span, whereas February through April brings the highest volume of rainfall. Annually, the seaport records an average of 3,368.2 mm of precipitation.
How does the geography influence the city's connectivity?
As the country's primary gateway to the Indian Ocean, the coastal hub relies heavily on its unique coastal configuration for maritime trade. The settlement is situated 215 kilometers northeast of the national capital and largest city, Antananarivo. Overland connectivity from this coastal terminal includes National Road 2, which leads westward toward Antananarivo, and National Road 5, which extends northward toward Maroantsetra. Furthermore, the terrain marks the northern terminus of the Canal des Pangalanes, while the local railhead connects the port directly to the interior capital.
More details can be found on the Toamasina Wikipedia page and the GeoNames record for Toamasina.
Frequently Asked Questions about Toamasina
Essential geographic, demographic, currency, and travel context verified from primary records.
01 · Q&AWhere is Toamasina located and what are its coordinates?
Toamasina is situated in Madagascar at geographic coordinates -18.1492, 49.4023 with an elevation of an elevation monitored in local geographic surveys.
02 · Q&AWhat is the population and time zone of Toamasina?
Toamasina has a recorded population of approximately 345,107 and observes the Indian/Antananarivo time zone (MGA).
03 · Q&AWhat languages and currency are used in Toamasina?
Official and commonly spoken languages in Toamasina include fr-MG, mg, and the circulating currency is MGA.
04 · Q&AHow can I check live conditions and daily updates for Toamasina?
Today's Atlas provides continuous tracking for Toamasina, featuring real-time weather conditions, daylight cycles, local geographic signals, and verified daily briefs.