Sambirano River

Sambirano River
Tsaratanana Massif river system
Map
Location
CountryMadagascar
RegionDiana
CityAmbanja
Physical characteristics
Sourceat the Maromokotra peak
 • locationTsaratanana Massif, Diana
 • elevation2,500 m (8,200 ft)
MouthIndian Ocean
 • location
Diana
 • coordinates
13°37′02″S 48°20′01″E / 13.61722°S 48.33361°E / -13.61722; 48.33361
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length124 km (77 mi)
Basin size2,800 km2 (1,100 sq mi) to 2,979.4 km2 (1,150.4 sq mi)[1]
Discharge 
 • locationNear mouth
 • average(Period: 1971–2000)134.6 m3/s (4,750 cu ft/s)[1]
Basin features
River systemSambirano River
Tributaries 
 • rightRamena

The Sambirano is a river of northwestern Madagascar in the region of Diana. It has its sources at the Maromokotra peak and flows through the Tsaratanana Reserve to the Indian Ocean. Its delta occupies 250 km2.

The ecosystem of the river, mainly forests and brushland, has many indigenous species, such as the Sambirano mouse lemur and Sambirano woolly lemur.[2]

The Madagascar dry deciduous forests occupy much of the river basin, although mangroves are evident at parts of the coastal fringe.[3]

Cocoa fruits from Madagascar

The valley of the Sambirano is the main cocoa producing area of Madagascar. 60% (or 7500 to 10 000 tons yearly) provide from this area. There is an unpaved piste from Ambanja to Marovato, via Benavony, Ambodimanga Ramena, Bemaneviky Ouest, Maevatanana that is hardly practicable.[4] Most of the exported cocoa is therefore transported with boats on the Sambirano river to Ambanja and the National road 6

References

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  1. ^ a b "Madagascar".
  2. ^ Kennerley, Peter; Pearson, David (15 September 2010). Reed and Bush Warblers. A&C Black. p. 528. ISBN 978-0-7136-6022-7. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  3. ^ World Wildlife Fund, C. Michael Hogan. 2010. Madagascar dry deciduous forests. eds. Sahotra Sarkar & Mark McGinley. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC. rev. 2013
  4. ^ PAR-Piste-Haut-Sambirano-Final.pdf
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