Itasy is a region

Regions of Madagascar

||Madagascar is divided into 22 regions . These formerly second-tier administrative divisions became the first-level administrative divisions when the former six provinces were dissolved on 4 October 2009:- See also :* Subdivisions of Madagascar...

 in central Madagascar

Madagascar

The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...

. It borders Analamanga

Analamanga

Analamanga is a region in Madagascar, containing the capital Antananarivo and surrounding metropolitan area.Analamanga means "blue forest". It's also an older name for Antananarivo.*Capital: Antananarivo-Renivohitra.*Area: 17,445 km²*Population: 2,650,000...

 region in northeast,
Vakinankaratra

Vakinankaratra

Vakinankaratra is a region in Madagascar.*Capital: Antsirabe*Chief: Lantoniaina RabenantoandroThe region is divided into six districts and 86 communes:-Districts:*Antsirabe I*Antsirabe II*Ambatolampy District*Betafo District*Antanifotsy District...

 in south and Bongolava

Bongolava

Bongolava is a region in Madagascar.*Capital: Tsiroanomandidy*Area: 16,821 km²*Population: 235,000*Population density: 14/km²*Chief: Jean Claude Rabarijaona...

 in northwest. The capital of the region is Miarinarivo

Miarinarivo

Miarinarivo is a city in Itasy Region, Madagascar.Miarinarivo is the capital of Itasy Region....

, and the population was estimated to be 643,000 in 2004. It is the smallest of regions in area with 6993 km² (2,700 sq mi), and is the most densely populated region after Analamanga.

It is divided into three districts:

• Arivonimamo
• Miarinarivo
• Soavinandriana

The region of Itasy is named after Lake Itasy, the 3rd largest lake in the country of Madagascar.
The area is famous for several features:

• Lake Itasy. Over 3000 fisherman make a living here, with over 100 small canoes out daily.
• Monument of the Virgin Mary, on the edge of the lake, marking the very centre of the country.
• The isle of the Lac Itasy King, with stone circle.
• 2 Chutes de la Lily (Lily Waterfalls). The first is 16m high by 35m wide. The second is over 22m high, but not as wide.
• Analavory Chute. Over 20m high.
• Over 20 small lakes.
• Boating and trekking are the main experiences.
• The Analavory geysers are coldwater geysers that occasionally reach a height of nearly 3 m and have formed high travertine mounds.
• The lake is 120km from the capital city of Antananarivo (know locally as Tana).
• Ancient double-moated hillfort can be seen near the town of Soavinandriana
• Substantial numbers of huge extinct volcanic craters, some with crater lakes.
• Lemurs Park is seen at PK 22 (22 km) en route to Itasy from the capital city

Tourism

According to the ONTM (Office National de Tourism de Madagascar), more 60% of domestic tourists from the capital city use this as their short-stay holiday destination each year. However, this still amounts to less than 200 tourists per day, or up to 1200 tourists per day on national holidays.

Hotels of Ampefy and the immediate locale

Ampefy

is the main tourist town, precisely 120km from Antananarivo.
In alphabetical order, the main hotels are:

• Chez Jackie.2km after the town of Ampefy. View of lake.
• Chute de la Lily (not yet named, Jan 2009). 5km Before the town of Ampefy.
• Hotel de la Vierge. 2km after the town of Ampefy.
• Kavitaha. In the town of Ampefy.
• Le Lac Itasy Centre. 5km after the town of Ampefy. View of lake.
• Lovasoa. In the town of Ampefy.