Ambalavao

Ambalavao is a city (commune urbaine) in Madagascar, in the Haute Matsiatra region. The city is in the most southern part of the Central Highlands, near the city of Fianarantsoa.

Nature

 * The Anja Community Reserve, situated about 13 km south of Ambalavao, is a small community-based reserve created to preserve and manage local natural resources.
 * Andringitra National Park is located near this city.

Geography
Ambalavao is situated at the National road 7 Fianarantsoa-Ihosy-Tuléar at 160 km from Ihosy and 56 km from Fianarantsoa.

Sights
The Bureau de la Zone Administrative is a colonial building built of tiles with a flight of outdoor stairs around 1920. Saint Joseph Church is a large catholic church which was built of tiles in a neogothic style in the first quarter of the 20th century.

Ambalavao is known for its silk production based on the breeding of a special species of silkworms which feeds on tapia trees. A silk weaving mill can be visited in the northern part of the town.

Ambalavao is also known for the production of Antemoiro paper of the bark of Avoha bushes, a species of morus. A workshop can be visited in the town centre.

A zebu market is held twice a week.

Anja Community Reserve is a sightworthy natural reserve famous for its ring-tailed lemurs.

Climate
Ambalavao has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cwa).

Transports
The city is served by Ambalavao Airport.