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The Glossary

Malagasy - "the domestic and international term for a Madagascar local"

From Madagascar Glossary

A striking landscape of more than 1000-year-old Baobab trees line the dirt road of Avenue Du Baobab (Avenue of the Baobabs), making many travelers hitting the road between Morondava and Belon'i Tsiribihina to stop and jaw-drop. The trees, about a dozen of them, are locally known as renala or "mother of the forest" in Malagasy since they rise to up to 98 feet and span to over 36 feet wide. These trees are a declared "Notable Wonder of Africa" and a candidate for "Seven Natural Wonders of the World," so apart from being a major tourist attraction that is being lobbied to become the first national monument, the Avenue has become the apple of the eye of international conservationists.

A much-talked-about landmark in Madagascar, Avenue Du Baobab is the remains of what was once a thick forest, which was cleared for agriculture and construction. Since the area is not a national park, the trees and its environs are in danger of further deforestation due to jungle fires and the creation of new sugarcane plantations and rice paddies. As a response to this, international environmentalist groups have launched ecotourism projects in which travelers may take part in both conserving the Avenue and in facilitating eco-friendly practices in the local community.

To see the Avenue, tourists may ride an airplane from Antananarivo to Morondava since the road between the two cities is in bad condition especially during rainy season. From Morondava, one may hire a bike or ride a cheap taxi-brousse (minivan) to reach the Avenue or to use it as a starting point to explore its neighboring sights such the wildlife havens of Isalo National Park and Andasibe, and the boat safari route of Mahajilo River.

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