HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
G3 
Vohimarina ,* the first, is the most northern province of 
the island; it is but thinly populated, and the soil, for the 
most part, is unproductive. The district is mountainous, 
and incapable of extensive cultivation. langogoro, one of 
the highest mountains in Madagascar, is situated in this 
province. It is sometimes called Vigarora. Its summit 
commands an extremely diversified and extensive pros¬ 
pect. There are here four principal ports: viz., Diegosoray 
(which the natives usually call Mahazeba;) Port Luquey, 
or Lucas; Andravena, and Vohimarina, or, as frequently 
spelt, Vohimaro. 
South of Vohimarina, and having Antsianaka to its 
west, is the province of Maroa , the second in the list 
already given. The general face of the country is fertile, 
abounding also in hills and forests. Its population, though 
it cannot be regarded as numerous, is far greater than that 
of the province last described. Some of its vegetable pro¬ 
ductions are remarkably fine; particularly the akondro, 
or banana, which grows here to an extraordinary height. 
Maroa readily submitted to Radama in his northern expe¬ 
dition of 1823. 
The most important circumstance, in connexion with the 
history of this province, relates to the French settlement at 
the bay of Antongil, which is situated here, in lat 15° 25' S. 
The bay is about fourteen leagues long, from north to 
south, and eight broad between Cape Bellones and point 
Baldrick. The small islet Marotte lies about one mile 
from the shore. The common anchorage is to the north 
of Marotte, a musket-shot distance. The river bears 
n.n.w. from the Marotte. The anchorage off this river 
is called Port Choiseul. 
* “ Vohitra,” villages, and “ marina” level or just; i. e, the fiat or equit¬ 
able country; or “ Vohimaro,” many villages. 
