Antananarivo is the capital and largest city in Madagascar. It is also known by its French colonial shorthand form Tana. The larger urban area surrounding the city, known as Antananarivo-Renivohitra (Antananarivo-Mother Hill or Antananarivo-Capital), is the capital of Analamanga Region. Antananarivo is situated in the center of the island length-wise, and 145 km away from the eastern coast. The city occupies a commanding position, being built on the summit and slopes of a long and narrow rocky ridge, which extends north and south for about 4 km and rises at its highest point to about 200 m above the extensive rice plain to the west, although the town is at about 1,275 m above sea level.
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