Didy | |
---|---|
Didy Location in Madagascar | |
Coordinates: 18°7′S 48°32′E / 18.117°S 48.533°E | |
Country | Madagascar |
Region | Alaotra-Mangoro |
District | Ambatondrazaka |
Government | |
• Mayor | Davidson Radoka |
Area | |
• Total | 1,773.16 km2 (684.62 sq mi) |
Elevation | 1,034 m (3,392 ft) |
Population (2018)[3] | |
• Total | 33,039 |
Time zone | UTC3 (EAT) |
Postal code | 503 |
Didy is a rural commune in Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Ambatondrazaka, which is a part of Alaotra-Mangoro Region. The population of the commune was estimated to be 33,039 in 2018.
The town of Didy is situated at 54 km from Ambatondrazaka.[1]
Only primary schooling is available. The majority 85% of the population of the commune are farmers, while an additional 14% receives their livelihood from raising livestock. The most important crop is rice, while other important products are maize, cassava and tomato. Services provide employment for 1% of the population.[4]
History
In the beginning of 2012, a sapphire and ruby rush occurred 25 kilometers south-east of Didy. The rush was due to the exceptional color, clarity and size of the precious stones found there.
Discovered in alluvium, in the core of a wild forest located in the Ankeniheny-Zahamena national park, sapphires and rubies required holes from 50 centimeters to 2 meters depth to be extracted.
Following the arrival of 40,000 people on the occurrence, the government evacuated the area in June 2012 and the access was denied.
References and notes
- 1 2 (in French) www.newsmada.com/
- ↑ Estimated based on DEM data from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission
- ↑ TROISIEME RECENSEMENT GENERAL DE LA POPULATION ET DE L’HABITATION
- ↑ "ILO census data". Cornell University. 2002. Retrieved 2008-03-06.