Definition
Vohipeno is an administrative district (fivondronampokontany) of Madagascar, situated within the Fitovinany region in the southeastern part of the country. Its administrative centre is the town of Vohipeno.
Overview
The district lies along Madagascar’s east coast, bordering the Indian Ocean. It forms part of the broader Fitovinany region, which was created during the 2004 regional re‑organisation of Madagascar. Vohipeno district is one of several districts that make up the region, alongside Manakara Atsimo, Manakara Nord, and others. The district’s economy is primarily based on subsistence agriculture, cash‑crop cultivation, and coastal fisheries. Main transport routes include the national road RN 12, which connects Vohipeno to the regional capital Manakara to the north and to other coastal settlements to the south.
Etymology/Origin
The name “Vohipeno” is derived from the Malagasy language, where vohi can denote “hill” or “elevated place,” and peno may be a personal or toponymic element. The precise historical origin of the term has not been definitively documented.
Characteristics
- Geography: The district encompasses coastal lowlands as well as inland hills. It is traversed by several small rivers that flow into the Indian Ocean, contributing to the fertility of the surrounding agricultural lands.
- Administrative Subdivisions: Vohipeno district is divided into a number of communes (fokontany), each of which is further subdivided into villages. The exact number of communes is subject to periodic administrative changes; current official listings should be consulted for precise figures.
- Demography: Population data are collected during national censuses. The most recent publicly available census (2018) provides an estimate of the district’s inhabitants, but the exact figure is not confirmed in this entry.
- Economy: Agriculture dominates local livelihoods, with rice, coffee, and cloves being the principal crops. Fishing along the coast supplies both subsistence food and marketable seafood. Small‑scale trade and services are concentrated in the town of Vohipeno.
- Infrastructure: The RN 12 highway serves as the main transportation corridor, linking the district to regional markets and ports. Rural electrification and water supply are ongoing development priorities.
Related Topics
- Fitovinany Region – the larger administrative region encompassing Vohipeno.
- Manakara – the regional capital located north of Vohipeno district.
- Administrative divisions of Madagascar – the hierarchy of regions, districts, communes, and fokontany.
- Economy of Madagascar – overview of national economic sectors, including agriculture and fisheries.
Note: Accurate information on specific population figures, the exact number of communes, and detailed historical background is not confirmed in publicly available sources as of the latest review.