Geographical location
The district of Morombe is located in the Atsimo Andrefana region, in the southwest of Madagascar, within the province of Toliara. An inset map would help place the region at the national scale.
- Latitude : 21°41’38.06’’ S
- Longitude : 43°44’02.23’’ E
- Superficie : environ 7 109 km²
- La carte est orientée vers le nord, indiqué par une flèche en haut à droite.
- The district is subdivided into several communes.
- Each commune’s administrative center is marked by a black dot.
- The district boundary of Morombe is outlined with a solid black line.
- National and secondary roads connect the communes to neighboring districts.
- Infrastructure such as irrigation canals and port areas exist but are currently deteriorating.
- The Mangoky River crosses the delta plain of the Lower Mangoky, forming the largest delta in the country (110,000 ha).
- The Mangoky watershed covers 55,884 km².
- High flows occur from December to March (30 to 100 l/s/km²), often leading to floods; low flows from June to November represent only 15% of the annual volume.
- Severe erosion and sedimentation are caused by degradation in the upper watershed (Zomandao, Ihosy).
- Climate type: Semi-humid and hot, with an edaphic dry season lasting 8 months.
- Rainfall: A 3-month rainy season (December to February), with annual precipitation below 750 mm.
- The climate is favorable for double rice harvests.
- Risks include prolonged droughts, locust invasions, and bushfires.
| Zone | ||
|---|---|---|
| Zone | Altitude | Key Characteristics |
| Coastal | 0–50 m | Flat, swampy, and vulnerable to climate hazards |
| Alluvial | 20–100 m | Fertile valleys but prone to flooding |
| Lower Mangoky Plain | Low altitude | Declining agricultural zone, exposed to sedimentation and erosion |
| Agriculture | |
|---|---|
| Category | Key Details |
| Food Crops | Rice, cowpeas |
| Constraints | Soil degradation, poor infrastructure, sedimentation |
| Opportunities | High potential in the delta, if irrigation systems are restored |
| Environmental and Socio-Economic Issues | |
|---|---|
| Environment | Soil and vegetation cover degradation Sedimentation of rivers and canals Deforestation in the upper watershed |
| Economy | Decline in agricultural production Decrease in cultivated land Rising food insecurity |
- Decline in living standards
- Migration linked to poverty and extreme climate conditions