Nosy Be [ˌnusʲ ˈbe] (also Nossi-bé) is an island located off the northwest coast of Madagascar. Nosy Be is Madagascar's largest and busiest tourist resort. It has an area of 312 km2 and its population was officially estimated at 36,636 in 2001.
Nosy Be means "big island" in the Malagasy language. The island was called Assada during the early colonial era of the seventeenth century. Nosy Be has been given several nicknames over the centuries, including "Nosy Manitra" (the scented island).
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The first inhabitants of Nosy Be were small bands of Antankarana and Zafinofotsy, before the arrival of the Sakalava, who represent the most numerous ethnic group on the island. These people were joined later by some Comorians, Indians or Antandroy.
Nosy Be made its first major appearance in Madagascar's history when King Radama I announced that he intended to conquer the whole west of the red island up to the sea. That plan was eventually achieved when the Sakalava Kingdom of Boina came into his possession in 1837 when Queen Tsiomeko of Boina's army was defeated.
Nosy Be is located about eight kilometers (5 miles) from the coast of Madagascar in the Mozambique Channel; several smaller islands are located nearby, including Nosy Komba, Nosy Mitsio, Nosy Sakatia, and Nosy Tanikely. The island's main town is Andoany.
The volcanic island has an area of about 312 km2 (120 sq mi), and reaches its highest peak at Mont Lokobe at 450m (1476 feet); the volcano is of Holocene origin but has not erupted in recorded history.[1] There are eleven volcanic crater lakes on the island.
The island is known for having the world's smallest frog (Stumpffia pygmaea) and chameleon (Brookesia minima).[2] The Lokobe Reserve is one of Madagascar's five Strict Nature Reserves (Réserves Naturelles Intégrales). Nosy Be is also home to a specific color of panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis).
Nosy Be has a tropical climate. It is most humid in summer (December, January, February). The Tsaratanana massif partially protects the island from the strong north-east winds affecting the region in August or during tropical depressions.
The island constitutes a department within Diana Region and is organized as the City of Nosy Be (Commune urbaine). Its mayor is Mr. Jaovita.
The island is served by Fascene Airport. The airport has direct flights from Europe on Corsairfly, Air Madagascar and Air Italy. Its main city and harbour, Andoany (formerly known as Hellville), can be reached by boat from Ankify.
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