Mangoky River

In Madagascar's Atsimo-Andrefana and Anosy regions, the Mangoky River is a 564-kilometer-long (350-mile) river. It is made up of the Mananantanana and Matsiatra rivers. The Zomandao River is another key affluent. Its rank as one of the longest rivers in Madagascar.

It rises in Madagascar's Central Highlands, about east of the city of Fianarantsoa. The river runs westward from the highlands, through the southern portion of the Bemaraha Plateau, reaching the coastal plain and delta, and entering the Mozambique Channel north of Morombe at 21.316667°S 43.533333°EC. 21.316667°S 43.533333°E are the coordinates.

The majority of Madagascar has been severely deforested in the previous 40 years, primarily as a result of indigenous peoples' slash-and-burn practices. The loss of forest in the Mangoky River basin has resulted in severe soil erosion, as indicated by the numerous sandbars found inside the river channel. South of the river, the silt-laden, greenish-tan Lake Ihotry may be seen clearly. A wide, pale sand expanse between the lake and the coast is studded by silt-laden ponds. The delta's southern reaches are characterized by a series of barrier islands and spits. Tidal passages and mangrove swamps, on the other hand, dominate the delta's northern, protected region.

Length: 564 kilometers