TOAMASINA

formerly Tamatave, town, eastern Madagascar. The town lies along the Indian Ocean. It was rebuilt after destruction by hurricane in 1927, with the modern sector centring on the tree-lined avenue Poincar. Toamasina is Madagascar's commercial hub and foremost port, handling much of the island's foreign trade. It exports coffee, vanilla, pepper, cloves, and graphite and imports machinery, textiles, and foodstuffs. There are food-processing, metal-working, and other plants in the town. Toamasina is also the site of a university (1977). It is the terminus of the railway from Antananarivo, the national capital, 135 miles (217 km) southwest, and also has an airfield. Pop. (1990 est.) 145,431.