| Betsiboka River | |
|---|---|
 Rapids in the Betsiboka River | |
 Map of Malagasy rivers (Betsiboka flows from the center to the northwestern coast). | |
| Location | |
| Country | Madagascar |
| Region | Boeny |
| City | Mahajanga, Ambato-Boeny |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | |
• location | Bombetoka Bay, Mozambique Channel |
• coordinates | 15°48′55″S 46°16′13″E / 15.81528°S 46.27028°E |
| Length | 525 km (326 mi) |
| Basin size | 49,000 km2 (19,000 sq mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Ikopa River |
| • right | Kamoro River |
Betsiboka River is a 525-kilometre (326 mi) long river in central-north Madagascar. It flows northwestward and empties to Bombetoka Bay, forming a large delta. It originates to the east of Antananarivo. The river is surrounded in mangroves.[1] The river is distinctive for its red-coloured water, which is caused by river sediments. The river carries an enormous amount of reddish-orange silt to the sea. Much of this silt is deposited at the mouth of the river or in the bay.
It is dramatic evidence of the catastrophic erosion of northwestern Madagascar.[2] Removal of the native forest for cultivation and pastureland during the past 50 years has led to massive annual soil losses approaching 250 metric tonnes per hectare (112 tons per acre) in some regions of the island, the largest amount recorded anywhere in the world. Several fish species are endemic to the river basin, including the three cichlids Paretroplus petiti, P. tsimoly and P. maculatus.
The Betsiboka's largest tributary, the Ikopa River, drains the capital city of Antananarivo.
-
Betsiboka River estuary seen from space -
The Betsiboka River in normal conditions -
The Betsiboka River when flooded
