Антсирабе: Тарихы, географиясы және экономикасы

The area where Antsirabe is found today was part of the Kingdom of Andrantsay which existed from the early 1600s until it was incorporated into the Imerina kingdom in the early 1800s. The area was a farming region, with production of rice, vegetables and fruit. The first Norwegian (Lutheran) missionaries arrived in 1868. Limestone and sulphur were exploited in the area at this time.

Several buildings in central Antsirabe date back to the first decades of the 20th century. These include the thermal bath centre (opened in 1917), Hôtel des Thermes (1922), the railway station (1923), and the residence for French retirees (1934). Other sights are la Stèle de l'Indépendance (the Stele of Independence) on Independence Avenue and the two public markets: Antsenakely ("The Small Market") and the bigger Asabotsy.

Antsirabe is situated at an altitude of about , making its subtropical highland climate (Köppen: Cwb), similar to Brazilian high cities of the southeast. During the winter the temperature can fall below at night, and Antsirabe has recorded the lowest temperature in Madagascar at 1.0 °C (30 °F). May to September form the coldest and driest part of the year with average monthly temperatures between and and an average number of days with precipitation per month of 1–2. From November to March the climate is warmer and wetter with on average 12 to 17 days with precipitation per month and average temperature of approximately April and October have average temperatures of and respectively and 5–6 days of rain. The Ankaratra volcanic field covers an area about 100 km long from Antsirabe northwards to Arivonimamo where highest peak reaches This volcanic field is "the most prominent and volcanologically diverse (sic) on Madagascar". Several water filled craters are found in the area around Antsirabe, including Lake Tritriva to the south west. There are hot springs which are utilised by the Ranomafana thermal bath in the city.

Textile (COTONA, Cottonline, Aquarelle), Beverages (Star Brasseries, Malto), Food industry (Socolait, Tsarafy), Tobacco (SACIMEM), Mineral water (Sté. des Eaux Minerales, Ranovisy), soap production (Soba). An Export Processing Zone is located in Antsirabe and the town is the home of several factories, including Star Brasseries (beverages), Cotona (textiles) and Kobama (grain). Antsirabe is also the major apple producing town of Madagascar, with some 10,000 tons produced per year.

The city is at the end of the TA (Tananarive Antsirabe) railway line, part of the Network North railway, which links Antsirabe to the capital and the port city of Toamasina. The line is operated by Madarail, currently only with freight trains. The line has been extended southwards through Vinaninkarena, but this extension is not in use. National road 7 (RN7) connects the city to Antananarivo in the north and to Fianarantsoa and Toliara to the south. Antsirabe is connected with Morondava on the west coast through RN34 and RN 35. Public transport to and from Antsirabe are provided by taxi brousses (share taxis) and buses. Most taxi brousses operate from the main bus station in the north of the city. Within the city public transport consists of small buses and numerous pulled rickshaws ("pousse pousse"), as well as cycle rickshaw ("cyclo pousse"), auto rickshaw ("touktouks") and private taxis. The pousse pousse is something of an emblem of the city; 5600 of them were recorded in 2006. There is also an airport.

The Institute of Higher Education of Antsirabe Vakinankaratra is the regional branch of the University of Antananarivo.

The Military Academy of Antsirabe hosts the Akamia museum, a military museum.