Didy
The town of Didy is situated at 54 km from Ambatondrazaka.
Only primary schooling is available. The majority 85% of the population of the commune are farmers, while an additional 14% receives their livelihood from raising livestock. The most important crop is rice, while other important products are maize, cassava and tomato. Services provide employment for 1% of the population.
History
In the beginning of 2012, a sapphire and ruby rush occurred 25 kilometers south-east of Didy. The rush was due to the exceptional color, clarity and size of the precious stones found there.
Discovered in alluvium, in the core of a wild forest located in the Ankeniheny-Zahamena national park, sapphires and rubies required holes from 50 centimeters to 2 meters depth to be extracted.
Following the arrival of 40,000 people on the occurrence, the government evacuated the area in June 2012 and the access was denied.
References and notes
- ^ (in French) www.newsmada.com/
- ^ Estimated based on DEM data from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission
- ^ TROISIEME RECENSEMENT GENERAL DE LA POPULATION ET DE L’HABITATION
- ^ "ILO census data". Cornell University. 2002. Retrieved 2008-03-06.