{{Short description|Island in Madagascar}} {{Expand French|topic=geo|Nosy Be|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox islands | name = Nosy Be | image_map = Carte de Nosy Be.svg | image_map_alt = Map of Nosy Be | pushpin_map = Madagascar | pushpin_map_caption = Nosy Be is situated off the west coast of [[Diana Region]] in northern Madagascar. | coordinates = {{coord|13|18|54|S|48|16|03|E|region:MG_type:isle|display=inline,title}} | location = [[Mozambique Channel]] | archipelago = | area_km2 = 320.02 | area_footnotes = | length_km = <!-- or |length_m= --> | length_footnotes = | width_km = <!-- or |width_m= --> | width_footnotes = | elevation_m = 450 | elevation_footnotes = | highest_mount = Mont Lokobe | country = [[Madagascar]] | country_admin_divisions_title = [[Regions of Madagascar|Region]] | country_admin_divisions = [[Diana Region]] | population = 109,465 | population_as_of = 2018 }}
'''Nosy Be''' ({{IPA|mg|nusʲ be}}; formerly '''Nossi-bé''' and '''Nosse Be''', {{lit|big island}}) is a [[volcanic island]] off the northwest coast of [[Madagascar]]. Nosy Be is Madagascar's largest and busiest [[tourism|tourist]] destination. It has an area of {{cvt|320.02|km2}}, and its population was 109,465 according to the provisional results of the 2018 [[Census]].
{{lang|mg|Nosy Be}} means "big island" in the [[Malagasy language]]. The island was called '''Assada''' by the French during the early 17th century. Nosy Be has been given several nicknames over the centuries, including "Nosy Manitra" (the scented island).
==History== The first human inhabitants of Nosy Be were small bands from [[Antankarana]] and [[Zafinofotsy]] ethnic groups, before the [[Sakalava people]] migrated there and became the largest group on the island. These people were joined later by some [[Comoros|Comorians]], [[India]]ns and [[Antandroy]]. Nosy Be made its first major appearance in Madagascar's history when [[Radama I|King Radama I]] announced that he intended to conquer the whole west of Madagascar. That plan was eventually achieved in 1837 when the Sakalava Kingdom of [[Boina Kingdom|Boina]] came into the possession of [[Ranavalona I]] upon the defeat of Queen [[Tsiomeko of Boina|Tsiomeko]]'s army.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}
The French colonized the island from 1840, founding an outpost named [[Andoany|Hell-Ville]] (from French [[Anne Chrétien Louis de Hell|Admiral de Hell]]).<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Sanchez SF|title=Commerce régional et à longue distance dans l'ouest de Madagascar au XIXème siècle|journal=Tsingy: Revue de l'association des professeurs d'histoire et de géographie de Madagascar |issue=9 |date=2008|pages=44–56|url=https://www.academia.edu/5626088}}</ref> The 1848 [[End of slavery in France#Proclamation of the Abolition of Slavery in the French Colonies|abolition of slavery in the French colonies]] resulted in a revolt against the French by the Sakalava people, who were extensively involved in the slave trade.<ref>« Sanchez S. F., Un mouvement antiabolitionniste et anticolonial : La révolte sakalava de 1849 dans le Nord-Ouest de Madagascar », in Ballarin M.-P., Derat M.-L., Médard H., Vernet T. (dir.), Traite et esclavage en Afrique Orientale et dans l'Océan Indien, Paris, Karthala, 2013, pp. 413–439</ref> In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the island was governed by the French as an internal protectorate within the colony of Madagascar. The outpost became an important trade harbor in the Mozambique channel.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sanchez |first1=Samuel |title=Complex Strands: Changing Textile Trades in Western Madagascar and the Mozambique Channel in the Nineteenth Century, Evidence from Nosy Be Island |url=https://www.academia.edu/42209149 |journal=Textile History |date=2 January 2017 |volume=48 |issue=1 |pages=85–100 |doi=10.1080/00404969.2017.1294817|s2cid=165135935 }}</ref>
During the nineteenth century, the French settlers developed cash crop agriculture (mainly sugar cane) and recruited indentured laborers from East Africa.<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/5736600/_De_l_engagisme_au_salariat_dans_le_Sud_Ouest_de_l_océan_Indien_La_colonie_de_plantation_de_Nosy_Be_Madagascar_1840_1960_co_écrit_avec_Faranirina_Rajaonah_Univ_Paris_Diderot_ Rajaonah F. & Sanchez S. F., "De l'engagisme au salariat dans le Sud-Ouest de l'océan Indien. La colonie de plantation de Nosy Be, Madagascar (1840–1960)", in Guerassimoff E. & Mande I. (dir.), Le travail colonial. Engagés et autres travailleurs migrants dans les empires 1850-1950 , Paris, Riveneuve, 2016, p.245-282]</ref> Though it was difficult for the French to control the littoral, they founded a plantation colony in Nosy Be, mainly producing sugar and cash crops.<ref>« Sanchez S. F., "Persuasion, escarmouches, prises d'otages. L'exercice du pouvoir dans la colonie française de Nosy Be, Nord-Ouest de Madagascar (1839–1896)", in Chanson-Jabeur Ch., Morlat P., Forest A., Colonisations et Répressions, Paris, Les Indes Savantes, 2015, pp. 413–439</ref> The French used both military force and diplomacy to maintain their position in the island, appointing the former ruler of Nosy Be [[Binao]] as the ''gouverneur principal'' of the island.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Allen |first1=Philip M. |last2=Covell |first2=Maureen |title=Historical dictionary of Madagascar |date=2005 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |location=Lanham, Md. [u.a.] |isbn=978-0-8108-4636-4 |edition=2nd}}</ref>
During the [[Russo-Japanese War]] Nosy Be became a supply station for Russia's Second Pacific Squadron. The main fleet led by Admiral [[Zinovy Rozhestvensky]] reached Nosy Be on January 9, 1905, where it met a smaller detachment led by Admiral [[Dmitry von Fölkersam]] that had arrived already on December 28, 1904.<ref>{{cite book |author=Pierre Van de Boogaerde |title=Shipwrecks of Madagascar |publisher=Strategic Book Publishing |year=2009 |page=243 |isbn=978-1-60693-494-4}}</ref> The fleet stayed for two months for refurbishing and coaling, leaving on March 17 to meet its fate ten weeks later at the [[Battle of Tsushima]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Alistair Horne |title=Hubris. The Tragedy of War in the Twentieth Century |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2015 |page=74ff |isbn=978-0-06-239780-5| author-link=Alistair Horne}}</ref>
In 2013, two French tourists and one local were lynched (beaten and burned by a mob) after rumors that they were responsible for the death of a local boy.<ref name="lemonde.fr">{{cite news |title=A Madagascar, la folle rumeur qui a mené trois hommes sur le bûcher |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/visuel/2013/11/12/a-madagascar-la-folle-rumeur-qui-a-mene-trois-hommes-sur-le-bucher_3512306_3224.html |access-date=23 April 2018 |website=Le Monde.fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-11-12 |title=Triple lynchage de Madagascar: coopération judiciaire difficile entre Paris et Antananarivo |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2013/11/12/triple-lynchage-de-madagascar-cooperation-judiciaire-difficile-entre-paris-et-antananarivo_3512107_3224.html |access-date=2024-09-26 |language=fr}}</ref> A Madagascar court gave four men the maximum hard labour for life over the mob lynching.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-10-09 |title=Four sentenced to hard labour for life over Madagascar mob lynching |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20151009-four-sentenced-hard-labour-life-over-mob-lynching-madagascar-sebastien-judalet |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref>
==Geography== [[File:Black Lemurs.JPG|thumb|200px|A female black lemur and her offspring at the [[Lokobe Reserve]], Nosy Be, November, 2001]]
Nosy Be is located about {{convert|8|km}} from the coast of Madagascar in the [[Mozambique Channel]]; several smaller islands are located nearby, including [[Nosy Komba]], [[Nosy Mitsio]], Nosy Sakatia, and Nosy Tanikely. The island's main town is [[Andoany]], commonly known as [[Andoany|Hell-Ville]].
The [[volcanic island]] has an area of about {{cvt|312|km2}} – 30 km long, 19 km wide<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lowry |first=Linda L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8RwvDwAAQBAJ |title=The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Travel and Tourism |date=2016-09-01 |publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=978-1-4833-6896-2 |language=en}}</ref> – and its highest peak is Mont Lokobe at {{cvt|450|m}}; the volcano is of [[Pleistocene]] origin and has not erupted in recent history.<ref>{{cite gvp |vn=233012 |name=Nosy-Be}}</ref> There are eleven [[volcanic crater lake]]s on the island.
=== Climate === Nosy Be has a [[tropical savanna climate]]. It is most humid in summer (December, January, February). The [[Tsaratanana]] massif partially protects the island from the strong north-east winds affecting the region in August or during [[tropical depression]]s. The wet season lasts from October until the beginning of May, followed by a relatively short dry season that lasts through September. As characteristic of its climate however, it still sees moderate amounts of precipitation even during this time. Daytime temperatures remain fairly steady throughout the year, hovering around 30 °C (86 °F), while the nights are slightly cooler during the dry season.
{{Weather box |location = Nosy Be (1991–2020) |single line = Yes |metric first = Yes | Jan record high C = 35.0 | Feb record high C = 35.0 | Mar record high C = 36.8 | Apr record high C = 35.4 | May record high C = 36.0 | Jun record high C = 34.2 | Jul record high C = 34.5 | Aug record high C = 35.4 | Sep record high C = 34.4 | Oct record high C = 36.3 | Nov record high C = 37.0 | Dec record high C = 36.0 | year record high C = 37.0 | Jan high C = 31.5 | Feb high C = 31.5 | Mar high C = 31.9 | Apr high C = 32.2 | May high C = 31.4 | Jun high C = 30.2 | Jul high C = 29.7 | Aug high C = 30.0 | Sep high C = 30.6 | Oct high C = 31.8 | Nov high C = 31.9 | Dec high C = 31.6 | year high C = 31.2 | Jan mean C = 27.7 | Feb mean C = 27.7 | Mar mean C = 28.0 | Apr mean C = 28.0 | May mean C = 26.8 | Jun mean C = 25.4 | Jul mean C = 24.6 | Aug mean C = 24.8 | Sep mean C = 25.6 | Oct mean C = 27.1 | Nov mean C = 27.7 | Dec mean C = 27.8 | year mean C = 26.8 | Jan low C = 23.9 | Feb low C = 24.0 | Mar low C = 24.1 | Apr low C = 23.7 | May low C = 22.3 | Jun low C = 20.6 | Jul low C = 19.5 | Aug low C = 19.5 | Sep low C = 20.5 | Oct low C = 22.3 | Nov low C = 23.4 | Dec low C = 23.9 | year low C = 22.3 | Jan record low C = 20.2 | Feb record low C = 20.4 | Mar record low C = 21.4 | Apr record low C = 19.0 | May record low C = 15.0 | Jun record low C = 13.0 | Jul record low C = 12.7 | Aug record low C = 13.7 | Sep record low C = 13.0 | Oct record low C = 16.0 | Nov record low C = 17.6 | Dec record low C = 20.2 | year record low C = 12.7 | precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation mm = 392.9 | Feb precipitation mm = 334.3 | Mar precipitation mm = 280.9 | Apr precipitation mm = 106.2 | May precipitation mm = 34.8 | Jun precipitation mm = 29.3 | Jul precipitation mm = 21.2 | Aug precipitation mm = 26.7 | Sep precipitation mm = 35.0 | Oct precipitation mm = 29.8 | Nov precipitation mm = 135.0 | Dec precipitation mm = 302.1 | year precipitation mm = 1728.2 | unit precipitation days = 1 mm | Jan precipitation days = 19.5 | Feb precipitation days = 17.3 | Mar precipitation days = 16.5 | Apr precipitation days = 9.3 | May precipitation days = 4.7 | Jun precipitation days = 4.5 | Jul precipitation days = 3.4 | Aug precipitation days = 3.6 | Sep precipitation days = 4.2 | Oct precipitation days = 4.0 | Nov precipitation days = 9.8 | Dec precipitation days = 15.8 | year precipitation days = 112.6 |Jan sun = 187.0 |Feb sun = 171.2 |Mar sun = 224.0 |Apr sun = 245.0 |May sun = 271.3 |Jun sun = 248.9 |Jul sun = 263.7 |Aug sun = 284.9 |Sep sun = 277.6 |Oct sun = 281.1 |Nov sun = 249.1 |Dec sun = 219.7 |year sun = 2923.5 |source 1 = NOAA (sun, 1961–1990)<ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230925044143/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/4.4/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Madagascar/CSV/NOSYBE_67012.csv | archive-date = 25 September 2023 | url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/4.4/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Madagascar/CSV/NOSYBE_67012.csv | title = Nosybe Climate Normals 1991–2020 | work = World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020) | publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | access-date = 25 September 2023}}</ref><ref name= NOAA>{{Cite FTP |url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG__I/MG/67012.TXT |server=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |title=Nosy Be/Fascene Climate Normals 1961–1990 | access-date = October 19, 2015}}</ref> |date=October 2015 }}
== Flora and fauna == The island is known for having populations of the world's smallest frogs (''[[Stumpffia pygmaea]]'') and chameleon (''[[Brookesia minima]]'').<ref>[[Tim Flannery]] and Peter Schouten, ''Astonishing Animals: Extraordinary Creatures and the Fantastic Worlds They Inhabit''. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2004. Page 126–127.</ref> The Lokobe Reserve is one of Madagascar's five Strict Nature Reserves (''Réserves Naturelles Intégrales''). Nosy Be is also home to a specific color of [[panther chameleon]] (''Furcifer pardalis'').
Nocturnal animals include lemurs (mouse and dwarf), [[chameleon]]s (e.g. short nosed, and stump tailed), [[Uroplatus|leaf-tailed geckos]], frogs, and birds.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Garbutt |first1=Nick |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZxbT2uFy3uEC |title=Madagascar Wildlife |last2=Bradt |first2=Hilary |last3=Schuurman |first3=Derek |date=2008 |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |isbn=978-1-84162-245-3 |language=en}}</ref>[[File:Balaenoptera omurai, Madagascar - Royal Society Open Science 1.jpg|thumb|200px|Omura's whale off Nosy Be]]
Recent studies indicate that adjacent waters around the channel between Nosy Be<ref>{{cite web |author=Sakalav Diving |year=2012 |title=petit rorqual minke whale.avi |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEP1-AQtPpM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/yEP1-AQtPpM |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|publisher=[[YouTube]] |access-date=2015-10-25}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and Madagascar host a habitat for a notable number of [[Omura's whale]], enabling researchers to conduct field studies of this rare species.<ref name=Jefferon2015>{{cite book |last=Jefferson |first=Thomas, Marc A. Webber, and Robert L. Pitman |title=Marine Mammals of the World: A Comprehensive Guide to their Identification |publisher=Academic |year=2015 |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Cerchio S. |author2=Andrianantenaina B. |author3=Lindsay A. |author4=Rekdahl M. |author5=Andrianarivelo N. |author6=Rasoloarijao T. |year=2015 |title=Omura's whales (Balaenoptera omurai) off northwest Madagascar: ecology, behaviour and conservation needs |journal=[[Royal Society Open Science]] |volume=2 |issue=10 |article-number=150301 |bibcode=2015RSOS....240301C |doi=10.1098/rsos.150301 |doi-access=free|pmid=26587244 |pmc=4632516}}</ref>
Coral reefs around Nosy Be are impacted by urbanization, the discharge of the sugar industry, and unregulated tourism.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=McClanahan |first1=T. R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VIMRDAAAQBAJ |title=Coral Reefs of the Indian Ocean: Their Ecology and Conservation |last2=Sheppard |first2=C. R. C. |last3=Obura |first3=D. O. |date=2000-10-12 |publisher=Oxford University Press, USA |isbn=978-0-19-512596-2 |language=en}}</ref>
== Administration == The island constitutes a department within [[Diana, Madagascar|Diana Region]] and is organized as the City of Nosy Be (Commune Urbaine de Nosy Be). Its mayor is Mr. Vita Zarga.
==Economy== {{Unreferenced section|date=August 2024}} Once a major location of [[sugar cane]] plantations and production of its derived products ([[sugar]], [[rum]]), the island's main activities are now the plantation of [[ylang-ylang]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jacarandas cultivates Madagascar scents: from ylang-ylang to pink peppercorn |url=https://www.premiumbeautynews.com/en/jacarandas-cultivates-madagascar,23901,en |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Premium Beauty News |language=en}}</ref> (for the production of essential oils) and tourism. Nosy Be is the most developed tourism destination in Madagascar. This is the only place in Madagascar where all-inclusive large resorts can be found. There are no traffic lights on the island, instead roundabouts are used.
==Transportation== {{Unreferenced section|date=January 2025}} The island is served by [[Fascene Airport]]. The airport is served by commercial flights with [[Air Madagascar]], [[Air Austral]], Airlink, Ewa, [[Ethiopian Airlines]], and has direct flights from Europe on [[Neos (airline)|Neos]]. Its main city and harbour, [[Andoany|Hell-Ville]], can be reached by boat from [[Ankify]]. On the island, travel via tuk-tuk, scooters, and boats is common alongside cars.
==Education== {{expand section|date=May 2015}} French international schools: * École primaire française Lamartine<ref>"[http://www.aefe.fr/reseau-scolaire-mondial/rechercher-un-etablissement/madagascar-nosy-be-ecole-primaire-francaise École primaire française Lamartine]." [[AEFE]]. Retrieved on May 7, 2015.</ref>
Local public schools: * EPP Andavakotoko * EPP Galliéni * EPP boulevard Manceaut (?) * CEG Ambalakatakata * Lycée mixte of Nosy Be
==Twin towns—sister cities== {{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Africa#Madagascar|l1=List of twin towns and sister cities in Madagascar}} Nosy Be is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with: *{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Naples]], Italy<ref name="Naples twinnings">{{cite web |url=http://www.comune.napoli.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/5931 |title=Comune di Napoli -Gemellaggi |access-date=2013-08-08 |last=Vacca |first=Maria Luisa |work=Comune di Napoli|trans-title=Naples - Twin Towns |language=it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722204102/http://www.comune.napoli.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/5931 |archive-date=2013-07-22}}</ref>
==See also== * [[List of volcanoes in Madagascar]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} {{Wikivoyage|Nosy Be}}
{{Diana Region}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:Cities in Madagascar]] [[Category:Islands of Madagascar]] [[Category:Volcanic fields of Madagascar]] [[Category:Populated places in Diana Region]] [[Category:Pleistocene volcanoes]] [[Category:Districts of Diana Region]] [[Category:Volcanic islands]]