Marovoay
 
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Marovoay is a city in northwest Madagascar . It is located in the Boeny region on the lower reaches of the Betsiboka River .
The city is not far from the provincial capital Mahajanga and can be reached from there by road or by boat.
The city's population belongs to the Sakalava ethnic group . The population was 20,253 in 1975 and 20,910 in 1993. Today one reckons with around 32,000 residents.
Marovoay was the capital of the Sakalava empire Boina from 1690 to 1745 . In 1824 the Merina conquered the place. But as early as 1840 the French replaced the Merina as masters of the city. Thus, the city was French colonial possession for 120 years.
The name of the city means: place where there are many crocodiles .
Marovoay is 41 km from Ankarafantsika National Park .
Coordinates: 16 ° 7 ′ S , 46 ° 39 ′ E