Fianarantsoa, town, east-central Madagascar. The town was founded in 1830. It lies on the eastern fringe of a forested escarpment at an average elevation of 4,000 feet (1,200 metres) and consists of upper and lower towns, surrounded by woodland. The town is situated in the midst of Madagascar’s richest wine- and tea-producing region. It is the site of the University of Fianarantsoa (1988). The island’s main north-south highway links it with the national capital, Antananarivo (180 miles [290 km] north) and Toliara (southwest); a railway connects it with the port of Manakara, about 70 miles (110 km) southeast. Pop. (2001 est.) 144,225; (2014 est.) 195,500.