Toamasina meaning "like salt" or "salty", unofficially and in French also Tamatave, is a city (commune urbaine) on the east coast of Madagascar on the Indian Ocean. The city is the chief seaport of the country, situated 215 km (134 mi) northeast of its capital and biggest city Antananarivo, near the centre of the eastern coast at 18 10 S, 49 32 E. According to the 2001 census, Toamasina had population of 179,045. The city is served by Toamasina Airport
