The city is in the central-north part of the island, at the Ikopa River, and is connected by the national road RN 4 to Antananarivo and Mahajanga.

The altitude is low and as it is located far from the coast, temperatures tend to be high.

The city belongs to the district of Maevatanana, which is a part of Betsiboka Region.

[2] In addition to primary schooling the town offers secondary education at both junior and senior levels.

The majority 60% of the population of the commune are farmers, while an additional 7% receive their livelihood from raising livestock.