Antsirabe was founded in 1872 by a Norwegian missionary attracted by the cool climate and the healing properties of the thermal springs. Today, it is an elegant city, with top class hotels and interesting excursions. A broad avenue links the handsome station with the amazing Hotel des Thermes; at the station end is a monolith depicting Madagascar's eighteen tribes. Antsirabe is the agricultural and industrial centre of Madagascar, best know as the centre for beer. This is also the pousse-pousse capital of Madagascar. There are hundreds of them, so hop on and take a ride.