Editing Geography of Madagascar (section)

===East coast===
The east coast consists of a narrow band of lowlands about {{convert|50|km|spell=in}} wide, formed from the [[sedimentation]] of [[Alluvium|alluvial soils]], and an intermediate zone composed of steep bluffs alternating with ravines bordering an escarpment of about {{convert|500|m|ft|0}} in elevation, which gives access to the Central Highlands. The coastal region runs roughly from north of Baie d'Antongil, the most prominent feature on the [[Masoala National Park|Masoala]] Peninsula, to the far north of the island. The coastline is straight, with the exception of a bay, offering less in the way of natural harbors than the west coast.<ref name=LC/>

The [[Canal des Pangalanes]], an {{convert|800|km|mi|0|adj=on}}-long lagoon formed naturally by the washing of sand up on the island by the Indian Ocean currents and by the silting of rivers, is a feature of the coast; it has been used both as a means of transportation up and down the coast and as a fishing area. The beach slopes steeply into deep water. The east coast is considered dangerous for swimmers and sailors because of the large number of sharks that frequent the shoreline.<ref name=LC/>