Where do the Merina people mainly live in Madagascar?

The Merina people primarily inhabit the central plateau of Madagascar. While they are the most populous ethnolinguistic group on the island and are scattered throughout it, their historical and cultural heartland is this central highland region.123

The name "Merina" (or Imerina) is believed to mean "Elevated People," a reference to their traditional residence on the plateau. The Merina kingdom was originally established in the 16th century within the Ikopa valley on this plateau, with Antananarivo serving as its capital. Today, they continue to be a dominant group in the country, representing a significant portion of Madagascar's educated middle class and intellectual elite.341