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Betsiboka, situated in Madagascar's Mahajanga region at coordinates -16.8667, 46.9500, occupies a strategic position along the Betsiboka River estuary where it meets the Mozambique Channel. This coastal urban center of approximately 394,561 residents lies within Madagascar's western lowlands, characterized by flat to gently undulating terrain with minimal elevation variation that creates limited natural ventilation corridors. The city's geography creates a distinctive urban-rural gradient, transitioning from dense riverside settlements to surrounding agricultural zones cultivating rice, maize, and cassava. Proximity to the Betsiboka River—Madagascar's second longest river—and the Indian Ocean influences local air quality through sea breezes that can disperse pollutants, though these effects are moderated by the city's position within the river's sheltered estuary. The surrounding landscape features dry deciduous forests transitioning to savanna, with limited industrial development beyond small-scale processing of agricultural products and artisanal mining activities. This geographic setting creates air quality dynamics where local emissions from urban activities—vehicle exhaust, residential biomass burning, and dust from unpaved roads—interact with regional agricultural burning during dry seasons and occasional dust transport from inland areas. The city's position within the river valley can occasionally trap pollutants under stable atmospheric conditions, particularly during cooler months when temperature inversions develop overnight.

Betsiboka experiences distinct seasonal air quality patterns shaped by Madagascar's tropical climate with wet and dry seasons. During the austral summer (December-February), the rainy season brings frequent precipitation that effectively scrubs particulate matter from the atmosphere, resulting in generally cleaner air despite increased humidity that can occasionally enhance secondary pollutant formation. The autumn months (March-May) see transitional conditions as rains diminish, with air quality gradually declining as biomass burning for agricultural clearing increases across the region. Winter (June-August) represents the peak pollution period, coinciding with the dry season when stagnant atmospheric conditions prevail, agricultural fires are most widespread, and dust from unpaved roads becomes more problematic due to lack of rainfall. During these months, temperature inversions frequently develop overnight, trapping pollutants near the surface until mid-morning when solar heating breaks the inversion layer. Spring (September-November) brings improving conditions as occasional early rains begin and winds gradually increase ahead of the monsoon transition. Sensitive groups—including those with respiratory conditions, children, and the elderly—should exercise particular caution during the dry winter months, limiting strenuous outdoor activities during early mornings when pollutant concentrations peak. The most favorable periods for outdoor activities generally occur during the rainy summer months when natural cleansing processes are most active.