Key features and benefits of Azure Database for MariaDB include:

1. Managed Service: Azure takes care of database management tasks such as patching, backups, and high availability, allowing you to focus on developing your applications.

2. High Availability: Azure Database for MariaDB offers high availability with automatic failover and built-in backups to help ensure data reliability and business continuity.

3. Scalability: You can easily scale your MariaDB database up or down based on your application’s needs. Azure provides flexible options for compute and storage scaling.

4. Security: Azure Database for MariaDB includes built-in security features like data encryption at rest and in transit, firewall rules, and integration with Azure Active Directory for authentication and access control.

5. Automated Backups: Regular automated backups are performed to help protect your data. You can restore your database to any point in time within the retention period.

6. Monitoring and Diagnostics: Azure provides tools like Azure Monitor and Azure Diagnostics to help you monitor the performance of your MariaDB database, set up alerts, and diagnose issues.

7. Geo-Replication: You can configure read-only replicas of your MariaDB database in different Azure regions for disaster recovery and improved read scalability.

8. Compatibility: Azure Database for MariaDB is designed to be compatible with the MySQL database system, allowing you to migrate your existing MySQL-based applications with minimal changes.

9. Azure Portal Integration: You can manage and monitor your MariaDB database through the Azure Portal, which provides a user-friendly interface for database administration.

10. Development Tools: Azure offers a variety of development tools and SDKs for integrating MariaDB databases into your applications, including support for popular programming languages and frameworks.

11. Flexible Pricing: Azure Database for MariaDB offers different pricing tiers to accommodate various workloads, from small applications to enterprise-level solutions. You can choose the appropriate pricing tier based on your performance and storage requirements.

12. SLA (Service Level Agreement): Azure provides an SLA for MariaDB databases, guaranteeing a certain level of availability and performance.