STATES AND DIVISIONS IN MYANMAR
The country is divided into seven states and seven divisions. Divisions are predominantly Bamar. States, in essence, are divisions which are home to particular ethnic minorities. The administrative divisions are further subdivided into districts, which are further subdivided into townships, wards, and villages.

Divisions
AYEYARWADY DIVISION

LOCATION
Ayeyarwady Division lies at the southern end of the centralplains of myanmar. in the north of it is Bago Division and in the east are Bago and Yangon divisions. On the southern and western sides of the divisions are Andaman Sea and Bay of bangal. It is contiguous with the Rakhine State in the north-west. It is mostly a delta region and has an area of 13,566 sq.miles.
The southern part of Ayeyarwaddy Division has a monsoon climate of the tropical region and the nothern part having decreased rainfall has Savanah climate of the tropical region. The hottest months are April and May while the coldest bare December and January. The average temperature in April in southern towns is 85 F ( 29.4 C ) approximately and it is more in nothern towns. The day temperature in the same month in the southern towns is about 100 F ( 37.8 C ) and the northern towns are hotter. The average temperature of january is 75 F ( 23.9 C ) in the southern part and the northern part is coooler. The rainy season lasts from middle of May to October. The rain fall becomes less from south to north. The annual rainfall of Pathein is about 120 inches while it is about 95 inches in Hinthada.

POPULATION, INHABITANTS, RELIGION AND DIALECT
In Ayeyarwaddy division, Bamar and Kayin nationals are the majority of the population. Few Rakhine nationals can be found in western coastal region. The majority of the profess Buddhism and there are also many Christians and those who profess Islam. Myanmar is the Common language. The population of the division is 6663000.

PRINCIPAL TOWN
Pathein is the principal town of the Ayeyarwaddy Division and has a population of 200,000. It is situated about 120km west of Yangon.

FOREST AND NATURAL VEGETATION
There are evegreen forests on Rakhine Yoma. Deciduous forests can be found in the nothern part of the civision. Near the rivers and streams in upper part of the delta region, there grow forests. Mangrove forests grow along tidal rivers and creeks. In some places along the sea coast, sand-bank forest can be seen. As many places have been turned into agricultural land, there remain not much natural vegetations.
In ayeyarwaddy Division, there are 1.8 million acres of reserved forests and about 5 million acres f the forests outside them. Timber wood can be extracted from Rakhine Yoma forests and fire wood and charcoal are mostly produced from mangrove forests.

SOWN ACREAGE AND CROPS PRODUCED
In Ayayarwaddy Division ,over 3.6million acres out of more than 4 million acres of agricultural lands, are pady fieldes. The acreage of alluvial and garden lands is 0.2 million each. The total acreage of farmlands is over 20,000 and that of the hill-side cultivation is over 500. Farmlands canbe seen in the northern part of the division, and hill-side cultivation is found on Rakhine Yomas. There is 0.6 million acres of double cropping. In dry season, double cropping is carried out by irrigation. There is altogether about 33000 acres of irrigated farmlands.
The principal crop of Ayeyarwaddy Division is paddy. The division is valled the biggest granary of Myanmar. In addition to paddy, other prominent crops are maize, sesame, groundnut, sunflower, beans, and pulses,and jute. Other crops are chilli, onion and spices, tobacco. Betel leaf, betel nut, coconut, banana, mango, tapioca, vegetable, etc.

INTERESTING, HISTORIC AND GEOGRAPHICALLY SIGNIFICANT PLACES
Chaungtha Beach Resort, Ngewsaung Beach and Hainggyi Island are significant. Inyegyi Lake is also popular for its beauty and pleasantness.

CULTURE AND TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS
As the majority of the inhabitants are Bamar nationals, Myanmar traditional and cultural festivals and pagodas festivals are usually held. Pathein Mawtinsoon Pagoda Festival is prominent and popular. Moreover, Zalun Pyidawpyan Pagoda Festival is always crowded with devotees.

BAGO DIVISION

LOCATION
Bago Division is in the south of the big central plins. Magway and mandalay Divisions are to its north, Kayin state, Mon state and the Gulf of Mottama are to its east, Yangon Division is to its south and Ayeyarwaddy Division and Rakhine State are to its west. It is located between North Latitude 346-45’ and 19-20’ and East longtitude between 94-35’ and 97- 10 ‘ has 15214 sq miles.

TOPOGRAPHY & CLIMATE
The southern part of Bago division has the tropical monsoon climate. The northern part has the tropical Savanah Climate. The average temperature of Bago, Taunggu and Pyay in April, the hottest month of the year are 88 F and 90 F respectively. The average temperature of Bago in January, the coolest month, is 75 F.

INHABITANTS, RELIGION & LANGUAGES
Kayin, bamar, Mon,chin, Rakhine and shan reside in Bago Division. There are also some Pa o . the t6otal population of Bago Division is 5014000. Buddhist account for majority of the people. There are also residents who believe in Christian, Hindu and Islam faiths. Myanmar Language is the Key Linguafranca.

PRINCIPAL CITY
Bago is the principal city of Bago Division. It is situated 80 km from Yangon. Bago was an ancient capital of Mon Kingdom in 15th century.

FOREST AREA
Of the 7698 sq miles of Forest area , 4144 sq miles is designated to be the forest reserve. Evergreen forests grow at the end of the eastern hilly reign and the southern end of the Bago Mountain range. There are swamps between Ayeyarwaddy and the Myitmakha river.

SOWN ACREAGE AND CROPS PRODUCED
Total cultivated area in bago Division stands at more than 3.7 million acres. The major crop is paddy. Over 2.3 million acres is put under paddy. Other major crops and plants are sugarcane, maize, groundnut, sesamum, sunflower, beans,and pulses, cotton, jute, rubber, Myanmar tobbacco, tapioca, banana.

OTHER PRODUCTS
There are many fisheries in Bago Division. Several salt indus tries are in Kawa township, near the mouth of Si ttaung river.Timber is extracted from more than 3million acres of forest reserve and their forest areas. The Pyay Mountain Range Oil Field in Shwedaung Township produces petroleum.

HISTORICAL SITES
In Bago, there is the Kanbawza Thadi Palace ground of King Bayintnaung. The ancient Sri Kestra was located in Pyay. There are also ancient pagodas such as Babawgyi, Be Be and Payamar built by Pyu kings.

TRADITIONAL, CULTURAL & SOCIAL FESTIVALS
Well known festivals of Bago Division are the annual procession of the Buddha’s tooth relic in Paungde, the procession of Mother Lood in Nyaunglebin, he candle-floating of Shwekyin, the procession of 28 Buddha images in Taungoo and Daik U townships.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN BAGO
Shwemawdaw Pagoda which was built in 2000 years ago and has 114 meters high. Shwethahlaung Reclining Buddha Image, measuring 55 meters in length and it was built about 1000 AD. The Mahazedi Pagoda, built in 1560 AD. Kanbawzathadi Palace built by King Bayintnaung in 15th century. It is a great archaeological site in Bago.

MAGWAY DIVISION

LOCATION
Magwe division is located in the central part of Myanmar. Its major part falls in the Dry Zone. The total area is 17305 square miles.

CLIMATE
As the majority part of Magwe Division falls in the Dry zone, it is very hot during the hot season and is relatively cold during the cold season. The average temperature of April is 90 F and the average temperature of January is 70 F. it may fall down as low as 50 F sometimes.

INHABITANTS, RELIGIONS & LANGUAGES
The population is 4464000. The majority of the people are Bamars. 98 percent of the people are Buddhists and the rest are Christians, Hindus and Muslims.

CAPITAL
Magwe is the capital of Magwe Division. It has a population about 300,000.

TRADITIONAL, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL FESTIVALS
The festivals of Myathalun pagoda in Magwe and of Shwesettaw pagoda in Minnbu are very well known throughout the Myanmar.

PLACES OF INTEREST
As the fossils of the earliest primates were excavated in Pondaung and ponnya areas in Magwe division, it has become a place of historical interest. The Beikthano ancient town in Taungdwingyi, Kyaungdawya Pagoda in Pwintpyu, Sale Yokeson Monastery in Chauk, Minhla Fort in Minhla and Pakhan Monastery in Yesagyo are also popular tourist spots in Myanmar.

MANDALAY DIVISION

LOCATION
Mandalay Division is located in Central Myanmar linking Sagaing Division in the north, Shan state in the east, Bago Division and Kayin State in the south and Magway Division in the west. The area is 14295 sq miles.

CLIMATE
Various kinds of climate can be finding in Mandalay Division. The eastern plateau has a warm wet temperate climate. The Average temperature in the region is between 70 F and 75 F in April. The average temperature in the coldest month is 60 F.

POPULATION, INHABITANT, LANGUAGES & RELIGION
Mandalay Division is the second most populous region in Myanmar. It has 6442000 inhabitants. Majority of the population is Bamar. Small number of Shan, Danu, Lisu and Palaung are residing on eastern plateau. Myanmar is the principal language and other races have their own dialects. Theravada Buddhism is 90 percent of its population and Islamic and Christian are around the region.

HISTORICAL SITES AND PLACES OF INTEREST
Mahamuni Buddha Image and Mandalay hill are sacred places for Buddhists as well as ancient cultural heritage. Many pagodas, which are also the ancient cultural heritage, can be seen in Bagan- Nyaung U. Taguang ancient city in Thabeikkyin, Amarapura old town and Mandalay royal palace are famous historical sites. Mandalay has many ancient monasteries, too. Popa mountain with temperate climate and Pyin oo lwin hill station town are popular resorts.

TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS
Festivals such as Taungpyone festival, Yadanagu festival and Kyaukse elephant festival are famous in the Division.

SAGAING DIVISION

LOCATION
Sagaing Division is situated in the north- west part of Myanmar. It shares border with India in the north, Kachin, Shan state, and Mandalay Division in the east. Magway Division and Mandalay Division in the south and India and Chin state in the west.
Total area is 36535 square miles.

CLIMATE
Temperatures fall to freezing point in winter on Pakkoi and Naga mountain ranges where coldness remains in summer. Winter temperatures falls as low as 40 F in northern low lands. In Monywa, temperatures rise as high as 110 F in summer and falls to 50 F in the cold season.

POPULATION, INHABITANTS, LANGUAGES, AND RELIGION
The population of Sagaing Division is 538000. Bamars are the majority of inhabitants in the dry regions, Katha Township, and the regions along Mandalay- Myitkyina rail - road. Shans live in upper chindwin valley, Kawlinn and Pinlebu townships. Nagas reside in the north of northwest mountain ranges and Chin in the south. Gadu and Ganang national races can be found at upper Mu River valley and Meza River Valley.

SOWN ACREAGE AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE
Sagaing Division has a over 3 million acres of total cultivated area. Paddy is cultivated on 1.4 million acres and other crops are on 1.5 million acres. Others are alluvial- land cultivation, garden farms and hillside cultivation.

CAPITAL
Capital of Sagaing Division is Sagaing, a town boast for its belonging of World’s third biggest bell ( Minngun Bell ).

PLACES OF INTEREST
Sagaing Hill, Kaunghnudaw Pagoda, Minngun, Monywa Powun Hill, Alaungdawkathapa National Park, Htamanthi Wild life sanctuary, Nyaungkan Bronze Age Archaeological Site, Twinn Hill, Kyaukka Lacquer ware village are famous in this area.

THANINTHARYI DIVISTION

LOCATION
Taninthayi division is bordering Mon state in the north and Thailand in the south and east and facing Andaman Sea in the west. The sea along Taninthayi coast is dotted with nearly 800 islands. Islands in the south are called Myeik archipelago. The total area is 16735 square miles.

CLIMATE
Taninthayi has a tropical monsoon climate. The land that is located nearest to the Equator in Myanmar is warm year round with only slight changes in temperatures. The highest temperature of Dawei is 100 F. The average highest temperature of Myeik is 96.5 F and the lowest average temperature is 65 F.

POPULATION, INHABITANTS, LANGUAGES AND RELIGION
Total population is 1327,000. The inhabitants of the Divisions are Bamars, Kayins, Mons, Shans, Rakhines, Pashues and Salons. Majority of the inhabitants are Buddhists and speak Myanmar language.

CAPITAL
Dawei is the capital of Taninthayi Division in the south of Myanmar. It is located about 614.3 km from Yangon.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Maungmakan Beach Resort is famous for its blue water and white sand. The Myeik Archipelago is just starting up to open up its enormous potential for scuba diving and game fishing. Sea gipsy or salon national can be seen on Lampi Island.

YANGON DIVISION

LOCATION
Yangon is bordering Bago Division in the north and east, Gulf of Mottama in the south and Ayeyarwaddy Division in the west, Yangon Division is situated in the southernmost part of the central plain. The total area is 3927.15 square miles.

CLIMATE
Yangon Division has a tropical monsoon climate. As the Division is located near the sea, there are only slight changes of temperatures in summer and winter. Average temperature of April, the hottest month is 95F. The daytime temperature rises from 100 F to 104 F. The coldest months, December and January, have an average temperature of 77 F. Average annual rainfall of the division is 103 inches.

POPULATION, INHABITANTS, LANGUAGES AND RELIGION
The estimated population of the Division is 5420000. Various races of people are living in the Division. The majority of the population is Bamar. Myanmar is the principal language and Buddhism is a major religion.

SOWN ACREAGE AND PRODUCE
The main crop is paddy. Over 1.2 million acres are put under paddy.

CAPITAL
Yangon is not only the capital of Yangon Division but also of Myanmar. It has a population of over 5 million.

HISTORICAL SITES AND INTERESTING PLACES
In addition to the Shwedagon Pagoda, other interesting places are Chaukhtatgyi buddha image, World peace pagoda, Sule Pagoda, National Museum, Zoological garden, Kandawgyi Botanical garden, Bogyoke Market in Yangon. Twantay is known for its pottery work and Thanlyin ( Syriam ) is known as an ancient town.

States
CHIN STATE

LOCATION
Chin state is located in the west of Myanmar. India is to its north and west; Rakhine state is its south; Sagaing and Magwe division are to its east. It has an area of 13,907 sq.miles.

CLIMATE
Chin state has a mild hot ,wet climate. April and May are the hottest months of the year. Average temperatures of the months range from 60 F ( 15.5 C ) to 70 F ( 21C ). Average temperature in the cold season is below 40 F (4.4 C ). In the cold season, temperatures fall as low as freezing point of water in the higher parts of towns like Haka, Foshaik and Kampelet. Average annual rainfall is 80- 100 inches. The southern part of Chin state gets more rain due to the storms come from Bay of Bangal.

NHABITANTS, RELIGIONS & LANGUAGES
The population of Chin State is 473,000. Population density is 32 persons per sq mile. A large majority of the people are Chins. Mros ( Mago ), Khamis and Bamars form significant parts in southern and western parts of Chin State. Majority of the people are Christians. There are Buddhists, too. Because Chin State is hilly and access is defficult, there is a slight difference in languages spoken in one region and another.

PRINCIPAL TOWN
Hakha is the principal town of the Chin State.

FORESTS & NATURAL PLANTS
There are over 400,000 acres of forest reserve, 600,000 acres of reserve and 1.3 million acres of protected reserves. Pine trees grow especially in areas of higher altitudes. Tree rhododendron and orchids beautify the Chin state.

SOWN ACREAGES & AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE
Shifting cultivation is the most widely used practice. Paddy is the major crops being grown in Chin state through terrace farming. Other crops and plants grown are maize, beans and pulses, potatoes, sunflower, cotton, sugar cane, tobacco, coffee, mulberry, various kinds of vegetables, bananas and fruits such as orange and apple.

OTHER PRODUCTS
Cattle are raised on a manageable scale. Goats, pigs and chickens are raised for family consumption. The Famous Nanauk (Mythuns ) are raised but they are tended in the wild.

TRADITIONAL CULTURAL & SOCIAL FESTIVAL
There are quite a few traditional festivals among Chin nationals. Most well-known among them are Harvest Festival called Hla-ma-ka, House-warming Festival called Ein-ka,Festival called Yu-hlak. New year festival called Khwar-do and Khwang-Kywe festival. Chin State Day falls on 20 February.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Chin state is consisted of nine townships namely Mintat, Matupi, Kanpetlet, Paletwa, Phalan, Hakha, Htatalan, Tideem and Tunzan.
Famous Mt Victoria ( Natmataung ), 10500 feet high stands in Kanpetlet Township. Tatooed Faces Chin tribes also can be seen in Paletwa township. Reed, beautiful heart shaped natural lake is also existed in Phalan township.

KACHIN STATE

LOCATION
Kachin state is located in the northern part of Myanmar. It is the second largest in area of the country’s 7 states and 7 divisions. Kachin state shares borders with China in the north and east, Shan state and Sagaing division in the east and Sagaing division and India in the west. The area of the state is 34,379 sq. miles.

CLIMATE
The climate of the southern part is warm-temperate and wet whereas the nothern part has cold-temperate and wet climate. Highest mountain in the north are always covered with snow. In the lowland areas, the average temperature in summer is 80 F ( 26.6 C ).

POPULATION, INHABITANTS, RELIGION & DIALECT
The population of Kachin State is over 1.2 million. The inhabitants are racial group such as Kachin, Bamar, Shan, Chin and Naga. The distribution by religion is 57.8% Buddhists, 36.4% Christians and the remaining people are Hindu and Muslim faithful.

CAPITAL
Myitkyina is the capital of the Kachin state and located in the northern part of Myanmar, about 144 m above sea level.

SOWN ACREAGE AND CROPS PRODUCED
Paddy is the most essential crop and 75% of the total arable land area is occupied by that crop. Millet, winter- ground nut, mustard, sesame, maize, potato, sunflower, beans and pulses, tobacco, vegetables, banana, orange, citron, graoefruit, lychee and mulberry are also grown in the State. Jade is mined in Phakant, Haungpa, Tawhmaw, Lonkin and other regions in the upper reaches of U-Ru river. Nansakha gem mine is located in Mansi township of Bahmo district. A small amount of amber can be extracted in the Hukaung valley.
Gold also can be panned out from rivers and creeks.

TRADITIONAL & CULTURAL FESTIVALS
There is traditional Mano festival of the Kachin nationals.Htaungka dance of the Kachin national is also popular.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Putao, the switzerland of Myanmar is existedd in Kachin state and its north is Mt Khakaborazi, the highest peak in Myanmar and in Southeast Asia. The height is 5889 meters. The confiuence of the Ayayarwaddy river or beautiful origion of the Ayeyarwaddy is just 31 miles from Myitkyina. Other interested places are Sunprabun, Machanbaw, Hopin, Mogaung and Bahmo.

KAYIN STATE

LOCATION
Kayin state shares the borders with Shan state and Kayah state in the north, and Thailand in the east. The area of the state is 11731 sq. miles.

CLIMATE
Kayin state has a hot and humid climate. The temperature of the hottest month in eastern mountain regions never falls below 71.9 F. Lowlands in the west and south of the state are located in the tropical monsoon climate.

POPULATION, INHABITANTS, RELIGION & LANGUAGES
National races such as Kayin, Bamar, Pa-O, Shan, Mon and Rakhine are residing in the state which has a population of 1431377. The main religions are Buddhists and Christians. The word Kayin is the collective name for all or Sawhaw ( Sakaw ), Sho ( Poe ) and Bwe national races. Descended from Tibet- Myanmar dialect group, Kayins gradually entered Myanmar in 7th AD or 8th AD from east of Taungoo. The six different families of Kayin nationals are Sawhaw, Sho, Bwe, Padaung, Kayinni and Zayein. They can be also defined as northern Kayins and Southern kayins based on the regions they are living in . Bwes are northern Kayins and Sawhaws and Shos are southern Kayins.

SOWN ACREAGE & PRODUCE
Paddy is the main crop of Kayin state. Winter ground nut is cultivated on silted land in monsoon ground nut at hill side farms. Other crops grown in the region are sesame, beans and pulses, sugar cane, rubber, areca, coffee, coconut and fruits.

TRADITIONS & CULTURE
Hpa si ( ceremonial bronze drum ) is the symbol of Kayin culture. ‘Kayin- Don’ is the popular dance. The religious or traditional festivals are Kayin New Year Day celebrations, ceremonial house- warming ceremonies, Sand pagoda festival, Kayin camp fire festivities, the festival to summon the spirits, Boat floating festival and bone collecting ceremony. Farm festival s are harvesting festival and various festivals to offer food to spirits.

HISTORICAL SITES & PLACES OF INTEREST
The magnificent Zwegabin hill is an attractive place for visitors and Kawtgon Cave is also a place of interest. Taungoo that has natural forest camp Seinyay is also situated in Kayin state. The town was a royal city of king Bayintnaung in 15th century. Thandaung, a hill station town, situated at 4050 ft above sea level is just 27 miles ( 43.2 km ) from Taungoo.

KAYA STATE

LOCATION
Kayah state is situated in eastern Myanmar and bounded on the north by Shan State. On the east by Thailand and on the south and west by Kayin state. The area is 4530 sq. miles.

CLIMATE
The highland area has the wet climate of mild-hot regions and the low lying areas have the climate of Savanna and monsoon climate of the tropical regions. In winter, the average temperature of the high land areas is below 40 F ( 4.4 C ) and that of the low lying areas is 62.6 F ( 17 C ). In May, the hottest month, the average temperature is 77.4 F ( 25 C ).

POPULATION, INHABITANTS, RELIGION & DIALECTS
The population is over 259000. the resident national races are Kayah, Kayan ( Padaung ), Paye, Yinnbaw, Yinntale, Paki kayan and manumanao. Some intha, shan and Bamar are living along Balu stream in the north.

CAPITAL
The capital of the Kayah state is LoiKaw. It is located about 551 miles from Yangon.

Traditional and Cultural Festivals
Kubohto or flag mast climbing festival is the most important one among religious festivals of the kayah people. The festical is annually held village by village.

MON STATE

LOCATION
It is bordering Bago division in the south of Sittaung river mouth, Kayin state in the east, Thailand and tanintharyi division in the south and Andaman Sea and Gulf of Muttama in the west. The area is 4,747.8 sq. miles.

CLIMATE
Mon state has a tropical climate. It has a temperate weather, as it is located in the low latitude zone and near the sea. The state has only slight changes in temperature. The average temperature of Mawlamyine in January is 78F (25.6 C) and April is 85 F (29.4 C).

POPULATION, INHABITANT, LANGUAGES & RELIGION
Majority of inhabitants are Mons and Bamars. Kayins, Rakhine, Chin, kachin, Shan, and Pa-O national races are also living in the state.
The population is 2466000. The majority of the people are Buddhists with Christians in minority. Main languages are Mon and Myanmar.

CAPITAL
Mawlamyine is the capital of Mon state. It is situated at the mouth of the Thanlwin River and 190 miles from Yangon.

SOWN ACREAGE AND PRODUCE
Mon state has a cultivated area of nearly 3 million acres. Most are paddy farms. There are few silted-land cultivation and garden farms. Nearly 150,000 acres are put under rubber in the state. Famous farm products of Mon state are durian, mangosteen, pineapple, rambutan, avocado, and djenkol beans.

OTHER PRODUCTS
Coastal fishing is an important enterprise of Mon state. Villages on Bilu Island and villages in Thanpyuzayat, Ye and Kyaikkhami townships are engaged in producing dried fish and fish sauce.

TRADITIONS, CULTURE AND FESTIVALS
Mon state day falls on 19 March. Kyaikhtiyo pagoda festival is visited by people from all over the country and tourists. Other significant festivals are guest festival in Chaungzon, Kyaikkhami the- bonzedi pagoda festivl and edible oil offering ceremony in Hpa- auk.

HISTORICAL SITES & INTERESTING PLACES
Many ancient heritages can be found in Thahton, an ancient town. Sites to see in Mawlamyine, third city of Myanmar are Kyaikthanlan pagoda of 40 meters in high, Mahamuni pagoda, cultural museum, Queen Seindone’s monastery, Uzena pagoda and Judson church. Other interested places are Bilu Island, Gauangse Island, Thanpyuzayat War Cemetry, Kawgun and payon caves, famous for its countless Buddha images and beautiful stalagmites and stalactites.

RAKHINE STATE

LOCATION
Rakhine State is situated in the westernmost part of the state. It is bordering Chin State, Magway Division, Bago Division and Ayayarwady Division. The state is facing Bay of Bengal in the west. The area of the state is 14200 square miles.

CLIMATE
Rakhine state is located in tropical monsoon region. The average temperature of Sittwe in May, the hottest month, is 84 F and in January, the coldest month, is 70 F.

POPULATION, INHABITANTS, LANGUAGES AND RELIGION
Total population is 2698000 and Sittwe is the most populous town of the state. The inhabitants are Rakhine, Bamar, Chin, Mro, Thet, Khami, Dainet, Maramargyi and Khaman. The majority of the people are Buddhists and principal languages are Rakhine and Myanmar.

CAPITAL
Sittwe is the capital of Rakhine State. It is situated about 527 miles from Yangon.

TRADITIONS, CULTURE AND FESTIVALS
Kyin Festival or Rakhine Traditional Wrestling Tournament is famous sport activity in Rakhine State. Boat festival, carriage festival, rice pounding festival, Shitthaung Pagoda Festival, Hsandawshin Pagoda Festival is also famous in the State.

HISTORICAL SITES AND PLACES OF INTEREST
Rakhine has a lot of ancient towns such as Danyawaddy, Vesali, Laungkyet, Nayyinsayar, Mrauk u. The most famous historical site is Mrauk u that has numerous cultural edifices of 14 – 17 century. Beautiful and popular beach resort Ngapali is existed in Rakhine state.

SHAN STATE

LOCATION
Shan state is situated in the eastern sector of the country. It is bordered by Kachin state on the north, China on the north and east, Lao on the east and Thailand on the south. The total land area is 60155 sq. miles. Shan state is the biggest with the largest population of the states in the country.

CLIMATE
According to the latitude location except the northern sector, other sectors of the Shan state have a tropical climate with low temperature, as they are hill regions. In the coldest months of December and January, the average temperature of the region is 70 F (21 C) to 80 F (26 C).

POPULATION, INHABITANTS, RELIGION AND LANGUAGES.
The estimated population of the Shan state is 4702000. Inle lake region is an area with a strange lifestyle. People in the region live at houses built on the edge of the lake. There are many national races residing in Shan state. Shan nationals reside in river valleys throughout the state while Danu, Taung yoe, Inn thar and Bamar nationals live in the west of Shan State. Palaung lives in the northern Shan state. Pa- o nationals are seen in the south of the state, Kachin and Lisu in the north, kokang in kokang region, Wa on east of Thanlwin river and Akha and Lahu in Kyaingtong region. Most of the inhabitants believe in Buddhism. There are also Muslims, Christians and Hindus in the region. The principal language is Myanmar but different dialects are also spoken among the national races.

CAPITAL CITY
Taunggyi is the capital of Shan state. It is located 1433 meters above sea level and 731.2 km from Yangon. It is also known as ‘the pine clad hill resort’ in Myanmar.

SOWN ACREAGE AND CROPS PRODUCED
Shan state has over 1.5 million acres of cultivated areas. Over 500,000 acres are cultivated paddy and crops. Crops cultivated in the state are wheat, maize, sugarcane, beans and pulses, onion, garlic, tobacco, tea plant, coffee, pear, orange and damson.

CULTURAL AND SOCIAL FESTIVALS
February 7 is Shan state day. In le Phaungdaw-U Buddha image festival, Pindaya Shwe u min pagoda festival, Taunggyi fire- ballon festival, Pa-o firecracker festival and Pinndaya pagoda festival are famous.

HISTORIC AND INTERESTING PLACES
Shan cultural museum in Taunggyi, Shan sawbwa haw in Nyaung Shwe, Inle Lake, Pindaya Cave, Kakku temple and Kalaw Hill Station town for trekking are Shan state’s attractions.