Pegu Range
Encyclopedia
The Pegu Range is a range of low mountains or hills and uplands between the Irrawaddy and the Sittaung River in central Burma (Myanmar). The range runs from Mount Popa
in the north to Singguttara Hill (Theingottara Hill) in the south. Both the Pegu River and the Sittaung River arise in the Pegu Range.
, a stratovolcano
, Binhontaung 2003 feet (610.5 m), Kodittaung 1885 feet (574.5 m), Phoe-Oo Taung and Singguttara Hill (Theingottara Hill).
marine sediments combined with more recent volcanics.
The Pegu Range was the original site of the 1930-1931 Saya San
uprising against the British
. Saya San raised the flag of independence on Alantaung Hill near Tharrawaddy.
Later the Pegu Range became a center for the Communist Party of Burma
.
and other commercially exploitable hardwoods. The southern forests were "ironwood forests", while the central and northern forests were teak. Extensive logging has caused the present deforestation
and increased erosion in the area.
Mount Popa
Mount Popa is a volcano 1518 metres above sea level, and located in central Burma about southeast of Bagan in the Pegu Range. It can be seen from the River Ayeyarwady as far away as in clear weather. Mount Popa is perhaps best known for the nearby stunningly picturesque Popa Taungkalat...
in the north to Singguttara Hill (Theingottara Hill) in the south. Both the Pegu River and the Sittaung River arise in the Pegu Range.
High points
Among the notable peaks or hilltops are 1518 metres (4,980.3 ft) high Mount PopaMount Popa
Mount Popa is a volcano 1518 metres above sea level, and located in central Burma about southeast of Bagan in the Pegu Range. It can be seen from the River Ayeyarwady as far away as in clear weather. Mount Popa is perhaps best known for the nearby stunningly picturesque Popa Taungkalat...
, a stratovolcano
Stratovolcano
A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, is a tall, conical volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and volcanic ash. Unlike shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes are characterized by a steep profile and periodic, explosive eruptions...
, Binhontaung 2003 feet (610.5 m), Kodittaung 1885 feet (574.5 m), Phoe-Oo Taung and Singguttara Hill (Theingottara Hill).
Geology
The Pegu Range consists of folded and faulted PaleogenePaleogene
The Paleogene is a geologic period and system that began 65.5 ± 0.3 and ended 23.03 ± 0.05 million years ago and comprises the first part of the Cenozoic Era...
marine sediments combined with more recent volcanics.
History
The Shwedagon Pagoda was built sometime before 1000 A.D. on Singguttara Hill.The Pegu Range was the original site of the 1930-1931 Saya San
Saya San
Saya San was a noted monk, a Burmese medicine man and the leader of the Burmese peasant revolt of 1930-1931 and pretender to the Burmese throne...
uprising against the British
British rule in Burma
British rule in Burma lasted from 1824 to 1948, from the Anglo-Burmese Wars through the creation of Burma as a province of British India to the establishment of an independently administered colony, and finally independence...
. Saya San raised the flag of independence on Alantaung Hill near Tharrawaddy.
Later the Pegu Range became a center for the Communist Party of Burma
Communist Party of Burma
The Communist Party of Burma is the oldest existing political party in Burma. The party is unrecognised by the Burmese authorities, rendering it illegal; so it operates in a clandestine manner, often associating with insurgent armies along the border of People's Republic of China...
.
Ecology
The northern end of the Pegu merges into the Burmese Dry Belt, while in the south there is over 80 inches of rainfall a year. The hills of the Pegu Range were originally heavily forested with teakTeak
Teak is the common name for the tropical hardwood tree species Tectona grandis and its wood products. Tectona grandis is native to south and southeast Asia, mainly India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Burma, but is naturalized and cultivated in many countries, including those in Africa and the...
and other commercially exploitable hardwoods. The southern forests were "ironwood forests", while the central and northern forests were teak. Extensive logging has caused the present deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
and increased erosion in the area.