Rakhine State
Encyclopedia
Rakhine State is a Burmese state. Situated on the western coast, it is bordered by Chin State
in the north, Magway Region, Bago Region and Ayeyarwady Region in the east, the Bay of Bengal
to the west, and the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh
to the northwest. It is located approximately between latitudes 17°30' north and 21°30' north and east longitudes 92°10' east and 94°50' east. The Arakan Mountains, which rise to 3063 metres (10,049.2 ft) at Victoria Peak, separate Rakhine State from central Burma. Rakhine State has an area of 36762 square kilometres (14,193.9 sq mi) and its capital is Sittwe
.
word "Rakkhapura" from "Rakkhita" meaning the land of the people of Rakhasa (Rakhasa > Rakkha > Rakkhaing > Rakhaing) who were given this name in honor of their preservation of their national heritage and ethics or morality. The word Rakhine means, "one who maintains his own race." In the Rakhine language, the land is called Rakhinepray, the ethnic Rakhine
are called Rakhinetha.
Arakan, used in British colonial times, is believed to be a Portuguese
corruption of the word Rakhine that is still popularly used in English. Many English language usersFor example, see Staff (2009) "An Introduction To The Toponymy Of Burma" The Permanent Committee of Geographic Names (PCGN), United Kingdom eschew the name changes promulgated by the military government.
, Waithali
, Laymro and Mrauk U
. Mrauk U was conquered by the Konbaung dynasty
of Burma in 1784-85, after which Rakhine became part of the Konbaung kingdom of Burma. In 1824, the first Anglo-Burmese war erupted and in 1826, Rakhine (alongside Tanintharyi) was ceded to the British as repatriation by the Burmese to the British. Rakhine thus became part of the province of Burma of British India. In 1948, Burma was given independence and Rakhine became part of the new republic.
, the Irrawaddy Delta
, the port town of Thanlyin
(Syriam) and parts of eastern Bengal. However, the expanse of the successive Rakhine kingdoms does not exactly corroborate with certain known historical documentation.
According to Rakhine legend, the first recorded kingdom rose centred around the northern town of Dhanyawadi
in the 34th century B.C.E. and lasted til 327 C.E. Rakhine documents and inscriptions states that the famed Mahamuni Buddha image was cast in Dhanyawady in around 554 B.C.E., when the Buddha visited the kingdom. After the fall of Dhanyawadi in the 4th century C.E., the centre of power shifted to a new dynasty based in the town of Waithali. The Waithali kingdom ruled the regions of Rakhine from the middle of the 4th century to 818 C.E. The period is seen as the classical period of Rakhine culture, architecture and Buddhism, as the Waithali period left behind more archeological remains compared to its predecessor. A new dynasty emerged in four towns along the Laymro river as Waithali waned in influence, and ushered in the Lemro period, where four principal towns served as successive capitals.
The final kingdom of Mrauk U was founded in 1430 by Min Saw Mon. It is seen by the Rakhine people as the golden age of their history, as Mrauk U served as a commercially important port and base of power in the Bay of Bengal region and involved in extensive maritime trade with Arabia and Europe. The country steadily declined from the seventeenth century onwards after the loss of Chittagong
to the Mughal Empire
in 1666. Internal instability, rebellion and dethroning of kings were very common. The Portuguese, during the era of their greatness in Asia, gained a temporary establishment in Arakan.
town in present day Kanshiram Nagar District of Utter Pradesh India. In the Treaty of Yandabo
(1826), which ended hostilities, Burma was forced to cede Rakhine (Arakan) alongside Tanintharyi
(Tenasserim) to British India. The British made Sittwe
(Akyab) the capital of Arakan. Later, Arakan became part of the province of Burma of the British Indian Empire, and then part of British Burma when Burma was made into a separate crown colony. Arakan was administratively divided into three districts along traditional divisions during the Mrauk U period.
. In 1948, Rakhine became part of the newly independent Union of Burma and the three districts became Rakhine Division. From the 1950s, there was a growing movement for secession
and restoration of Rakhine independence. In part to appease this sentiment, in 1974, the socialist government under General Ne Win
constituted Rakhine State from Arakan Division giving at least nominal acknowledgment of the regional majority of the Rakhine people
. Islamic separatists calling themselves the Mujahid also carried out a rebellion to create an islamic state in the regions bordering Bengal.
The ethnic Rakhine
make up the majority. The Rakhine reside mainly in the lowland valleys as well as Ramree
and Manaung
(Cheduba) islands. A number of other ethnic minorities like the Chin
, Mro
, Chakma
, Khami
, Dainet, and Maramagri inhibit mainly in the hill regions of the state. Most of the Tibeto-Burmans living in Rakhine State adhere to Theravada Buddhism. Even the Chin, who are usually related with Protestant Christianity or Animism, of Rakhine state adhere to Buddhism due to the cultural influence of the Rakhine people.
Rakhine state is also home to a large Muslim minority. Amongst them, the controversial Rohingya
are the most well known, making up approximately 25% of the state's population. They live on the border districts with Bangladesh. The 'Rohingya' population, according to a 2009 UN estimate, numbered about 723,000; they are not counted as citizens by the military government
.
The 'Rohingya' are only part of the Muslim populace of Rakhine state - not all Muslims in Rakhine are or claim to be Rohingya. Other Muslims groups include Kaman Muslims (Indigenous to Myanmar). In fact, there are different Muslim descents from Arab countries, India and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
, Maungdaw
, Kyaukphyu
and Thandwe
. Combined, these districts have a total of 17 townships and 1,164 village-tracts. Sittwe
is the capital of the state.
to Munbra (Minbya
in Burmese pronunciation) road in central Rakhine, the Toungup
to Pamtaung road in south central Rakhine, and the Gwa
to Ngathaingchaung road in far southern Rakhine. Air travel still is the usual mode of travel from Rangoon and Mandalay
to Sittwe and Ngapali, the popular beach resort. Only in 1996 was a highway from Sittwe to the mainland constructed. The state still does not have a rail line (although Myanmar Railways
has announced a 480-km rail extension to Sittwe from Pathein via Ponnagyun-Kyauttaw-Mrauk U-Minbya-Ann).
The airports in Rakhine State are
A deep sea port was built by China investment in Kyaukphyu to facilitate the transport of natural gas and crude oil from Rakhine coastal to China without passing through Strait of Malacca.
Rivers useful for transportation in Rakhine are
is the main crop in the region, occupying around 85% of the total agricultural land. Coconut
and nipa palm plantations are also important. Fishing
is a major industry, with most of the catch transported to Yangon
, but some is also exported. Wood products such as timber, bamboo
and fuel wood are extracted from the mountains. Small amounts of inferior-grade crude oil are produced from primitive, shallow, hand-dug wells, but there is yet unexplored potential for petroleum
and natural gas
production.
Tourism
is slowly being developed. The ruins of the ancient royal town Mrauk U
and the beach resorts of Ngapali are the major attractions for foreign visitors, but facilities are still primitive, and the transportation infrastructure is still rudimentary.
While most places in Myanmar suffer from chronic power shortages, in rural states like Rakhine the problem is disproportionately greater. In 2009, the electricity consumption of a state of 3 million people was only 30 MW, or 1.8% of the country's total generation capacity. In December 2009, the military government added three more hydropower plants, Saidin, Thahtay Chaung and Laymromyit, at a cost of over US$800 million. The three plants together can produce 687 MW but the surplus electricity will be distributed to other states and divisions.
and Mandalay
. The following is a summary of the public school system in the state in academic year 2002-2003.
Sittwe University is the main university in the state.
and Mandalay
is extremely poor but is especially worse in remote areas like Rakhine State. The entire Rakhine State has fewer hospital beds than the Yangon General Hospital
. The following is a summary of the public health care system in the state.
Political Party of Arakan (ALD)
Rakhine independence-affiliated
Arakanese News/Information
Chin State
Chin State is a state located in western Burma . The Chin State is bordered by Rakhine State in the south, Bangladesh in south-west, Sagaing Division and Magway Division in the east, Indian state of Manipur in the north and Indian state of Mizoram in the west. The Chin ethnic group make up the...
in the north, Magway Region, Bago Region and Ayeyarwady Region in the east, the Bay of Bengal
Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal , the largest bay in the world, forms the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. It resembles a triangle in shape, and is bordered mostly by the Eastern Coast of India, southern coast of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to the west and Burma and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the...
to the west, and the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
to the northwest. It is located approximately between latitudes 17°30' north and 21°30' north and east longitudes 92°10' east and 94°50' east. The Arakan Mountains, which rise to 3063 metres (10,049.2 ft) at Victoria Peak, separate Rakhine State from central Burma. Rakhine State has an area of 36762 square kilometres (14,193.9 sq mi) and its capital is Sittwe
Sittwe
-Economy:In February 2007, India announced a plan to develop the port, which would enable ocean access from Indian Northeastern states, so called "Seven sisters", like Mizoram, via the Kaladan River....
.
Etymology
The term Rakhine is believed to have been derived from the PaliPáli
- External links :* *...
word "Rakkhapura" from "Rakkhita" meaning the land of the people of Rakhasa (Rakhasa > Rakkha > Rakkhaing > Rakhaing) who were given this name in honor of their preservation of their national heritage and ethics or morality. The word Rakhine means, "one who maintains his own race." In the Rakhine language, the land is called Rakhinepray, the ethnic Rakhine
Rakhine people
The Rakhine , is a nationality in Myanmar forming the majority along the coastal region of present day Rakhine State or Arakan State. They possibly constitute 5.53% or more of Myanmar's total population but no accurate census figures exist. Rakhine people also live in the southeastern parts of...
are called Rakhinetha.
Arakan, used in British colonial times, is believed to be a Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
corruption of the word Rakhine that is still popularly used in English. Many English language usersFor example, see Staff (2009) "An Introduction To The Toponymy Of Burma" The Permanent Committee of Geographic Names (PCGN), United Kingdom eschew the name changes promulgated by the military government.
History
The history of the region which corresponds to modern day Rakhine State can be roughly divided into seven parts. The first four divisions and the periods are based on the location of the centre of power of the main independent Rakhine-dominated polities in the northern Rakhine region, especially along the Kaladan River. Thus, the history is divided into the DhanyawadiDhanyawadi
Dhanyawadi was a town in Northern Rakhine State, Myanmar.The site is approximately 80 miles north by north east of Sittwe, and lies between the Kaladan River and Thare Chaung . Like much of Northern Rakhine State, it is in a hilly locale...
, Waithali
Waithali
Waithali , located in today's northern Rakhine State, Myanmar, was the capital of the Waithali Kingdom from 788 to 1018. The former capital site is approximately 70 kilometers northeast of Sittwe, and east of Ram Chaung, a tributary of the Kaladan river. Like much of northern Rakhine State,...
, Laymro and Mrauk U
Mrauk U
Mrauk U is an archaeologically important town in northern Rakhine State, Myanmar. It is also the capital of Mrauk-U Township, a sub region of the Sittwe District. It was the capital of Mrauk U Kingdom, the most important and powerful Rakhine kingdom from 1433 to 1784.-Geography:Mrauk U lies...
. Mrauk U was conquered by the Konbaung dynasty
Konbaung dynasty
The Konbaung Dynasty was the last dynasty that ruled Burma from 1752 to 1885. The dynasty created the second largest empire in Burmese history, and continued the administrative reforms begun by the Toungoo dynasty, laying the foundations of modern state of Burma...
of Burma in 1784-85, after which Rakhine became part of the Konbaung kingdom of Burma. In 1824, the first Anglo-Burmese war erupted and in 1826, Rakhine (alongside Tanintharyi) was ceded to the British as repatriation by the Burmese to the British. Rakhine thus became part of the province of Burma of British India. In 1948, Burma was given independence and Rakhine became part of the new republic.
Independent Kingdom
Based on Rakhine oral histories and inscriptions in certain temples, the history of the Rakhine region date back nearly five thousand years. The Rakhine people trace their societal history back to as far as 3325 B.C.E. and have given a lineal succession of 227 native monarchs and prices down to the last ruler in 1784. They also describe their territory of including, in varying points of time, the regions of AvaAva
Innwa is a city in the Mandalay Division of Burma , situated just to the south of Amarapura on the Ayeyarwady River. Its formal title is Ratanapura , which means City of Gems in Pali. The name Innwa means mouth of the lake, which comes from in , meaning lake, and wa , which means mouth...
, the Irrawaddy Delta
Irrawaddy Delta
The Irrawaddy Delta or Ayeyarwady Delta lies in the Ayeyarwady Region , the lowest expanse of land in Burma that fans out from the limit of tidal influence at Myan Aung to the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, 290 km to the south at the mouth of the Ayeyarwady River...
, the port town of Thanlyin
Thanlyin
Thanlyin is a major port city of Myanmar, located across Bago River from the city of Yangon. Thanlyin Township comprises 17 quarters and 28 village tracts. It is home to the largest port in the country, Thilawa port.-History:...
(Syriam) and parts of eastern Bengal. However, the expanse of the successive Rakhine kingdoms does not exactly corroborate with certain known historical documentation.
According to Rakhine legend, the first recorded kingdom rose centred around the northern town of Dhanyawadi
Dhanyawadi
Dhanyawadi was a town in Northern Rakhine State, Myanmar.The site is approximately 80 miles north by north east of Sittwe, and lies between the Kaladan River and Thare Chaung . Like much of Northern Rakhine State, it is in a hilly locale...
in the 34th century B.C.E. and lasted til 327 C.E. Rakhine documents and inscriptions states that the famed Mahamuni Buddha image was cast in Dhanyawady in around 554 B.C.E., when the Buddha visited the kingdom. After the fall of Dhanyawadi in the 4th century C.E., the centre of power shifted to a new dynasty based in the town of Waithali. The Waithali kingdom ruled the regions of Rakhine from the middle of the 4th century to 818 C.E. The period is seen as the classical period of Rakhine culture, architecture and Buddhism, as the Waithali period left behind more archeological remains compared to its predecessor. A new dynasty emerged in four towns along the Laymro river as Waithali waned in influence, and ushered in the Lemro period, where four principal towns served as successive capitals.
The final kingdom of Mrauk U was founded in 1430 by Min Saw Mon. It is seen by the Rakhine people as the golden age of their history, as Mrauk U served as a commercially important port and base of power in the Bay of Bengal region and involved in extensive maritime trade with Arabia and Europe. The country steadily declined from the seventeenth century onwards after the loss of Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
to the Mughal Empire
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
in 1666. Internal instability, rebellion and dethroning of kings were very common. The Portuguese, during the era of their greatness in Asia, gained a temporary establishment in Arakan.
Non-Arakanese Rule
On the last day of 1784, the internally divided kingdom fell to invading forces from Konbaung Burma. The Mahamuni image was taken away by the Burmese as war loot. This caused an expansionist Burma to come into direct territorial contact with territories of the British East India Company, which set the stage for future flaring of tension. Various geopolitical issues gave rise to the First Anglo-Burmese war(1824–26)As the image of Mahamuni was taken as a war loot formerly by the Burmese, this time the huge bell of the temple was taken by British army and rewarded to Bhim Singh a Risaldar in East India Company's 2nd division for his bravery, this inscribed huge bell is still installed in a Mandir at village Nadrai near KasganjKasganj
Kasganj is a city and a district headquarters of Kanshi Ram Nagar district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.-Geography:Kasganj is located at . It has an average elevation of 177 metres . Situated on the banks of river Kali, the town is in proximity of the Himalayas foothills...
town in present day Kanshiram Nagar District of Utter Pradesh India. In the Treaty of Yandabo
Treaty of Yandabo
The Treaty of Yandabo was the peace treaty that ended the First Anglo-Burmese War. The treaty was signed on 24 February 1826, nearly two years after the war formally broke out on 5 March 1824, by General Sir Archibald Campbell on the British side, and by Governor of Legaing Maha Min Hla Kyaw Htin...
(1826), which ended hostilities, Burma was forced to cede Rakhine (Arakan) alongside Tanintharyi
Tanintharyi
Tanintharyi or Taninthayi is a small town in Taninthayi Township, Myeik District, in the Tanintharyi Region of southwestern Burma . It is the administrative seat for the township. The town is located on the Great Tenasserim River which eventually enters the sea at Myeik...
(Tenasserim) to British India. The British made Sittwe
Sittwe
-Economy:In February 2007, India announced a plan to develop the port, which would enable ocean access from Indian Northeastern states, so called "Seven sisters", like Mizoram, via the Kaladan River....
(Akyab) the capital of Arakan. Later, Arakan became part of the province of Burma of the British Indian Empire, and then part of British Burma when Burma was made into a separate crown colony. Arakan was administratively divided into three districts along traditional divisions during the Mrauk U period.
1940 onwards
Rakhine (Arakan) was the site of many battles during the Second World War, most notably the Arakan Campaign 1942-1943 and the Battle of Ramree IslandBattle of Ramree Island
The Battle of Ramree Island was fought for six weeks during January and February 1945, as part of the Indian XV Corps 1944/45 offensive on the Southern Front of the Burma Campaign during World War II....
. In 1948, Rakhine became part of the newly independent Union of Burma and the three districts became Rakhine Division. From the 1950s, there was a growing movement for secession
Secession
Secession is the act of withdrawing from an organization, union, or especially a political entity. Threats of secession also can be a strategy for achieving more limited goals.-Secession theory:...
and restoration of Rakhine independence. In part to appease this sentiment, in 1974, the socialist government under General Ne Win
Ne Win
Ne Win was Burmese a politician and military commander. He was Prime Minister of Burma from 1958 to 1960 and 1962 to 1974 and also head of state from 1962 to 1981...
constituted Rakhine State from Arakan Division giving at least nominal acknowledgment of the regional majority of the Rakhine people
Rakhine people
The Rakhine , is a nationality in Myanmar forming the majority along the coastal region of present day Rakhine State or Arakan State. They possibly constitute 5.53% or more of Myanmar's total population but no accurate census figures exist. Rakhine people also live in the southeastern parts of...
. Islamic separatists calling themselves the Mujahid also carried out a rebellion to create an islamic state in the regions bordering Bengal.
Demographics
Rakhine State, like many parts of Myanmar(Burma), has a diverse ethnic population. Official Burmese figures state Rakhine State's population as 3,183,330. while population estimation (in lieu of lack of proper census since 1983) for 2010 placed the state's population at 3.83 million.The ethnic Rakhine
Rakhine people
The Rakhine , is a nationality in Myanmar forming the majority along the coastal region of present day Rakhine State or Arakan State. They possibly constitute 5.53% or more of Myanmar's total population but no accurate census figures exist. Rakhine people also live in the southeastern parts of...
make up the majority. The Rakhine reside mainly in the lowland valleys as well as Ramree
Ramree
Ramree is a town in Kyaukpyu district, Southern Rakhine State of western Myanmar. Ramree is situated on Ramree Island.-External links:*...
and Manaung
Manaung
Manaung is a town and district in Manaung Township in Kyaukpyu Districtin the Rakhine State of westernmost part of Myanmar.Manaung town is situated on Manaung Island.-External links:*...
(Cheduba) islands. A number of other ethnic minorities like the Chin
Chin people
The Chin , known as the Kuki in Assam, are one of the ethnic groups in Burma. The Chins are found mainly in western part of Burma and numbered circa 1.5 million. They also live in nearby Indian states of Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur and Assam. Owing to Mizo influence and Baptist missionaries'...
, Mro
MRO
-Operations:* maintenance, repair, and operations -Companies:...
, Chakma
Chakma people
The Chakmas , also known as the Changhma , are a community that inhabits the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh and the North-East India. The Chakmas are the largest ethnic group in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, making up more than half the tribal population. Chakmas are divided into 46 clans or...
, Khami
Awa Khami
The Awa Khami are one of the 135 ethnic groups recognized by the government of Myanmar. They are one of the Chin Peoples. For Chin specifically, the Awa Khami are one of 53 sub-groups identified by the government of Myanmar.-Sources:**...
, Dainet, and Maramagri inhibit mainly in the hill regions of the state. Most of the Tibeto-Burmans living in Rakhine State adhere to Theravada Buddhism. Even the Chin, who are usually related with Protestant Christianity or Animism, of Rakhine state adhere to Buddhism due to the cultural influence of the Rakhine people.
Rakhine state is also home to a large Muslim minority. Amongst them, the controversial Rohingya
Rohingya people
The Rohingya is a predominantly Muslim ethnic group of disputed origin who live in Arakan State, western Burma. The Rohingya population is mostly concentrated to the cities of Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Akyab, Rathedaung and Kyauktaw.-Etymology:...
are the most well known, making up approximately 25% of the state's population. They live on the border districts with Bangladesh. The 'Rohingya' population, according to a 2009 UN estimate, numbered about 723,000; they are not counted as citizens by the military government
State Peace and Development Council
The State Peace and Development Council was the official name of the military regime of Burma , which seized power in 1988. On 30 March 2011, Senior General Than Shwe signed a decree to officially dissolve the Council....
.
The 'Rohingya' are only part of the Muslim populace of Rakhine state - not all Muslims in Rakhine are or claim to be Rohingya. Other Muslims groups include Kaman Muslims (Indigenous to Myanmar). In fact, there are different Muslim descents from Arab countries, India and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
Administration
Rakhine State consists of four districts: SittweSittwe District
Sittwe District is a district of the Rakhine State in western Myanmar. The capital lies at Sittwe-Townships:The district contains the following townships:*Sittwe Township*Ponnagyun Township*Mrauk-U Township*Kyauktaw Township*Minbya Township...
, Maungdaw
Maungdaw District
Maungdaw District is a district of the Rakhine State in western Myanmar. The population density is about 295 persons per square kilometer. The capital lies at Sittwe-Townships:The district contains the following townships:*Maungdaw Township...
, Kyaukphyu
Kyaukpyu District
Kyaukpyu District is a district of the Rakhine State in western Myanmar. The capital lies at Kyaukpyu-Townships:The district contains the following townships:*Kyaukpyu Township*Manaung Township*Ramree Township*Ann Township...
and Thandwe
Thandwe District
Thandwe District is a district of the Rakhine State in western Myanmar. The capital lies at Thandwe-Townships:The district contains the following townships:*Thandwe Township*Toungup Township*Gwa Township...
. Combined, these districts have a total of 17 townships and 1,164 village-tracts. Sittwe
Sittwe
-Economy:In February 2007, India announced a plan to develop the port, which would enable ocean access from Indian Northeastern states, so called "Seven sisters", like Mizoram, via the Kaladan River....
is the capital of the state.
Transport
Few roads cross the Arakan Mountains from central Burma to Rakhine State. The three highways that do are the AnnAnn, Burma
Ann is a town in the Rakhine State of western Burma. It is served by Ann Airport.-External links:*...
to Munbra (Minbya
Minbya
Minbya is a town in the Rakhine State of westernmost part of Myanmar.All 567 permanent shops of Minbya central market were burnt down in a fire accident on 12 November 2011. -External links:*-References:...
in Burmese pronunciation) road in central Rakhine, the Toungup
Toungup
Taungup or Toungup is a town in the Rakhine State of westernmost part of Myanmar. It got 29.1 inches of rainfall in 21 July 2011. It was the recording breaking and there was severe flood.-References:...
to Pamtaung road in south central Rakhine, and the Gwa
GWA
GWA may stand for:* Genome-wide association study* George Walton Academy, a college preparatory school.* Georgia Writers Association* God's Wife of Amun* Google Web Accelerator, a software utility* GWA International Limited, an Australian company...
to Ngathaingchaung road in far southern Rakhine. Air travel still is the usual mode of travel from Rangoon and Mandalay
Mandalay
Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Located north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of one million, and is the capital of Mandalay Region ....
to Sittwe and Ngapali, the popular beach resort. Only in 1996 was a highway from Sittwe to the mainland constructed. The state still does not have a rail line (although Myanmar Railways
Myanmar Railways
Myanmar Railways ; also spelled Myanma Railways; formerly Burma Railways) is the state-owned agency that operates the railway network in Myanmar. The metre gauge rail network consists of 858 stations, and generally spans north to south with branch lines to east and west. MR also operates the...
has announced a 480-km rail extension to Sittwe from Pathein via Ponnagyun-Kyauttaw-Mrauk U-Minbya-Ann).
The airports in Rakhine State are
- Sittwe AirportSittwe AirportSittwe Airport is an airport in Sittwe, Rakhine State, Burma.It started as a military used arifield in World War II. It was handed over to Department of Civil Aviation by International Aero Limited Company on 24 July 1947. It was upgraded to 6,000 feet long and 140 feet wide gravel mixed asphalt...
- Kyaukpyu AirportKyaukpyu AirportKyaukpyu Airport is an airport in Kyaukpyu, Burma .The runway of Kyaukpyu Airport was 4,620 feet long and 100 feet wide. It is able to handle F-28 jets, aircrafts of bigger category used by Myanma Airways. The airfield is planned to extend 1000 feet in 2011 and 1400 feet in next two years. After...
- Thandwe AirportThandwe AirportThandwe Airport is an airport serving Thandwe, a town in the Rakhine State of Burma.- Airlines and destinations :-Accidents and incidents:...
A deep sea port was built by China investment in Kyaukphyu to facilitate the transport of natural gas and crude oil from Rakhine coastal to China without passing through Strait of Malacca.
Rivers useful for transportation in Rakhine are
- Naf RiverNaf RiverNaf River It is an elongated estuary in the extreme southeast of Cox's Bazar district dividing the district from Arakan, Myanmar. It rises in the Arakan hills on the southeastern borders of the district and flows into the Bay of Bengal. Its width varies from 1.61 km to 3.22 km. The river...
- Kaladan RiverKaladan RiverThe Kaladan River is a river in eastern Mizoram State of India, and in Chin State and Rakhine State of western Myanmar. It forms the international border between India and Burma between 22° 47′ 10" N and 22° 11′ 06" N.-Geography:The river arises in central Chin State as the Timit, 22° 49′ 28″ N ...
- Lemro RiverLemro RiverThe Lemro is a river of Burma flowing through Chin State and Rakhine State. It flows into the Indian Ocean east of Sittwe. Between the eleventh and fifteenth centuries, small walled settlements were built by the Arakanese people along the river bank. The Lemro valley is noted for its rock art from...
- Mayu RiverMayuMayu, Myu is a river in Rakhine State in Myanmar. It is named after Mayu Mountain. It is formerly called as Manlayuwaddy. It is the 3rd most used river in Rakhine. It is 96 miles long and ended into Bay of Bengal near the Sittwe. It passes through Buthidaung, Rathedaung and Sittwe Township....
Economy
RiceRice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
is the main crop in the region, occupying around 85% of the total agricultural land. Coconut
Coconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
and nipa palm plantations are also important. Fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
is a major industry, with most of the catch transported to Yangon
Yangon
Yangon is a former capital of Burma and the capital of Yangon Region . Although the military government has officially relocated the capital to Naypyidaw since March 2006, Yangon, with a population of over four million, continues to be the country's largest city and the most important commercial...
, but some is also exported. Wood products such as timber, bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
and fuel wood are extracted from the mountains. Small amounts of inferior-grade crude oil are produced from primitive, shallow, hand-dug wells, but there is yet unexplored potential for petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
and natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
production.
Tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
is slowly being developed. The ruins of the ancient royal town Mrauk U
Mrauk U
Mrauk U is an archaeologically important town in northern Rakhine State, Myanmar. It is also the capital of Mrauk-U Township, a sub region of the Sittwe District. It was the capital of Mrauk U Kingdom, the most important and powerful Rakhine kingdom from 1433 to 1784.-Geography:Mrauk U lies...
and the beach resorts of Ngapali are the major attractions for foreign visitors, but facilities are still primitive, and the transportation infrastructure is still rudimentary.
While most places in Myanmar suffer from chronic power shortages, in rural states like Rakhine the problem is disproportionately greater. In 2009, the electricity consumption of a state of 3 million people was only 30 MW, or 1.8% of the country's total generation capacity. In December 2009, the military government added three more hydropower plants, Saidin, Thahtay Chaung and Laymromyit, at a cost of over US$800 million. The three plants together can produce 687 MW but the surplus electricity will be distributed to other states and divisions.
Education
Educational opportunities in Myanmar are extremely limited outside the main cities of YangonYangon
Yangon is a former capital of Burma and the capital of Yangon Region . Although the military government has officially relocated the capital to Naypyidaw since March 2006, Yangon, with a population of over four million, continues to be the country's largest city and the most important commercial...
and Mandalay
Mandalay
Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Located north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of one million, and is the capital of Mandalay Region ....
. The following is a summary of the public school system in the state in academic year 2002-2003.
| AY 2002-2003 | Primary | Middle | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schools | 2515 | 136 | 49 |
| Teachers | 8600 | 2100 | 700 |
| Students | 264,000 | 76,000 | 25,000 |
Sittwe University is the main university in the state.
Health care
The general state of health care in Myanmar is poor. The military government spends anywhere from 0.5% to 3% of the country's GDP on health care, consistently ranking among the lowest in the world. Although health care is nominally free, in reality, patients have to pay for medicine and treatment, even in public clinics and hospitals. Public hospitals lack many of the basic facilities and equipment. In general, the health care infrastructure outside of YangonYangon
Yangon is a former capital of Burma and the capital of Yangon Region . Although the military government has officially relocated the capital to Naypyidaw since March 2006, Yangon, with a population of over four million, continues to be the country's largest city and the most important commercial...
and Mandalay
Mandalay
Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Located north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of one million, and is the capital of Mandalay Region ....
is extremely poor but is especially worse in remote areas like Rakhine State. The entire Rakhine State has fewer hospital beds than the Yangon General Hospital
Yangon General Hospital
The Yangon General Hospital is a major public hospital in Yangon, Myanmar. Located in a 14-hectare compound, the 1500-bed hospital consists of three Medical Wards, three Surgical Wards, one Trauma and Orthopaedic Ward, and 24 Specialist Departments for inpatient care. The hospital also runs an ER...
. The following is a summary of the public health care system in the state.
| 2002–2003 | # Hospitals | # Beds |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist hospitals | 0 | 0 |
| General hospitals with specialist services | 1 | 200 |
| General hospitals | 16 | 553 |
| Health clinics | 24 | 384 |
| Total | 41 | 1137 |
See also
- List of Arakan Kings
- Arakan Campaign 1942-1943 (for the World War II campaign)
External links
Political Party of Arakan (ALD)
Rakhine independence-affiliated
Arakanese News/Information