| STATE & DIVISION |
| KACHIN STATE |
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Location : Kachin State lies in the northern
part of Myanmar. It shares borders with People's Republic of China in the north
and east; Shan State and Sagaing Division in the east and Sagaing Division and
India in the west. It lies between North Latitude 23° 27' and 28° 25' Longitude
96° 0' and 98° 44' . The area of the State is 34,379 sq. miles. |
Climate : Kachin State lies on the north of the
line of Tropic of Cancer. Hence, the climate of the southern part is
warm-temperate and wet whereas the northern part has cold-temperate and wet
climate. Highest mountains in the north are always covered with snow. In the
lowland areas, the average temperature in summer being 80°F (26.6° C) and in
winter the temperature is a little more than 60°F (26.6° C). There is heavy
downpour in the rainy season and little amount of rain in winter. The rainfall
in Bhamo is 60 inches, about 80 inches in Myitkyina and over 160 inches in
Putao, in the northernmost part. |
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Population, inhabitants, religion and dialects :
The population of Kachin State is over 1.2 million. Population density is 34
persons per square mile. The hills and mountains are sparsely populated whereas
the plains are densely. There are 100 or more per square mile. The inhabitants
are racial group such as Kachin, Bamar, Shan, Chin, Naga, etc. The distribution
by religion is 57.8% Buddhists, 36.4% Christians and the remaining people are
Hindu and Muslim faithful and those of other religious Faiths. The majority of
the people there speak Myanmar, racial dialects such as Jinphaw, Rawan, Lisu,
Lacheik, etc. are also spoken. |
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Organization of districts, townships and villages :
The three districts constituted in the Kachin State are Myitkyina, Bhamo and
Putao. The number of townships and wards and village tracts constituted are 18
and 709 respectively. The capital of the state is Myitkyina. |
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Sown acreage and crops produced : Paddy is sown on
more than 0.3 million acres of arable land. The output is 17.688 million
baskets. Sugarcane is grown on 13,596 acres producing over twenty-thousand
tons. There are also farms, alluvial lands, and garden lands. Total acreage of
irrigated farm land is over 0.14 million and about fifty-thousand acres for
double crops. Paddy is the most essential crop and 75% of the total arable land
area is occupied by that crop. Millet, winter-groundnut, mustard, sesame,
maize, potato, sunflower, beans and pulses. Myanmar tobacco, vegetables,
banana, orange, citron, grapefruit, lychee and mulberry are also grown in the
State. Washaung and Monai dams are reliable for irrigated cultivation. |
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Jade is mined in Phakant, Haungpa, Tawhmaw, Lonkin and other
regions in the upper reaches of U-ru river. Nansakha gem-land is located in
Mansi township of Bhamo district. A small amount of amber can be extracted in
the Hukaung valley. |
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Gold can be panned out from rivers and creeks. Salterns are
in Kamaing township and Hukung valley. |
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In the Kachin State, there are rice mills, saw mills
and sugar mills. The most important among them is Namti sugar mill. Weaving is
carried out as a cottage industry. Kachin pasoe (sarong) and Kachin
shoulder-bags are popular through the length and breadth of the country. |
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Traditional cultural festivals : There is
traditional Manao Festival of the Kachin nationals. They are of variety kinds
such as Padan Manao, Sut Manao Sutrein Manao Rawmalin Manao Gyo Manao and
Chinngaw Chin traditional dance of the Lisu nationals. Htaungka dance of the
Kachin nationals is also popular. New Year festival, Wedding Ceremonies and
harvest festival are also held, Kachin State Day falls on 10 January every
year. |
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TV retransmission stations : Twenty
TV retransmission stations are located in different townships of the State. |
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