| STATE & DIVISION |
| MON STATE |
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Location: Bordering Bago Division in the south
of Sittaung River Mouth, Kayin State in the east, Thailand and Taninthayi
Division in the south and Andaman Sea and Gulf of Mottama in the West, Mon
state is situated between latitudes 14°52' north and 17°32' north and east
longitudes 96° 51 ` east and 98° 13' east. The area is 4,747.8 sq.miles |
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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 78° F (25.6°C) and in April is 85°C (29.4°C). Annual rainfall in
Mawlamyine is 190 inches and in Thaton is 217 inches. Especially, rain is much
heavy in July and August. |
Population, inhabitant, languages and religion: Majority
of inhabitants are Mons and Bamars. Kayin, Rakhine, Chin, Kachin, Shan and Pa-O
national races also live in the state. The population is 2,466,000. The
majority of people are Buddhists with Christians as minority. Main languages
are Mon and Myanmar. |
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Formation of districts, townships and villages:
The total area of Mon State is 4,748.8 square-miles. There are ten townships
and 450 wards and villages-tracts in Mawlamyine Districts and Thaton District.
Its population is over 2.3 million. Mon State Day falls on 19 March. |
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Forest: Evergreen forests thrive in the region as it
is located in the tropical climate zone with torrential rains. Marshes grow
along some coastal plains and valleys of rivers and creeks and In trees
(Dipterocaryus tuberculatus) grow on laterite-like land in areas east of
Mawlamyine. Mangroves can be found near mouths of tidal rivers and creeks.
Sandbanks are seen at some coastal areas. |
Sown acreage and produce: Mon State has a cultivated area of nearly
three million acres. Most are paddy farms. Over 600,000 acres are put under
monsoon paddy in the state yearly. Annual yield of monsoon paddy is 35.4
million baskets. Summer paddy is cultivated on over 700,000 acres yearly.
Annual production is 4.8 million baskets. There are few silted-land cultivation
and garden farms. Nearly 150,000 acres are put under rubber in the state. Corn,
groundnut, sunflower, beans and pulses, tapioca, sugarcane, coconut, oil palm,
coccoa, condiments, cashew, nipa palm and fruits are other farm products of Mon
State. Famous farm products of Mon State are durian, mangosteen, rumbutan,
pineapple, citrus fruits, avocado and djenkol bean. |
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Other products: Coastal fishing is an important
enterprise of Mon State. Villages on Bilu Island and villages in Thanbyuzayat,
Ye and Kyaikkami townships are engaged in producing dried fish and fish sauce.
Agar-agar is produced from sea algae at Marine Science Department at Setse.
Salt is produced from saltems in Ye Township and Htantabinchaung in Paung
Township. |
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Antimony is mined at Kardaik Mines in Paung Township
and Natsein Mines near Mudon; and granite is mined at Muppalin and Zingyaik. |
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State-owned industries in Mon State are Sittaung Paper
Mill, Bilin Sugar Mill, Mupun Plate Factory, Thanbyuzayat Rubber Factory,
Thaton Tyre Factory, the coalburn power station near Mawlamyine and the
shipyard in Mawlamyine. |
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Traditions, culture and festivals: Mon
State Day falls on 19 March. Kyaikhtiyoe Pagoda Buddha Pujaniya is visited by
people from all over the country and tourists. Other significant festivals are
guest festival in Chaungzon, Kyaikkami The-bonzedi Pagoda Buddha Pujaniya and
edible oil offering ceremony in Hpa-auk, Mawlamyine. |
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Historical sites and interesting places: Many
ancient heritage can be found in Thaton, an ancient town. Kyaikkami Yayle
Pagoda is significant and Setse is a beautiful beach resort. |
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Radio and TV retransmission stations and
microwave stations: A 10-Kilowatt radio and TV retransmission station
is located in Mawlamyine Township, and three in other townships. There are nine
microwave stations in Mon State. |
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