{{color|#900|low}} · [[List of administrative divisions of Myanmar by Human Development Index|11th]]"},"official_name":{"wt":""}},"i":0}}]}" id="mwBA">Region in Lower, Myanmar
Ayeyarwady Region ဧရာဝတီတိုင်းဒေသကြီး | |
---|---|
MLC transcription(s) | |
• Burmese | erawa.ti tuing: desa. kri: |
Coordinates: 16°50′N95°10′E / 16.833°N 95.167°E | |
Country | Myanmar |
Region | Lower |
Capital | Pathein |
Government | |
• Chief Minister | Tin Maung Win |
• Cabinet | Ayeyarwady Region Government |
• Legislature | Ayeyarwady Region Hluttaw |
• Judiciary | Ayeyarwady Region High Court |
Area | |
• Total | 35,140 km2 (13,570 sq mi) |
• Rank | 10th |
Highest elevation (Taungni) | 1,225 m (4,019 ft) |
Population | |
• Total | 6,184,829 |
• Rank | 2nd |
• Density | 180/km2 (460/sq mi) |
Demonym | Ayeyarwadian |
Demographics | |
• Ethnicities | Bamar, Rakhine, Indians, Karen |
• Religions | Buddhism 92.1% Christianity 6.3% Islam 1.4% Hinduism 0.1% Others 0.1% |
Time zone | UTC+06:30 (MST) |
HDI (2017) | 0.530 [2] low · 11th |
Website | www |
Ayeyarwady Region (Burmese : ဧရာဝတီတိုင်းဒေသကြီး [ʔèjàwədìtáiɰ̃dèθa̰dʑí] , S'gaw Karen : ထံထၣ်စွ့, Pwo Western Karen : ထံၫထၪကျိၩ့; formerly Ayeyarwady Division and Irrawaddy Division) is a region of Myanmar, occupying the delta region of the Ayeyarwady River (Irrawaddy River). It is bordered by the Rakhine State to the northwest, the Bago Region to the north, Bago Region and Yangon Region to the east, and the Bay of Bengal to the south and west.
The region lies between approximately latitude 15° 40' and 18° 30' north and between longitude 94° 15' and 96° 15' east. It has an area of 35,140 square kilometres (13,566 sq mi). The estimated 2022 population is more than 6.5 million. According to the 2014 Burmese National Census the population of the Ayeyarwady Region was 6,184,829, making it the second most populous of Burma's states and regions after Yangon Region.
Ayeyarwady Region is flanked by the Rakhine Yoma (Arakan Mountains) range in the west. Large areas have been cleared for paddy cultivation, leading to its preeminent position as the main rice producer in the country, a position it has retained into the 21st century.
It has also a number of lakes. Of the rivers branching out from the mighty Ayeyarwady, Ngawun, Pathein and Toe are famous.
The capital city of Ayeyarwady division is Pathein.
Chaungtha Beach and Ngwesaung Beach are popular resorts for both foreigners and the Burmese. They are in the west of the Ayeyarwady Region, an hour from Pathein city and four hours from Yangon city by road.
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1973 | 4,156,673 | — |
1983 | 4,994,061 | +20.1% |
2014 | 6,184,829 | +23.8% |
2024 | 6,330,000 | +2.3% |
Source: 2014 Myanmar Census [1] |
Bamar 4,873,027 (76.98%) and Karen 1,426,973 (22.5%) form the majority of the population, with a small minority of Rakhine (0.47%) in western coastal regions. Burmese is the lingua franca. The majority of the people are Buddhist, with small minorities of Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Baháʼís.
Ayeyarwady Region is heavily forested and wood products are an important component of the economy. The principal crop of Ayeyarwady Region is rice, and the division is called the “granary of Burma.” In addition to rice, other crops include maize, sesame, groundnut, sunflower, beans, pulses, and jute. Fishery is also important; Ayeyarwady Region produces fish, prawn, fish-paste, dry fish, dry prawn, and fish sauce.
Despite the importance of agriculture to the region, landlessness is high in rural households. Most farms are small; nearly half are under 5 acres. Rice paddy agriculture is dominant during the monsoon but irrigation is limited, especially in smaller farms, during the dry season. Seeds are sourced from own reserves rather than from specialized traders. Yields from farms average 3.3 tons per hectare, lower than other Asian countries. [6]
Ayeyarwady Region also has considerable tourist potential. The city of Pathein has numerous historic sights and temples. Outside Pathein are the beach resorts of Chaungtha Beach and the lake resort of Inye Lake. Inye lake is located in Kyonpyaw township, 59 miles (95 km) north east of Pathein. Inye lake is also well known for fishery, as the major supplier of fresh water fish. Chaungtha is located in Pathein township. However, hotel and transportation infrastructure is still very poorly developed.
The Ayeyarwady delta region was Historically part of the Arakan kingdom. This area fell under Burmese (and occasional Mon Kingdom) rule from the 11th century AD. Its subsequent history mirrors that of the rest of lower Burma.
An ancient overland pre-Tang trade route from Sichuan (modern Yunnan Province) to Bengal passed through Ayeyarwady. [7]
Ayeyarwady Region was the site of heavy devastation when Cyclone Nargis made landfall in early May 2008. The cyclone made landfall on the town of Wagon near Haigyi Island. [8] Labutta Township was most heavily struck with around 80,000 deaths. The cyclone's path devastated the low-lying delta regions going through south-central Ayeyarwady Region and Bogale before entering neighbouring Yangon Region. Nargis was the most expensive tropical cyclone on record in the North Indian Ocean at the time, costing $12 billion in aid. [9]
Burma's state-controlled news media reported that Nargis left more than 66,000 people dead or missing after it struck the Irrawaddy Delta region May 2, unleashing torrential rains, 120 mph sustained winds and a 12-foot (3.7 m) storm surge. Foreign relief officials and diplomats said the death toll could exceed 100,000, [10] making it the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of Myanmar. [11] The final death toll was at least 146,000 with 90,000 confirmed dead and 56,000 or more missing. [12]
Ayeyarwady Region consists of eight districts:
Labutta District was formed in August 2008, three months after Cyclone Nargis hit the region. Kyonpyaw District and Myanaung District are the newest districts, formed in 2019 in the lead up to the 2020 Elections
Pathein is the capital city and capital. The region consists of 26 townships and 29 cities. In the townships there are 219 wards, 1912 village groups and 11651 villages.
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2015) |
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2015) |
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2019) |
Ayeyarwady Region is served by Pathein Airport.
Educational opportunities in Myanmar are extremely limited outside the main cities of Yangon and Mandalay. According to official statistics, less than 10% of primary school students in the division reach high school. [13]
AY 2002–2003 | Primary | Middle | High |
---|---|---|---|
Schools | 5623 | 270 | 102 |
Teachers | 17,600 | 5700 | 1800 |
Students | 708,000 | 181,000 | 61,000 |
Pathein University is the main university in the state, and until recently the only four-year university in the state. In recent years, the military government, which closed down universities and colleges in the 1990s to quell student unrest, has "upgraded" former colleges and two-year institutes. The government now requires that students attend their local universities and colleges, such as Hinthada University and Maubin University.
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. [14] [15] 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. Moreover, the health care infrastructure outside of Yangon and Mandalay is extremely poor. For example, in 2003, Ayeyarwady Region had less than a quarter of hospital beds than Yangon Region although Ayeyarwady Region had a slightly greater population. [16]
2002–2003 | # Hospitals | # Beds |
---|---|---|
Specialist hospitals | 0 | 0 |
General hospitals with specialist services | 2 | 450 |
General hospitals | 24 | 910 |
Health clinics | 45 | 720 |
Total | 71 | 2080 |
Magway Region is an administrative division in central Myanmar. It is the second largest of Myanmar's seven divisions, with an area of 44,820 km2. Pa Del Dam (ပဒဲဆည်) is one of the dams in Aunglan Township, Magway Division. The capital and second largest city of the Magway Division is Magway. The largest city is Pakokku. The major cities of Magway Division are Magway, Pakokku, Aunglan, Yenangyaung, Taungdwingyi, Chauk, Minbu, Thayet and Gangaw.
Pathein, formerly called Bassein, is the largest city and the capital of the Ayeyarwady Region, Myanmar (Burma). It is located 190 km (120 mi) west of Yangon within Pathein Township on the bank of the Pathein River (Pathein), which is a western branch of the Irrawaddy River, the city had a population of 172,923 in 2019. Although once a part of the Mon kingdoms, Pathein has few ethnic Mon residents today. The majority are of Bamar with a significant Karen, Burmese Indian, Rakhine and Burmese Chinese populations.
Pathein Township is a township of Pathein District in the Ayeyawady Region of Myanmar. The administrative seat of the Township, District and Region is Pathein. The city of Pathein is the largest city in the Region and has historically been an important center of trade, including a deepwater port.
Myaungmya Township is a township of Myaungmya District in the Ayeyarwady Region of Myanmar. The principal town is Myaungmya.
Maubin Township, alternatively spelt Ma-ubin Township is a township of Maubin District in the Ayeyarwady Region of Myanmar. The Township borders Kyaiklat Township of Pyapon District to its south. Its western border is defined by the Irrawaddy River with Wakema Township of Myaungmya District to its west and Pantanaw Township to the northwest. Its north and northwest borders are within Maubin District with Nyaungdon Township completing the northeastern border. The township's eastern border follows the Khittaya-yaykyaw stream until it meets the Toe River, which it then follows. Yangon Region's Twantay Township borders it to the east bank of these water bodies. There are 12 urban wards and 76 village tracts totaling 442 villages in the township. The principal town of the township is Maubin.
Pyapon Township is a township of Pyapon District in the Ayeyarwady Region of Myanmar. The principal town and administrative seat of the district is Pyapon. The southern portion of the township includes Ahmar Subtownship, an unofficial division used by the Township for statistical and administrative ease.
Nyaungdon Township, also spelt Nyaung Tone Township and formerly Yandoon, is a township of Maubin District in the eastern Ayeyarwady Region, Myanmar.
Pathein District is a district of Ayeyawady Division, Myanmar. It is located around and includes the urban area of the city of Pathein. The area of the Pathein District is 10,899.8 km2 (4,208.4 sq mi). Its population was 1,630,716 in 2014.
Pantanaw Township is a township of Maubin District in the Ayeyarwady Region of Myanmar. The township borders Kyonpyaw and Kyaunggon townships in Pathein District to its northwest and Einme and Wakema townships of Myaungmya District to its southwest. To the northeast, the township borders Danubyu Township and to its east it borders Maubin Township and Nyaungdon Township with the Ayeyarwaddy River forming the eastern boundary of the township. There are 4 urban wards, 52 village tracts totaling 449 villages in the township. The principal town of the township is Pantanaw.
Danubyu Township, also spelt Danuphyu and formerly as Donabyu, is a township of Maubin District in the Ayeyarwady Region of Burma (Myanmar). Danubyu Township is known as the death place of the general Maha Bandula at Danubyu Fort effectively ending the First Anglo-Burmese War by forcing the Burmese to surrender to the British.
Dedaye Bridge, also known as the Ayeyarwady-Dedaye Bridge is a bridge linking Kungyangon Township in Yangon Division and Dedaye Township in Ayeyawady Division in southern Burma. It crosses the Ayeyawady River.
Ngapudaw Township or Ngaputaw Township is a township of Pathein District in the Ayeyarwady Region of Myanmar. The western portion of the township includes Ngayokaung Subtownship and the southern portion of the township includes Hainggyikyun Subtownship, both unofficial divisions used by the Township for statistical and administrative ease. The small village of Kyounku within Hainggyikyun Subtownship is the birthplace of former President of Myanmar Thein Sein.
Kyaunggon Township is a township of Kyonpyaw District in central Ayeyarwady Region of Myanmar.
Labutta Township or Latputta Township is one of the two townships in Labutta District in the Ayeyarwady Region of Myanmar. It is located in the delta of the Irrawaddy.
Kyonpyaw Township is a township in the south of Kyonpyaw District in the Ayeyarwady Division of Myanmar. The capital is Kyonpyaw town, founded 600 years ago. The township, like others in its district, used to be part of Pathein District until 2022. The Township borders Lemyethna Township and Hinthada Township of Hinthada District to the north. To the east and southeast it borders Danubyu Township and Pantanaw Township of Maubin District respectively. To the south and west, it borders Kyaunggon Township and Yekyi Township respectively. The Township has a significant Karen population and is divided into 1 town, 4 wards, 89 village tracts and 523 villages.
Wakema Township is a township of Myaungmya District in central Ayeyarwady Region, Myanmar. The first Prime Minister of Burma, U Nu was born in the principal town, Wakema. The township is one of a few townships outside Kayin State with a majority Karen ethnic population.
Mawlamyinegyun, is a town in the Ayeyarwady Region of south-west Myanmar. It is the seat of the Mawlamyinegyun Township in the Labutta District. The town is situated in the delta of the Irrawaddy River. Around 10% of the population of the township lives in Mawlamyinegyun, which in 2014 was approximately 32,915 people.
The Irrawaddy Delta or Ayeyarwady Delta lies in the Irrawaddy Division, the lowest expanse of land in Myanmar that fans out from the limit of tidal influence at Myan Aung to the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, 290 kilometres (180 mi) to the south at the mouth of the Ayeyarwady River. The delta region is densely populated, and plays a dominant role in rice cultivation in its rich alluvial soil as low as just 3 metres (9.8 ft) above sea level. It also includes fishing communities in a vast area full of rivers and streams. On 2 May 2008, the delta suffered a major disaster, devastated by Cyclone Nargis, which reportedly killed at least 77,000 people with over 55,900 missing, and left about 2.5 million homeless.
Shwethaungyan Subtownship, also spaced out as Shwe Thaung Yan, is a subtownship in Pathein District, Ayeyarwady Region, Myanmar. The subtownship is split between Pathein Township and Thabaung Township; it has a total area of 178.50 square miles (462.3 km2), with 153.16 square miles (396.7 km2) in Pathein and 25.34 square miles (65.6 km2) in Thabaung.
Media related to Ayeyarwady Region at Wikimedia Commons