Rakhine State

Rakhine State is located between 17* 21' N and 21* 24' N latitudes and 92* 10' E and 94* 54' E longitudes bordering Bangladesh on the north-west, Chin State on the north, Magwe Division, Pegu Division and Irrawaddy Division on the east and the Bay of Bengal on the west and south. The Rakhine State is inhabited by Rakhines, Mro, Thet, Mramagyi, Daingnet, Kaman, Linke, Anoo, Shandoo and Khaungso in addition to Burmans and Chins. The area is 14200 square miles and the Capital is Sittwe. The State Day is 15th December.

Agriculture is the main economic activity: principal crops being paddy, chilli, Burmese tobacco, coconut, betel nut and dhani. Groundnut, maize, rubber, matpe, bocate bean, soya bean and gram are also cultivated.

Oil exploration is in progress along Rakhine offshore. Rathetaung Township, Baronga Island, Cheduba Island, Ramree Island and Muwe Island produce some oil. Coal is found in Sittwe Township and marble in Taungup Ramree Island. Half of the State is covered with forests that yield valuable woods and bamboos. Solar salt making is another occupation in Sandoway, Taungup and kyaukpyu townships.

Kyaukpyu port is a good international freighter port. At one time Rakhine State was a populous State with many capital cities of Rakhine Kings.

Places of interest

• Mrauk-U (the ancient Kingdom of Arakan)
• Ngapali Veach Resort
• Kanthaya Beach
• Sittwe Seaside Resort