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Yangon
KNOWLEDGE OF Yangon
Yangon (population 4,082,000 (2005 census), formerly Rangoon), is the largest city of Myanmar (formerly Burma) and its former capital. The city is located at the convergence of the Yangon and Bago Rivers, and is about 30 km (19 mi) away from the Gulf of Martaban. Yangon is located at 16°48' North, 96°9' East (16.8, 96.15). In November 2005 the military junta began relocating the capital to Pyinmana, Mandalay Division.
As compared to other major cities in Southeast Asia, Yangon is relatively undeveloped. Construction is booming, mostly through the influx of foreign investment (from Singapore and China). Many multi-storied residential and commercial buildings (taik) have been reconstructed or remodelled throughout Downtown and the Greater Yangon areas. New Towns (myo-thit) and other suburban areas, such as Thaketa Township continue to be impoverished.
Yangon comes from the words yan and koun, which mean "enemies" and "run out of" respectively.
Yangon was founded as Dagon in the 500s by the Mon, who had dominated the lower portions of present-day Myanmar at the time. Dagon was a small fishing village centered around the Shwedagon Pagoda. In 1753, King Alaungpaya conquered Lower Burma, and renamed Dagon, "Yangon". The city was destroyed by a fire in 1841, and suffered extensive damage in the Second Anglo-Burmese War of 1852.
The British Empire seized Yangon in 1852, and transformed it into the commercial and political hub of Burma. As Lower Burma became integrated into British India, the city's present boundaries were established, with the Cantonment's streets (Downtown) paved in a chessboard fashion along the eastern banks of the Hlaing River. In addition, the British introduced a westernised educational system in Burma, establishing major colleges, such as Rangoon College (modern-day Yangon University) and the Theological College for Karens (modern-day Myanmar Institute of Theology). In addition, many religiously-affiliated boarding schools were built in order to teach the privileged English. During the colonial period, Rangoon's main industries were rice and timber, although other exports, such as raw cotton, precious stones, cheroots, and ivory were also exported.
Rangoon was heavily damaged by an earthquake and tsunami in 1930, and again during World War II. After the war, it retained its position as capital of Myanmar. Before WWII, Indians formed the majority in Rangoon; however, after independence, the population became more Bamar. Because the colonial policies that encouraged Indian and Chinese immigration, as well as Caucasian intermixing with the local Bamar were dismantled, their presence has dwindled significantly. The English name of Rangoon was officially changed in 1989 to Yangon. This is controversial, however, because the military junta that changed the name is not officially recognized as legitimate by some governments. For example, the United States government still maintains the usage of Rangoon, as well as Burma.
As compared to other major cities in Southeast Asia, Yangon is relatively undeveloped. Construction is booming, mostly through the influx of foreign investment (from Singapore and China). Many multi-storied residential and commercial buildings (taik) have been reconstructed or remodelled throughout Downtown and the Greater Yangon areas. New Towns (myo-thit) and other suburban areas, such as Thaketa Township continue to be impoverished.
Yangon comes from the words yan and koun, which mean "enemies" and "run out of" respectively.
Yangon was founded as Dagon in the 500s by the Mon, who had dominated the lower portions of present-day Myanmar at the time. Dagon was a small fishing village centered around the Shwedagon Pagoda. In 1753, King Alaungpaya conquered Lower Burma, and renamed Dagon, "Yangon". The city was destroyed by a fire in 1841, and suffered extensive damage in the Second Anglo-Burmese War of 1852.
The British Empire seized Yangon in 1852, and transformed it into the commercial and political hub of Burma. As Lower Burma became integrated into British India, the city's present boundaries were established, with the Cantonment's streets (Downtown) paved in a chessboard fashion along the eastern banks of the Hlaing River. In addition, the British introduced a westernised educational system in Burma, establishing major colleges, such as Rangoon College (modern-day Yangon University) and the Theological College for Karens (modern-day Myanmar Institute of Theology). In addition, many religiously-affiliated boarding schools were built in order to teach the privileged English. During the colonial period, Rangoon's main industries were rice and timber, although other exports, such as raw cotton, precious stones, cheroots, and ivory were also exported.
Rangoon was heavily damaged by an earthquake and tsunami in 1930, and again during World War II. After the war, it retained its position as capital of Myanmar. Before WWII, Indians formed the majority in Rangoon; however, after independence, the population became more Bamar. Because the colonial policies that encouraged Indian and Chinese immigration, as well as Caucasian intermixing with the local Bamar were dismantled, their presence has dwindled significantly. The English name of Rangoon was officially changed in 1989 to Yangon. This is controversial, however, because the military junta that changed the name is not officially recognized as legitimate by some governments. For example, the United States government still maintains the usage of Rangoon, as well as Burma.
Chapi