Magway Division (also spelt Magwe) is a division located in central Myanmar between north latitude 18° 50' and 22° 47' and east longitude between 93° 47' and 95° 55'. It is bordered by Sagaing Division to the north, Mandalay Division to the east, Bago Division to the south, and Rakhine State and Chin State to the west. Magway Division is the largest of Myanmar's seven divisions, with an area of 17,306 sq miles.

Demographics

The population of Magway Division is 4,200,000. Over 95% the people are Bamar, with very small numbers of minorities such as Chin, Rakhine, Kayin, Shan and others, including a tiny Anglo-Burmese population. During colonial times, this part of Burma had a large Anglo-Burmese population, descended from Western oil workers and their Burmese partners. Approximately 98% of the population is Buddhist.

In Magwe Division(prefer the name of Myay Latt State )there is ancient Bamar ethnic group, deemed as of pure Bamar people, who living aroung Kanma and Min Don towns.

Organisation

Magway Division is made up of the districts of Magwe, Minbu, Thayetmyo, Pakokku and Gangaw comprising 25 townships and 1,696 ward village-tracts. The capital is the city of Magwe (1994 population estimated at 300,000). Other major towns are Pakokku and Minbu. Four Districts of Magway Division are Magway District, Minbu District, Pakokku District and Thayet District.

Education

List of Universities, Degree Colleges and Colleges in Magway Division

• 1. Magway University
• 2. Magway Education College
• 3. University of Medicine, Magway
• 4. Magway Government Technical College
• 5. Magway Government Computer College
• 6. Pakokku University
• 7. Pakokku Education College
• 8. Pakokku Government Computer College
• 9. Pakokku Government Technical College
• 10. Yenangyaung College
• 11. Institute of Community Health

Economy

The principal product of Magway Division is petroleum. It produces most of the oil and natural gas of Myanmar. In May 2002 Russia agreed to help Myanmar build a 10-megawatt nuclear reactor and two laboratories in the region. Other industries include cement, cotton weaving, and tobacco, iron and bronze. Magway Division produces a large quantity of edible oil as well as petroleum, hence gaining a reputation as the “oil pot of Myanmar.”

Agriculture is also important. The major crops are sesamum and groundnut. Other crops grown are rice, millet, maize, sunflower, beans and pulses, tobacco, toddy, chili, onions, and potatoes. Famous products of Magway Division include: Thanaka (Limonia acidissima) and Phangar (Chebulic myorobalan) fruit.

Magway has almost no tourist industry although it has an airfield. Magway College is affiliated to the Arts and Science University of Mandalay.

History

Fossils of the early primates over 40 million years old were excavated in the Pondaung and Ponnya areas in Magway Division, leading the government to proclaim that “Myanmar is the birthplace of humanity in the world". An ancient city of the Pyu, Peikthano-myo, about 2000 years old, is located in Taungdwingyi Township, Magway Division. The most famous leader of Burma, General Aung San, was born in Nat Mauk Township, Magway Division. One of the most famous pagodas, Mya Thalun, is also situated in Magway. In Magway Division, there also two forts at the time of Myanmar King built to resist for Anglo-Burma war. One is Minhla Fort, situated inside the town of Min Hla and at opposite bank of Irrawaddy river, another fort, which lie as hidden fort under a small mountain, called Kway Chaung Fort.

The history of Magway Division mirrors that of the other divisions of central Burma.

References