Mandalay Division

Infobox Burmesestatedivision
englishname = Mandalay Division
burmesename = မန္တလေးတိုင်း
transcription = manta.le: tuing:


capital = Mandalay
region = Central
area = 37,023
population = 6,442,000
locatormapfile = MyanmarMandalay
ethnic = Bamar, Anglo-Burmese, Chinese, Shan, Chin, Kayin, Burmese Indians
religious = Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism

Mandalay Division is an administrative division of Burma (Myanmar). It is located in the center of the country, bordering Sagaing Division and Magway Division to the west, Shan State to the east, and Bago Division and Kayin State to the south. The regional capital is Mandalay. In the south of the division lies the national capital of Naypyidaw, located in Pyinmana Township. It consists of 7 districts, which are subdivided into 30 townships and 2,320 wards and village-tracts

Mandalay Division is important in Burma's economy, accounting for 15% of the national economy.

Demographics

The majority of the population in Mandalay Division are Bamar (Burmans). However, particularly in Mandalay and its surrounding areas, a large community of Chinese and Indians exists. The city of Mandalay has perhaps the largest Panthay (Chinese Muslims) community in Burma. A dwindling community of Anglo-Burmese still exists in both Maymyo and Mandalay, particularly in an area formerly known as Civil Lines or New Civil Lines. Along the eastern borders, there are large numbers of Shan.

Economy

Agriculture is the primary economical source of livelihood. Primary crops grown within Mandalay Division are rice, wheat, maise, peanut, sesame, cotton, legumes, tobacco, chilli, and vegetables. Industry, including alcoholic breweries, textile factories, sugar mills, and gem mines also exists. Tourism now forms a substantial part of Mandalay Division's economy, as it contains many historical sites including Mandalay, Amarapura, Bagan, Pyin U Lwin, Mount Popa, and Ava. Hardwoods such as teak and thanaka are also harvested.

References

*cite web|url=http://www.myanmar.com/today/mandalay.html |title=Mandalay Division |publisher=Government of Myanmar |accessdaymonth=22 May |accessyear=2006
*http://bestmandalay.wordpress.com Living and Learning English in Mandalay