Yangon

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Yangon (Burmese: {{Unicode|ရန္‌ကုန္‌}}, formerly Rangoon), is the capital and largest city of Myanmar (formerly Burma). The city is located on the delta of the Yangon River, about 30 km (19 mi) away from the Gulf of Martaban. Yangon has a population of 4,504,000 (2001), and is located at 16°48' North, 96°9' East (16.8, 96.15).

Related Topics:
Burmese - Myanmar - Gulf of Martaban

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As compared to other major cities in Southeast Asia, Yangon is relatively undeveloped; as a result, greener. Construction is booming, mostly through the influx of foreign investment (from Singapore and China). Many multi-storey residential buildings (tai) have been reconstructed or remodelled, although the extent of modernisation is only present in Downtown and Shwedagon areas. Suburban areas to the south, such as Thaketa Township, continue to be impoverished. The city has strived to maintain the remaining colonial architecture. Yangon was redesigned, in a chessboard fashion when the British incorporated Burma into its empire in the 1800's.

Related Topics:
Southeast Asia - Singapore - China - 1800's

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