| STATE & DIVISION |
| KAYAH STATE |
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Location : Kayah State is situated in eastern
Myanmar and bounded on the north by Shan State, on the cast by Thailand and on
the south and west by Kayin State. It lies approximately between l8° 30' and
19° 55' north latitude and between 94°40' and 97° 93' east longitute. The area
is 4,530 sq. miles. |
Being a section of eastern plateau, its bed-rocks are
of igenous stratified and metamorphic types. Relating with those rocks,
alabaster, tin, wolfram, shellac are found. Red earth is mostly found. There
are fertile paddy lands in Loikaw plains through which Balu stream flows. The
highland area has the wet climate of mild-hot regions and the low-lying areas
have the climate of Savanna and monsoon climate of the tropical regions. In
winter, the average temperature of the highland areas is below 40°F (4.4°C) and
that of the low lying areas is 62.6°F (17°C). In May, the hottest month, the
average temperature is 77.4°F (25°C). The annual rainfall in low-lying areas is
about 38.43 inches. The highland areas get more rain. |
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Population, inhabitants, religion and dialects :
The population is over 259,000 and the population density is about 53 persons
per sq. mile. |
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The population density in Loikaw and Dimawhso
Townships where there are vast plains, is more than 100 persons per sq. mile.
Mountainous townships are sparsely populated. The resident national races are
Kayah, Kayan (Padaung) , Paye Yinbaw, Yinkale, Paki Kayin and small racial
groups such as Manumanao, Gaykho, Gaybar ect In addition, there are few numbers
of Shan, Intha, Bamar living along Balu stream in the north. Pa-o nationals can
be found on surrounding hills. |
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Organization of districts, townships, villages and wards:
Loikaw and Bawlake districts are constituted with seven townships. There are
106 wards and village-tracts. The area of the State is 4,529.564 sq. miles. The
capital of the state is Loikaw. |
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Sown acreage and crop output : Total agricultural lands
come to 90,000 acres approximately. There are over 40,000 acres of paddy land,
about 40,000 acres of farmlands and over 20,000 acres of hill-side cultivation.
The majority of paddy cultivation are irrigated. Paddy is the chief crop. Other
crops cultivated are millet, maize, sesame, groundnut, garlic, vegetables etc.
Other products of the State are tin, wolfram and shellac - mixed metals
produced by Mawchi mine. Alabaster from Sakyin hills near Loikaw and Dimawhso
townships arc transported to Loikaw Alabaster sheet factory for manufacturing
personal goods. Valuable wood such as Teak, Pyinkadoe, lngyin Padauk,
Thitkadoe, Thitya, Pyinma, Pine and Yinkat are produced by the forests. |
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Traditional and cultural festivals : Kutobo or the flag mast
festival, is the most important one among many religious festivals of the Kayah
people. The festival is held annually village by village. Kayah State Day falls
on 15 January. |
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Construction works : Alabaster sheet factory
and Hyde] Plant were built respectively at Loikaw and Lawpita Waterfall of Balu
Stream. Six TV retransmission stations are located in the State. |
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