Location

Bordering Bago Division in the south of Sittaung River Mouth, Kayin State in the east, Thailand and Taninthayi Division in the south and Andaman Sea and Gulf of Mottama in the West, Mon state is situated between latitudes 14°52' north and 17°32 ' north and east longitudes 96° 51 ' east and 98° 13 ' east. The area is 4,747.8 sq-miles.

Mon State has a tropical climate. It has a temperate weather as it is located in the low latitude zone and near the sea. The state has only slight changes in temperature. The average temperature of Mawlamyine in January is 78° F (25.6°C) and in April is 85°C (29.4°C). Annual rainfall in Mawlamyine is 190 inches and in Thaton is 217 inches. Especially. rain is much heavy in July and August.

Population, inhabitant, languages and religion

Majority of inhabitants are Mons and Bamars. Kayin, Rakhine, Chin, Kachin, Shan and Pa-O national races also live in the state. The population is nearly 24 million. The majority of people are Buddhists with Christians as minority. Main languages are Mon and Myanmar.

Formation of districts, townships and villages

 The total area of Mon State is 4,748.8 square-miles. There are ten townships and 450 wards and villages-tracts in Mawlamyine Districts and Thaton District. Its population is over 2.3 million. Mon State Day falls on 19 March.

Forest

 Evergreen forests thrive in the region as it is located in the tropical climate zone with torrential rains. Marshes grow along some coastal plains and valleys of rivers and creeks and In trees (Dipterocaryus tuberculatus) grow on laterite-like land in areas east of Mawlamyine. Mangroves can be found near mouths of tidal rivers and creeks. Sandbanks are seen at some coastal areas.

Sown acreage and produce

 Mon State has a cultivated area of nearly three million acres. Most are paddy farms. Over 600,000 acres are put under monsoon paddy in the state yearly. Annual yield of monsoon paddy is 35.4 million baskets. Summer paddy is cultivated on over 700,()00 acres yearly. Annual production is 4.8 million baskets. There are few silted-land cultivation and garden farms. Nearly 150,000 acres are put under rubber in the state. Corn, groundnut, sunflower, beans and pulses, tapioca, sugarcane, coconut, oil palm, coccoa, condiments, cashew, nipa palm and fruits are other farm products of Mon State. Famous farm products of Mon State are durian, mangosteen, rumbutan, pineapple, citrus fruits, avocado and djenkol bean.  

Other products

 Coastal fishing is an important enterprise of Mon State. Villages on Bilu Island and villages in Thanbyuzayat, Ye and Kyaikkami townships are engaged in producing dried fisl1 and fish sauce. Agar-agar is produced from sea algae at Marine Science Department at Setse. Salt is produced from salterns in Ye Township and Htantabinchaung in Paung Township.

Antimony is mined al Kardaik Mines in Paung Township and Natsein Mines near Mudon; and granite is mined al Muppalin and Zingyaik.

State-owned industries in Mon State are Sittaung Paper Mill, Bilin Sugar Mill. Mupun Plate Factory, Thanbyuzayat Rubber Factory. Thaton Tyre Factory. the coalburn power station near Mawlamyine and the shipyard in Mawlamyine.

Traditions and culture and festivals

 Mon State Day falls on 19 March. Kyaikhtiyoe Pagoda Buddha Pujaniya is visited by people from all over the country and tourists. Other significant festivals are guest festival in Chaungzon, Kyaikkami The-bonzedi Pagoda Buddha Pujaniya and edible oil offering ceremony in Hpa-auk, Mawlamyine.

Historical sites and interesting, places

 Many ancient heritage can be found in Thaton, an ancient town. Kyaikkami yayle Pagoda is significant and Setse is a beautiful beach resort.

Radio and TV retransmission stations and microwave stations

 A 10-Kilowatt radio and TV retransmission station is located in Mawlamyine Township. a 100-watt station in Ye Township and a 50-watt station at Kawza region. There are nine microwave stations in Mon State.

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