KACHIN STATE

Kachin State is the land of mountain ranges where the May Hka and the Mali Hka rivers are born. It is located in the north and north-east of Myanmar between 23^o 38'N and 28^o 31'N latitudes and 95^o 48'E and 98^o 47'E longitudes.

Area & population

The Kachin State has common boundaries with the People's Republic of China in the east and north-east and India on the west. It adjoins Sagaing Division on the west and Shan State on the south. Its area is 34,379 square miles and its population is 903,982, comprising 18 Townships, 699 Wards and Village-Tracts, inhabited by Kachins, Shans, Myanmars, Jingphaws, Lisus, Atsis, Lashis, Rawans, Marus, Kadus and Kanans.

Capital

The State capital is Myitkyina and the 10th January is the State day. The Kachin Manaw Festival is also another interesting culture of the ethnic groups of Myanmar. The festival is usually held during January together with the State Day.

Resources

Tropical deciduous forests and evergreen forests grow in the Kachin State producing teak, pyinkado (Inga Xylocarpa) and other valuable woods.

The principal occupation of Kachin State is agriculture: paddy, sugar cane and groundnut are grown in river valleys and paddy and sugar cane are grown on the plains. Kachin State has three dams: the Paungnet-chaung Dam, Putao Dam and Washawng Dam. Washawng Dam , situated near Washawng village in Waingmaw Township, supplies water to 17,450 acres of agricultural land.

Natural resources of Kachin State include gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, amber, jade, crystal and coal. Namma gold mines and Hpakant jade mines are well-known. Sahmaw State sugar mill and Namti State sugar mill supply sugar for home consumption. Famous and rare Myanmar orchids are found in Kachin State.

Mountain ranges

The highest mountain of Myanmar, Hkakaborazi lies in this state. There are also other mountains such as Hpone Kan Razi for trekking tours. Theses mountains are descendents of the Himalaya Mountain ranges.

Ecotourism

Khakaborazi national park is located in Naungmung township of Kachin state, the northernmost state of Myanmar. The park occupies an area of 1,472 square miles. The year of establishment is 1996. The objective of the part is to conserve natural forests and wildlife in the northern part of Myanmar. To established and maintain a national park of high-quality and up to the standard of modern environmental conservation policies.

A Kachin Couple

Map of Kachin State