KAYAH STATE

Mateku Falls and Lawpita Falls on Balu Chaung are scenic beauties of Kayah State, which has a generally hilly topography. It is located between 18^o 29'N and 19^o 58'N latitudes, 96^o 50'E and 97^o 52'E longitudes, bordering Thailand on the east, Shan State on the north, and Karen State on the west and south. The Lawpita Hydroelectric Power Plant is the main power supply station throughout the country.

Area & population

Kayah State has an area of 4,530 square miles with a population of 168,355 in six Township and 106 Wards and Village-Tracts. The State, whose capital is Loikaw, celebrates its State Day on 15th January. It is inhabited by Kayahs, Gekos, Gebas, Padaungs (or) Kayans, Bres, Manu-Manaus, Yindales, Yinbaws, Bwe, Paku, Shans and Paos.

Agriculture

The principal agricultural crop is paddy, though ground-nut, maize, cotton, soya bean, sugar-cane, wheat and butter bean are also grown. The mainstays of agricultural are the Ngwedaung Dam and Mobye Dam.

Resources

The Forest Reserves of Kayah State produce such valuable woods as teak, pyinkado, ingyin, padauk, thitkado, thitya, pyinma, pine and yingat.

Antimony, pure silver, tin, tungsten and wolfram are found in Kayah State. Well known industries are Mawchi Mines, Lawpita Hydro-electric Power Station and Marbel Works. The State also boasts of beautiful natural sceneries, idyllic lakes and wonderful natural carves.

A Kayah Couple