Mon
state is located on the western coast of the Taninthayi Coastline, facing
the Andaman Sea.
The capital is Mawlamyaing, formerly Moulmien.
It has a total area of 12155 sq-km, and the population is 2.46 million.
The majority are Bamar. However, there is a large minority of Mon who still
live in the area. Many are isolated and about half of the Mons do not
understand or speak Burmese.
Mon state was the first birth place of Buddhist propagation headed by two
venerable monks, Ashin Sonna and Ottara sent by the Emperor Ahshoka of India
in the 3rd centaury BC.
The golden Rock "Kyaikhtio" pagoda situated precariously on the cliff of
mountain is in this division.
