Mon State, Myanmar (Burma)

Mon state is sandwiched between Kayin (Karen) state on the east, the Andaman sea on the west, Bago division on the north and Thaninthayi division on the south. It has a short border with Thailand's Kanchanaburi province at its south-eastern tip. The topography is hills on the east, and coastline, beaches and islands on the west. Main rivers are the Thanlwin and its tributaries: the Gyaing, the Ataran and the Donthami. The Donthami form the border between Mon and Kayin state for a distance. The Ataran is one of the few rivers in Myanmar that flow south to north. The Ataran plain is wide and liable to floods. The state is located in the hot wet region. Similar to Thaninthari division, Mon state receives rains more months (June till November) than other parts of the country, with a thin cool season of a few months (normally December and January). The majority of the people are Mon; there are also Kayin, Shan, Pa-O, Bamar and others. Rice is the major crop of lowland areas, and lower slopes of the hills are used for rubber plantation and fruit trees. Rice, rubber, sugar cane, betal nut and coconut are major agricultural products. Fruits of Mon state include durian, mangosteen, pumalo. Around half of the land is covered with forests and timber production is one of the major economy. Fishing also plays a singnificant role in the economy of the state.