The apex of the Delta begins at
Myanaung about 290 km (180 mi) from the sea. The distance
east to west is about 240 km (150 ml). The Delta is
advancing at the rate of 5-6 km (3-3.75 ml) in a
hundred years. The Western Yoma which is about 400 m. (2970') high
at the apex becomes lower as it comes south and is about 150 m
(500') high west of Pathein, The striking feature of this great
Delta is its general flatness, low level and network of creeks. The
most important of the creeks are Ngawun, Daga, Panmawadi, Ywe, Pyinsala,
Einme, Shwedaung, Bogale and Pyapon.
The Ayeyawady enters the sea by five mouths,
the Ngawun being the westernmost and the Yangon River being the
westernmost. However; these two outlets discharge little of the volume of
Ayeyawady water The highest volume is discharged by the Eya
mouth.
Turtles abound. Turtle Island, off the
Pagoda point, is a turtle breeding station Crayfish and lobster are
popular exports. Ngathalauk (hilsa) is caught offshore.
The rich, heavy alluvial soil makes this
region the biggest producer of rice in the country Another big product is
jute. The region supplies Yangon with mango, banana, various vegetables
and fish. Embankments keep out the brackish water while small dams secure
fresh water for second paddy crop.
Innumerable criss-crossing creeks accounted
for a lack of roads in the region and travel was restricted to the chaungs. Now the State Peace and Development Council has changed all that
and the region boasts a
network of roads with the chaungs spanned by
bridges, 13 in number Two of these will be major bridges to span the
Ayeyawady at Maubin and Nyaungdon. The bridge at Maubin has already been
opened to traffic and Nyaungdon is under constructions. The Western
Highway runs along the west bank of the Ayeyawady all the way from Pathein
to Monywa on the Chindwin River in the north west region and also connects
with the highway over the Western Yoma into Rakhaing and Sittwe.
A rail line runs from Yangon to Hinthada on
the Ayeyawady and turns south to get to Pathein thus securing a rail link
not only with Yangon but Bagan, Mandalay, and places in the Shan
state.
The easternmost mouth the Yangon River, is
linked to the Ayeyawady by the Panhlaing. Actually the Yangon River has
its source in the Bago Yoma where, as the Myitmakim, it is a useful stream
to float logs down to the timber yards where they are assembled for
export. As the Myitrnahha enters the plain it becomes known as the Hlaing
River After the confluence with the Panhlaing it assumes the name of
Yangon River and swings east where it forms the water frontage until it
meets the Bago River from the Bago Yoma and turns south to enter the sea,
64 km (40 mi) downstream. On the banks of the Yangon River sprawls Yangon
City, capital of the country and its metropolis.
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