Pathein

The city's name is believed to derive from the Old Mon name, ဖာသီ ([pha sɛm]).[3] "pha" means great or wide and sī/sɛm means river or sea. Pha-sɛm means a big sea. The name was corrupted to Bassein during the British colonial period.

An alternate theory holds that the city's name comes from the classical name of Pathein, Kusimanagara, a name used by ancient writings and the Kalyani inscriptions.[4] Pathein itself is a corruption of Mon "Kuthen," which itself is a contraction of Kusimanagara.[4] This is supported by the fact that the Portuguese call Pathein "Cosmim."[4]

An artist's rendition of the Bassein shoreline in 1878.

Pathein was part of the Mon kingdom. The British built a fort and established a garrison in 1826, after the First Anglo-Burmese War. The 1983 census recorded a population of 144,092.

Lying at the western edge of the Ayeyarwady River delta, on the Pathein (Ngawan) River 118 miles (190 km) west of Yangon, Pathein is accessible to large vessels and despite its distance from the ocean, it is the most important delta port outside of Yangon. The city is also a terminus of a branch of the main railroad line which connects it to Hinthada, Letpadan and Yangon. In the 1990s, the road network along the Irrawaddy to Monywa was improved.[2]

The coastline along the Bay of Bengal is surrounded by the Arakan Mountains. In the area is Inye Lake, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long and 1 mile (1.6 km) wide, which is known for its fishing. There is also an offshore reef at Diamond Island that is popular with bathers. Diamond Island is also noted as a turtle breeding ground.[2]

Locally made parasols

The city is a rice-milling and export centre. Aside from several rice mills, the town has numerous sawmills and umbrella workshops. The colourful handmade parasols made in Pathein are widely known throughout Burma.[2] They are known locally as "Pathein hti".[5] Pathein is also known for its pottery and colourful hand-made baskets and buckets. Among Pathein's most prominent industries also include production of salt, mats, and Pathein halawa.[6]

The surrounding area of Pathein are employed in agriculture and cultivate sesames, groundnuts, jute, maize, pulse (legume)s, tobacco, chilies etc.[5]

Pathein has a Tropical monsoon climate (Am) according to the Köppen climate classification system. Pathein experiences a sustained period of extraordinary rainfall from June through August. The dry season which runs from December through April, generally sees noticeably cooler temperatures than the remainder of the year.

Locally-made buckets

Pathein has a scenic waterfront and many Buddhist temples, including the main sight of Shwemokhtaw Pagoda.

• Tagaung Mingala Pagoda[9]
• Settawya pagoda
• Clock Tower
• St Peter's Cathedral
• Pathein University
• Pathein Cultural Museum

A local girl

The city is home to the Pathein Education College for elementary teachers and Pathein University for arts and science students. The Computer University (Pathein) which is administered by Ministry of Science and Technology offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in computer science, and computer technology. Technological University (Pathein) which was founded in 1999, offers engineering courses.

The 6,000-seat Ayar Stadium is one of the main venues for popular local football tournaments. The stadium is the home of Ayeyawady United F.C., a Myanmar National League (MNL) football club.

A roundabout in Pathein

Pathein General Hospital serves people in Pathein and its surrounding districts.

Ba U, 2nd president of Myanmar (1952–1957) was born in Pathein in 1887. Mahn Win Maung, 3rd president of Myanmar (1957–1962) was born in a town near Pathein in 1916. 8th president Thein Sein was also born in a village near Pathein in 1945 and studied his high school education in Pathein. 10th president Win Myint was also born in Danuphyu town near Pathein in 1945 and started his political life in Pathein.

• Pathein Airport
• Ngwesaung Beach
• Chaungtha Beach