Sagaing

Location
Sagaing Division is situated in the north-western part of Myanmar. It shares borders with India in the north, Kachin State, Shan State and Mandalay Division in the east, Mandalay and Magway Divisions in the south, and Chin State and India in the west. The total area of the division is 36,535 square miles.

Population
The population of Sagaing Division is 538,000, and the average population density is 139 persons per square mile. Population is dense in the lower regions of Chindwin and Mu Rivers, where there are many plains, while it is sparse in the mountainous north-west regions.

Inhabitants
Bamars form the majority of inhabitants in the dry regions, Katha Township and the regions along the Mandalay-Myitkyina railroad. Shans live in upper Chindwin valley, and Kawlin, Wuntho and Pinlebu townships. Nagas reside in the north of north-west mountain ranges and Chins in the south. Kadu and Ganang national races can be found in the upper Mu River and Meza River valleys.

Religion
The majority of the people in Sagaing Division are Buddhists, though there are some animists.

Dialects
The major languages spoken in the State are Bamar, Shan and Chin.

How to get there?
Sagaing lies 21 km south west of Mandalay, beside the Ayeyarwaddy River. It is 15 minutes drive from Mandalay by road. Monywa is about 136 km to the west of Mandalay, and a one and half hour drive.