MAGWE

Burmese Magway town, west-central Myanmar (Burma). The town is on the Irrawaddy River opposite Minbu. It is the site of Magwe College, affiliated to the Arts and Science University at Mandalay, and has an airfield. The surrounding area is part of the dry zone of Myanmar's central basin between the Irrawaddy to the west and the Pegu Mountains to the east. Along the river, the land undulates, with marked development of river terraces. It is seamed with nonperennial streams, only the Taungu (Yanbe) being perennial. Situated in a zone of crustal instability, the area experiences occasional earthquakes. Because the region is subject to monsoons and droughts, irrigation projects have been constructed to enable the growing of paddy rice and sesame, peanuts (groundnuts) for oil processing, and tobacco. Millet is also grown. The Pegu Mountains hold valuable forest reserves. Pop. (latest est.) 13,970.