GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION

The Union of Myanmar geographically, ethnically and politically falls into 7 Divisions and 7 States. The Diocese of Pathein is situated squarely in the Ayeyarwaddy Division, which is spread over an extensive area of some 18,089 Sq. Kilometers and has a teeming population of 5,670,760. It is bordered on the north by Bago Division which includes the diocese of Pyay. On the eastern side there is a Yangon Division, containing sprawling Archdiocese of Yangon. To the southeast, instead it has the Mon State and the Tanintharyi Division where we have the diocese of Mawlamyine. It is situated in the southern part of Myanmar. It lies peacefully and entrenched in the extreme southern part of Myanmar- bounded along its extensive course by the Bay of Martaban. The bulk of the entire Diocese of Pathein is comprised of this delta region of Myanmar. The Ayeyarwaddy, the longest river in Myanmar from the North ultimately finds the way down south and criss-cross this whole area with the rivulets- big and small – before plunging homewards for the sea. It is particularly due to this fact that the Ayeyarwaddy delta is known as “Granary of Myanmar”.  This Delta area by far registers the greatest output of paddy in the country.

 

 

 

 

 

POPULATION OF TERRITORY

CIVIL DATA

I. Ayeyarwady Division

Pathein Diocese = 18,089 Sq. Kilometer
Civil Population = 5,670,760

II. Number of Inhabitants according to Race

#	Inhabitants	Population
1	Po Karen	1,815,320
2	Sakaw Karen	1,807,400
3	Myanmar	1,680,000
4	Indians	111,410
5	Chinese	165,300
6	Ra khine	51,100
7	Chin (Ashio)	30,800
8	Kayah	100
9	Kachin	300
10	Chin (Northern)	9,030
	Total	5,670,760

A few migrations from the border area of Karen State are about 500.

RELIGIOUS DATA

I. Baptized Catholic :           72,320

(a) Catholic Populations according to sex:

Men	17,710
Women	18,010
Children	36,600

(b) Catholic Populations according to races:

#	Names of the races	Population
01	Po Karen	33,122
02	Sakaw Karen	35,364
03	Ashio Chin	1,085
04	Indians	362
05	Chinese	145
06	Kayar	43
07	Kachin	29
08	Myanmar	1,433
09	Upper Chin	36
10	Mixed Races	701
Total		72,320

II. Non-Catholic Christians                        
                       
            Baptists                      -           76,000
            Anglicans                  -           2,500

III. Other groups of Non-Catholic Christians:
           
           Jehova Witnesses       -     5,200
           Seventh Day Adventists -   3,180
           Assembly of God     -        3,920
           
IV. Non-Christians (5,507,640)
           

Buddhists	5287335
Muslins	66092
Hindus	44061
Animists	109357

           
V. Modern neo-pagan (795)