Mandalay

Mandalay, city in central Myanmar (Burma), capital of Mandalay Division, on the Irrawaddy River. Mandalay is one of the largest cities in the country. It is also the trading and communications centre of northern and central Myanmar, and is linked by rail with other large cities in the country. Among the leading industries are silk weaving, jade cutting, brewing, distilling, the manufacture of matches, and the working of silver.

Mandalay is a cultural and religious centre of Buddhism, with many monasteries and more than 700 pagodas of great beauty. Built in 1850, Mandalay was the capital of the independent Kingdom of Burma until it was captured by the British in 1885, after which it became the headquarters (known as Fort Dufferin) of Upper Burma (now Upper Myanmar). The Japanese captured it in 1942. At independence in 1948, the city became the administrative capital of Mandalay Division. Population 801,707 (2000 estimate).