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| Ramree Island | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ramree Island |
| Native name | ရမ်းဘဲကျွန်း |
| Location | Bay of Bengal |
| Coordinates | 17°18′N 95°15′E |
| Area km2 | 1304 |
| Length km | 50 |
| Width km | 16 |
| Highest elevation m | 138 |
| Country | Myanmar |
| Region | Rakhine State |
| Population | 55,000 (approx.) |
| Density km2 | auto |
Ramree Island is a large island off the coast of Rakhine State in western Myanmar, situated in the northern Bay of Bengal near the entrance to the Bengal coastline. The island has a mix of mangrove swamps, tidal creeks, freshwater lakes and low hills, and it has been shaped by centuries of regional trade, colonial presence, and wartime events involving British India and Imperial Japan. Ramree is notable for its ecological importance, local Rakhine culture, and strategic location adjacent to the Indian Ocean shipping lanes.
Ramree lies in the Bay of Bengal opposite the Bengal coast and is separated from the Arakan coast by a narrow channel and Kawthaung-adjacent waterways. The island's terrain includes extensive mangrove forests, tidal marshes, brackish lagoons such as the Zalin Chaung system, and a central plateau that rises to about 138 metres near Taungup. Numerous estuaries and creeks connect Ramree to the Irrawaddy Delta system and the island is influenced by the Southwest Monsoon and Northeast Monsoon seasons. Nearby geographic features include the Andaman Islands, Coco Islands, and the Mergui Archipelago further south. The island's geology reflects sedimentation from the Ayeyarwady River and coastal processes linked to the Indian Plate convergence.
Human presence on the island dates back to indigenous Rakhine settlements linked to the Kingdom of Mrauk U trade networks and contacts with Arakanese polities and Bengal Sultanate merchants. During the Konbaung Dynasty era and later under British Burma colonial administration, the island served as an agricultural and trading outpost connected to Akyab District and Sandoway (Thandwe). In the 20th century, Ramree became strategically significant during World War II when operations involving the British Indian Army, Imperial Japanese Army, and units from the Royal Marines and Chindits occurred during the Burma Campaign. Post-independence, the island formed part of Rakhine State within Myanmar and experienced population shifts during ethnic tensions and the 1974 Constitution of Myanmar period. More recent decades have seen infrastructure projects tied to Myanmar–China relations and regional maritime initiatives.
The population is predominantly ethnic Rakhine with communities of Burman migrants, Mro, and smaller groups of Bengali-origin settlers. Languages spoken include Rakhine language and Burmese language, with local dialects and oral traditions linked to Arakanese culture. Religious practice is mainly Theravada Buddhism with minority Islam communities and traces of Animism in rural hamlets. Settlement patterns concentrate in coastal villages and market towns such as Kyaukphyu-linked ports, with seasonal fluctuations due to fishing cycles and monsoon-related migration.
Local livelihoods depend on artisanal fishing tied to Bay of Bengal stocks, smallholder rice cultivation in tidal paddies, and salt production in coastal flats influenced by traditional techniques from Bengal and Ayeyarwady delta regions. Trade historically connected the island to the ports of Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Chittagong, and contemporary commerce involves timber, shrimp aquaculture influenced by trawling practices, and limited oil and gas servicing for regional offshore fields. Development projects associated with China National Petroleum Corporation and regional port proposals have intermittently affected local employment and resource use.
Ramree supports significant mangrove ecosystems shared with the Irrawaddy Delta and hosts biodiversity including estuarine fish, crustaceans, and bird species such as migratory waterfowl from the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. The island's wetlands are habitat for reptiles including saltwater-dependent species and amphibians adapted to brackish conditions. Conservation concerns involve mangrove clearance for agriculture, shrimp farms influenced by aquaculture expansion, and impacts from coastal erosion linked to sea level rise in the Indian Ocean. Local conservation efforts engage regional NGOs, community forestry initiatives tied to Myanmar Forest Department, and Ramsar-aligned wetland advocacy from international partners.
Access to the island is by ferry, small coastal vessels connecting to Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, and by unpaved roads linking inland villages to coastal markets. Infrastructure includes local marketplaces, basic health clinics often supported by Ministry of Health and Sports (Myanmar), and limited electrification projects coordinated with regional authorities. Larger-scale proposals have included port and runway schemes linked to China–Myanmar Economic Corridor discussions and connectivity to the Mrauk U hinterland, though many projects face environmental and social impact assessments involving international lenders and bilateral agencies.
Cultural life reflects Rakhine festivals such as Thingyan celebrations adapted locally, boat procession traditions, and culinary practices combining Bengali-influenced fish curries and rice-based dishes. Tourist interest centers on mangrove wildlife tours, birdwatching tied to the East Asian–Australasian Flyway, and historical WWII sites attracting niche battlefield tourism connected to Burma Campaign heritage trails. Accommodation is modest with community-based homestays promoted by provincial tourism offices; visitor access is often seasonal because of monsoon weather and tidal conditions.
Category:Islands of Myanmar Category:Rakhine State