Yangon, State capital in Myanmar
Yangon is the largest city in Myanmar and sits in the Yangon Region along a river. It divides into multiple townships where residential areas mix with business districts and religious sites, while canals and lakes cut through the urban landscape and many streets follow a grid pattern lined with British-era architecture and local building styles.
The British made this place their colonial capital in 1852 and built government buildings along with a street system following Western models. After independence in 1948, the city remained the political and economic center until the government relocated the capital in 2006.
Street vendors prepare tea and meals on the sidewalks while people sit on small plastic stools to start or end their day. Many still wear traditional wraparound skirts, both men and women, and use thanaka paste as a natural sunscreen on their faces.
A circular railway connects the different townships and offers a good way to get a sense of how far the city extends. The ride takes several hours and is popular with both commuters and visitors.
Nearly 200 natural lakes and ponds lie within the city limits and form a water system that affects temperature and microclimate. Some of these bodies of water are habitats for rare birds and are used by locals for recreation.
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