Myanmar Social Geography: Population Distribution and Census

A set of vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential demographic terms, regional facts, and census history from the lecture on Myanmar’s population distribution.

Social geography

The branch of geography that examines how people, cultures, and populations are distributed across space and interact with their environment.

Population distribution

The spatial arrangement of people across Myanmar, influenced by factors such as topography, climate, vegetation, economy, and transport.

Population density

The number of people living per unit area; used to describe whether a location is densely or sparsely populated.

Dense population

An area with a high concentration of people, e.g., Yangon Region or the Ayeyarwady Delta plains.

Sparse population

An area with a low concentration of people, often found in mountainous or poorly connected regions like Kayah and Chin States.

Topography

The physical features of the land (mountains, plains, valleys) that strongly affect where people settle.

Flat plains

Low-relief, easily cultivated areas that attract large populations because of fertile soil and easier transport.

Mountainous areas

High-relief regions with steep slopes and limited transport routes, typically supporting fewer inhabitants.

Arable land

Land suitable for cultivation; its availability encourages farming communities and higher population density.

Transportation accessibility

The ease with which people and goods can move; good roads, rivers, or ports promote dense settlement.

Economic base

The collection of industries and activities that provide jobs and income, drawing people to an area.

Natural vegetation

The plant cover that develops naturally; it influences agriculture and thus settlement patterns.

Census

An official, systematic count of a country’s population and households at a specific time.

1891 Census

Myanmar’s first national census under British rule, recording 7.7 million inhabitants.

2014 Census

Most recent full census in Myanmar, counting 51.5 million people and providing detailed regional data.

Estimated 2018 population

Approximate figure of 53.9 million inhabitants for Myanmar, showing continued growth after 2014.

Region (Myanmar)

One of seven administrative divisions largely inhabited by the Bamar majority, e.g., Yangon Region.

State (Myanmar)

Administrative division associated with specific ethnic groups, e.g., Shan State or Kayah State.

Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory

A separate administrative area housing the nation’s capital, distinct from states and regions.

Yangon Region

Myanmar’s most populous region, home to about 7.4 million people in 2014.

Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) Region

Second-most populous region with roughly 6.2 million people, noted for its fertile delta.

Shan State

Large eastern state holding 11.3 % of the national population (≈5.8 million) and extensive highlands.

Sagaing Region

North-western region containing about 10.3 % of the national population according to the 2014 census.

Kayah State

Least populated state in Myanmar, with only about 0.28 million inhabitants (0.6 % of total).

Population growth

The increase in Myanmar’s inhabitants from an estimated 4 million (circa 1800) to over 53 million today.