Naypyidaw is, since November 2005, the capital of the Myanmar (in the past called Burma ). The name of Naypyidaw (which means royal Ville or Demeure of the Kings ) replaces that of Pyinmana , name which the city carried before its designation like capital of the country.

Naypyidaw is a town of approximately: 100000 inhabitants (2006) in the district of Mandalay, with 320  km in the north of the preceding capital Yangon (Rangoon), on an affluent of the river Sittang. It is located strategically in the center of the country, close to the States Shan, Chin and Karen.

History

During the Japanese occupation at the time of the Second world war, the general Aung San made his general headquarter for resistance of it ( Burma Independence Army , BIA). The zone remained strongly militarized.

Displacement of the capital

The Junte with the capacity issued Naypyidaw capital news of the country the November 7th 2005. The totality of the ministries was in the new capital in spring 2006.

The official reasons called upon for the displacement of the capital is that Naypyidaw is more central than Rangoon what makes it possible the population to more easily reach the capital. However, according to the Swiss national agency of information ATS, this displacement would be a means of better protecting the administration and the political power from a possible invasion. Indeed, Rangoon is located in the delta of the Irrawaddy, it is consequently very accessible by sea route. The the United States being very critical with respect to the Junta, the latter considered a scenario such as that of the invasion of Iraq.

Others calculate that Naypyidaw be selected for interior safety reasons and of stability: the large arteries would allow an easier repression in the event of disorders. Naypyidaw is also located near the minorities Shan, Chin and Karen: this proximity could have an effect stabilizing and authoritative on them.

The city shelters many building sites: new governmental buildings and apartments for their employees, but much still refused to bring their family since the infrastructures are not yet satisfactory (there are only few restaurants and stores, without counting the absence of the installation telephone).

External bonds

• Article on the city and transfer of the capital
• Report of the BBC, November 6th 2005
• “'' Burma' S new capital city unveiled ''”, BBC News, March 27th 2007.