Human Geography: Population, Agriculture, Industry and Transport
The Human Geography domain tests population distribution and composition, agriculture, industry, transport and urbanisation in Myanmar. Questions often ask you to explain why a pattern exists, not merely to name it.
Population
The 2014 census recorded about 51.5 million people, a density of roughly 76 per km² and an annual growth rate below 1%. Distribution is very uneven: Yangon, Ayeyarwady and Mandalay are densely settled, while Chin and Kachin are sparse because of mountain relief and limited farmland. About 30% of the population is urban. The Bamar form about 68% of the population; Shan, Kayin, Rakhine, Chin, Mon, Kachin and Kayah are the largest other groups.
Agriculture
Agriculture employs roughly 60% of the labour force but contributes only about a quarter of GDP, a gap that signals low productivity. Rice is the leading crop and is concentrated in the Ayeyarwady delta, Bago and Sagaing. The Dry Zone grows pulses, sesame and groundnut; rubber is important in Tanintharyi and Mon; sugarcane and maize are grown in Shan and Sagaing.
Industry and transport
Manufacturing is concentrated in Yangon and Mandalay: garments, food processing and construction materials. Natural gas, jade, rubies and timber are major export earners. The Yangon–Mandalay road and rail corridor, the Ayeyarwady river route and the ports of Yangon, Thilawa and Kyaukpyu carry most trade.
Worked example
Question: Why is rice the dominant crop of Ayeyarwady Region? Reasoning: the delta is flat, with deep alluvial soils and abundant water from monsoon rain and tidal rivers; rice needs standing water and a long growing season; the dense rural labour force and nearby Yangon port reduce costs and ease export. These physical and human factors reinforce one another.
Traps
Do not treat agriculture's share of GDP as equal to its share of employment. Do not use pre-2014 population figures. Remember that Nay Pyi Taw, not Yangon, is the capital, although Yangon is the largest city and commercial centre.