town and major seaport, southern Myanmar (Burma). It lies along the Bay of Bengal at the mouth of the Sandoway River. An old established settlement, it was reputedly once the capital of the ancient empire of Arakan. Engaged in coastal trade with Akyab and Ramree islands, it is the site of a diesel electric plant. Nearby Ngapali beach is a resort that developed when air service began from Yangon (Rangoon). Kinmaw is a coastal settlement directly north. The nearby Taungup Pass leads eastward to Pyè on the Irrawaddy River. Pop. (1983) 97,746.