Arakan

Arakan, also called Rakhine, is a coastal region in western Myanmar along the Bay of Bengal. It corresponds largely to the modern Rakhine State. The region is characterized by lowland river deltas, coastal plains, and the Arakan Mountain Range (Rakhine Yoma) running north–south. The Naf River forms part of the northern border with Bangladesh, while the rest of the coast faces the sea.

Historically, Arakan was home to several early polities known collectively as the Arakan Kingdoms. The most prominent was the Mrauk-U Kingdom, which ruled from around the 15th to the late 18th century and built a fortress and temple complex at Mrauk-U, maintaining maritime trade with Bengal, Safavid and Ottoman worlds. In 1784–85 Burmese armies conquered the kingdom, and Arakan was absorbed into the Burmese kingdom. The region came under British rule after the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–26) and became part of Burma (Myanmar) after independence in 1948. In 1989, the regime renamed the area Rakhine State.

Rakhine is inhabited by Rakhine (Arakanese) Buddhists who form the majority in the western parts, and by the Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group concentrated in the northern townships, who have faced statelessness and restrictions. There are also other communities including Hindus and smaller groups. The area is linguistically diverse; the Rakhine language (a Burmese dialect) is widely spoken along with Burmese. The region is known for its ancient Buddhist temples, coastal fishing communities, and agriculture.

Economy centers on agriculture (rice, pulses), fishing, forestry, and small-scale trade. Tourism is a growing sector in coastal towns and archaeological sites such as Mrauk-U. The region has experienced ethnic tensions, displacements and humanitarian concerns, especially since the Rohingya crisis beginning in 2012 and escalations in 2017, leading to international attention and ongoing humanitarian programs.