Pathein Bassein is a city 1983 pop. 144,092 and is the capital of Ayeyarwady Division in Myanmar. Lying at the western edge of the Ayeyarwady River delta, on the Pathein Ngawan River 190 km west of Yangon, Pathein is accessible to large vessels and despite its distance from the ocean, it is the most important delta port outside of Yangon. It is also the terminus of a branch of the main railroad line. The town is a rice-milling and export centre.
The city's name may derive from Pathi Burmese word for "Muslim", due to the large population of Arab and Indian traders. The name was corrupted to Bassein during the British colonial period. The British built a fort and established a garrison in 1826, after the First Anglo-Burmese War.
Pathein is now a peaceful little town with a scenic waterfront, many Buddhist temples, and Pathein umbrella workshops. The colourful handmade umbrellas made in Pathein are famous in Myanmar.
Although once part of the Mon kingdom, Pathein has few ethnic Mon residents today. There are sizeable minorities of Karen and Rakhine.
