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Rakhine State[rAkEn´] Pronunciation Key, formerly Arakan[arukan´, ArAkAn´] Pronunciation Key, state (1983 pop. 2,045,891), 14,194 sq mi (36,762 sq km), W Myanmar, extending along the Bay of Bengal. It lies at the foot of the Arakan Yoma mountain range, which rises to 10,050 ft (3,063 m) at Victoria Peak. The capital is Sittwe. The Arakanese, who are of Burmese stock with strong Indian influences, are mostly engaged in intensive rice cultivation. There is also a large minority of Bengali Muslims. The region, which is geographically isolated, was the seat of a powerful kingdom (after the 15th cent.), famous for a colossal image of Buddha. At various times under Burmese rule, it finally was absorbed into Burma (now Myanmar) in 1783; it was the first Burmese territory ceded (1826) to the British after the first Anglo-Burmese War. In the 1950s there was a movement for secession from Myanmar.
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