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While no longer the capital city, Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon) is the largest city in Myanmar (formerly Burma) with more than 7 million residents. A mix of British colonial architecture, modern high-rises and gilded Buddhist pagodas define the skyline of Yangon.
Yangon boasts the largest number of colonial-era buildings in Southeast Asia and has a unique colonial-era urban core that is remarkably intact. At the center of this district is the Sule Pagoda, reputed to be over 2,000 years old. The city is also home to the gilded Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar’s most sacred and famous Buddhist pagoda.
While Christianity has established a secure foothold in Yangon with 8% of the population, 85% identify as Theravada Buddhist. Islam is also present with 4% of the population practicing Muslims.
Religious conflict has had a consistent presence in Myanmar. Christianity was long considered a carry-over from British colonial rule. Today it is the Rohingya Muslims that are being singled out. The ongoing tension between the military and civilian government is often exemplified with religious persecution.
People Groups: 17 Unreached People Groups