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Satellite images of Burma’s secretive new city
By Steve Willard
Burma’s military junta officially “opened” its secretive new capital city of Naypidaw on 6 November, 2005.
The new city, located near the town of Pyinmana, is 320 kilometres north of the former capital city, Rangoon (also known as Yangon).
There are reports that local residents were evicted from the area to make room for the new city, and it is likely that forced labour was used to build it.
The military has a long history of rounding up the local population to work free on major projects.
Why the Burmese generals decided to up and move cities is anyone’s guess. Online encyclopedia Wikipedia and a few press reports over the last six months or so are the only sources of news on the matter.
Reports say that
at precisely 6.37 am on 6 November the government started trucking whole government ministries into the new city from Rangoon.
It is reported that on 11 November, a convoy of 1100 trucks transported 11 batallions of troops and 11 ministries out of Rangoon to the new city.
The Junta’s Senior General, Than Shwe, is known to base decisions on astrological advice and one theory about is that these numbers and dates have some significance.
One theory about the move is that his astrologer predicted the government would be overthrown by February 2006 if the capital was not moved.
Other theories circulating in the press suggest that Burma’s generals seriously fear the possibility of an invasion by the Americans and have chosen a more strategic location for themselves.
It has also been suggested that fears that the population in Rangoon might rise up and oust the generals from power were behind the move.
Whatever the reason, as a foreign traveller, you are unlikely to be welcome in Naypidaw. Although there are now air services to the city from Rangoon, it’s a fair bet you won’t be allowed in unless you have business there.
All visitors can expect to be trailed by military intelligence spooks and there are reports that photography is not allowed in the city.
We can’t bring you any on-the-ground pictures of the new city, but courtesy of Google Earth the satellite pictures on this page below give you a bird’s eve view of Burma’s secret city.
Click on any thumbnail to see full sized image
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Pyinmana - overview |
Pyinmana - town |
Pyinmana - pagodas |
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Pyinmana - central |
Pyinmana - airport |
Naypidaw - overview |
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Naypidaw - housing |
Naypidaw - building |
Naypidaw |
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Naypidaw view |
Naypidaw buildings |
Naypidaw - sitework |
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