The Rakhine Yoma  (or Arakan Yoma, Rakhine Roma, Arakan Roma, Rakhine Range) is a mountain arc in western Myanmar (Burma), between the Rakhine coast and the Ayeyawaddy River valley. The arc extends northward for about 600 miles (950 km) from Cape Negrais  to Manipur (India) and includes the Naga, Chin, Lushai hills, and Patkai hills.

High points

The mountain range is about 400 kilometers or 250 miles long. The highest point is Mount Victoria at 3,094 meters (10,150 feet).

Geology

The Rakhine Mountains are crossed by the An route to Ngape and Minbu and by an all-weather road from Taungup to Pyay on the Irrawaddy.

History

The Rakhine Yoma divides the Rakhine coast from the rest of Myanmar. It thus acted historically as a barrier between Myanmar and the Indian subcontinent.This played the role in causing the seperate development of the Rakhine people both linguistically and culturally from the Burmese. It also served as a barrier against Burmese invasions thus enabled Arakan to develop itself as an independent political entity centered around various cities such as Mrauk U and Waithali.

Ecology

The Rakhine Yoma functions as a climatic barrier, cutting off the southwestern monsoon rains from central Myanmar. The Rakhine Yoma is part of the Chin Hills-Arakan Yoma montane forestecoregion. It is home to an elephant population and also the critically endangered Arakan Forest Turle which was considered extinct.

Notes

1. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/31961/Arakan-Mountain-Range
2. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/31961/Arakan-Mountain-Range
3. Listed as Critically Endangered (CR A2cd, B1+2c v2.3)