What is "pathein"

Pathein (, ; , ), formerly called Bassein, is a port city with a 2004 population estimated at 315,600, and the capital of the Ayeyarwady Region, Burma. It lies on the Pathein River (Bassein), which is a western branch of the Irrawaddy River. Pathein is the fourth largest city of Burma (Myanmar), situated west of Yangon.

It is located within the Pathein Township of Pathein District and is also the seat of all. Although once part of the Mon kingdom, Pathein has few ethnic Mon residents today. The majority are of Bamar, Burmese Indians, Karen ethnicity. There are, however, notable minoritiy Rakhine.