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Yangôn (ရန္ကုန္), formerly Rangoon, population 4,504,000 (2001), is the capital of Myanmar. The city is located on the Yangôn River, near the Gulf of Martaban. Major exports include rice, teak, petroleum, cotton, and metal ores. There are rice mills, sawmills, oil refineries, and steel, iron, and copper mills. Yangôn is located at 16°48' North, 96°9' East (16.8, 96.15).
The city was probably founded in the 6th century, but it was a small fishing village. King Alaungapaya conquored it from Mon people in 1753 and renamed it from "Dagon" to the current name "Yangon", which means "termination of all hostilities". It came under British rule in 1852, and was made the capital of Myanmar. Rangoon was heavily damaged by an earthquake and tsunami in 1930, and again during World War II.
During World War II Japanese forces captured the city on March 8, 1942.
Rangoon University was founded in 1920 and reorganized in 1964, when it became the Arts and Science University.da:Rangoon de:Rangun et:Yangon es:Yangôn fr:Rangoon id:Yangon io:Rangoon he:יאנגון nl:Yangon (stad) ja:ヤンゴン no:Yangôn pl:Rangun pt:Rangum sk:Rangún fi:Yangôn sv:Rangoon zh:仰光