The New Student's Reference Work/Rangoon

Rangoon′, capital of Lower Burma, is situated on Rangoon River, about 20 miles from its entrance into the Gulf of Martaban. The present city is mostly of modern construction, having been built since the English took possession in 1852. The town extends along the left bank of the river, the docks being opposite, at the suburb of Da-la on the other side. A town has existed since the 6th century B. C., but it was called Dagon till taken by Alombra, the Burmese sovereign, toward the end of the 18th century. That prince rebuilt the place, and called it Rangoon. The foreign trade of the city in 1906 exceeded 21 million rupees. Population 289,432.