Magway Region million years old were excavated in the Pondaung and Ponnya areas in Magway Region, leading the government to proclaim that Myanmar as "the birthplace of humanity in the world," a claim which is unsupported by anthropologists. An ancient city of the Pyu, Peikthano-myo, about 2000 years old, is located in Taungdwingyi Township, Magway Region. The history of Magway Region mirrors that of the other divisions of central Burma. Magway Region is made up of the districts of Magwe, Minbu, Thayet, Pakokku and Gangaw comprising 25 townships and 1,696 ward village-tracts. The capital is the city of Magwe (1994 population estimated
Magway Region are sesamum and groundnut. Other crops grown are rice, millet, maize, sunflower, beans and pulses, tobacco, toddy, chili, onions, and potatoes. Famous products of Magway Region include: Thanaka (Limonia acidissima) and Phangar (Chebulic myorobalan) fruit. Magway has almost no tourist industry. According to official statistics, Magway Region had 3859 schools of which only 70 were high schools. Only about 10% of the division's primary school students reach high school. Most of 12 colleges and universities in the division are located in Magway, Yenangyaung and Pakokku. The University of Medicine, Magway is one of the most selective universities in the country.Yenangyaung