Mon

A minority ethnic group living in the Irrawaddy delta region of lower Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. The Mon founded the city of Bago in 573 and established kingdoms in the area in the 7th century, but much of their culture was absorbed by invaders such as the Toungoo in 1539, and Alaungpaya, founder of the Konbaung dynasty, in 1757.

The Mon language belongs to the Mon-Khmer branch of the Austro-Asiatic family. They are Buddhists, but also retain older animist beliefs.

Møn

Danish island lying between and to the east of Sjaelland and Falster; area 220 sq km/85 sq mi; population (1988) 11,400. It is 32 km/20 mi long and is divided from Sjaelland by Ulv Sound and from Falster by Gron Sound. It is the highest island point of Denmark after Bornholm, with precipitous limestone cliffs (150 m/492 ft high) on its eastern side; it has a lighthouse which is visible for 25 km/16 mi. The soil is chalky and fertile. Its chief town is Stege.

Møn has woodland areas, white sandy beaches, and a great variety of wildlife. Three churches have frescoes from the 13th-15th centuries.