Myanmar: the Country
Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is
recognized by the world as the Golden Land. It is one of the
earliest homes of mankind, where one can have exclusive
experiences of a life-time.
Myanmar’s Golden Age dates back to the
11th century when King Anawrahta united the whole country
into the First Myanmar Empire in Bagan well before the
Norman conquest of England in 1066. The Bagan Empire
encompassed the entire Menam valley in Thailand and lasted
about 250 years, before it collapsed with the invasion of
the Mongols under the leadership of Kublai Khan in the 13th
century. The Second Myanmar Empire was founded in the middle
16th century by King Bayinnaung. King Alaungpaya founded the
Third Myanmar Empire in 1752. It was during the zenith of
the Konbaung dynasty, that the British colonized Myanmar.
Britain conquered Burma over a period of
62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian
Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until
1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony;
independence from the Commonwealth was attained in 1948.
On January 4, 1948 at 04:20am, the nation
became sovereign, as the Union of Burma, with U Nu as the
first Prime Minister. Democratic rule ended in 1962 with a
military coup d'état led by General Ne Win. Ne Win ruled for
nearly 26 years, bringing in harsh reforms. In 1990 free
elections were held for the first time in almost 30 years,
but the landslide victory of the NLD, the party of Aung San
Suu Kyi was voided by the military, which refused to step
down.
One of the top figures in Burmese history
in the 20th century is Army founder and freedom figure
General Aung San, a student-turned activist whose daughter
is 1991 Nobel Peace Laureate and worldwide peace, freedom
and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi of the NLD, now under
house arrest. The third most recognized Burmese figure in
the world is U Thant, who was UN Secretary General for two
terms and highly respected throughout United Nations'
history.
In November 2005, the military junta
announced that the national capital would be moved from
Yangon to Pyinmana.
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The country covers an area of 677,000
square kilometers (261,228 square miles) ranging 936
kilometers (581 miles) from east to west and 2,051
kilometers (1,275 miles) from north to south. It is a land
of hills and valleys and is rimmed in the north, east and
west by mountain ranges forming a giant horseshoe. Enclosed
within the mountain barriers are the flat lands of
Ayeyarwaddy, Chindwin and Sittaung River valleys where most
of the country's agricultural land and population are
concentrated.
The length of contiguous frontier is
6,159 kilometers. The total length of Myanmar-Bangladesh
boundary is 271 kilometers (168.7 miles). The total length
of Myanmar-China boundary is 2,204 kilometers (1,370 miles);
Myanmar-Thailand 2,107 kilometers (1,309.8 miles);
Myanmar-India 1,338 kilometers (831.8 miles); and
Myanmar-Laos 238 kilometers (147.9 miles).
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As a whole, the location and topography
of the country generated a diversity of climate conditions.
Seasonal changes in the monsoon wind directions create
summer, rainy and winter seasons. Extremes of temperature
are rare. The directions of winds and depression bring rain,
and although it is always heavy in the coastal areas during
monsoon season, it seldom creates hardships.
The most pleasant season for travelers is
from November to February. During this season the climate
resembles a fair European summer. However, in some
mountainous areas the temperatures can drop to 0 centigrade.
For this time period a jacket, pullover, socks, warm pajamas
are needed.
The hot season starts in March and lasts
until May. During this season temperatures easily exceed 40
centigrade, even in Yangon.
The rainy season starts in May and lasts
until November. However the amount of rainfall differs
according to the area. And indeed, it's wonderful to travel
with fewer travelers around – and after every rainfall the
temperature cools down!
Generally, most of the year will have
daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F) and mid-20s (high
70s) temperatures at night. During the cool season, however,
you can expect temperatures closer to 25°C (77°F) and 15°C
(59°F). Coastal areas are usually cooler but more humid.
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Myanmar is endowed with a rich diversity
of habitat types arising largely from its unusual ecological
diversity. It is home to nearly 300 known mammal species,
300 reptiles and about 100 bird’s species.
The country is also a haven for about 7000-plant life. The
potential worth of plant species in Myanmar is considerable.
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Type: Military junta. Constitution:
January 3, 1974 (suspended since September 18, 1988 when
latest junta took power).
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Myanmar suffered extensive damage in
World War II, and some sectors of its economy have not yet
fully recovered. About 60% of the population works in
agriculture and forestry, and rice accounts for about half
of the agricultural output. Other important crops are corn,
peanuts, beans, oilseeds, and sugarcane. It is also a major
producer of illegal opium in a northern region bordering
Laos and Thailand, known as the "Golden Triangle”; heroin
produced in the country's laboratories contributes to a
large black-market trade. Myanmar's forests, which are
government-owned, are the source of teak and other
hardwoods. In 1985 teak replaced rice as the largest single
export and, together, the two products make up over half of
Myanmar's exports.
The country is rich in minerals.
Petroleum is found east of the Ayeyarwady in the Dry Zone.
Tin and tungsten are mined in E Myanmar; the Mawchi mines in
Kayah State are also rich in tungsten. In the Shan State,
northwest of Lashio, are the Bawdwin mines, the source of
lead, silver, and zinc. Coal, copper, natural gas, and iron
deposits have also been found in Myanmar. Gems (notably
rubies and sapphires) are found near Mogok. Since the 13th
cent., Myanmar has exported to China jade from the Hunkawng
valley in the north.
Aside from food processing, other
manufacturing industries include textiles, footwear, wood
and wood products, and construction materials. The country's
main trade partners are Singapore, China, Japan, and
Thailand. In addition to teak and rice, exports include
oilseeds, beans, rubber, metals, hardwood, and gemstones.
The main imports are machinery, transportation equipment,
food products, and consumer goods. Myanmar's developing
economy, depressed by political turmoil, began to recover in
the 1980s with increased private activity and foreign
investment.
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The population of Myanmar, spread over
seven states and seven divisions, is estimated at 52, 4
million people (July, 2003) and the population’s growth rate
is 1.84 percent.
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The Union of Myanmar is made up of 135
national races, of which the main national races are the
Kachin, the Kayah, the Kayin, the Chin, the Mon, the Bamar,
the Rakhine, and the Shan. The name Myanmar embraces all the
ethnic groups.
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Myanmar is an enchanting country with a
rich history in arts and crafts. Mandalay, the ancient
capital and the glory of Myanmar Kings, represents the
largest repository of Myanmar arts and crafts.
Visitors can observe carvers of ivory, wood and stone, in
addition to makers for gold leaf, silk weavers, silversmiths
and bronze-casters, as they ply their respective trades
according to the time-honored traditions of their
forefathers.
There are 10 Myanmar traditional arts,
which are metaphorically called "Ten Flowers".
Panbe ( the art of blacksmith )
Panbu ( the art of sculpture )
Pantain ( the art of gold and silver smith )
Pantin( the art of bronze casting )
Pantaut ( the art of making floral designs using masonry )
Panyan ( the art of bricklaying and masonry )
Pantamault ( the art of sculpting with stone )
Panpoot ( the art of turning designs on the lathe )
Panchi ( the art of painting )
Panyun ( the art of making lacquer ware )
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Buddhism has great influence on daily
life of the Myanmars. The people have preserved tradition of
close family ties, respect for the elders and reverence for
Buddhism. Myanmars are known for their hospitality and
friendliness.
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The majority of the population is
Buddhist; Theravada Buddhism is professed widely. Religious
intolerance or discrimination on grounds of religion is
non-existence in the Union of Myanmar throughout its long
history. The main religions of present day Myanmar are
Buddhism (89.20%), Christianity (5.05%), Muslims (3.78%),
Hindus (0.55%), and Animism (1.27%) and other faiths such as
Bahai Sikhs, Lipian fujianhal, Chinese, etc.(0.61%).
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One might wonder to know that 48 million
people speak 111 languages in Myanmar. Majority of Myanmars
speak Myanmar language.
Myanmar alphabet consists of 33
consonants, and a few of them are semi-vowels (like 'y' in
English). Myanmar vowels are not included in the Myanmar
alphabet. They are stand-alone.
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