About Myanmar

MYANMAR (BURMA) IN BRIEF

WARMLY WELCOME TO MYANMAR

Being rich in attractions, with its amazing high virgin snow-capped mountains, forests teeming with a rich diversity of flora and fauna, unspoiled coastal beach resorts, numbers of beautiful Islands, plenty of historical and religious monuments and a great variety of ethnic groups and their hospitability, Myanmar is growing in popularity with tourists and is an ideal destination for culture and ecotourism. Geographically being situated between India in the west, Tibet in the north and China in the east where the world highest mountains exist and also flanked by the Bay of Bengal in the south and southwest, the climate varies from semitropical in the south to sub alpine in the north. The large number of cultural heritages worth seeing for culture’s lovers, a variety of more exciting and adventure regions for lovers of adventure and plenty of unspoiled natural beauties for lovers of nature make Myanmar really a unique country in the South-East Asia. So Myanmar is an idea destination for culture and ecotourism, which is on its way to capturing the imagination of the international travelers. The major tourist destinations in Myanmar are Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake. Apart from the destinations, there are many other places in various parts of country, waiting to be discovered.

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Location

Myanma know as Suvanna Bhumi in the city of Thaton. Its fertile land and rich natural resources is the largest country in the South-east Asia Peninsla sharing the borders with Bangladesh & India in west and north-west, China, Laos & Thailand in east, north-east and south-east. The Adaman Sea & Bay of Bangle also surrounds the Myanmar costal region.

The total area of Myanmar is 676,577 sq km and divided into seven States and Seven Divisions, containing snow capped mountains ranges, Hkakaborazi (5881 meters), the Highest peak in South East Asia, Ayeyarwaddy River (the biggest river with the length of 2000 km), islands and beaches.

History

Early civilization in Myanmar dates back to the 1 st century with archaeological evidences of the Pyu Kingdoms of Thayekhittaya (Sri Ksetra), Beithano (Vishnu) and Hanlin.

The first Myanmar Empire was founded in early 11 th century by King Anawrahta who unified the country through his strong leadership and intellect. The Empire with its capital at Bagan lasted until the end of 13 th century with the invasion of the Mongols. The Second Myanmar Empire its capital in Bago (Pegu) was founded in mid – 16 century by King Bayintnaung. The Third and the last Myanmar Empire was founded by King Alaungpaya in 1752. In the 19 century, during the peak period of colonialism, Myanmar was annexed in three stages by the British after three Anglo – Myanmar Wars in 1825, 1852 and 1885. During the Second World War, Myanmar was conquered by Japenese and the Birtish returned back after the war. Myanmar became a sovereign independent state on Jaunuary 4, 1948.

Climate

Myanmar has three seasons : the hot season, the raining season and the cold season. The hot season star from last February to end of May, the average monthly temperature reaches over 35C in many parts of Myanmar. The temperature sometimes rises to 45C in March and April. The rain comes to Myanmar with a trade wind called “Monson”. Monson comes in May and leave in October. By July rains have brought the average temperature down to 29 C in Mandalay and 27 C in Yangon. During the raining season, lower Myanmar and costal areas enjoy heavy rain showers but it is dry and pleasant in central regions. The cold season is from the middle of October to middle of February.

Population

The population of Myanmar is about 60 millions population. The two biggest city are Yangon and Mandalay. Yangon has a population of 6.5 millions people, about the same number of the whole country of Switzerland and Israel. Now, the capital city is Nay Pyi Taw, administrative capital of the Union of Myanmar.

The People

Myanmar is a union of about 135 nationalities with their won dialects and traditions. The major races are the Barmar, the Chin, the Kachin, the Shan, the Kayah, the Kayin, the Mon and the Rakhine. The name Mynamar embraces all the nationalities.

Language

The official Myanmar language is spoken by the majority of the population, including many of the ethnic minorities. English is widely spoken and understood.

Religion

About 85 % of the population is Buddhist (Theravada Buddhism) and the rest 15 % is Christiana, Muslims, Hindus and some animists.

Culture

Myanmar lies two great civilizations, India and China, but it has developed its own distinctive culture. The grounding of Buddhism in Myanmar culture contributed over the years to the building of many pagodas, which stand proudly to prove the grandeur role of Myanmar culture.

Social Culture

Myanmar is the Land of Pagodas. When we visit to the pagodas and temples, which are considered the most important, there are some advices and useful Dos and Don’t.

Whenever visit to any religious buildings or private area, remove the shoes including socks.
Please wear long pants or longyis are highly appreciated to keep shoulders covered.
Whatever you want to know, please point with the hands and never with legs.
Never touch any religious person.
Never touch to the upper part of the body like the head.
During stay in Myanmar, never drink any tap water. Only drink bottle water which is sealed. If the seal is broken, it is not so safe.
Take the photos for everything except the government and military concerns. Never take any government’s buildings. The best way is asked the guide before you take.

Myanmar Food

Myanmar people enjoy different type of food such as Myanmar Traditional Food, Shan Food, Dawei Food, Thai Food, Indian Food, Chinese Food and other mixed tastes. The basic Myanmar Food is mainly rice and curry. Most of the curries are cooked with oil and onion with local ingredients. Also soup, salads and cooked rice are accompanied with the delicious curries to make good meals.

Mohinga, rice noodles with fish gravy; and Ohn-no-khaukswe, noodles with coconut and chicken curry are popular Myanmar dishes for breakfast and light meals.

There are a variety of desserts like San Nwin Makin (Myanmar sweet cake) and Kyaykkyaw (Sea weed jelly), jiggery and laphet (the pickled tea leaves.)