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MYANMAR > FACTS ABOUT THE COUNTRY
HISTORY
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. This 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 of the
16th century by King Bayinnaung, and the Third
Myanmar Empire was founded by King Alaungpaya
in 1752. The British invaded in 1824, and then
again in 1852 and 1883. Burma became a part of
British India and the British built a colonial
infrastructure and developed the country into
a major rice exporter. In 1937, Burma was separated
from British India and the Japanese drove the
British from Burma during the Second World War.
In 1948, Burma became independent and almost immediately
began to disintegrate as hill tribes, communists,
Muslims and Mons all revolted. In 1962 a left-wing
army revolt led by General Ne Win deposed the
democratic government. The Burman economy crumbled
over the next 25 years until 1987 and 1988, when
huge demonstrations called for Ne Win's resignation
and massive confrontations between pro-democracy
demonstrators and the military resulted in 3000
deaths in a six-week period. Several puppets were
appointed by Ne Win and then a military coup (believed
to be instigated by Ne Win) saw General Saw Maung
take control. The new leader promised elections
in 1989. In spite of all preventative measures,
the National League for Democracy scored an overwhelming
victory at the polls. The junta prevented the
elected party leaders, including Aung San Suu
Kyi (who remained imprisoned until mid-1995),
from taking office and then went about the brutal
business of quashing Karen rebels and engaging
the private army of drug baron Khun Sa.
GEOGRAPHY
Myanmar borders Thailand, Laos, China, India and
Bangladesh, the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman
Sea. The central part of the country is characterized
by wide rivers and huge plains and the major river,
the Ayeyarwady, is navigable for 1600km. Mountains
rise to the east and to the north and, at 5881
meters, the highest peak is Hkakabo Razi on the
Myanmar-Tibet border. Almost half of Myanmar is
covered by forest, and about 15 per cent of the
land is cultivated, mainly with rice. Two thirds
of the population is employed in agriculture and
less than 10 per cent in manufacturing, Myanmar,
according to UN standards, is now one of the 10
poorest countries in the world.
CLIMATE
Myanmar has three seasons. The hot season is from
March until mid May, the rainy season is from
mid May until early October, and the cool season
runs from mid October until the end of February.
ECOLOGY
Myanmar retains approximately 50% of its natural
forest cover and, with strongly enforced protection,
is becoming a haven for eco-tourism. In the Mergui
Archipelago, in the far south, great care is being
taken to preserve one of the last untouched tropical
underwater paradises; already attracting attention
as a world class diving destination. Meanwhile,
dwindling hill tribes and rare and exotic wildlife
can be found in the cool temperate forests beneath
snow capped mountains.
WILDLIFE
Tigers and leopards are commonly found in Myanmar’s
jungles. In Upper Myanmar's highlands, the elephant,
rhinoceros, wild buffalo and wild boar can be
found, as well as many species of deer and antelope.
Some of Myanmar's smaller animals, such as several
species of monkey, the gibbon, the flying fox,
the wildcat and the tapir, live in the forests
that cover 40 percent of the country. Some of
the common reptiles in Myanmar include the crocodiles,
pythons, cobras, geckos and turtles. There are
many varieties of bird including the exotic parrot,
crows, pheasants, peafowl and paddy birds.
TOURISM
Until recently Myanmar was one of Asia’s
most inaccessible countries and visitors were
restricted to a brief circuit of sites. Burma,
as the country was known until 1988, had closed
its doors on the world. But since the introduction
of a free market economy in the early 1990s, the
infrastructure and the standard of living is improving
and Myanmar as a tourist destination is just beginning
to flower. Myanmar possesses a rich and vibrant
culture; great natural beauty combines with magnificent
temple architecture, and the people are friendly,
welcoming and hospitable. Locals are keen, after
so many years of being shut away, not just to
prosper but also to interact with the world at
large.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Since 1948 Myanmar has been dominated by dictators,
militia governments, rebel factions and drug barons.
Successive dictators have tried to thwart democracy
by arresting entire parliaments, imprisoning Nobel
Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, brutally
suppressing any dissenting voices and using slave
labor to support a failing economy. Myanmar is
far from the easiest or most comfortable country
in Asia to visit, but it has some magical sights,
incredibly friendly people and offers a glimpse
of a bizarre society that has withdrawn from contact
with the modern world. Because of the government's
clampdown on outside influences it is one of the
least Western-influenced countries in the world.
Many people mistake this for quaintness, but the
visitor should not be blind to the political realities
that created this situation
ECONOMY
As Myanmar moves into the 21st century, its status
in the western world has become an economic liability.
The ruling junta is trying to perfect the juggling
act of wooing foreign investment while simultaneously
maintaining its grip on power.
POPULATION AND PEOPLE
Myanmar has a population of over 48 million, of
which 60% are Bamar (Burmese). The remainder of
the population is a mix of more than 100 different
ethnic groups including Kachin, Kayah, Karen,
Chin, Mon, Rakhine and Shan.
EDUCATION
Illiteracy among adults in Myanmar is high, although
the statistics vary dramatically. Children aged
between 5 and 10 are required to go to school
and within this age range, it's free. Secondary
education is made up of four years of middle school
followed by two more years of high school. The
middle schools are free, but high schools charge
fees. A little over a third of the secondary school
age population in enrolled in school. The medium
of instruction for elementary and secondary schools
is Burmese, and English is taught as a second
language in many secondary schools. Although Yangon
and Mandalay have had universities and post secondary
educational facilities, many of the universities
have had be closed since 1988 due to political
turmoil.
ARTS
Most art, sculpture and painting in Myanmar has
strong Buddhist influences. The architecture,
however, has influences from India, as do some
other forms of Myanmar art. Local handicrafts
include silk weaving and laquerwork, a process
that involves coating an object made from bamboo
with a resin that hardens. Many layers are usually
put on pieces of lacquer ware for the highest
sheen and quality.
The traditional performing arts in Myanmar is
a form of folk opera called pwe. The themes range
from Myanmar's royalty to Indian epics such as
the Ramayana. Pwe is supported by theatrical music
and dance that is alternated with skits (usually
with political satire) performed by clowns. An
orchestra comprised of several instruments, including
a xylophone, gongs, cymbals and the hne (an oboe
with six reeds) usually accompanies the pwe.
SOCIETY AND CONDUCT
A ll footwear must be removed before entering
religious buildings or homes. Mini skirts, shorts,
and revealing clothes are prohibited when visiting
temples and pagodas.
Miniskirts and revealing shorts, may often be
viewed as 'not polite'. The best plan is to dress
modestly like the locals.
RELIGION
85% of the Myanmar people are Theravada Buddhist,
the rest are Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Animist,
LANGUAGE
The majority of the people speak Myanmar (Burmese),
English is widely spoken.
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