GEOGRAPHY
Myanmar, a republic in South-East Asia, bounded on the north
by Tibet Autonomous Region of China; on the east by China, Laos, and Thailand;
on the south by the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal; and on the west by the
Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh, and India. It is officially known as the Union of
Myanmar. The coastal region is known as Lower Myanmar, while the interior region
is known as Upper Myanmar. The total area of the country is 676,552 square km
(261,218 square miles).
A horseshoe-shaped mountain complex and the valley of the
Ayarwaddy (Irrawaddy) River system are the dominant topographical features of
Myanmar. The mountains of the northern margin rise to 5881 meters (19,296 ft)
atop Hkakabo Razi, the highest peak in Southeast Asia. The two other mountain
systems have northern to southern axes. The Arakan Yoma range, with peaks
reaching more than 2740 meters (about 9000 ft), forms a barrier between Myanmar
and the subcontinent of India. The Bilauktaung range, the southern extension of
the Shan Plateau, lies along the boundary between southwestern Thailand and
southeastern Lower Myanmar. The Shan Plateau, originating in China, has an
average elevation of about 910 meters (about 3000 ft).
Generally narrow and elongated in the interior, the central
lowlands attain a width of about 320km (about 200 miles) across the
Ayarwaddy-Sittaung delta. The delta plains, extremely fertile and economically
the most important section of the country, cover an area of about 46,620 sq. km
(18,000 sq. ml.). Both the Arakan (in the northwest) and the Tenasserim (in the
southwest) coasts of myanmar are rocky and fringed with islands. The country has
a number of excellent natural harbours.
top
CLIMATE
Most of Myanmar lies within the Tropic Zone. The hot season
extends from March through October, and the cool season, the period of the
Northeast Monsoon, from November through February. Temperatures from the cool to
hot seasons range from 17° to 40° C (62° to 104° F) in Lower Myanmar and from
less than 17°C (62°F) to more than 40° C (104° F) in Upper Myanmar. Temperatures
are generally lower in mountainous regions. The country receives practically all
its rainfall between mid-May and October, the period of the Southwest Monsoon.
Annual precipitation in most of Upper myanmar averages about 890 mm (about 35
in) and in Lower myanmar about 5080 mm (about 200 in).
top
POPULATION
The population of Myanmar in 1996-97 is 47.3 Millions.
According to the 1995-96 national census with 80% Myanmars and ethnic minority
groups consisting of the Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Bamar, Rakhine, Shan
and hill-tribes making up the rest of the population. The overall population
density was 64 persons per sq. km (166 per sq. mi.), one of the lowest in the
Far East. The population is more than 75 percent rural; most of the urban areas
are actually agricultural villages.
top
RELIGION
Out of the entire population, 85% are Theravada Buddhists,
followed by Christians 6.2%, Muslims 4.8%, Spirit Worshippers and Animists 2.5%
and Hindus 1.5%.
top
LANGUAGE
Predominantly Myanmar (Bamar) and ethnic minorities speaking
Chin, Kachin, Kayin, Shan and other 135 hill-tribe dialects and also Cantonese,
Mandarin, Hindustani, Urdu spoken Chinese and Indian Immigrants. Being once a
British colony English is also widely spoken.
top
CULTURE
Myanmar lies on the crossroad of two of the world's great
civilizations - China and India - but its culture is neither that of India nor
that of China exclusively, but a blend of both interspersed with Myanmar native
traits and characteristics. Buddhism has great influence on daily life of the
Myanmar. The people have preserved the traditions of close family ties, respect
for the elders, reverence for Buddhism and simple native dress. Myanmars are
contented and cheerful even in the face of adversities and known for their
simple hospitality and friendliness.
top
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Myanmar has a long history and its greatness dates back to
the early 11th Century when King Anawrahta unified the country and founded the
First Myanmar Empire in Bagan more than 20 years before the Norman Conquest of
England in 1066. The Bagan Empire encompassed the areas of the present day
Myanmar and the entire Menam Valley in Thailand and lasted two centuries. The
Second Myanmar Empire was founded in 16th Century by King Bayinnaung styled
Branginoco by the Portuguese. King Alaungpaya founded the last Myanmar Dynasty
in 1752 and it was during the zenith of this Empire that the British moved into
Myanmar Wars in 1825. During The Second World War, Myanmar was occupied by the
Japanese from 1942 till the return of the Allied Forces in 1945. Myanmar becomes
a sovereign independent state in January 1948 after more than 100 years of
colonial administration.
top
