myanmar also offers a variety of natural beauties and ... · 2011 15 march – 23 march yangoon,...

Myanmar

2011 15 March ndash 23 March

Yangoon Pathein (Bassein) Pyay (Prome) Taungoo Thaton

Mawlamyime (Moulmein) Bago (Pega) Yangoon

Compiled by Ooi Chooi Seng

1

Myanmar also offers a variety of natural beauties and historical artifacts such as dazzling waterfalls graceful lakes enchanting caves sparkling beaches reverines and the unique cultures of

different ethnic groups in addition to the thousand year old golden pagodas scattered around Burma especially in Bagan and Mandalay The people of Myanmar can be called Burman or Burmese Burmese people are friendly pleasant and charming According to our clients one of Myanmars most appealing perspectives is its people Burmese people are kind and willing to help One lovely feature of Burmese people is their hospitality and welcoming heart towards all guests When they meet foreigners they do not think how to make money out of them but how they can be of help if asked This is how Burma is different from other countries MIN GA LA BA the lovely traditional greeting way of Myanmar can be used to greet anyone at anytime of the day during your visit It is the equivalent of Sawasdee in Thai Another Burmese word you may need to know while your visit is KYAY ZU BE pronounced JayZuBe means Thank you

In Myanmar the Ayarwaddy River flows its way southward from the confluence of two small rivers in Kachin state in northern Myanmar It is both the lifeblood and soul of Burma Along the banks stand many ancient capitals of Burmese kings where existing historic monuments reveal their glorious greatness Bagan located in the heart of Myanmar consists of thousands of ancient pagodas is recognized as one of the miraculous

wonders of the world It presents the rich cultural heritage of Burma and makes Burma one of the archaeological treasure houses in Asia and the world The infrastructure in Burma is now more developed currently so travel to Myanmar is no longer an adventurous journey Myanmar is one of the safest tour destinations in Asia opening her doors and stretching out her hands welcoming travelers around the world to visit Burma Tour Visa

2

In the past people travel to Myanmar as FITs had to change USD 200 into FEC at the airport EVT ( FIT Tour ) need to change but EVT ( package Tour ) no need to change So at that time we recommended and assisted the travellers to get EVT ( Package Tour ) Now things have improved There is no need to change any more regardless of the visa type So we now recommed our clients to get EVT (FIT Tour ) which is easy and simple to obtainned However travellers may get confused because an exchange counter still exist in yangon airport attracting the travel lers who do not know the latest developement to change USD to Myanmar currancy Kyat This is not compulsory so no need to change if travel lers do not want to change The climate of Myanmar is tropical with three main seasons ( 1 ) The rainy season is from mid-May to mid-October with an average temperature of 25-30 C Although it rains heavily in Yangon and Inle Lake traveling in Myanmar during this season is still enjoyable because Mandalay and Bagan lies in dry zones where it barely rains ( 2 ) The cool season ( Winter ) is from mid-October to mid-February with an average temperature of 20-24 C This is the best season to visit Burma Some regions in upper Burma Kalaw ( South-West of Shan State ) and Kyaing Tong ( Eastern Shan State ) has a temperature that ranges between 5 ndash 10 C so travelers may need to bring some warm clothes to tour around this area ( 3 ) The hot season ( Summer ) is from mid-February to mid-May with an average temperature of 30-35 C Although itrsquos a bit hot our programs are designed to make traveling enjoyable as we avoid the heat by touring about in the mornings and evenings

3

Every nationality need visa to come to Myanmar Valid Passport with Entry Visa is required for all travelers to Burma Visa can be obtained at any Myanmar Embassy or Consulate abroad Visa fee is about US$ 20 in local currency The monetary unit is the Kyat ( pronounced chat ) which is divided into 100 pyas The official exchange rate is about 6 Kyats to US $ 1 For the convenience of the travelers Foreign Exchange Certificates ( FECs) are issued by the Central Bank of Myanmar to use during their stay in Myanmar FECs are acceptable like US dollars by any person in the Union of Myanmar It is printed on the note as 1 FEC = 1 USD There is no more compulsory exchange of USD200 into FEC 200 upon arrival at Yang on airport Myanmar cuisine is established around rice or noodles usually served with a variety of curries between meat and fish along with a dish of vegetables salads soup and condiments Myanmar curries tend to be less spicy than those served in Thailand Meals amp drinks at International Hotels are considerably expensive There are many good local restaurants with almost the same quality of food and hygiene as hotels but at reasonable prices They serve various dishes of Myanmar Chinese European (French and Italian) Thai and Indian cuisine But roadside small restaurants are not recommended as it can be risky for health There are also a wide variety of local snacks and delicacies Mouk-hin-kha (thin rice noodles served with fish gravy and onion soup) and Ohn-noh-khauk-swe (noodles served with chicken and coconut gravy) are the most popular in Myanmar Shan food is another delicacy Shan style of cooking neither belongs to Myanmar nor Chinese nor Thai cuisine but they taste really good in their own way Restaurants and food served towards the travelers are carefully selected for hygiene as well as gastronomic considerations Myanmar arts and crafts mostly hand-made are lovely souvenirs Lacquer ware woodcarvings tapestries silverware brassware silk and cotton fabrics and shoulder bags are some of the popular items

4

For jewelry there are Burmese rubies sapphires jade and pearls available at Myanmar gems shops All gems and jewelry purchased should be made through the government licensed dealers who can give a voucher for export Bargaining is essential for obtaining reasonable prices Possible price reductions of up to 70 are not uncommon

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to Myanmar ( Burma ) but it is advisable to take precautions against malaria Prescription drugs are not widely available in the remote areas of Myanmar so travel ers should bring any required medication with them Insect repellents are highly recommended especially when traveling to remote areas in conjunction with other measures to prevent mosquito bites The sun can be remarkably hot so a hat and sunscreen is advisable

It is advisable to purchase travel insurance in your own country Pls choose a reputable insurance company who has agent in Myanmar This is very important

All foreign currencies (above US $ 2000) jewelries electrical goods and cameras must be declared to the Burmese Customs at the Airport Travelers may bring in duty free 200 cigarettes one quart of wine and one pint of perfume Export of Myanmar (Burma) antiques is prohibited Only gems and jewelries purchased at the licensed dealers or who can issue an export permit are allowed to be taken out of Myanmar

Postal service in Myanmar is unreliable Letters and postcards sent to overseas sometimes do not reach their destinations Most hotels have IDD lines but please be aware that the costs are high with average cost of a call to Europe approximate to USD 9 per minute and charged one full minute for any extra seconds If you want to call home from a hotel we advise to call and ask them to call you back

Among the three beaches Ngapali and Ngwesaung beaches are quiet so your choice should be Chaungtha beach Its about 5 hours drive from Yangon Its always very lively and active with its local crowd and different kind of restaurants and beer pubs ( we call beer station in Myanmar )

5

a) Myanmar Airport tax

Airport tax for International flight in Myanmar is US $ (or) FEC 10 but there is no air port tax for domestic travel

b) Burma Standard Time GMT + 6 12 hours

c) Electricity in Myanmar 220 VOLT 50 HZ A flashlight is helpful when traveling up country where electricity is poor

BUSINESS HOURS

d) Business hour Government offices open from 0930 to 1630 on weekdays Banking hours are from 1000 to 1400 Private companies work daily except Sunday and gazette holidays Shopping centers and super markets open daily But the most famous Bogyoke (Scott) market closes on Monday and gazette holidays Busy hours at this place are from 1000 am to 1700 pm

e) Tipping in Myanmar Tipping in Myanmar is depending on how well you think they have been at your service

f) What to wear Light clothing is required all year-round but a sweater or jacket may be needed when traveling in hilly areas especially during winter months If visiting during the rainy season (May - September) an umbrella or raincoat will be required for the days in Inle lake and Yangon It is required to dress decently within the precincts of religious buildings Shoes and socks must be removed at pagodas and monasteries so it is advisable to bring a pair of slippers

6

g) What to avoid Travelers are advised to keep away from touts who may approach them to exchange foreign currency or to sell gems of dubious quality Travelers are also advised not to drink tap water Purified bottled water is available everywhere in Myanmar Taking photograph of military camps and soldiers are to be avoided

Train in Myanmar

Myanmar has a wide network of railway reaches to all parts of the country but the schedules are not reliable and coaches and railways are very old and not well maintained so they are not suitable for

touristsThe only route which tourists can consider is Yangon ndash Mandalay route

It takes at least 16 hrs To reach Mandalay as the rail tracks are so old and is not maintained up to date the clients may feel uncomfortable by shaking and bumping Although there are first class compartments

with reclining seats its not possible to sleep due to the bumping and the very annoying insects The same goes for the sleepers compartments

Steam Driven Locomotives

We are still using some very old steam driven locomotive in some part of the country The photo shows the one running between Bago amp Nyaungkhashe (about 2 hours one way) Clients

can drive to Bago (one amp a half hrs one way) to take the train

httpwwwtravelmyanmarcommapofmyanmarhtml

7

Yangon (Rangun) Rangoon

Yangon the capital was known as Dagon in former times Yangon means end of fight The city is dominated by more than 2000 years old Shwedagon Pagoda a world famous architectural wonder The golden stupa of Shwedagon Pagoda raises 109 meters into blue tropical skies The inner city is one of the most exotic districts in Asia Neo-classical buildings and tree-lined streets bear testimony to a past when Burma was a colony in the British Empire Despite being the business and financial hub of Myanmar the city of Yangon retains a fair degree of serenity - certainly a consequence of lush parks surrounding Kandawgyi Lake and Inya Lake The National Museum and some other pagodas are worth to be visited and not too few tourists might also enjoy the quality of food in many of the city restaurants Since there is only little nightlife yet this is the best opportunity to spend some hours out in the evening

httpasiatoursnetburmainfoyangonhtml

Yangoon Pathein (=Bassein) Pyay (=Prome) Taungoo Thaton Mawlamyime (=Moulmein) Bago (=Pega) Yangoon

Day 1 and Last day

Sightseeing tour of Yangon

Tour includes visits to Shwedagon Pagoda the world famous glittering gold stupa towering over the city with a great spire to the height of 326 feet

Chaukhtatkyi - a colossal reclining Buddha

Visit to Nagar Glass factory where you can experience old methods of making glass figuring by experienced workers

After that a short stop around the Sule pagoda city center to see buzaling rush hours and proceed to China

town area for evening stroll

Sightseeing in Yangon includes visits to some major highlights like Gaba Aye ( World Peace ) pagoda and Mahapasana Cave

8

Sightseeing tour includes can include visits to National Museum Mahabandoola Park with Independence Monument and Bogyoke ( Scott ) Market a famous shopping centre of Yangon

Day 2 Yangoon ndashSyrian - Pathein (=Bassein) (By overnight ferry)

Syriam Halfday-excursion by ccoach to visit Yelepaya Pagoda (middle stream) set on a tiny island in the river Also explore two more pagodas and the riverside market Syrian town and port southwestern Myanmar (Burma) It is situated on the Yangon River a tributary of the Irrawaddy River opposite Yangon (Rangoon) Formerly part of the Mon kingdom Syriam subsequently became a port of the Portuguese and French In 1756 Alaungpaya (1714ndash60) the Myanmar king conquered the Mon and their French allies whom he put into slavery the town was destroyed in these actions and had little significance until the 20th century when the British began drilling for oil in the Irrawaddy basin near Chauk and sent the oil to Syriam for refining Asphalt gathering is also an industry

Pathein =Bassein A small port town some 190 km west of Yangon Pathein only can be reached by a long road journey or by overnight ferryboat With a scenic waterfront many Chinese and Burmese temples

Day 3 Pathein (=Bassein) ndash Pyay (=Prome)

Pathein is the gateway to the yet hardly developed beach resort of Chaungtha

Pyay =Prome This excursion to PyayProme with some of the oldest pagodas of the country - dating back to the sixth century - Is also worth to be done but needs 1 overnight Pyay The old capital of the Pyu people of Sri KsetraThayekhittaya can be reached after a 6 hours drive north from Yangon

Day 4 Pyay - Taungoo

Pyay 180 miles (5 hrs drive) north-west of Yangon Visit en route Shwemyethman Pagoda (Buddha with the golden spectacles) and Shwenatt Taung Pagoda Sightseeing tour of Pyay includes visits to Sri Ksetra the ancient Pyu capital in the nearby locations Tour continues to Shwesandaw Pagoda the main point in the heart of the town sightseeing tour of Pyay and environs proceed to Akauktaung

9

Day 5 Taungoo ndash Thaton - Mawlamyime

Kyaiktiyo 210 kilometres from Yangon This is the site of the Golden Rock Pagoda one of Myanmars holiest and most spectacular monuments It can be reached within a day trip The Golden Rock with its small pagoda at the top sits precariously on the edge of a cliff - only balanced by a hair of Lord Buddha You might believe it or not This visit should include 1 overnight at one of the 2 hotels close to the Golden Rock

Day 6 Mawlamyime ndash Thanbyuzayat

Drive to Thanbyuzayat 64 km south of Mawlamyine It was the western terminus of Burma - Siam Railway called the Death Railway About 1 12 km south of the clock tower a locomotive and piece of rail tract commemorating the Burma-Siam Railway on display A km west of the clock tower on the south side of the road lies the Alied War Cemetery Lunch can be at Setse Beach Tour continues with a visit to Mudons hand weaving workshops Return to Manlamyine for overnight stay

Thanpyuzayat One of the historical sites of World War II is located in Thanpyuzayat 64 kilometres of south of Mawlamyine the third largest city of Myanmar This was the western terminus of the notorious Burma-Siam Railway known as ldquoDeath Railwayrdquo In this remote town one can see a locomotive and piece of rail tract commemorating the Burma-Siam Railway on display There is also the Allied War Cemetery where 3771 graves of Allied soldiers who gave their lives for the construction of death railway line during the world war The cemetery lies a kilometre west of the clock tower in the town One can easily observed a small zinc roofed shelter with eight pillars in the middle of the town That is the symbol of the town to be called Thanpyuzayat Thanpyu means zinc and zayat means shelter

Day 7 Mawlamyime - Bago

Mawlamyime (=Moulmein) Early morning drive back to Bago Mawlamyine 270 km southeast of Yangoon 10 hrs drive from Yangon So it is 190 Km to Bago About 7 hours drive Mawlamyine is reached by coach up to Mottama on the northern bank of Thanlwin River and crossing by car ferry to the southern bank It is the fourth largest city of the country This former capital of British Burma shows

10

a beautiful colonial atmosphere until today and is still a quite charming town From surrounding hills dotted with pagodas the visitor can enjoy a magnificent view of the city and of the harbour which is still an important teak-port

Day 8 Bago (=Pega) - Yangon

Bago (=Pega) Bago is situated 80 Kilometers northeast of Yangon From here it is only 80 km back to Yangoon about 2 hour pby coach

Bago is the ancient capital of the Mon Kingdom There are some important sights Shwemawdaw the highest pagoda of the whole country the Kyaukpun Pagoda with its four huge Buddha images facing the cardinal points the Reclining Buddha the lively market

Sightseeing tour highlights include Kyakhat Wine monastery where you will see 1200 over Buddhist monks having their merit lunch with total silence by 1030 am

Then a worthy visit to Shwemawdaw Pagoda a pagoda that has almost the same age as Shwedagon but built in Mon style one of the most venerated pagodas in Myanmar

A short visit to Shwethalyaung the most beautiful Reclining Buddha Wood curving industry and Kyaikpun Pagoda

On the way visit the Allied War Cemetery at Htaukkyant if desired or a short stop at Shwe Nyaung Bin ( Golden Banyan tree ) where youll will see strange activities of car owners

Bago a remarkable day to be free from buzaling Yangon Along the way to Bago youll enjoy the countryside atmospheric views and after driving for 1 hour arrive at Bago

Pak Aw Tawya Meditation Centre Maelamine Mon State Tanglin Township Syadaw U Agginaa

11

Union of Myanmar

Pyidaunzu Myăma Nainngandaw

Flag State seal

Anthem Kaba Ma Kyei

Capital Naypyidaw 19deg45primeN 96deg6primeE1975degN 961degE

Largest city Yangon (Rangoon) Official language(s) Burmese

Recognised regional languages

Jingpho Kayah Karen Chin Mon Rakhine Shan

Official scripts Burmese script Demonym BurmeseMyanma

Government Presidential republic military dictatorship - President Thein Sein

- Vice President Tin Aung Myint Oo Sai Mauk Kham

Legislature Pyidaungsu Hluttaw - Upper House Amyotha Hluttaw - Lower House Pyithu Hluttaw

Formation - Pagan Dynasty 23 December 849 - Toungoo Dynasty 16 October 1510 - Konbaung Dynasty 21 March 1752 - Independence 4 January 1948 (from United Kingdom) - coup deacutetat 2 March 1962

Area

- Total 676578 km2 (40th) 261227 sq mi

- Water () 306 Population

12

- 2009 estimate 55400000[1] (24th) - 1983 census 33234000 (3)

- Density 739km2 (119th) 1915sq mi

GDP (PPP) 2009 estimate - Total $71772 billion[2] - Per capita $1197[2]

GDP (nominal) 2009 estimate - Total $34262 billion[2] - Per capita $571[2]

HDI (2010) 0451[3] (low) (132nd) Currency kyat (K) (mmK) Time zone MST (UTC+630)

Drives on the right[4] Internet TLD mm Calling code 95 1 Some governments recognise Rangoon as the national capital[5]

Burma officially the Union of Myanmar Burmese

Pyidaunzu Myăma Nainngandaw pronounced [pjigravedagrave uz mjəmagrave nagraveiŋagraved]) is a country in Southeast Asia The country is bordered by the Peoples Republic of China on the northeast Laos on the east Thailand on the southeast Bangladesh on the west India on the northwest and the Bay of Bengal to the southwest with the Andaman Sea defining its southern periphery One-third of Burmas total perimeter of 1930 kilometres (1200 mi) forms an uninterrupted coastline Burma is the second largest country by geographical area in Southeast Asia

The countrys culture heavily influenced by those of its neighbours is based on Theravada Buddhism intertwined with local elements Burmas diverse population has played a major role in defining its politics history and demographics in modern times and the country continues to struggle to overcome its ethnic tensions The military has dominated government since General Ne Win led a coup in 1962 that toppled the civilian government of U Nu Burma remains under the control of the military-led State Peace and Development Council

13

Etymology Burma is derived from the Burmese word Bamar which in turn is the colloquial form of Myanmar (or Mranma in old Burmese) both of which historically referred to the majority Burmans (or the Bamar) Depending on the register used the pronunciation would be Bama (pronounced [bəmagrave]) or Myanmah (pronounced [mjəmagrave]) The name Burma has been in use in English since the time of British colonial rule In 1989 the military government officially changed the English translations of many colonial-era names including the name of the country to Myanmar This prompted one scholar to coin the term Myanmarification to refer to the top-down programme of political and cultural reform in the context of which the renaming was done The renaming remains a contested issue While most of the name changes are closer to their actual Burmese pronunciations many opposition groups and countries continue to oppose their use in English because they recognise neither the legitimacy of the ruling military government nor its authority to rename the country or towns in English Various non-Burman ethnic groups choose not to recognise the name because the term Myanmar has historically been used as a label for the majority ethnic group the Bamar rather than for the country Various world entities have chosen to accept or reject the name change The United Nations of which Burma (under the name Myanmar) is a member endorsed the name change five days after its announcement by the junta However governments of many countries including Australia Canada France the United Kingdom and the United States still refer to the country as Burma with varying levels of recognition of the validity of the name change itself Others including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the governments of Germany India Japan Russia] and the Peoples Republic of China recognise Myanmar as the official name Media usage is also mixed In spite of the usage by the United States government some American news outlets including The New York Times The Wall Street Journal The International Herald Tribune and CNN and international news agencies the Associated Press Reuters and Agence France-Presse have adopted the name Myanmar The name Burma is still widely used by other news outlets including

14

Voice of America The Washington Post the BBC ITN and most British newspapers The Times of India and Time Other sources often use combined terms such as Burma also known as Myanmar Some media outlets that use Myanmar refer to Burma as the nations colonial name The official name of the country used by the government is not clear On 21 October 2010 some media reported that the government changed the official name to Republic of the Union of Myanmar which was established as part of the 2008 Constitution But this information is still not confirmed by any Burmese government sources nor any other credible sources Prior to this the country was known formally as the Union of Myanmar since 1989 This had itself replaced the previous designation of the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma used in the 1974 Constitution which in turn had replaced the 1947 Constitution adopted following independence which had referred simply to the Union of Burma Geography

Burma which has a total area of 678500 square kilometres (262000 sq mi) is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia and the 40th-largest in the world It lies between latitudes 9deg and 29degN and longitudes 92deg and 102degE

It is bordered to the northwest by Chittagong Division of Bangladesh and Mizoram Manipur Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh of India to the northwest Its north and northeast border straddles the Tibet and Yunnan regions of China for a Sino-Burman border total of 2185 kilometres (1358 mi) It is bounded by Laos and Thailand to the southeast Burma has 1930 kilometres (1200 mi) of contiguous coastline along the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea to the southwest and the south which forms one quarter of its total perimeter[25]

In the north the Hengduan Shan mountains form the border with China Hkakabo Razi located in Kachin State at an elevation of 5881 metres (19295 ft) is the highest point in Burma[26] Three mountain ranges namely the Rakhine Yoma the Bago Yoma and the Shan Plateau exist within Burma all of which run north-to-south from the Himalayas[27] The mountain chains divide Burmas three river systems which are the Ayeyarwady Salween (Thanlwin) and the Sittaung rivers[24] The Ayeyarwady River Burmas longest river

15

nearly 2170 kilometres (1348 mi) long flows into the Gulf of Martaban Fertile plains exist in the valleys between the mountain chains The majority of Burmas population lives in the Ayeyarwady valley which is situated between the Rakhine Yoma and the Shan Plateau

Climate

Much of the country lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator It lies in the monsoon region of Asia with its coastal regions receiving over 5000 mm (1969 in) of rain annually Annual rainfall in the delta region is approximately 2500 mm (984 in) while average annual rainfall in the Dry Zone which is located in central Burma is less than 1000 mm (394 in) Northern regions of the country are the coolest with average temperatures of 21 degC (70 degF) Coastal and delta regions have an average maximum temperature of 32 degC (896 degF)

Wildlife

The countrys slow economic growth has contributed to the preservation of much of its environment and ecosystems Forests including dense tropical growth and valuable teak in lower Burma cover over 49 of the country including areas of acacia bamboo ironwood and michelia champaca Coconut and betel palm and rubber have been introduced In the highlands of the north oak pine and various rhododendrons cover much of the land[28] Heavy logging since the new 1995 forestry law went into effect has seriously reduced forest acreage and wildlife habitat[29] The lands along the coast support all varieties of tropical fruits and once had large areas of mangroves although much of the protective mangroves have disappeared In much of central Burma (the Dry Zone) vegetation is sparse and stunted

Typical jungle animals particularly tigers and leopards occur sparsely in Burma In upper Burma there are rhinoceros wild buffalo wild boars deer antelope and elephants which are also tamed or bred in captivity for use as work animals particularly in the lumber industry Smaller mammals are also numerous ranging from gibbons and monkeys to flying foxes and tapirs The abundance of birds is notable with over 800 species including parrots peafowl pheasants

16

crows herons and paddybirds Among reptile species there are crocodiles geckos cobras Burmese pythons and turtles Hundreds of species of freshwater fish are wide-ranging plentiful and are very important food sources[30] For a list of protected areas see List of protected areas in Burma

History

After the First Burmese War the Ava kingdom ceded the provinces of Manipur Tenassarim and Arakan to the British[31] Rangoon and southern Burma were incorporated into British India in 1853 All of Burma came directly or indirectly under British India in 1886 after the Third Burmese War and the fall of Mandalay[31] Burma was administered as a province of British India until 1937 when it became a separate self-governing colony The country became independent from the United Kingdom on 4 January 1948 as the Union of Burma

It became the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma on 4 January 1974 before reverting to the Union of Burma on 23 September 1988 On 18 June 1989 the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) adopted the name Union of Myanmar for English transliteration This controversial name change in English while accepted in the UN and in many countries is not recognised by the Burmese democracy movement and by nations such as Canada the United Kingdom and the United States[32]

Early history

Archaeological evidence suggests that civilisation in the region which now forms Burma is quite old The oldest archaeological find was of cave paintings and a Holocene assemblage in a hunter-gatherer cave site in Padah Lin in Shan State The Mon people are thought to be the earliest group to migrate into the lower Ayeyarwady valley and by the mid-10th century BC were dominant in southern Burma The Tibeto-Burman speaking Pyu arrived later in the 1st century BC and established several city states ndash of which Sri Ksetra was the most powerful ndash in central Ayeyarwady valley The Mon and Pyu kingdoms were an active overland trade route between India and China The Pyu kingdoms entered a period of rapid decline in early 9th century AD when the powerful kingdom of Nanzhao (in present-day Yunnan) invaded the Ayeyarwady valley several times

17

Bagan (1044ndash1287)

Tibeto-Burman speaking Burmans or the Bamar began migrating to the Ayeyarwady valley from present-day Yunnans Nanzhao kingdom starting in 7th century AD Filling the power gap left by the Pyu the Burmans established a small kingdom centred in Bagan in 849 But it was not until the reign of King Anawrahta (1044ndash1077) that Bagans influence expanded throughout much of present-day Burma

After Anawrahtas capture of the Mon capital of Thaton in 1057 the Burmans adopted Theravada Buddhism from the Mons The Burmese script was created based on the Mon script during the reign of King Kyanzittha (1084ndash1112) Prosperous from trade Bagan kings built many magnificent temples and pagodas throughout the country ndash many of which can still be seen today

Bagans power slowly waned in 13th century Kublai Khans Mongol forces invaded northern Burma starting in 1277 and sacked Bagan city itself in 1287 Bagans over two century reign of Ayeyarwady valley and its periphery was over

Small kingdoms (1287ndash1531)

The Mongols could not stay for long in the searing Ayeyarwady valley But the Tai-Shan people from Yunnan who came down with the Mongols fanned out to the Ayeyarwady valley Shan states Laos Siam and Assam and became powerful players in Southeast Asia

The Bagan empire was irreparably broken up into several small kingdoms

bull The Burman kingdom of Ava or Innwa (1364ndash1555) the successor state to three smaller kingdoms founded by Burmanised Shan kings controlling Upper Burma (without the Shan states)

bull The Mon kingdom of Hanthawady Pegu or Bago (1287ndash1540) founded by a Mon-ised Shan King Wareru (1287ndash1306) controlling Lower Burma (without Taninthayi)

bull The Rakhine kingdom of Mrauk U (1434ndash1784) in the west

18

bull Several Shan states in the Shan hills in the east and the Kachin Hills in the north while the north-western frontier of present Chin hills still disconnected yet

This period was characterised by constant warfare between Ava and Bago and to a lesser extent Ava and the Shans Ava briefly controlled Rakhine (1379ndash1430) and came close to defeating Bago a few times but could never quite reassemble the lost empire Nevertheless Burmese culture entered a golden age Hanthawady Bago prospered Bagos Queen Shin Saw Bu (1453ndash1472) raised the gilded Shwedagon Pagoda to its present height

By the late-15th century constant warfare had left Ava greatly weakened Its peripheral areas became either independent or autonomous In 1486 King Minkyinyo (1486ndash1531) of Taungoo broke away from Ava and established a small independent kingdom In 1527 Mohnyin (Shan Mong Yang) Shans finally captured Ava upsetting the delicate power balance that had existed for nearly two centuries The Shans would rule Upper Burma until 1555

Taungoo (1531ndash1752)

Reinforced by fleeing Burmans from Ava the minor Burman kingdom of Taungoo under its young ambitious king Tabinshwehti (1531ndash1551) defeated the more powerful Mon kingdom at Bago reunifying all of Lower Burma by 1540 Tabinshwehtis successor King Bayinnaung (1551ndash1581) would go on to conquer Manipur (1556) Shan states (1557) Chiang Mai (1557) Ayutthaya (1564 1569) and Lan Xang (1574) bringing most of western South East Asia under his rule Preparing to invade Rakhine State a maritime power controlling the entire coastline west of Rakhine Yoma up to Chittagong province in Bengal

Bayinnaungs massive empire unravelled soon after his death in 1581 Ayutthaya Siamese had driven out the Burmese by 1593 and went on to take Tanintharyi In 1599 Rakhine forces aided by Portuguese mercenaries sacked the kingdoms capital Bago Chief Portuguese mercenary Filipe de Brito e Nicote (Burmese Nga Zinga) promptly rebelled against his Rakhine masters and established Portuguese rule in Thanlyin (Syriam) then the most important seaport in Burma The country was in chaos

19

The Burmese under King Anaukpetlun (1605ndash1628) regrouped and defeated the Portuguese in 1611 Anaukpetlun reestablished a smaller reconstituted kingdom based in Ava covering Upper Burma Lower Burma and Shan states (but without Rakhine or Taninthayi) After the reign of King Thalun (1629ndash1648) who rebuilt the war-torn country the kingdom experienced a slow and steady decline for the next 100 years The Mons successfully rebelled starting in 1740 with French help and Siamese encouragement broke away Lower Burma by 1747 and finally put an end to the House of Taungoo in 1752 when they took Ava

Konbaung (1752ndash1885)

A British 1825 lithograph of Shwedagon Pagoda reveals early British occupation in Burma during the First Anglo-Burmese War

King Alaungpaya (1752ndash1760) established the Konbaung Dynasty in Shwebo in 1752[36] He founded Yangon in 1755 By his death in 1760 Alaungpaya had reunified the country In 1767 King Hsinbyushin (1763ndash1777) sacked Ayutthya The Qing Dynasty of China invaded four times from 1765 to 1769 without success The Chinese invasions allowed the new Siamese kingdom based in Bangkok to repel the Burmese out of Siam by the late 1770s

King Bodawpaya (1782ndash1819) failed repeatedly to reconquer Siam in 1780s and 1790s Bodawpaya did manage to capture the western kingdom of Rakhine State which had been largely independent since the fall of Bagan in 1784 Bodawpaya also formally annexed Manipur a rebellion-prone protectorate in 1813

King Bagyidaws (1819ndash1837) general Maha Bandula put down a rebellion in Manipur in 1819 and captured then independent kingdom of Assam in 1819 (again in 1821) The new conquests brought the Burmese adjacent to the British India The British defeated the Burmese in the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824ndash1826) Burma had to cede Assam Manipur Rakhine State (Arakan) and Tanintharyi (Tenessarim)

In 1852 the British attacked a much weakened Burma during a Burmese palace power struggle After the Second Anglo-Burmese War which lasted 3 months the British had captured the remaining

20

coastal provinces Ayeyarwady Yangon and Bago naming the territories as Lower Burma

King Mindon (1853ndash1878) founded Mandalay in 1859 and made it his capital He skilfully navigated the growing threats posed by the competing interests of Britain and France In the process Mindon had to renounce Kayah (Karenni) states in 1875 His successor King Thibaw (1878ndash1885) was largely ineffectual In 1885 the British alarmed by the French conquest of neighbouring Laos occupied Upper Burma The Third Anglo-Burmese War (1885) lasted a mere one month insofar as capturing the capital Mandalay was concerned The Burmese royal family was exiled to Ratnagiri India British forces spent at least another four years pacifying the country ndash not only in the Burmese heartland but also in the Shan Chin and Kachin hill areas By some accounts minor insurrections did not end until 1896

Colonial era (1886ndash1948)

The British conquest of Burma began in 1824 in response to a Burmese attempt to invade India By 1886 and after two further wars Britain had incorporated the entire country into the British Raj Burma was administered as a province of British India until 1937 when it became a separate self-governing colony To stimulate trade and facilitate changes the British brought in Indians and Chinese who quickly displaced the Burmese in urban areas To this day Rangoon and Mandalay have large ethnic Indian populations Railways and schools were built as well as a large number of prisons including the infamous Insein Prison then and now used for political prisoners Burmese resentment was strong and was vented in violent riots that paralysed Yangon on occasion all the way until the 1930s

Much of the discontent was caused by a disrespect for Burmese culture and traditions for example what the British termed the Shoe Question the colonisers refusal to remove their shoes upon entering Buddhist temples or other holy places In October 1919 Eindawya Pagoda in Mandalay was the scene of violence when tempers flared after scandalised Buddhist monks attempted to physically expel a group of shoe-wearing British visitors The leader of the monks was later sentenced to life imprisonment for attempted murder Such incidents inspired the Burmese resistance to use Buddhism as a rallying point for their cause Buddhist monks became the vanguards of the independence movement and many died while protesting One

21

monk-turned-martyr was U Wisara who died in prison after a 166-day hunger strike to protest a rule that forbade him from wearing his Buddhist robes while imprisoned

Eric Blair (George Orwell) served in the Indian Imperial Police in Burma for five years his experience yielded the novel Burmese Days (1934) and the essays A Hanging (1931) and Shooting an Elephant (1936) An earlier writer with the same expansive career path was Saki During the colonial period intermarriage between European male settlers and Burmese women as well as between Anglo-Indians (who arrived with the British) and Burmese caused the birth of the Anglo-Burmese community This influential community was to dominate the country during colonial rule and through the mid-1960s

On 1 April 1937 Burma became a separately administered territory independent of the Indian administration The vote for keeping Burma in India or as a separate colony khwe-yay-twe-yay divided the populace and laid the groundwork for the insurgencies to come after independence In the 1940s the Thirty Comrades commanded by Aung San founded the Burma Independence Army The Thirty Comrades received training in Japan[

During World War II Burma became a major front-line in the Southeast Asian Theatre The British administration collapsed ahead of the advancing Japanese troops jails and asylums were opened and Rangoon was deserted except for the many Anglo-Burmese and Indians who remained at their posts A stream of some 300000 refugees fled across the jungles into India known as The Trek all but 30000 of those 300000 arrived in India Initially the Japanese-led Burma Campaign succeeded and the British were expelled from most of Burma but the British counter-attacked using primarily troops of the British Indian Army By July 1945 the British had retaken the country

Although many Burmese fought initially for the Japanese some Burmese mostly from the ethnic minorities also served in the British Burma Army[ In 1943 the Chin Levies and Kachin Levies were formed in the border districts of Burma still under British administration The Burma Rifles fought as part of the Chindits under General Orde Wingate from 1943 to 1945 Later in the war the Americans created American-Kachin Rangers who also fought against the Japanese Many others fought with the British Special

22

Operations Executive The Burma Independence Army under the command of Aung San and the Arakan National Army fought with the Japanese from 1942ndash1944 but switched allegiance to the Allied side in 1945

British soldiers waged a guerrilla war against Japanese forces in Burma Chindits were formed into long range penetration groups trained to operate deep behind Japanese lines[ A similar American unit Merrills Marauders followed the Chindits into the jungle in 1943[42] Overall the Japanese lost some 150000 men in Burma Only 1700 prisoners were taken[

In 1947 Aung San became Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council of Burma a transitional government But in July 1947 political rivals assassinated Aung San and several cabinet members[

Democratic republic (1948ndash1962)

Main article Post-independence Burma 1948ndash1962

On 4 January 1948 the nation became an independent republic named the Union of Burma with Sao Shwe Thaik as its first President and U Nu as its first Prime Minister Unlike most other former British colonies and overseas territories it did not become a member of the Commonwealth A bicameral parliament was formed consisting of a Chamber of Deputies and a Chamber of Nationalities[44] and multi-party elections were held in 1951ndash1952 1956 and 1960

The geographical area Burma encompasses today can be traced to the Panglong Agreement which combined Burma Proper which consisted of Lower Burma and Upper Burma and the Frontier Areas which had been administered separately by the British[10]

In 1961 U Thant then the Union of Burmas Permanent Representative to the United Nations and former Secretary to the Prime Minister was elected Secretary-General of the United Nations he was the first non-Westerner to head any international organisation and would serve as UN Secretary-General for ten years[45] Among the Burmese to work at the UN when he was Secretary-General was a young Aung San Suu Kyi who went on to become winner of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize

23

Rule by military junta (1962ndashpresent) Ne Win years

Democratic rule ended in 1962 when General Ne Win led a military coup deacutetat He ruled for nearly 26 years and pursued policies under the rubric of the Burmese Way to Socialism Between 1962 and 1974 Burma was ruled by a revolutionary council headed by the general and almost all aspects of society (business media production) were nationalized or brought under government control (even the Boy Scouts) In an effort to consolidate power Ne Win and many other top generals resigned from the military and took civilian posts and from 1974 instituted elections in a one-party system

Between 1974 and 1988 Burma was effectively ruled by Ne Win through the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) which from 1964 until 1988 was the sole political party During this period Burma became one of the worlds most impoverished countries The Burmese Way to Socialism[ combined Soviet-style nationalisation and central planning with the governmental implementation of superstitious beliefs Criticism was scathing such as an article published in a February 1974 issue of Newsweek magazine describing the Burmese Way to Socialism as an amalgam of Buddhist and Marxist illogic

Almost from the beginning there were sporadic protests against the military rule many of which were organised by students and these were almost always violently suppressed by the government On 7 July 1962 the government broke up demonstrations at Rangoon University killing 15 students In 1974 the military violently suppressed anti-government protests at the funeral of U Thant Student protests in 1975 1976 and 1977 were quickly suppressed by overwhelming force

Ne Wins rise to power in 1962 and his relentless persecution of resident aliens (immigrant groups not recognised as citizens of the Union of Burma) led to an exodusexpulsion of some 300000 Burmese Indians They migrated to escape racial discrimination and wholesale nationalisation of private enterprise a few years later in 1964 The Anglo-Burmese at this time either fled the country or changed their names and blended in with the broader Burmese society

24

A new constitution of the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma was adopted in 1974

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims fled Burma and many refugees inundated neighbouring Bangladesh including 200000 in 1978 as a result of the King Dragon operation in Arakan

1988 and the SPDC

In 1988 unrest over economic mismanagement and political oppression by the government led to widespread pro-democracy demonstrations throughout the country known as the 8888 Uprising Security forces killed thousands of demonstrators and General Saw Maung staged a coup deacutetat and formed the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) In 1989 SLORC declared martial law after widespread protests The military government finalised plans for Peoples Assembly elections on 31 May 1989 SLORC changed the countrys official English name from the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma to the Union of Myanmar in 1989

In May 1990 the government held free elections for the first time in almost 30 years The National League for Democracy (NLD) the party of Aung San Suu Kyi won 392 out of a total 489 seats(ie 80 of the seats) but the election results were annulled by SLORC which refused to step down[ Led by Than Shwe since 1992 the military regime has made cease-fire agreements with most ethnic guerilla groups In 1992 SLORC unveiled plans to create a new constitution through the National Convention which began 9 January 1993 In 1997 the State Law and Order Restoration Council was renamed the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)

On 23 June 1997 Burma was admitted into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) The National Convention continues to convene and adjourn Many major political parties particularly the NLD have been absent or excluded and little progress has been made On 27 March 2006 the military junta which had moved the national capital from Yangon to a site near Pyinmana in November 2005 officially named the new capital Naypyidaw meaning city of the kings The CIA World Factbook however still considers the capital to be Rangoon[

In November 2006 the International Labour Organization (ILO) announced it will be seeking at the International Criminal Court to

25

prosecute members of the ruling Myanmar junta for crimes against humanity over the continuous forced labour of its citizens by the military According to the ILO an estimated 800000 people are subject to forced labour in Myanmar

The 2007 Burmese anti-government protests were a campaign of civil resistance The main immediate cause of the protests was an event in mid-August the unannounced decision of the ruling junta the State Peace and Development Council to remove fuel subsidies which caused the price of diesel and petrol to suddenly rise as much as double and the price of compressed natural gas for buses to increase fivefold in less than a week The protest demonstrations were at first dealt with quickly and harshly by the junta with dozens of protesters arrested and detained Starting 18 September the protests were led by thousands of Buddhist monks and those protests were allowed to proceed until a renewed government crackdown on September 26[ During the crack-down there were rumours of disagreement within the Burmese armed forces but none were confirmed Some news reports referred to the protests as the Saffron Revolution

During the 2007 anti-government protests a significant role was played by Aung San Suu Kyi the leader of the opposition to the Burmese military government Aung San Suu Kyi was under periods of house arrest from 1989-2010 In September 2007 hundreds of monks paid respects to her at the gate of her home which was the first time in four years that people were able to see her in public She was then given a second public appearance on 29 September when she was allowed to leave house arrest briefly and meet with a UN envoy trying to persuade the junta to ease its crackdown against a pro-democracy uprising to which the Myanmar government reluctantly agreed

On 7 February 2008 SPDC announced that a referendum for the Constitution would be held and Elections by 2010 The Burmese constitutional referendum 2008 was held on 10 May and promised a discipline-flourishing democracy for the country in the future

World governments remain divided on how to deal with the military junta Calls for further sanctions by Canada the United Kingdom the United States and France are opposed by neighbouring countries in particular China has stated its belief that sanctions or pressure will not help to solve the issue[63] There is some disagreement over

26

whether sanctions are the most effective approach to dealing with the junta such as from a Cato Institute study and from prominent Burmese such as Thant Myint-U (a former senior UN official and Cambridge historian) who have opined that sanctions may have caused more harm than good to the Burmese people[64][65]

In 1950 the Karen became the largest of 20 minority groups participating in an insurgency against the government of Burma The conflict continues as of 2009[66] In 2004 the BBC citing aid agencies estimates that up to 200000 Karen have been driven from their homes during decades of war with 120000 more refugees from Burma mostly Karen living in refugee camps on the Thai side of the border Many accuse the military government of Burma of ethnic cleansing[67] As a result of the ongoing war in minority group areas more than two million people have fled Burma to Thailand[68]

On 3 May 2008 Cyclone Nargis devastated the country when winds of up to 215 kmh (135 mph)[69] touched land in the densely populated rice-farming delta of the Irrawaddy Division[70] It was the worst natural disaster in Burmese history Reports estimated that more than 200000 people were dead or missing and damage totaled to 10 billion dollars (USD) The World Food Programme reported Some villages have been almost totally eradicated and vast rice-growing areas are wiped out[71] The United Nations projects that as many as 1 million were left homeless and the World Health Organization has received reports of malaria outbreaks in the worst-affected area[72] Yet in the critical days following this disaster Burmas isolationist regime hindered recovery efforts by delaying the entry of United Nations planes delivering medicine food and other supplies The governments action was described by the United Nations as unprecedented[73]

On 4 May 2009 an American John Yettaw allegedly swam across the lake uninvited to the house of Aung San Suu Kyi and remained there for two nights resulting in the arrest of Yettaw and Suu Kyi who were held in Insein Prison near Yangon[74] As a result Suu Kyi is being charged with violating the terms of her house arrest and faces a sentence of up to five years[75] Suu Kyis house arrest was due to end on 27 May 2009[76] On 11 August 2009 Suu Kyi was sentenced to an additional 18 months of house arrest following conviction on charges of violating the terms of her previous incarceration[77] British Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated This is

27

a purely political sentence designed to prevent her from taking part in the regimes planned elections next year On August 12 2009 US Senator Jim Webb negotiated Yettaws release on humanitarian grounds because of Yettaws health Myanmar authorities commuted Yettaws sentence in half suspending the remaining three-and-a-half years upon Yettaws deportation On August 14 Senator Webb flew with Yettaw to Thailand

In early August 2009 a conflict known as the Kokang incident broke out in Shan State in northern Burma For several weeks junta troops fought against ethnic minorities including the Han Chinese[78] Va and Kachin[79][80] From 8ndash12 August the first days of the conflict as many as 10000 Burmese civilians fled to Yunnan province in neighbouring China[79][80][81]

On 13 August 2010 Junta announces the election date for 2010 is 7 November

In October 2010 a new flag was adopted and the official name of the country changed to Republic of the Union of Myanmar replacing the old Union of Myanmar from 1989

On November 9 2010 Myanmars ruling junta stated that the Union Solidarity and Development Party won 80 of the votes This claim is widely disputed by pro-democracy opposition groups asserting that the military regime engaged in rampant fraud to achieve its result [82]

On November 13 2010 the military authorities in Burma released the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi

Regions and states The 14 states and regions of Burma The country is divided into seven states and seven regions formerly called divisions] The announcement on the renaming of division to regions was made on 20 August 2010[114] Regions are predominantly Bamar (that is mainly inhabited by the dominant ethnic group) States in essence are regions which are home to particular ethnic minorities The administrative divisions are further subdivided into districts which are further subdivided into townships wards and villages

28

Below are the number of districts townships citiestowns wards village Groups and villages in each divisions and states of Burma as of 31 December 2001[115]

No StateRegion Districts Townships CitiesTowns Wards Village groups Villages

1 Kachin State 3 18 20 116 606 2630 2 Kayah State 2 7 7 29 79 624 3 Kayin State 3 7 10 46 376 2092 4 Chin State 2 9 9 29 475 1355 5 Sagaing Region 8 37 37 171 1769 6095 6 Tanintharyi Region 3 10 10 63 265 1255 7 Bago Region 4 28 33 246 1424 6498 8 Magway Region 5 25 26 160 1543 4774 9 Mandalay Region 7 31 29 259 1611 5472 10 Mon State 2 10 11 69 381 1199 11 Rakhine State 4 17 17 120 1041 3871 12 Yangon Region 4 45 20 685 634 2119 13 Shan State 11 54 54 336 1626 15513 14 Ayeyarwady Region 6 26 29 219 1912 11651 Total 63 324 312 2548 13742 65148

Economy

The country is one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia suffering from decades of stagnation mismanagement and isolation Based on the Economist IMF Annual average GDP growth for periode 2001-2010 was 103 percent For the periode Burma is one of worlds top ten Annual average GDP growth

Under British administration Burma was the second-wealthiest country in South-East Asia second only to the Philippines It had been the worlds largest exporter of rice During British administration Burma supplied oil through the Burmah Oil Company Burma also had a wealth of natural and labour resources It produced 75 of the worlds teak (although the land-clearing involved led to the creation of vast dust-bowl) and had a highly literate population[8] The country was believed to be on the fast track to development[8]

After a parliamentary government was formed in 1948 Prime Minister U Nu disastrously attempted to make Burma a welfare state and adopted central planning Rice exports fell by two thirds and mineral

29

exports by over 96 Plans were partly financed by printing money which led to inflation[143] The 1962 coup deacutetat was followed by an economic scheme called the Burmese Way to Socialism a plan to nationalise all industries with the exception of agriculture The catastrophic program turned Burma into one of the worlds most impoverished countries[47] Burmas admittance to Least Developed Country status by the UN in 1987 highlighted its economic bankruptcy[144]

After 1988 the regime retreated from totalitarian rule It permitted modest expansion of the private sector allowed some foreign investment and received needed foreign exchange[145] The economy is currently rated as the second least free in Asia (one up from North Korea)[146] All fundamental market institutions are suppressed[146][147] Private enterprises are often co-owned or indirectly owned by state The corruption watchdog organisation Transparency International in its 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index released on 26 September 2007 ranked Burma the most corrupt country in the world tied with Somalia[148]

The national currency is Kyat Burma has a dual exchange rate system similar to Cuba[149] The market rate was around two hundred times below the government-set rate in 2006[147] Inflation averaged 301 between 2005 and 2007[146] Inflation is a serious problem for the economy In April 2007 the National League for Democracy organised a two-day workshop on the economy The workshop concluded that skyrocketing inflation was impeding economic growth Basic commodity prices have increased from 30 to 60 percent since the military regime promoted a salary increase for government workers in April 2006 said Soe Win the moderator of the workshop Inflation is also correlated with corruption Myint Thein an NLD spokesperson added Inflation is the critical source of the current economic crisis[150]

In recent years both China and India have attempted to strengthen ties with the government for economic benefit Many nations including the United States and Canada and the European Union have imposed investment and trade sanctions on Burma The United States has banned all imports from Burma[147] Foreign investment comes primarily from Peoples Republic of China Singapore South Korea India and Thailand[151]

30

The major agricultural product is rice which covers about 60 of the countrys total cultivated land area Rice accounts for 97 of total food grain production by weight Through collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute 52 modern rice varieties were released in the country between 1966 and 1997 helping increase national rice production to 14 million tons in 1987 and to 19 million tons in 1996 By 1988 modern varieties were planted on half of the countrys ricelands including 98 percent of the irrigated areas[152]

The lack of an educated workforce skilled in modern technology contributes to the growing problems of the economy[153]

Today the country lacks adequate infrastructure Goods travel primarily across the Thai border where most illegal drugs are exported and along the Ayeyarwady River Railways are old and rudimentary with few repairs since their construction in the late 19th century[154] Highways are normally unpaved except in the major cities[154] Energy shortages are common throughout the country including in Yangon Burma is also the worlds second largest producer of opium accounting for 8 of entire world production and is a major source of illegal drugs including amphetamines[155] Other industries include agricultural goods textiles wood products construction materials gems metals oil and natural gas The Norwegian company Seadrill owned by John Fredriksen is involved in offshore oildrilling expected to give the Burmese Military Junta oil and oil export revenues

The Union of Myanmars rulers depend on sales of precious stones such as sapphires pearls and jade to fund their regime Rubies are the biggest earner 90 of the worlds rubies come from the country whose red stones are prized for their purity and hue Thailand buys the majority of the countrys gems Burmas Valley of Rubies the mountainous Mogok area 200 km (120 mi) north of Mandalay is noted for its rare pigeons blood rubies and blue sapphires[156] Many US and European jewellery companies including Bulgari Tiffany and Cartier refuse to import these stones based on reports of deplorable working conditions in the mines Human Rights Watch has encouraged a complete ban on the purchase of Burmese gems based on these reports and because nearly all profits go to the ruling junta as the majority of mining activity in the country is government-run[157]

31

Since 1992 the government has encouraged tourism in the country However fewer than 750000 tourists enter the country annually[158] Aung San Suu Kyi has requested that international tourists not visit Burma The juntas forced labour programmes were focused around tourist destinations which have been heavily criticised for their human rights records Burmas Minister of Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin has stated that the government receives a significant percentage of the income of private sector tourism services[159] Much of the country is completely off-limits to tourists and the military very tightly controls interactions between foreigners and the people of Burma particularly the border regions[160] They are not to discuss politics with foreigners under penalty of imprisonment and in 2001 the Myanmar Tourism Promotion Board issued an order for local officials to protect tourists and limit unnecessary contact between foreigners and ordinary Burmese people[161]

The M9 gas field in Burma is expected to go online in 2012[162]

Demographics

Burma has a population of about 56 million[163] Population figures are rough estimates because the last partial census conducted by the Ministry of Home and Religious Affairs under the control of the military junta was taken in 1983[164] No trustworthy nationwide census has been taken in Burma since 1931 There are over 600000 registered migrant workers from Burma in Thailand and millions more work illegally Burmese migrant workers account for 80 of Thailands migrant workers[165] Burma has a population density of 75 per square kilometre (190 sq mi) one of the lowest in Southeast Asia Refugee camps exist along Indian Bangladeshi and Thai borders while several thousand are in Malaysia Conservative estimates state that there are over 295800 refugees from Burma with the majority being Rohingya Kayin and Karenni and are principally located along the Thai-Burma border[166] There are nine permanent refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border most of which were established in the mid-1980s The refugee camps are under the care of the Thai-Burma Border Consortium (TBBC)

Ethnic groups

Main article List of ethnic groups in Burma

32

Ethnic Composition in Burma (rough estimate) ethnic group percentBamar thinsp 68Shan thinsp 9Karen thinsp 7Other groups thinsp 45Rakhine thinsp 35Chinese thinsp 25Mon thinsp 2Kachin thinsp 15Chin 1Indians 125Kayah 075

Burma is home to four major linguistic families Sino-Tibetan Kradai Austro-Asiatic and Indo-European[167] Sino-Tibetan languages are most widely spoken They include Burmese Karen Kachin Chin and Chinese The primary Kradai language is Shan Mon Palaung and Wa are the major Austroasiatic languages spoken in Burma The two major Indo-European languages are Pali the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism and English[168]

According to the UNESCO Institute of Statistics Burmas official literacy rate as of 2000 was 899[169] Historically Burma has had high literacy rates To qualify for least developed country status by the UN in order to receive debt relief Burma lowered its official literacy rate from 786 to 187 in 1987[170]

Burma is ethnically diverse The government recognises 135 distinct ethnic groups While it is extremely difficult to verify this statement there are at least 108 different ethnolinguistic groups in Burma consisting mainly of distinct Tibeto-Burman peoples but with sizeable populations of Daic Hmong-Mien and Austroasiatic (Mon-Khmer) peoples[171] The Bamar form an estimated 68 of the population[172] 10 of the population are Shan[172] The Kayin make up 7 of the population[172] The Rakhine people constitute 4 of the population Overseas Chinese form approximately 3 of the population[172][173] Burmas ethnic minority groups prefer the term ethnic nationality over ethnic minority as the term minority furthers their sense of insecurity in the face of what is often described as Burmanisation--

33

the proliferation and domination of the dominant Bamar culture over minority cultures

Mon who form 2 of the population are ethno-linguistically related to the Khmer[172] Overseas Indians comprise 2[172] The remainder are Kachin Chin Anglo-Indians and other ethnic minorities Included in this group are the Anglo-Burmese Once forming a large and influential community the Anglo-Burmese left the country in steady streams from 1958 onwards principally to Australia and the UK Today it is estimated that only 52000 Anglo-Burmese remain in the country There are 110000 Burmese refugees in Thai border camps[174]

89 of the countrys population are Buddhist according to a report on ABC World News Tonight in May 2008 and the Buddha Dharma Education Association[175]

Culture

A diverse range of indigenous cultures exist in Burma the majority culture is primarily Buddhist and Bamar Bamar culture has been influenced by the cultures of neighbouring countries This is manifested in its language cuisine music dance and theatre The arts particularly literature have historically been influenced by the local form of Theravada Buddhism Considered the national epic of Burma the Yama Zatdaw an adaptation of Indias Ramayana has been influenced greatly by Thai Mon and Indian versions of the play[176] Buddhism is practised along with nat worship which involves elaborate rituals to propitiate one from a pantheon of 37 nats[177][178]

In a traditional village the monastery is the centre of cultural life Monks are venerated and supported by the lay people A novitiation ceremony called shinbyu is the most important coming of age events for a boy when he enters the monastery for a short period of time[179] All boys of Buddhist family need to be a novice (beginner for Buddhism) before the age of twenty and to be a monk after the age of twenty It is compulsory for all boys of Buddhism The duration can be as little as one week Girls have ear-piercing ceremonies ( ) at the same time[179] Burmese culture is most evident in villages where local festivals are held throughout the year the most important being the pagoda festival[180][181] Many villages have a guardian nat and superstition and taboos are commonplace

34

British colonial rule also introduced Western elements of culture to Burma Burmas educational system is modelled after that of the United Kingdom Colonial architectural influences are most evident in major cities such as Yangon[182] Many ethnic minorities particularly the Karen in the southeast and the Kachin and Chin (people) who populate the north and north-east practice Christianity[183] According to CIA World Factbook the Burman population is 68 and the Ethnic groups comprise of 32 However the exiled leaders and organisations claims that Ethnic population is 40 which is implicitly contrasted with CIA report (official US report)

Language

Burmese the mother tongue of the Bamar and official language of Burma is related to Tibetan and to the Chinese languages[168] It is written in a script consisting of circular and semi-circular letters which were adapted from the Mon script which in turn was developed from a southern Indian script in the 8th century The earliest known inscriptions in the Burmese script date from the 11th century It is also used to write Pali the sacred language of Theravada Buddhism as well as several ethnic minority languages including Shan several Karen dialects and Kayah (Karenni) with the addition of specialised characters and diacritics for each language[184] The Burmese language incorporates widespread usage of honorifics and is age-oriented[180] Burmese society has traditionally stressed the importance of education In villages secular schooling often takes place in monasteries Secondary and tertiary education take place at government schools

Religion Members of the Buddhist monkhood are venerated throughout Burma which is one of the most predominantly Theravada Buddhist countries in the world

Religion in Burma religion percentBuddhism thinsp 89Christianity thinsp 4Islam thinsp 4Others including Animism and Chinese folk religion thinsp 2Hinduism thinsp 1

35

Many religions are practised in Burma Religious edifices and orders have been in existence for many years Festivals can be held on a grand scale The Christian and Muslim populations do however face religious persecution and it is hard if not impossible for non-Buddhists to join the army or get government jobs the main route to success in the country[185] Such persecution and targeting of civilians is particularly notable in Eastern Burma where over 3000 villages have been destroyed in the past ten years[186][187][188] More than 200000 Rohingya Muslims have settled in Bangladesh to escape persecution over the past 20 years[189]

89 of the population embraces Buddhism (mostly Theravada) Other religions are practiced largely without obstruction with the notable exception of some ethnic minorities such as the Muslim Rohingya people who have continued to have their citizenship status denied and therefore do not have access to education and Christians in Chin State[190] 4 percent of the population practices Christianity 4 percent Islam 1 percent traditional animistic beliefs and 2 percent follow other religions including Mahayana Buddhism Hinduism East Asian religions and the Bahaacuteiacute Faith[191][192][193] However according to a US State Departments 2010 international religious freedom report official statistics are alleged to underestimate the non-Buddhist population Independent researchers put the Muslim population at 6 to 10 of the population A tiny Jewish community in Rangoon had a synagogue but no resident rabbi to conduct services[194]

Education

The educational system of Burma is operated by the government Ministry of Education Universities and professional institutes from upper Burma and lower Burma are run by two separate entities the Department of Higher Education of Upper Burma and the Department of Higher Education of Lower Burma Headquarters are based in Yangon and Mandalay respectively The education system is based on the United Kingdoms system due to nearly a century of British and Christian presences in Burma Nearly all schools are government-operated but there has been a recent increase in privately funded English language schools Schooling is compulsory until the end of elementary school probably about 9 years old while the compulsory schooling age is 15 or 16 at international level

36

There are 101 universities 12 institutes 9 degree colleges and 24 colleges in Burma a total of 146 higher education institutions[195]

There are 10 Technical Training Schools 23 nursing training schools 1 sport academy and 20 midwifery schools

There are 2047 Basic Education High Schools 2605 Basic Education Middle Schools 29944 Basic Education Primary Schools and 5952 Post Primary Schools 1692 multimedia classrooms exist within this system

There are four international schools which are acknowledged by WASC and College Board ndash The International School Yangon (ISY) Crane International School Yangon (CISM) Yangon International School (YIS) and International School of Myanmar (ISM) in Yangon

Units of measure

Burma is one of three countries that still predominantly uses a non-metric system of measure according to the CIA Factbook[196] The common units of measure are unique to Burma but the government web pages use both imperial units[197] and metric units[198]

Media

Due to Burmas political climate there are not many media companies in relation to the countrys population although a certain number exists Some are privately owned but all programming must meet with the approval of the censorship board

Burma has figured in several motion pictures such as Beyond Rangoon starring Patricia Arquette Rambo IV starring Sylvester Stallone and Objective Burma nominated for an Academy Award and starring Errol Flynn Burma was also featured in the hit show Seinfeld Burma is the primary subject of a 2007 graphic novel titled Chroniques Birmanes by Queacutebeacutecois author and animator Guy Delisle The graphic novel was translated into English under the title Burma Chronicles in 2008 In 2009 a documentary about Burmese videojournalists called Burma VJ was released[199] This film was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 2010 Academy Awards[200]

37

Yangon

Division Yangon Region Settled 6th century AD

Government - Mayor Aung Thein Lynn

Area - Total 2312 sq mi (59875 km2)

Population (2010) - Total 4348000

- Density 18808sq mi (72618km2)

Ethnicities Bamar Rakhine Mon Kayin Burmese Chinese Burmese Indians Anglo-Burmese

Religions Buddhism Christianity Islam Time zone MST (UTC+630)

Area code(s) 1 80 99 Website wwwyangoncitycommm

Yangon also known as Rangoon literally End of Strife) is a former capital of Burma (Myanmar) and the capital of Yangon Region (formerly Yangon Division) Although the military government has officially relocated the capital to Naypyidaw since March 2006[3] Yangon with a population of over four million continues to be the countrys largest city and the most important commercial centre Yangons infrastructure is undeveloped compared to those of other major cities in Southeast Asia Yangon has the largest number of colonial buildings in Southeast Asia today[4] While many high-rise residential and commercial buildings have been constructed or renovated throughout downtown and Greater Yangon in the past two decades most satellite towns that ring the city continue to be deeply impoverished Etymology

38

Yangon is a combination of the two words yan and koun which mean enemies and run out of respectively It is also translated as End of Strife Rangoon most likely comes from the British imitation of the pronunciation of Yangon in the Rakhine dialect (Arakanese) of Burmese Early History Yangon was founded as Dagon in the 6th century AD by the Mon who dominated Lower Burma at that time Dagon was a small fishing village centred about the Shwedagon Pagoda In 1755 King Alaungpaya conquered Dagon renamed it Yangon and added settlements around Dagon The British captured Yangon during the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824ndash26) but returned it to Burmese administration after the war The city was destroyed by a fire in 1841[ Colonial Rangoon The British seized Yangon and all of Lower Burma in the Second Anglo-Burmese War of 1852 and subsequently transformed Yangon into the commercial and political hub of British Burma Based on the design by army engineer Lt Alexander Fraser the British constructed a new city on a grid plan on delta land bounded to the east by the Pazundaung Creek and to the south and west by the Yangon River Yangon became the capital of all British Burma after the British had captured Upper Burma in the Third Anglo-Burmese War of 1885 By the 1890s Yangons increasing population and commerce gave birth to prosperous residential suburbs to the north of Royal Lake (Kandawgyi) and Inya Lake[6] The British also established hospitals including Rangoon General Hospital and colleges including Rangoon University Colonial Yangon with its spacious parks and lakes and mix of modern buildings and traditional wooden architecture was known as the garden city of the East[6] By the early 20th century Yangon had public services and infrastructure on par with London Before World War II about 55 of Yangons population of 500000 was Indian or South Asian and only about a third was Bamar (Burman)[8] Karens the Chinese the Anglo-Burmese and others made up the rest

39

After World War I Yangon became the epicenter of Burmese independence movement with leftist Rangoon University students leading the way Three nationwide strikes against the British Empire in 1920 1936 and 1938 all began in Yangon Yangon was under Japanese occupation (1942ndash45) and incurred heavy damage during World War II The city was retaken by the Allies in May 1945 Yangon became the capital of Union of Burma on 4 January 1948 when the country regained independence from the British Empire Contemporary Yangon Soon after Burmas independence in 1948 many colonial names of streets and parks were changed to more nationalistic Burmese names In 1989 the current military junta changed the citys English name to Yangon along with many other changes in English transliteration of Burmese names (The changes have not been accepted by many Burmese who consider the junta unfit to make such changes nor by many publications news bureaux including the BBC and foreign nations including the United Kingdom and United States) Since independence Yangon has expanded outwards Successive governments have built satellite towns such as Thaketa North Okkalapa and South Okkalapa in the 1950s to Hlaingthaya Shwepyitha and South Dagon in the 1980s Today Greater Yangon encompasses an area covering nearly 600 kmsup2 During Ne Wins isolationist rule (1962ndash88) Yangons infrastructure deteriorated through poor maintenance and did not keep up with its increasing population In the 1990s the current military governments more open market policies attracted domestic and foreign investment bringing a modicum of modernity to the citys infrastructure Some inner city residents were forcibly relocated to new satellite towns Many colonial-period buildings were demolished to make way for high-rise hotels office buildings and shopping malls leading the city government to place about 200 notable colonial-period buildings under the Yangon City Heritage List Major building programs have resulted in six new bridges and five new highways linking the city to its industrial hinterland Still much of Yangon remains without basic municipal services such as 24-hour electricity and regular rubbish collection

40

Yangon has become much more indigenous Burmese in its ethnic make-up since independence After independence many South Asians and Anglo-Burmese left Many more South Asians were forced to leave during the 1960s by Ne Wins xenophobic government[8] Nevertheless sizable South Asian and Chinese communities still exist in Yangon The Anglo-Burmese have effectively disappeared having left the country or intermarried with other Burmese groups Yangon was the centre of major anti-government protests in 1974 1988 and 2007 The cityrsquos streets saw bloodshed each time as protesters were gunned down by the government In May 2008 Cyclone Nargis hit Yangon While the city had few human casualties three quarters of Yangons industrial infrastructure was destroyed or damaged with losses estimated at US$800 million In November 2005 the military government designated Naypyidaw 200 miles (322 km) north of Yangon as the new administrative capital and subsequently moved much of the government to the newly developed city At any rate Yangon remains the largest city and the most important commercial centre of Burma Geography Yangon is located in Lower Burma (Myanmar) at the convergence of the Yangon and Bago Rivers about 19 miles (30 km) away from the Gulf of Martaban at 16deg48 North 96deg09 East (168 9615) Its standard time zone is UTCGMT +630 hours Climate Yangon has a tropical monsoon climate under the Koumlppen climate classification system The city features a lengthy rainy season from April through November where a substantial amount of rainfall is received and a relatively short dry season from December through March where little rainfall is seen Its primarily due to the heavy precipitation received during the rainy season that Yangon falls under the tropical monsoon climate category During the course of the year average temperatures show little variance with average highs ranging from 29 to 36 degC (84 to 97 degF) and average lows ranging from 18 to 25 degC (64 to 77 degF)

41

Climate data for Yangon (1961mdash1990) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year

Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293

Source World Meteorological Organisation [17] A colonial building

Cityscape Until the mid 1990s Yangon remained largely constrained to its traditional peninsula setting between the Bago Yangon and Hlaing rivers People moved in but little of the city moved out Maps from 1944 show little development north of Inya Lake and areas that are now layered in cement and stacked with houses were then virtual backwaters Since the late 1980s however the city began a rapid spread north to where Yangon International airport now stands But the result is a stretching tail on the city with the downtown area well removed from its geographic centre] The citys area has steadily increased from 7252 square kilometres (2800 sq mi) in 1901 to 862 square kilometres (333 sq mi) in 1940 to 20851 square kilometres (8051 sq mi) in 1974 to 34613 square kilometres (13364 sq mi) in 1985 and to 59875 square kilometres (23118 sq mi) in 2008 Architecture Downtown Yangon is known for its leafy avenues and fin-de-siegravecle architecture The former British colonial capital has the highest number of colonial period buildings in Southeast Asia Downtown

42

Yangon is still mainly made up of decaying colonial buildings The former High Court the former Secretariat buildings the former St Pauls English High School and the Strand Hotel are excellent examples of the bygone era Most downtown buildings from this era are four-story mix-use (residential and commercial) buildings with 14-foot (43 m) ceilings allowing for the construction of mezzanines Despite their less-than-perfect conditions the buildings remain highly sought after and most expensive in the citys property market A latter day hallmark of Yangon is the eight-story apartment building (In Yangon parlance a building with no elevators (lifts) is called an apartment building and one with elevators is called a condominium[22] Condos which have to invest in a local power generator to ensure 24-hour electricity for the elevators are beyond the reach of most Yangonites) Found throughout the city in various forms eight-story apartment buildings provide relatively inexpensive housing for many Yangonites The apartments are usually eight stories high (including the ground floor) mainly because the city regulation until February 2008 required that all buildings higher than 75 feet (23 m) or eight stories install elevators) The current code calls for elevators in buildings higher than 62 feet (19 m) or six stories likely ushering in the era of the six-story apartment building Although most apartment buildings were built only within the last 20 years they look much older and rundown due to shoddy construction and lack of proper maintenance

Unlike other major Asian cities Yangon does not have any skyscrapers Aside from a few high-rise hotels and office towers downtown most high-rise buildings (usually 10 stories and up) are condos scattered across prosperous neighborhoods north of downtown such as Bahan Dagon Kamayut and Mayangon The tallest building in Yangon Pyay Gardens is a 25-story condo in the cityrsquos north

Older satellite towns such as Thaketa North Okkalapa and South Okkalapa are lined mostly with one to two story detached houses with access to the citys electricity grid Newer satellite towns such as North Dagon and South Dagon are still essentially slums in a grid layout The satellite towns ndash old or new ndash receive little or no municipal services

Road layout

43

Downtown Yangons road layout follows a grid pattern based on four types of roads bull Broad 160-foot (49-m) wide roads running west to east bull Broad 100-foot (30-m) wide roads running south to north bull Two narrow 30-foot (91-m) wide streets running south to north bull Mid-size 50-foot (15-m) wide streets running south to north The east-west grid of downtown Yangon was laid out by British military engineers Fraser and Montgomerie after the Second Anglo-Burmese War[7] The city was later developed by the Public Works Department and Bengal Corps of Engineers The pattern of south to north roads is as follows one broad 100-foot (30 m) wide broad road two narrow streets one mid-size street two more narrow streets and then another 100-foot (30 m) wide broad road This order is repeated from west to east The narrow streets are numbered the medium and broad roads are named For example the 100-foot (30 m) Lanmadaw Road is followed by 30-foot (91 m)-wide 17th and 18th streets then the medium 50-foot (15 m) Sint-Oh-Dan Road the 30-foot 19th and 20th streets followed by another 100-foot (30 m) wide Latha Road followed again by the two numbered small roads 21st and 22nd streets and so on The roads running parallel west to east were the Strand Road Merchant Road Maha Bandula (neacutee Dalhousie) Road Anawrahta (Fraser) Road and Bogyoke Aung San (Montgomerie) Road

Kandawgyi Lake a popular park near downtown Yangon Parks and gardens The largest and best maintained parks in Yangon are located around Shwedagon

Pagoda To the southeast of the gilded stupa is the most popular recreational area in the city ndash Kandawgyi Lake The 150-acre (607-ha) lake is surrounded by the 110-acre (445-ha) Kandawgyi Nature Park[24] and the 6925-acre (28-ha) Yangon Zoological Gardens which consists of a zoo an aquarium and an amusement park[25] West of the pagoda towards the former Hluttaw (Parliament) complex is the 130-acre (53-ha) Peoplersquos Square and Peoples Park (the former parading ground on important national days when Yangon was the capital)[26] A few miles north of the pagoda lies the 37-acre (15-ha) Inya Lake Park ndash a favorite hangout place of Yangon

44

University students and a well-known place of romance in Burmese popular culture Hlawga National Park and Allied War Memorial at the outskirts of the city are popular day-trip destinations with the well-to-do and tourists Administration Yangon City Hall Yangon is administered by the Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) YCDC also coordinates urban planning[27] The city is divided into four districts The districts combined have a total of 33 townships The mayor of Yangon currently is Brigadier General Aung Thein Lynn Each township is administered by a committee of township leaders who make decisions regarding city beautification and infrastructure Myo-thit (lit New Towns or satellite towns) are not within such jurisdictions Yangon Administrative Districts

Transport Yangon is Myanmars main domestic and international hub for air rail and ground transportation

45

Air Yangon International Airport located 12 miles (19 km) from downtown is the countrys main gateway for domestic and international air travel It has direct flights to regional cities in Asia ndash mainly Hanoi Ho Chi Minh city Bangkok Kuala Lumpur Kunming and Singapore Although domestic airlines offer service to about 20 domestic locations most flights are to tourist destinations such as Bagan Mandalay Heho and Ngapali and to the capital Naypyidaw Railways Yangon Central Railway Station is the main terminus of Myanmar Railways 5403-kilometre (3357 mi) rail network whose reach covers Upper Myanmar (Naypyidaw Mandalay Shwebo) upcountry (Myitkyina) Shan hills (Taunggyi Lashio) and the Taninthayi coast (Mawlamyaing Dawei) Yangon Circular Railway runs a 459-kilometre (285 mi) 39-station commuter rail network that connects Yangons satellite towns The system is heavily utilized by the local populace selling about 150000 tickets daily[ The popularity of the commuter line has jumped since the government reduced petrol subsidies in August 2007 Buses and cars The vast majority of Yangonites cannot afford a car and rely on an extensive network of buses to get around Over 300 public and private bus lines operate about 6300 crowded buses around the city carrying over 44 million passengers a day All buses and 80 of the taxis in Yangon run on compressed natural gas (CNG) following the 2005 government decree to save money on imported petroleum]Highway buses to other cities depart from Dagon Ayeyar Highway Bus Terminal and Aung Mingala Highway Bus Terminal Motor transportation in Yangon is highly expensive for most of its citizens As the government allows only a few thousand cars to be imported each year in a country with over 50 million people[33] car prices in Yangon (and in Myanmar) are among the highest in the world In July 2008 the two most popular cars in Yangon 198687 Nissan Sunny Super Saloon and 1988 Toyota Corolla SE Limited cost the equivalent of about US$20000 and US$29000 respectively[34] A sports utility vehicle imported for the equivalent of around US$50000 goes for US$250000 Illegally imported

46

unregistered cars are cheaper ndash typically about half the price of registered cars Nonetheless car usage in Yangon is on the rise a sign of rising incomes for some and already causes much traffic congestion in highway-less Yangons streets As of March 2008 Yangon had over 173000 registered motor vehicles in addition to an unknown number of unregistered Since 1970 cars are driven on the right side of the road in Burma However as the government has not required left hand drive (LHD) cars to accompany the right side road rules many cars on the road are still right hand drive (RHD) made for driving on the left side Japanese used cars which make up most of the countrys imports still arrive with RHD and are never converted to LHD As a result Burmese drivers have to rely on their passengers when passing other cars Within Yangon it is illegal to drive trishaws bicycles and motorcycles River Yangons four main passenger jetties all located on or near downtown waterfront mainly serve local ferries across the river to Dala and Thanlyin and regional ferries to the Irrawaddy delta[36] The 22-mile (35 km) Twante Canal was the quickest route from Yangon to the Irrawaddy delta until the 1990s when roads between Yangon and the Irrawaddy Division became usable year round While passenger ferries to the delta are still used those to Upper Burma via the Irrawaddy river are now limited mostly to tourist river cruises Demographics

Historical populations Year Pop plusmn 1824 10 mdash 1856 46 36001872 100 11741881 165 6501891 181 971901 248 3701911 295 1901921 340 153

1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233

Yangon is the most populous city by far in Myanmar although estimates of the size of its population vary widely (All population figures are estimates since no official census has been conducted in

47

Myanmar since 1983) A UN estimate puts the population as 435 million in 2010 but a 2009 US State Department estimate puts it at 55 million The US State Departments estimate is probably closer to the real number since the UN number is a straight-line projection and does not appear to take the expansion of city limits in the past two decades into account The citys population grew sharply after 1948 as many people (mainly the indigenous Burmese) from other parts of the country moved into the newly built satellite towns of North Okkalapa South Okkalapa and Thaketa in the 1950s and East Dagon North Dagon and South Dagon in the 1990s Immigrants have founded their regional associations (such as Mandalay Association Mawlamyaing Association etc) in Yangon for networking purposes The governments decision to move the nations administrative capital to Naypyidaw has drained an unknown number of civil servants away from Yangon Yangon is the most ethnically diverse city in the country While Indians formed the slight majority prior to World War II[8] today the majority of the population is of Bamar (Burman) descent Large communities of IndiansSouth Asians and the Chinese still exist especially in the traditional downtown neighborhoods Intermarriage between ethnic groupsmdashespecially between the Bamar and the Chinese and the Bamar and other indigenous Burmesemdashis common A large number of Karen live in the city Burmese is the principal language of the city English is by far the preferred second language of the educated class In recent years however the prospect of overseas job opportunities has enticed some to study other languages Mandarin Chinese is most popular followed by Japanese French and Korean[38] Culture Yangon is the countrys hub for the movie music advertising newspaper and book publishing industries All media is heavily regulated by the military government Television broadcasting is off limits to the private sector All media content must first be approved by the governments media censor board Press Scrutiny and Registration Division Most television channels in the country are broadcast from Yangon TV Myanmar and Myawaddy TV are the two main channels providing Burmese language programming in news and entertainment Other

48

special interest channels are MWD-1 and MWD-2 MRTV-3 the English language channel that targets overseas audiences via satellite and via Internet MRTV-4 with a focus on non-formal education programs and movies and Movie 5 a pay-TV channel specializing in broadcasting foreign movies] Yangon has three radio stations Myanmar Radio National Service is the national radio service and broadcasts mostly in Burmese (and in English during specific times) Pop culture oriented Yangon City FM and Mandalay City FM radio stations specialize in Burmese and English pop music entertainment programs live celebrity interviews etc New radio channels such as Shwe FM and Pyinsawaddy FM can also be tuned with the city area Nearly all print media and industries are based out of Yangon All three national newspapers mdash two Burmese language dailies Myanma Alin and Kyemon and the English language The New Light of Myanmar mdash are published by the government Semi-governmental The Myanmar Times weekly published in Burmese and in English is mainly geared for Yangons expatriate community Over twenty special interest journals and magazines covering sports fashion finance crime literature (but never politics) vie for the readership of the general populace Access to foreign media is extremely difficult Satellite television in Yangon (and in Myanmar) is highly expensive as the government imposes an annual registration fee of one million kyats[39] Certain foreign newspapers and periodicals such as the International Herald Tribune and the Straits Times can be found only in a few (mostly downtown) bookstores Internet access in Yangon which has the best telecommunication infrastructure in the country is slow and erratic at best and the Burmese government implements one of the worlds most restrictive regimes of Internet control[41] International text messaging and voice messaging was permitted only in August 2008 Communication Common facilities taken for granted elsewhere are luxury prized items in Yangon (and Myanmar) The price of a GSM mobile phone was about K11 million in August 2008 In 2007 the country of 55 million had only 775000 phone lines (including 275000 mobile phones) and 400000 computers Even in Yangon which has the

49

best infrastructure the estimated telephone penetration rate was only 6 at the end of 2004 and the official waiting time for a telephone line was 36 years Most people cannot afford a computer and have to use the cityrsquos numerous Internet cafes to access a heavily restricted Internet and a heavily censored local intranet] According to official statistics in July 2010 the country had over 400000 Internet users with the vast majority hailing from just two cities Yangon and Mandalay Although Internet access was available in 42 cities across the country the number of users outside the two main cities was just over 10000 Lifestyle The Karaweik at night time at Kandawgyi Lake which is one of a few major recreational parks in Yangon Yangonrsquos property market is the most expensive in the country and beyond the reach of most Yangonites Most rent outside downtown and few can afford to rent downtown area apartments (In 2008 rents for a typical 650-to-750 square foot apartments in downtown and vicinity range between K70000 and K150000 and those for high end condos between K200000 and K500000)[ Most men of all ages (and some women) spend their time at ubiquitous tea-shops found in any corner or street of the city Watching European football (mostly English Premier League with occasional La Liga Serie A Bundesliga) matches while sipping tea is a popular pastime among many Yangonites rich and poor alike The average person stays close to his or her neighbourhood haunts The well-to-do tend to visit shopping malls and parks on weekends Some leave the city on weekends for Chaungtha and Ngwesaung beach resorts in Ayeyarwady Division Yangon is also home to many paya pwes (pagoda festivals) held during dry-season months (November ndash March) The most famous of all the Shwedagon Pagoda Festival in March attracts thousands of pilgrims from around the country Yangons museums are the domain of tourists and rarely visited by the locals Most of Yangons larger hotels offer some kind of nightlife entertainment geared towards tourists and the well-to-do Burmese Some hotels offer traditional Burmese performing arts shows complete with a traditional Burmese orchestra The pub scene in larger hotels is more or less the same as

50

elsewhere in Asia Other options include karaoke bars and pub restaurants in Yangon Chinatown Due to the problems of high inflation the lack of high denomination notes and the fact that many of the population do not have access to checks or credit or debit cards it is common to see citizens carrying a considerable amount of cash[48] (The highest denomination of Burmese currency kyat is 5000 (~US$5)) Credit cards are only rarely used in the city chiefly in the more lavish hotels Sports As the city has the best sporting facilities in the country most national-level annual sporting tournaments such as track and field football volleyball tennis and swimming are held in Yangon The 40000-seat Aung San Stadium and the 32000-seat Thuwunna Stadium are the main venues for the highly popular annual State and Division football tournament Until April 2009 the now defunct Myanmar Premier League consisted of 16 Yangon-based clubs[49] played all its matches in Yangon stadiums and attracted little interest from the general public or commercial success despite the enormous popularity of football in Myanmar Most Yangonites prefer watching European football on satellite TV It remains to be seen whether the Myanmar National League the countrys first professional football league and its Yangon-based club Yangon United FC will attract a sufficient following in the countrys most important media market Yangon is also home to annual the Myanmar Open golf tournament and the Myanmar Open tennis tournament The city hosted the 1961 and 1969 South East Asian Games Economy Yangon is the countryrsquos main centre for trade industry real estate media entertainment and tourism According to official government statistics the cityrsquos nominal GDP was K238 trillion (~US$2 billion) in 2007 The city is Lower Myanmarrsquos main trading hub for all kinds of merchandise ndash from basic food stuffs to used cars although commerce continues to be hampered by the citys severely underdeveloped banking industry and communication infrastructure Bayinnaung Market is the largest wholesale centre in the country for rice beans and pulses and other agricultural commodities[51] Much

51

of the countryrsquos legal imports and exports go through Thilawa Port the largest and busiest port in Myanmar Manufacturing accounts for a sizable share of employment At least 14 light industrial zones ring Yangon[ directly employing over 150000 workers in 4300 factories in early 2010[ The city is the centre of countrys garment industry which exported US$292 million in 20089 fiscal year More than 80 percent of factory workers in Yangon work on a day-to-day basis Most are young women between 15 and 27 years of age who come from the countryside in search of a better life The manufacturing sector suffers from both structural problems (eg chronic power shortages) and political problems (eg economic sanctions) In 2008 Yangons 2500 factories alone needed about 120 MW of power[] yet the entire city received only about 250 MW of the 530 MW needed[ Chronic power shortages limit the factories operating hours between 8 am and 6 pm

Construction is a major source of employment The construction industry has been negatively affected by the move of state apparatus and civil servants to Naypyidaw new regulations introduced in August 2009 requiring builders to provide at least 12 parking spaces in every new high-rise building and the general poor business climate As of January 2010 the number of new high-rise building starts approved in 2009-2010 was only 334 compared to 582 in 2008-2009

Tourism represents a major source of foreign currency for the city although by Southeast Asian standards the actual number of foreign visitors to Yangon has always been quite low (about 250000 before the Saffron Revolution in September 2007) Cyclone Nargis dampened tourism even farther The 2008 tourist arrivals at Yangon International are down to less than 50 from the previous year Yangons international standard hotels built with foreign investment in the 1990s still await the influx of tourists for which they were built Education Yangon has the best educational facilities and the highest number of qualified teachers in Myanmar where state spending on education is among the lowest in the world A 2007 estimate by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies puts the spending for education at 05 percent of the national budget The disparity in educational opportunities and achievement between rich and poor

52

schools is quite stark even within the city With little or no state support forthcoming schools have to rely on forced donations and various fees from parents for nearly everything ndash school maintenance to teachers salaries forcing many poor students to drop out While many students in poor districts fail to reach high school a handful of Yangon high schools in wealthier districts like Dagon 1 Sanchaung 2 Bahan 2 Latha 2 and TTC provide the majority of students admitted to the most selective universities in the country highlighting the extreme shallowness of talent pool in the country The wealthy bypass the state education system altogether sending their children to private English language instruction schools such as YIEC or abroad (typically Singapore or Australia) for university education In 2008 international schools in Yangon cost at least US$8000 a year

Yangon is home to over 20 universities and colleges While Yangon University remains the best known (its main campus is a part of popular Burmese culture eg literature music film etc) the nations oldest university is now mostly a graduate school deprived of undergraduate studies Following the 1988 nationwide uprising the military government has repeatedly shut down universities and has dispersed most of undergraduate student population to new universities in the suburbs such as Dagon University the University of East Yangon and the University of West Yangon Nonetheless many of the countrys most selective universities are still in Yangon Students from around the country still have to come to study in Yangon as some subjects are offered only at its universities The University of Medicine 1 University of Medicine 2 Yangon Technological University University of Computer Studies and Myanmar Maritime University are the most selective in the country Health care The general state of health care in Yangon is poor According to a 2007 estimate the military government spends 04 of the national budget on health care and 40 to 60 on defense By the governments own figures it spends 849 kyats (US$085) per person] Although health care is nominally free in reality patients have to pay for medicine and treatment even in public clinics and hospitals Public hospitals including the flagship Yangon General Hospital lack many of the basic facilities and equipment Wealthier Yangonites still have access to countrys best medical facilities and internationally qualified doctors Only do Yangon and

53

Mandalay have any sizable number of doctors left as many Burmese doctors have emigrated The well-to-do go to private clinics or hospitals like Pun Hlaing International Hospital and Bahosi Medical Clinic A ten-day stay at a private hospital reportedly costs about K25 million (US$2300)[68] Still medical malpractice is widespread even in private clinics and hospitals that serve the well-to-do In 2009 and 2010 a spate of high profile deaths[67] brought out the severity of the problem even for the relatively well off Yangonites The wealthy do not rely on domestic hospitals and travel abroad (usually Bangkok or Singapore) for treatment Notable sites

Southern Gate of Shwe Dagon Pagoda

Interior View of Tooth Relic Pagoda

St Marys Cathedral at the corner of Bo Aung Kyaw Road

Pagodas Shwedagon Pagoda Sule Pagoda Botataung Pagoda Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda Kyaukdawgyi Pagoda Kaba Aye Pagoda

Recreation Allied War Memorial Bogyoke Market (Scotts Market) Inya Lake (formerly Lake Victoria) Kandawgyi Lake (formerly Royal Lake) Hlawga National Park Maha Bandula Park Peoplersquos Square and Peoples Park St Marys Cathedral Yangon University Yangon Zoological Gardens (Zoo)

Museums and art galleries National Museum of Myanmar Defence Services Museum of Yangon Myanmar Gems Museum Bogyoke Aung San Museum Yangon Drugs Elimination Museum The Planetarium

Concert halls and theatres Yangon National Theatre Myanmar Convention Centre

54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

1

Myanmar also offers a variety of natural beauties and historical artifacts such as dazzling waterfalls graceful lakes enchanting caves sparkling beaches reverines and the unique cultures of

different ethnic groups in addition to the thousand year old golden pagodas scattered around Burma especially in Bagan and Mandalay The people of Myanmar can be called Burman or Burmese Burmese people are friendly pleasant and charming According to our clients one of Myanmars most appealing perspectives is its people Burmese people are kind and willing to help One lovely feature of Burmese people is their hospitality and welcoming heart towards all guests When they meet foreigners they do not think how to make money out of them but how they can be of help if asked This is how Burma is different from other countries MIN GA LA BA the lovely traditional greeting way of Myanmar can be used to greet anyone at anytime of the day during your visit It is the equivalent of Sawasdee in Thai Another Burmese word you may need to know while your visit is KYAY ZU BE pronounced JayZuBe means Thank you

In Myanmar the Ayarwaddy River flows its way southward from the confluence of two small rivers in Kachin state in northern Myanmar It is both the lifeblood and soul of Burma Along the banks stand many ancient capitals of Burmese kings where existing historic monuments reveal their glorious greatness Bagan located in the heart of Myanmar consists of thousands of ancient pagodas is recognized as one of the miraculous

wonders of the world It presents the rich cultural heritage of Burma and makes Burma one of the archaeological treasure houses in Asia and the world The infrastructure in Burma is now more developed currently so travel to Myanmar is no longer an adventurous journey Myanmar is one of the safest tour destinations in Asia opening her doors and stretching out her hands welcoming travelers around the world to visit Burma Tour Visa

2


3


4







5





BUSINESS HOURS




6


Train in Myanmar









7





Day 1 and Last day








8










9








10











11

Union of Myanmar


Flag State seal

Anthem Kaba Ma Kyei










Area

- Total 676578 km2 (40th) 261227 sq mi


12










13


14





15


Climate


Wildlife



16


History



Early history


17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

2


3


4







5





BUSINESS HOURS




6


Train in Myanmar









7





Day 1 and Last day








8










9








10











11

Union of Myanmar


Flag State seal

Anthem Kaba Ma Kyei










Area

- Total 676578 km2 (40th) 261227 sq mi


12










13


14





15


Climate


Wildlife



16


History



Early history


17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

3


4







5





BUSINESS HOURS




6


Train in Myanmar









7





Day 1 and Last day








8










9








10











11

Union of Myanmar


Flag State seal

Anthem Kaba Ma Kyei










Area

- Total 676578 km2 (40th) 261227 sq mi


12










13


14





15


Climate


Wildlife



16


History



Early history


17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

4







5





BUSINESS HOURS




6


Train in Myanmar









7





Day 1 and Last day








8










9








10











11

Union of Myanmar


Flag State seal

Anthem Kaba Ma Kyei










Area

- Total 676578 km2 (40th) 261227 sq mi


12










13


14





15


Climate


Wildlife



16


History



Early history


17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

5





BUSINESS HOURS




6


Train in Myanmar









7





Day 1 and Last day








8










9








10











11

Union of Myanmar


Flag State seal

Anthem Kaba Ma Kyei










Area

- Total 676578 km2 (40th) 261227 sq mi


12










13


14





15


Climate


Wildlife



16


History



Early history


17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

6


Train in Myanmar









7





Day 1 and Last day








8










9








10











11

Union of Myanmar


Flag State seal

Anthem Kaba Ma Kyei










Area

- Total 676578 km2 (40th) 261227 sq mi


12










13


14





15


Climate


Wildlife



16


History



Early history


17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

7





Day 1 and Last day








8










9








10











11

Union of Myanmar


Flag State seal

Anthem Kaba Ma Kyei










Area

- Total 676578 km2 (40th) 261227 sq mi


12










13


14





15


Climate


Wildlife



16


History



Early history


17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

8










9








10











11

Union of Myanmar


Flag State seal

Anthem Kaba Ma Kyei










Area

- Total 676578 km2 (40th) 261227 sq mi


12










13


14





15


Climate


Wildlife



16


History



Early history


17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

9








10











11

Union of Myanmar


Flag State seal

Anthem Kaba Ma Kyei










Area

- Total 676578 km2 (40th) 261227 sq mi


12










13


14





15


Climate


Wildlife



16


History



Early history


17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

10











11

Union of Myanmar


Flag State seal

Anthem Kaba Ma Kyei










Area

- Total 676578 km2 (40th) 261227 sq mi


12










13


14





15


Climate


Wildlife



16


History



Early history


17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

11

Union of Myanmar


Flag State seal

Anthem Kaba Ma Kyei










Area

- Total 676578 km2 (40th) 261227 sq mi


12










13


14





15


Climate


Wildlife



16


History



Early history


17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

12










13


14





15


Climate


Wildlife



16


History



Early history


17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

13


14





15


Climate


Wildlife



16


History



Early history


17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

14





15


Climate


Wildlife



16


History



Early history


17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

15


Climate


Wildlife



16


History



Early history


17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

16


History



Early history


17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

17











18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

18







19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

19








20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

20






21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

21






22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

22









23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

23






24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

24



1988 and the SPDC





25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

25






26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

26





27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

27








28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

28




Economy




29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

29





30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

30





31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

31



Demographics


Ethnic groups


32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

32





33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

33




Culture



34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

34


Language




35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

35



Education


36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

36





Units of measure


Media



37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

37

Yangon










38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

38


39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

39


40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

40


41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

41


Averagehigh degC

(degF) 322 (90)

345(941

360(968

370(986

334(921)

302(864)

297(855)

296(853

304(867)

315(887

320(896

315(887

3233(902)

Averagelow degC

(degF) 179

(642193

(667216

(709243

(757250(77)

245(761)

241(754)

241(754

242(756)

242(756

224(723

190(662

2255(7259)

Rainfallmm

(inches)5

(02)2

(0087

(02815

(059303

(1193547

(2154559

(2201602

(237368

(1449206

(81160

(2367

(0282681

(10555

Avg rainy days

2 2 4 16 126 253 262 261 195 122 48 2 1293



42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

42




Road layout

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

43




44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

44



45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

45


46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

46



1931 400 1761941 500 2501950 1302 16041960 1592 2231970 1946 2221980 2378 2221990 2907 2222000 3553 2222010 4348 2242020 5361 233


47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

47


48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

48


49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

49


50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

50


51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

51




52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

52



53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

53









54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

54

55

BUSINESS HOURS

55

BUSINESS HOURS

myanmar also offers a variety of natural beauties and ... · 2011 15 march – 23 march yangoon,...

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