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About Myanmar |
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National Flag |
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The dominating color of the national
flag is red. The rectangular space
at the upper left corner is blue.In
it could be seen the figure of a
paddy blades and a pinion encircled
by 14 white stars.The paddy
represents the peasants and pinion
workers. These two classes form the
majority of the people in the
country. |
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These two classes form the majority
of the people in the country. The 14
uniform white stars represent 7
states and 7 divisions. |
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Coat of Arms |
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The Land |
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Myanmar is the traditional name both of the
country and of its people. The British
called the country “Burma” following
colloquial usage. |
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The Union of Myanmar is geographically
situated in Southeast Asia between latitudes
09" 32' N and 28" 31' N and Longitudes 92"
10' E and 101" 11' E. |
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Myanmar, know as Suvana Buhmi (the Golden
Earth) in the old days for its fertile land
and rich natural resources is the largest
country in the South-east Asia Peninsular
sharing borders with Bangladesh, India,
China, Laos and Thailand. With a total land
area of 676,577 sq. km, it is about the size
of Texas and the size of United Kingdom and
France combined. It stretches for 936 km
from east to west and 2,051 km from north to
south. It has a 2,832 km Long coastline on
the India Ocean. Over 50 percent of the
total Land area is covered with forests. |
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Climate |
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Generally, Myanmar has three seasons. From
March to May are summer months; the rain
falls from May to October and the cold
season starts in November and ends in
February. |
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During the rainy season, rainfall varies
from 500 cm in coastal region to 75 cm in
the central dry zone. Average temperature
ranges from 32 C in central and lower areas
to 21C in the northern highlands. |
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The people |
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Myanmar is a union of 135 ethnic groups with
their own languages and dialects. The major
races are the Bamar, the Chin, the Kachin,
the Shan, the Kayah, the Kayin, the Mon and
the Rakhine. The population of Myanmar is
estimated at 52.4 million (July, 2003) |
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Religion |
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Although the main religion, Buddhism is
practiced by 89.3 percent of the population,
there is full freedom of worship for other
religions. Christianity is practiced by 5.6
percent, Islam by 3.8 percent, Hinduism by
0.5 percent and Animism by 0.2 percent
respectively. |
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Culture |
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Myanmar lies on the cross-roads of two of
the world’s great civilizations China and
India. Its culture is a blend of both
interspersed with Myanmar native traits and
characteristics. Buddhism has great
influence on daily life of the Myanmar. The
people have preserved the traditions of
close family ties, respect for the elders,
reverence for Buddhism and simple native
dress. Myanmar is known for their simple
hospitality and friendliness. |
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Race |
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Myanmar is inhabited by 135 ethnic
nationalities, distributed in the different
regions. There are eight major national
races; Bamar, Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin,
Mon, Rakkhine and Shan races. Most of tribal
groups still follow their own traditional
customs, costumes and life-style. |
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Language
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The official language is Myanmar. English is
widely spoken and understood. |
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Flora and Fauna |
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Myanmar is endowed with a rich diversity of
habitat types arising largely from its
unusual ecological diversity. It is home to
nearly 300 known mammal species, 300
reptiles and about 100 bird species. |
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The country is also a haven for about 7000
species of plant life. The potential worth
of plant species in Myanmar is considerable. |
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Historical Background |
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Myanmar history dates back to the early 11th
Century when King Anawrahta unified the
country and founded the first Myanmar Empire
in Bagan more than 20 years before the
Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The
Bagan Empire encompassed the areas of the
present day Myanmar and the entire Menam
Valley in Thailand and lasted two centuries.
The second Myanmar Empire was founded in mid
16th Century by King Bayinnaung. King
Alaungpaya founded the last Myanmar Dynasty
in 1752 and it was during the zenith of this
Empire that the British moved into Myanmar.
Like India, Myanmar became a British colony
but only after three Anglo-Myanmar was in
1825, 1852 and 1885. During the Second World
War, Myanmar was occupied by the Japanese
from 1942 till the return of the
Allied Forces in 1945. Myanmar has
become a sovereign
independent state since
4th January 1948 |
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after 62 years under the colonial
administration. It is remarkable to
note that Myanmar is the country
that regained here independence
first though she was the last
country occupied by the British in
this region. |
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Economy |
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Base on market oriented economy, private
sector has been encouraged to do business in
domestic & foreign trade and commerce. |
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Time |
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The Myanmar standard Time is six and half
hours in advance of GMT. |
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