Myanmar in Brief
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
 Early civilization in Myanmar dates back to the 1st
century with archaeological evidences of the Pyu Kingdoms of
Thaekhittaya (Sri Ksetra), Beithano (Visnu) and Hanlin.
The First Myanmar Empire was founded in early 11th
century by King Anawrahta who unified the country through
his strong leadership and intellect. The Empire with its
capital at Bagan latest Into; the end of 13th century with
the invasion of the Mongols This was more than 20 years
before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The Second
Myanmar Empire with its capital in Bago (Pegu) was founded
in mid - 16th century by King Bayinnayng. The Third and last
Myanmar empire was founded by King Alaungpaya in 1752. In
the 19th Century, during the peak period of colonialism
Myanmar was annexed in three stages by the British after
three Anglo - Myanmar Wars in 1825, 1852 and 1885. During
the Second World War, Myanmar was occupied by the Japanese
for nearly three years until the Allied Forces' reoccupation
in 1945. Myanmar became a sovereign independent state of
January 4, 1948.
GEOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND
Myanmar is situated in Southeast Asia and is bordered on
the north and northeast by China, on the east and southeast
by Laos and Thailand, on the south by the Andaman Sea and
the Bay of Bengal and on the west by Bangladesh and India.
The country covers an area of 676,577 square kilometres
(261,228 square miles). It stretches, 936 kilometres (582
miles) from east to west and 2,051 kilometres (1,275 miles)
from north to south.
It is a land of hills and valleys and is rimmed in the
north, east and west by mountain ranges forming a giant
horseshoe. Enclosed within the mountain barrier are the flat
lands of Ayeyarwady, Chindwin and Sittaung Rivers valleys
where most of the country's agricultural land and population
is concentrated.
The Myanmar Standard Time, taken as on East Longitude 97
° 30', is 6 hours 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich meantime.
The length of contiguous frontier is 3,828 miles (6,159
km) and the coastline from the mouth of Naaf River to
Kawthaung is 1,385 miles (2,228 km).
The total length of boundary:
-
Myanmar-China 1,370 miles
-
Myanmar-Thailand 1,310 miles
-
Myanmar-India 832 miles
-
Myanmar-Laos 148 miles
-
Myanmar-Bangladesh 168.7 miles
CLIMATE
The climate of Myanmar is roughly divided into three
seasons:
SUMMER, with highest temperature during March and April
in Central Myanmar up to above 110 ° F (43.3 ° C) while in
Northern Myanmar it is about 97 ° F (36.1 ° C) and on the
Shan Plateau between 85 ° F (29.4 ° C) and 95 ° F (35 ° C).
WINTER, which starts from November to end of February
with temperature in hilly areas with an elevation of over
3000 feet drops below 32 ° F (0 ° C).
MONTHLY AVERAGE TEMPERATURE IN YANGON
January 19 ° C
February 23 ° C
March 29 ° C
April 32 ° C
May 33 ° C
June 33 ° C
July 32 ° C
August 32 ° C
September 30 ° C
October 28 ° C
November 18 ° C
December 16 ° C
LANGUAGE
Burmese is the predominant language although substantial
tribal minorities speak Karen, Chin, Shan and various Kachin
dialects. English is also quite widely spoken although, as
in other Asian countries.
RELIGION
Predominantly a Buddhist country with more than 80
percent of the people embracing Theravada Buddhism. There
are also Christians, Muslims, Hindus and some animists.
CULTURE
Myanmar lies between two great civilizations, India and
China, but it has developed its own distinctive culture.
Buddhism has a great influence on the daily lives of the
Myanmar people. The people have preserved the traditions of
close family ties, respect for elders and simple native
dress. While tolerance and contentment are the
characteristics of the people, Myanmar hospitality is
legendary.
STATES AND DIVISIONS
The State is organized into the following seven States
and seven Divisions:
STATES DIVISIONS
| 1. |
Chin |
8. |
Ayeyarwaddy |
| 2. |
Kayah |
9. |
Bago |
| 3. |
Kachin |
10. |
Magway |
| 4. |
Mon |
11. |
Mandalay |
| 5. |
Rakhine |
12. |
Sagaing |
| 6. |
Shan |
13. |
Tanintharyi |
| 7. |
Kayin |
14. |
Yangon |
NATION'S CAPITAL YANGON
In 1755, King Alaungpaya (the founder of Kon-Baung
Dynasty) accomplished his military campaign to reunite the
whole of Myanmar, following his conquest of Dagon. At that
time, Dagon was no more than a village or a small town. The
king realized that the conquest of Dagon implied a total
victory over Lower Myanmar because of its strategic
location. Accordingly, he renamed the town Yangon which
literally means end of strife. Afterwards, the town went by
the name of Yangon for nearly a century. In 1851, however,
the British annexation of Yangon resulted in getting the
town refounded. And the name also was changed to Rangoon.
Since then, the city has been designated as the capital of
Myanmar and known to the world as Rangoon. The new city was
modelled and constructed by Lieutenant Fraser, a British
Officer of the Engineering Corps who, it was believed, also
designed and constructed Singapore. The city was laid out on
a chess-board pattern with wide roads running North to South
and East to West.
CLIMATE
As Myanmar is situated in the tropical zone, Yangon has a
very fertile alluvial soil. A year is divided into 3
distinct seasons in the region: namely, hot season, rainy
season, and cool season. Temperatures often reach 33 degrees
Centigrade in hot season. The city usually receives a high
annual rainfall. In Yangon, the period from October to
February is most enjoyable: the city blooms under the azure
cloudless sky and the weather is pleasantly cool and dry
with the fresh northerly winds.
Population : Nearly 5 million
Area : 223.217 sq.miles
Township : 31 townships
Density : 13,880 per sq.mile (1991)
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