Myanmar (Burma)

Geography. The Union of Myanmar located between Bangladesh and Thailand, with India and China to the north, Myanmar covers an area of about 675,000 sq km (over 260,000 sq mi).  The capital and largest city is Yangon, an important trade center is Mandalay located in central Myanmar.  A major topographical feature of Myanmar is the Irrawaddy River system.  Since its deltaic plains are very fertile, it is considered to be the most important part of the country covering about 18,000 sq mi (47,000 sq km). Almost half of  Myanmar is covered in forests that are comprised of teak, rubber, cinchona, acacia, bamboo, ironwood, mangrove, coconut, betel palm with northern highlands comprised of oak, pine and many varieties of rhododendron.  There are many tropical fruits to be found as well, citrus, bananas, mangoes, and guavas in the coastal region.

Climate. Myanmar has three seasons: 1. Cool Season - October through February with average temperatures 20-24 C. 2. Hot Season - March through May with average temperatures 30-35 C. 3. Wet Season - June through September with average temperatures 25-30 C. The ideal time to visit Myanmar is during the cool season. However, even during the wet season, Yangon normally receives morning and afternoon showers while rainfall in Bagan and Mandalay is very low. The weather around Inle Lake and in Shan State is quite pleasant all year round but cold at night from December to February.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE. The majority of Myanmar's people are ethnic Burmans, and other ethnic groups (including Shans, Karens, and Kachins) add up to some 30 percent of the population. Ethnic minorities are dominant in border and mountainous areas: Shan in the north and northeast (Indian and Thai borders), Karen in the southeast (Thai border), and Kachin in the far north (Chinese border). The military regime has brutally suppressed ethnic groups wanting rights and autonomy, and many ethnic insurgencies operate against it.

Politics and government.  Myanmar is governed by a military junta with the head of state being Senior General Than Shwe, who holds the posts of "Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council" and "Commander in Chief of the Defence Services" as well as the Minister of Defence. General Khin Nyunt was prime minister until 19 October 2004, when he was replaced by General Soe Win, after the purge of Military Intelligence sections within the Myanmar armed forces. The Prime Minister is General Thein Sein, who took over upon the death of General Soe Win on 2 October 2007. The majority of ministry and cabinet posts are held by military officers, with the exceptions being the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labour, and the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development, posts which are held by civilians.

LANGUAGES. The number of Myanmar is 107. Burmese, spoken by approximately 65% of the populace, is the official language. However, a wide variety of languages are spoken, especially by ethnic minorities, representing four major language families: Sino-Tibetan, Austro-Asiatic, Kradai, and Indo-European.
Today, Burmese is the primary language of instruction, and English is the secondary language taught. Usage of minority languages is discouraged and is used at home. English was the primary language of instruction in higher education from late 19th century to 1964, when Gen. Ne Win mandated educational reforms to "Burmanize". English continues to be used by educated urbanites and the national government.

RELIGION. In Union of Myanmar majority of the population are Buddhist, Theravada Buddhism is professed widely. Religious intolerance or discrimination on grounds of religion is non-existence in the Union of Myanmar throughout it's long history. The main religions of present day Myanmar are Buddhism (89.20%), Christianity (5.05%), Muslims (3.78%), Hindus (0.55%), and Animism (1.27%) and other faiths such as Bahai Sikhs, Lipian fujianhal, Chinese, etc.(0.61%).

VISA . All visitors (above 7 years age) require visa to enter Myanmar at Yangon or Mandalay airport. Visa can be obtained at a Myanmar embassy. FIT visa (entry tourist visa as officially called) holders, except children younger than 12 years, need to exchange 200 US$ into 200 FEC money on arrival. Package tour visa (entry visa as officially called) holders do not need to exchange money. Package tour visas required confirmed tour booking with a local tour operator (local tour operator need to send the letter). For the tourists who enter and exist at a land border checkpoint the entry visa (border pass) is issued at the checkpoint. Tourists need to exchange US$ 100 (or more) into FEC money. The amount depends on number of days stay, the places of visit. Entry at an airport and exist at a land border checkpoint (or vice visa) need special permit (plus, maybe, package tour visa). Entry at a land border checkpoint and exist at another land border checkpoint also need such permit. There are some areas in the country going to where need compulsory use of local guide.