Myanmar is opening up to the world for more than a decade. However, she still is unknown to the mass tourism. She has a population of more than 55 millions who, as every foreign visitor says, are very welcoming and try to smile at everyone. Situated on the western end of the Southeast Asia opening out to the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, the country has a number of pristine beaches with natural and untouched beauties. The geographical entities allow the country to have thick forests on the mountain ranges descending down from Himalaya. The great river Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), flowing in the central plain, represents typical beauty of the tropical region. The livelihood on that river still remains authentic. The vast plateau in the East gives wonderful experiences to see colorful ethnic diversities in their scenic cultural backgrounds.
Myanmar is the largest country in the
south-east Asia Peninsula sharing
borders with Bangladesh, India, China,
Laos and Thailand in clock-wise. With a
total land area of about 676,000 sq. km,
it is about the size of Texas and the
size of United Kingdom and France
combined. The Country stretches over
2090 km from North to South and over 925
km from east to west. It has a 2832 km
coastline on the Indian Ocean. More than
half of the total land area is covered
with forests.
CLIMATE
Generally Myanmar has three seasons.
1. The monsoon or rainy season is from
May to October.
2. The cool dry season is from November
to February.
3. The hot season is from March to May
The rainfall varies from 75cm in the
central dry zone to 500cm in the coastal
areas.
Average temperature ranges from 21° C
in the northern high-lands to 32 C in
central and lower regions.
THE PEOPLE
Myanmar is a Union of many
nationalities as many as 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 Rakhine.
The name Myanmar embraces all the
nationalities.
The population of the country is over
55 millions with the Bamar, the majority
race, making up about 70%.
RELIGION
Predominantly Myanmar is a Buddhist
Country with more than 80 percent of the
people embracing Theravada Buddhism.
There are also Christians, Muslims,
Hindus and some animists.
CULTURE
Buddhism has a great influence on the
daily lives of Myanmar people. The
people have preserved the traditions of
close family ties respect for elders.
Tolerance and contentment are the
characteristics of the people and their
hospitality is legendary.
LANGUAGE
The official language is Myanmar.
English is widely spoken and understood.
One would not regret
to choose Myanmar as his vacation
destination, as it is the chance by
which he can get himself away from
beaten paths of mass tourism. It is also
the opportunity to see the amazing
Myanmar Architectures, the smiling
people of the country, authenticity of
their livelihood and colorful culture of
the region.
Welcoming your plan to visit Myanmar (Burma), we forward this small brochure to make you know little more about the country, which has remained largely unspoiled by present days social and economic developments. Myanmar's unique cultural heritage, golden pagodas, colourful markets, ancient religious festivals and classic handicrafts all provide a lush background to the highlights of any visitor's experience of the country and its people who are among the warmest and kindest to be found anywhere in the World.
