| Population: 50.7 million (UN, 2005) | | | | CULTURE |
| Capital: Rangoon (Yangon) (authorities say the seat of | | | | The Kayan people are home to, if you dare ask, the |
| government is moving to Pyinmana, north of Rangoon) | | | | padaungs or the "giraffe-neck women" with the brass |
| Area: 676,552 sq km (261,218 sq miles) | | | | coils that surround and elongate the neck at the early |
| Major languages: Burmese, indigenous ethnic languages | | | | age of 5. Long necks are an eccentric aesthetic |
| Major religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam | | | | standard for the Kayas, though not exclusive as long |
| Life expectancy: 57 years (men), 63 years (women) | | | | necks are also in western cultures a picture of "grace" |
| (UN) | | | | and "beauty", sans the brass rings. The Burmese |
| Monetary unit: 1 kyat = 100 pyas | | | | culture is mainly influenced by Buddhism since the |
| Union of Myanmar is a place that revokes the exotic | | | | ancient times, which they have adapted and re-packed |
| and is unsullied by the taint of Western influence for | | | | with Burmese flavour to suit their own specifications. |
| the most parts, making it a wonderful place to visit. Like | | | | Myanmar is very exotic, very affordable. However, the |
| a flower in bloom, it is a country gradually opening up | | | | situations are quite sad and hopeless with a huge |
| to the world to share its natural prowess and | | | | impoverished demographic, being a rich country and all, |
| immensely culture, for it is the melting pot of the West | | | | and still one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia. |
| and East, and more to the East, snuggled between the | | | | The usurping government takes more that its people |
| Indian and Southeast Asian worlds. The name Burma | | | | are left with almost nothing. Then, the international |
| that strikes a certain mystique lingers on and is | | | | boycott that causes major dent to its tourism, and |
| recognized more than its current official name and is | | | | possibly the only other opportunity left for the locals to |
| particularly famous with news and the media. The | | | | have a steady economy. |
| nation is currently the subject of an international | | | | ATTRACTION |
| tourism boycott that rallies against | | | | Yangon is the largest city and a former capital of |
| government-controlled tourism that benefits the | | | | Burma. Although the military government has officially |
| powerful minority of military elite. But why not come | | | | relocated the capital to Naypyidaw since March 2006, |
| here and witness the splendour of a land that is | | | | Yangon, with a population of four million, continues to |
| generally unexplored? Think about one of the most | | | | be the country's most important commercial centre. |
| preserved cultures than other countries in the region, | | | | The city is utterly underdeveloped, a distant cry from |
| rare tourist traffic, wild animals, culinary exotica, and | | | | the major cities of Southeast Asian countries, which |
| low-cost entertainment options. It is time to see what | | | | gives it its old city charm. Here the curious traveller will |
| life is like behind the headlines. | | | | find the not-so-hidden treasure, the Golden Pagoda or |
| GEOGRAPHY | | | | Shwedagon which stands at around 326 feet. Truly |
| The mystical nation of Myanmar (22 00 N, 98 00 E) as | | | | the most sacred of stupas with relics of four Buddhas |
| the largest country of Indochina peninsula, has a total | | | | enshrined: staff of Kakusandha, piece of robe from |
| area of 676,578 km2 of bliss. The lower terrain is | | | | Kassapa, water filter of Konagamana, and eight hairs |
| densely forest-clad up to 50% of the country with | | | | of Buddha. Now, isn't that amazing? Bagan, an ancient |
| crawling lowlands in the centre and jagged highlands to | | | | city and capital, owns a spread of up to 5,000 |
| the north. Hkakabo Razi (5,881 metres) is the highest | | | | pagodas or stupas. Some beach fun can also be |
| elevation in the country, above the Andaman Sea. | | | | enjoyed here with a magnificent sprawling coast line |
| Being a country abundant in natural resources, | | | | like Ngapali. How about a cultural experience with the |
| Myanmar is plagued by rampant deforestation mostly | | | | Mandalay marionette show, one of the greatest |
| for mining of precious gems and rare stones as well | | | | cultural expressions of the Burmese culture? And if |
| as urbanization needs. As a developing country, on the | | | | you are in for a truly off-the-beaten-path adventure, |
| other hand, Burma suffers air, soil, and water pollution. | | | | you have come to the right place for nowhere else in |
| | | | | the world can you enjoy nature, tropical climate, and |
| CLIMATE | | | | sunsets to die for at the cheapest possible rates, at |
| Burma's tropical monsoon climate, like the most of | | | | the least touristed places. |
| SEA, is generally wet, hot, and humid from June | | | | FOOD |
| through September due to the southwest monsoon, | | | | Anyway, independent travel is the ideal travel here as |
| and milder temperatures with low humidity, as results | | | | profit made from package-tourists is believed to |
| from the northeast monsoon from December through | | | | sustain the oppressive government. A foodie of |
| April. The highlands in the northern regions have the | | | | course will not find himself in a better culinary hot-spot |
| coolest temperatures anywhere averaging 21°C and | | | | than Myanmar, for what most people know little of is |
| support flora and fauna that require cooler | | | | that the country is not just a melting pot, but the vehicle |
| temperatures like the oak and pine, while the southern | | | | and link for food trade between SEA and South |
| coastal regions have warmer average temperatures | | | | Central Asia. Hence, the traveller will find diversity in |
| of 32°C. The ultimate time to visit Burma, all weather | | | | mammoth proportions but sure enough, Burmese |
| factors taken into consideration, is within the months | | | | cuisine has traits that are akin like its use of curry. |
| November to February which sets the ideal conditions | | | | Burmese curry is maybe the spiciest of all varieties |
| for travel to any part of the nation. | | | | served with loads of onions, but without the |
| | | | | omnipresent coconut milk. Rice is the staple starch, |
| PEOPLE | | | | while mohinga, which is rice vermicelli with fish gravy, |
| The Burmese population numbers at 48,137,741 as of | | | | chilli and coriander, is the national dish. The diet |
| 2009 and is almost an exclusively Buddhist country, but | | | | make-up of the Burmese are influenced by their |
| not quite alike most Buddhist countries, Burma is short | | | | religious traditions. Beef is prohibited in Buddhism, while |
| of peace, democracy and dialogue. Christianity has just | | | | pork, Islam. Vegetarian dishes are very common, |
| started to flourish in faith and practice of among 4% of | | | | correspondingly. Condiments are ubiquitous and |
| the Burmese population, and Islam comprise just about | | | | assorted from savoury, sweet, to spicy. |
| the same count of 4%. In correlation with the | | | | Dessert can vary from a simple serving of fresh fruits |
| aforementioned dissuasion on travel, the junta means | | | | like strawberries, mangoes, and lychees to something |
| everything is under control, watchful eyes monitoring | | | | delightful like Mango Cake or acquired like seaweed |
| and screening every movement, every word. But | | | | jelly. Burmese cuisine shows no fear, as how the |
| behind this scenario lies a population of predominantly | | | | people of Burma should have been living, for according |
| Burmans or Bamar and 100 or so other ethnic groups | | | | to Aung San Suu Kyi, "fear is not the natural state of |
| craving for new and unfamiliar faces and the stories | | | | civilized people." So, if the traveller wishes to be swept |
| of the outside world they know next to nothing of. | | | | away, travel right. Independent travel and staying and |
| Besides the native groups of Shans, Karens, and | | | | delighting in family run guesthouses and business will |
| Rakhines are enclaves of Chinese and Indians. As | | | | most likely ensure that profit goes to the locals. Buy |
| such, the Burmans and the Burmese in general speak | | | | some sophisticated first class ethnic tapestries and |
| BURMESE, the national language, while the ethnic | | | | textiles or precious stones like rubies, sapphires, and |
| groups speak their own languages or dialects like | | | | jade, but be smart at the same time. Be here for rural |
| Chinese. ENGLISH is a budding language amidst the | | | | progress, be here for the people's good. |
| one-time colonial rule of the British in Myanmar. | | | | |