Myanmar (formerly Burma) is located in Southeast Asia. In the southwest it borders the Gulf of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Bordering countries are Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand. Naypyidaw is the capital of the country. The biggest city is Yangon.
Although large parts of the country are still closed to tourism, the main tourist attractions can be safely considered and problems can be traveled. So also the tourist attraction par excellence, the temple complex of Bagan. There are thousands of historical temples on the Bagan site.
Another popular attraction is the inhabited Inle Lake. The houses are built on stilts in the middle of the lake. Floating gardens stretch around the villages. To keep their hands free, the fishermen of the lake row with their legs. This technique can only be seen at Inle Lake.
Also worth seeing is the Shwe U Min Pagoda in Pindaya, a cave system in the U Min hill. There are more than 8,000 Buddha statues here.
The Shwedagon Pagoda is considered the largest pagoda in the world. It stands in the former capital Yangon and is covered with gold all over. Even the top of the tower and the base are gilded. Also among the crowd-pullers in Myanmar is the Golden Rock at Kyaikto in the Mon State. The more than 2,000 religious buildings, which date from four different centuries and can be found in Bagan, are also among the main attractions for tourists and visitors to Mynamar.
The heaviest free-hanging bell in the world is impressive. It bears the name “Mingun” and can even be rung. In the 19th century the Emperor Papawaya had the heavy bell piece made.
A wonderfully located travel destination is Ngapali beach. This is located in the Rakhine state and is considered one of the main destinations for visitors and guests of the country Mynamar.
In the past, it was common for strangers and tourists to receive a maximum of one week’s visa. Longer periods of stay have also been approved for some years. It has been recognized that tourists leave money in Myanmar that the country desperately needs.
Area: 676,578 km² (land: 653,508 km², water: 23,070 km²)
Population: 54.0 million people (July 2011, COUNTRYAAH.COM). Burmese 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indians 2%, Mon 2%, Others 5%
Population density: 80 people per km²
Population growth: 1.084% per year (2011, CIA)
Capital: Pyinmana (approximately 100,000 inhabitants, 2006).
Highest point: Hkakabo Razi, 5,881 m
Lowest point: Andaman Sea, 0 m
Form of government: Myanmar is a presidential republic. The current constitution was adopted in a referendum on May 10, 2008. The last one was elected in 2010. Myanmar has been independent of Great Britain since January 4, 1948, until 1989 the country was called Burma. The country’s official name is “Pyidaungsu Thamada Myanmar Naing-Ngan Daw” (Republic of the Union of Myanmar).
Administrative division: 7 divisions (taing-myar, singular: taing): Ayeyarwady, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi and Yangon
7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular: pyi ne): Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine and Shan
Head of government: The office of head of government in Myanmar was abolished in 2011
Head of state: President General Thein Sein, since March 30, 2011
S anguage: The official language of Myanmar is Burmese, the einzelenne ethnic groups speaking more than 100 different languages and dialects. The business language is English.
Religion: Buddhists 89%, Christians 4% (Baptists 3%, Catholics 1%), Muslims 4%, Animists 1%, Others 2%.
Local time: CET + 5:30 h.
In Myanmar there is no change between summer and winter time.
The time difference to Central Europe is +5: 30 h in winter and +4: 30 h in summer.
International dialing code: +95
Internet ID:.mm
Mains voltage: 220/230 V, 50 Hz, adapters are recommended.
Geography
Southeast Asian Myanmar is bordered by China, Thailand and Laos in the east and north. In the west of the country are Bangladesh and India (with the states of Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland). In the south is the Indian Ocean with the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, which separates Myanmar from the Indian islands of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the southwest. In the south of Myanmar, off the coast of the Malay Peninsula, there are about 800 islands in the Mergui Archipelago, a sunken mountain landscape.
About 40% of Myanmar’s area is covered by subtropical forests, with this proportion falling sharply.
The most important river in Myanmar, the Irawadi, flows through the country center. It forms a delta on the southern coast. Rangoon is located at one of the estuaries. Although it is the largest city, the capital is Pyinmana about 350 km further north.
To the north of the river delta is the Irawadi Basin and Central Myanmar, which is protected by an arched mountain range up to 3,000 m high.
Swamp areas stretch out on the southwestern coast, behind which rises the Arakan-Joma Mountains, which are up to 3,000 m high.
The northern Kachin Mountains in the border region between India, China and Myanmar is a Himalayan foothill, here is the highest peak in Southeast Asia (Hkakabo Razi, 5,881 m).
The fertile, central part of the country is used intensively for agricultural purposes with artificial irrigation. The Shan Plateau is a growing area especially for citrus fruits and vegetables.
Population in Myanmar
This map of population distribution in Myanmar was created by the Worldmapper team. Densely populated areas appear bloated, the area of sparsely populated areas is reduced. The shape of the grid has been preserved; an underlying map with the original geographical extent helps interpret the map. The distorted map should help to present abstract statistical information clearly.
