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This is one of our new name for the new product as we planned to give you a new experience around Myanmar or The Land Of Pagoda!
Myanmar: the Country
History:
Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is recognized by the world as the Golden Land. It is one of the earliest homes of mankind, where one can have exclusive experiences of a life-time.
Myanmar’s Golden Age dates back to the 11th century when King Anawrahta united the whole country into the First Myanmar Empire in Bagan well before the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The Bagan Empire encompassed the entire Menam valley in Thailand and lasted about 250 years, before it collapsed with the invasion of the Mongols under the leadership of Kublai Khan in the 13th century. The Second Myanmar Empire was founded in the middle 16th century by King Bayinnaung. King Alaungpaya founded the Third Myanmar Empire in 1752. It was during the zenith of the Konbaung dynasty, that the British colonized Myanmar.
Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was attained in 1948.
On January 4, 1948 at 04:20am, the nation became sovereign, as the Union of Burma, with U Nu as the first Prime Minister. Democratic rule ended in 1962 with a military coup d'état led by General Ne Win. Ne Win ruled for nearly 26 years, bringing in harsh reforms. In 1990 free elections were held for the first time in almost 30 years, but the landslide victory of the NLD, the party of Aung San Suu Kyi was voided by the military, which refused to step down.
One of the top figures in Burmese history in the 20th century is Army founder and freedom figure General Aung San, a student-turned activist whose daughter is 1991 Nobel Peace Laureate and worldwide peace, freedom and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi of the NLD, now under house arrest. The third most recognized Burmese figure in the world is U Thant, who was UN Secretary General for two terms and highly respected throughout United Nations' history.
In November 2005, the military junta announced that the national capital would be moved from Yangon to Pyinmana.
Geography:
The country covers an area of 677,000 square kilometers (261,228 square miles) ranging 936 kilometers (581 miles) from east to west and 2,051 kilometers (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 barriers are the flat lands of Ayeyarwaddy, Chindwin and Sittaung River valleys where most of the country's agricultural land and population are concentrated.
The length of contiguous frontier is 6,159 kilometers. The total length of Myanmar-Bangladesh boundary is 271 kilometers (168.7 miles). The total length of Myanmar-China boundary is 2,204 kilometers (1,370 miles); Myanmar-Thailand 2,107 kilometers (1,309.8 miles); Myanmar-India 1,338 kilometers (831.8 miles); and Myanmar-Laos 238 kilometers (147.9 miles).
Climate:
As a whole, the location and topography of the country generated a diversity of climate conditions. Seasonal changes in the monsoon wind directions create summer, rainy and winter seasons. Extremes of temperature are rare. The directions of winds and depression bring rain, and although it is always heavy in the coastal areas during monsoon season, it seldom creates hardships.
The most pleasant season for travelers is from November to February. During this season the climate resembles a fair European summer. However, in some mountainous areas the temperatures can drop to 0 centigrade. For this time period a jacket, pullover, socks, warm pajamas are needed.
The hot season starts in March and lasts until May. During this season temperatures easily exceed 40 centigrade, even in Yangon.
The rainy season starts in May and lasts until November. However the amount of rainfall differs according to the area. And indeed, it's wonderful to travel with fewer travelers around – and after every rainfall the temperature cools down!
Generally, most of the year will have daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F) and mid-20s (high 70s) temperatures at night. During the cool season, however, you can expect temperatures closer to 25°C (77°F) and 15°C (59°F). Coastal areas are usually cooler but more humid.
Flora & Fauna:
Myanmar is endowed with a rich diversity of habitat types arising largely from its unusual ecological diversity. It is home to nearly 300 known mammal species, 300 reptiles and about 100 bird’s species.
The country is also a haven for about 7000-plant life. The potential worth of plant species in Myanmar is considerable.
Government:
Type: Military junta. Constitution: January 3, 1974 (suspended since September 18, 1988 when latest junta took power).
Economy:
Myanmar suffered extensive damage in World War II, and some sectors of its economy have not yet fully recovered. About 60% of the population works in agriculture and forestry, and rice accounts for about half of the agricultural output. Other important crops are corn, peanuts, beans, oilseeds, and sugarcane. It is also a major producer of illegal opium in a northern region bordering Laos and Thailand, known as the "Golden Triangle”; heroin produced in the country's laboratories contributes to a large black-market trade. Myanmar's forests, which are government-owned, are the source of teak and other hardwoods. In 1985 teak replaced rice as the largest single export and, together, the two products make up over half of Myanmar's exports.
The country is rich in minerals. Petroleum is found east of the Ayeyarwady in the Dry Zone. Tin and tungsten are mined in E Myanmar; the Mawchi mines in Kayah State are also rich in tungsten. In the Shan State, northwest of Lashio, are the Bawdwin mines, the source of lead, silver, and zinc. Coal, copper, natural gas, and iron deposits have also been found in Myanmar. Gems (notably rubies and sapphires) are found near Mogok. Since the 13th cent., Myanmar has exported to China jade from the Hunkawng valley in the north.
Aside from food processing, other manufacturing industries include textiles, footwear, wood and wood products, and construction materials. The country's main trade partners are Singapore, China, Japan, and Thailand. In addition to teak and rice, exports include oilseeds, beans, rubber, metals, hardwood, and gemstones. The main imports are machinery, transportation equipment, food products, and consumer goods. Myanmar's developing economy, depressed by political turmoil, began to recover in the 1980s with increased private activity and foreign investment.
Population:
The population of Myanmar, spread over seven states and seven divisions, is estimated at 52, 4 million people (July, 2003) and the population’s growth rate is 1.84 percent.
People:
The Union of Myanmar is made up of 135 national races, of which the main national races are the Kachin, the Kayah, the Kayin, the Chin, the Mon, the Bamar, the Rakhine, and the Shan. The name Myanmar embraces all the ethnic groups.
Arts:
Myanmar is an enchanting country with a rich history in arts and crafts. Mandalay, the ancient capital and the glory of Myanmar Kings, represents the largest repository of Myanmar arts and crafts.
Visitors can observe carvers of ivory, wood and stone, in addition to makers for gold leaf, silk weavers, silversmiths and bronze-casters, as they ply their respective trades according to the time-honored traditions of their forefathers.
There are 10 Myanmar traditional arts, which are metaphorically called "Ten Flowers".
Panbe ( the art of blacksmith )
Panbu ( the art of sculpture )
Pantain ( the art of gold and silver smith )
Pantin( the art of bronze casting )
Pantaut ( the art of making floral designs using masonry )
Panyan ( the art of bricklaying and masonry )
Pantamault ( the art of sculpting with stone )
Panpoot ( the art of turning designs on the lathe )
Panchi ( the art of painting )
Panyun ( the art of making lacquer ware )
Culture:
Buddhism has great influence on daily life of the Myanmars. The people have preserved tradition of close family ties, respect for the elders and reverence for Buddhism. Myanmars are known for their hospitality and friendliness.
Religion:
The majority of the population is Buddhist; Theravada Buddhism is professed widely. Religious intolerance or discrimination on grounds of religion is non-existence in the Union of Myanmar throughout its 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%).
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Language:
One might wonder to know that 48 million people speak 111 languages in Myanmar. Majority of Myanmars speak Myanmar language.
Myanmar alphabet consists of 33 consonants, and a few of them are semi-vowels (like 'y' in English). Myanmar vowels are not included in the Myanmar alphabet. They are stand-alone.
