General Information

Geographical Information  |  Climate  |  Population   |   Language   |   Cultural & Tradition   |   History   |   Embassies in Myanmar   |    Myanmar Embassies Abroad
Visa Information   | Visa on Arrival

Geographical Information.
In ancient time our country was known as Suvannabhumi (Golden Land) and today, with a land area of 676, 577 sq.km., Myanmar is the largest country in the Southeast Asian region, bounded by a mountain complex in the North, East and West and enclosed by the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal in the South, Southwest and West. Myanmar shares common borders with Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand and the country stretches 2090 km North to South, and 925 km East to West and has a varied topography which includes islands, extensive rice plains, river valleys and thickly forested hills and mountains. Myanmar has a 2,832 km long coastline on the Indian Ocean and our highest mountains are situated in the far North, including Hkakabo Razi, the tallest peak both locally and in the region, rising to 5,881 km above sea level. The two other mountain systems: a group of low mountains called the Rakhine Yoma stands in the West forming a border with the Indian Subcontinent, and the hilly Shan Plateau separates Myanmar from China, Laos and Thailand.

The central lowland region of Myanmar consists of the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) and Sittaung river valleys. Ayeyarwaddy is the longest river in the country running for 2,010 km from the Northern region to the Bay of Bengal, and serves as the principle transportation route and as the main source of water supply for the central dry zone.

Climate.
Most of Myanmar enjoys a tropical climate, with three seasons -- namely rainy / monsoon, cool and hot. The rainy season lasts from late May to October and varies greatly from region to region. The heaviest rainfall is brought by seasonal winds called monsoon that sweep northeastward from the Indian Ocean. The cool season runs from late October to mid-February when temperatures are at the lowest,though the climate remains tropical throughout most of Myanmar. The hot season lasts from late February to about mid-May, during which time temperatures often top 100 °F (38 °C) in many parts of Myanmar.


Population.
Myanmar has a population approximately 55,390,000 in the year 2011 with the Burma, the majority race, making up about 70 percent. The other major national races consist of Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine and Shan. Myanmar is a union of 135 ethnic groups with their own languages, dialects and culture.


Language.
The official language is Burma which is spoken by most of Myanmar people, including other National races and non-Myanmar ethnic minorities, even though they have their own languages and dialects spoken only in their communities or in their particular regions. English, being the second language, is widely spoken and understood among the educated urban population.


Cultural & Tradition.
Myanmar is a Buddhist country with the Buddhists making up about 80 percent of the population, following the school of Theravada Buddhism. There are also Christians, Muslims, Hindus and some animists, but we respect the freedom of belief and the people practice religious tolerance on other religions, which is evident in the existence of religious buildings of different beliefs in large cities. Myanmar lies between two great civilizations, India and China, and is largely influenced by that of India, yet Myanmar has developed its own culture with distinctive characteristics. The unique part about Myanmar culture is that it is free from racial or sex discrimination.


History.
In 1044, King Anawrahta, a Myanmar ruler, united the region and founded the First Myanmar Empire, that lasted nearly 250 years. The kingdom's capital, Bagan, lay on the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) River in the central part of the country and the Myanmars adopted features of the Mon and Pyu cultures, including Theravada Buddhism. Mongol invaders led by Kublai Khan captured Bagan in 1287, shattering the kingdom. The Second Myanmar Empire was founded by King Bayintnaung at Taungoo, during the 1500's and the third and last Myanmar Empire was founded by king Alaungpaya. The first war was fought against the British from 1824 to 1826, the second in 1852, and the third in 1885. With these wars, the British gradually annexed the whole country to its empire and named the country Burma.

In 1942, British occupied Myanmar but young Myanmar nationals formed the Burma Independence Army with the help of the Japanese and drove the British out of Burma. However later, because of the dislike of the Japanese rule, a group of Myanmar university students, led by General Aung San, formed a league called Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL) which asked Great Britain to form a coalition with other Allies against the Japanese and they were helped by the Britain and Allied powers regain Burma in 1945 and return to power. The British gave Burma full independence on January 4, 1948.


Visa Information.

Passport & Visas
Tourist Visa are valid for 28 days and extendible to 14 days. Business Visa are valid for 3 months.

Visa on Arrival.
Visa on Arrival for tourists could be arranged within 14 working days.
It needs;
(1) A passport copy with photo
(2) Father’s name
(3) Occupation
(4) Mailing address
(5) Arrival & departure dates
(6) Arrival & departure International flight numbers