Myanmar is recognized by many as the Golden Land for good reason. Burma, as it is still more commonly known in the west, is a country of magnificent, ancient Buddhist temples, broad flowing rivers, lush mountain forests, interesting cities and vastly contrasting countryside. mymar_flag It is a fascinating country and a real treat for travellers. It is not only a voyage into a different geographic region, but also into another time, another world. Everywhere a stranger travels, he or she will be welcomed with kindness, helpfulness and gentleness.. Highlights in Burma include Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, Pyay, and Mandalay, with its beautiful temples Bagan and Paga. Myanmar is often called the land of festivals (see events) and the land of Pagodas. Each destination within the country offers a compelling and diverse look at the history and development of the country from its hill tribes that live as people did hundreds of years ago to the vibrant capital of Yangon. All Sightseeing opportunities abound and there is a lot to see and do in this colourful country where time seems to have stood still. Myanmar’s terrain includes white-sand beaches in the west and a fertile delta in the south, dry plains in the centre and long rivers. In the north there are ice-capped mountains seldom ascended, virgin forests hiding precious orchids, and white-water rivers where intrepid adventurers can test out their rafting skills. The very essence of nature is found in several wildlife parks and thick jungles where rare birds and butterflies find refuge. These parks, cris-crossed with animal trails to entice the determined trekker, provide sanctuary for endangered species such as leopards, tigers, crab-eating mongooses, the Asiatic black bear, and the beautiful red panda with its bandit mask, thick red fur and striped fluffy tail.

Anawrahta (1044–1077) was the first great unifier of Myanmar.

In 1612, the British East India Company sent agents to Burma, but the Burmese doggedly resisted efforts of British, Dutch, and Portuguese traders to establish posts along the Bay of Bengal. Through the Anglo-Burmese War in 1824–1826 and two subsequent wars, the British East India Company expanded to the whole of Burma. By 1886, Burma was annexed to India; it then became a separate colony in 1937.

During World War II, Burma was a key battleground; the 800-mile Burma Road was the Allies’ vital supply line to China. The Japanese invaded the country in Dec. 1941, and by May 1942, had occupied most of it, cutting off the Burma Road. After one of the most difficult campaigns of the war, Allied forces liberated most of Burma prior to the Japanese surrender in August 1945.

Burma became independent on Jan. 4, 1948. In 1962, left-wing general Ne Win staged a coup, banned political opposition, suspended the constitution, and introduced the “Burmese way of socialism.” After 25 years of economic hardship and repression, the Burmese people held massive demonstrations in 1987 and 1988. These were brutally quashed by the State Law and Order Council (SLORC). In 1989, the military government officially changed the name of the country to Myanmar.

In May 1990 elections, the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) won by a landslide, but the military, or SLORC, refused to recognize the election results. The leader of the opposition, Aung San Suu Kyi, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. Although the ruling junta has maintained a tight grip on Myanmar since 1988, it has not been able to subdue an insurgency in the country’s south that has gone on for decades.

On November 13, 2005, the seat of government was removed from the capital Rangoon to a mountain compound called Pyinmanaa. More than 1,000 delegates gathered in December 2005 to begin drafting a constitution, which the junta said was a step toward democracy. The convention adjourned in late January 2006 with little progress. In 2007 a series of anti-government protests were held, resulting in numerous civilians being arrested, around 70 being killed and around 40 monks being severely beaten and killed in the process. On 7 February 2008, SPDC announced that a referendum for the Constitution would be held, and Elections by 2010.

The 2011–2012 Burmese democratic reforms are an ongoing series of political, economic and administrative reforms in Burma undertaken by the military-backed government. These reforms include the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest and subsequent dialogues with her, establishment of the National Human Rights Commission, general amnesties of more than 200 political prisoners, institution of new labor laws that allow labor unions and strikes, relaxation of press censorship, and regulations of currency practices. As a consequence of the reforms, ASEAN has approved Burma’s bid for the chairmanship in 2014. United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Burma on 1 December 2011, to encourage further progress; it was the first visit by a Secretary of State in more than fifty years. United States President Barack Obama visited one year later, becoming the first US president to visit the country.

Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy, participated in by-elections held on 1 April 2012 after the government abolished laws that led to the NLD’s boycott of the 2010 general election. She led the NLD in winning the by-elections in a landslide, winning 41 out of 44 of the contested seats, with Suu Kyi herself winning a seat representing Kawhmu Constituency in the lower house of the Burmese Parliament. However, uncertainties exist as some other political prisoners have not been released and clashes between Burmese troops and local insurgent groups continue.

Myanmar is a diamond-shaped country extending 925km (575 miles) from east to west and 2,100km (1,300 miles) from north to south. It is bounded by China, Laos and Thailand to the east, by Bangladesh and India to the north and by the Indian Ocean in the west and south. The Irrawaddy River runs through the centre of the country and fans out to form a delta on the south coast; Yangon stands bedside one of its many mouths. North of the delta lies the Irrawaddy basin and central Myanmar, which is protected by a horseshoe of mountains riding to over 3,000m (10,000ft), creating profound climatic effects. To the west are the Arakan, Chin and Naga mountains and the Patkai Hills; the Kachin Hill are to the north to the east lie the Shan Plateau, which extends to the Tenasserim costal ranges. Intensive irrigated farming is practiced throughout central Myanmar, and fruit, vegetables and citrus crops thrive on the Shan Plateau, but much of the land and mountains are covered by subtropical forest.

Myanmar has a tropical climate with the dry season from mid-February to mid-May. The monsoon or rainy season is from mid-May to mid-October with the cool season from mid-October to mid-February. The hot season is generally from March to April. The coast and delta areas have an annual rainfall of about 250 cm (100 inches) and an average annual temperature of about 32° C (90F). In these areas, depending on the season, temperatures can fluctuate between 16° to 40°C (61 to 104F). myanmar_climate_infographic In the central belt, known as the dry zone, where Mandalay the chief city is, the rainfall averages about 70 cm (28 inches) per year, with a mean annual temperature of around 27°C (81F). Maximums are 46°C (115F) in hot season and 15°C (59F) during the cool season. Average daily temperatures in Yangon range from 18° to 32°C (64 to 90F) during the cool season and from 24° to 36°C (75 to 97F) during the hot season. The climate in upper Myanmar, particularly at altitudes ranging from about 300 to 1,220 m (984 to 4000 feet), is the most temperate throughout the year and rainfall during the monsoon season totals more than 500 cm (197 inches).

Buddhism plays a central role in the people’s daily life in Myanmar. A large majority of the population is of Buddhist faith. They live by its principles of gentleness, contentment and helpfulness. There are two major churches in Buddhism: Mahayana and Theravada. The latter form dominates in Myanmar and meditation is central to its followers, it led through a succession of stages to the final goal of spiritual freedom, also called nirvana. Meditation combines, in its highest stages, the discipline of progressively increased introversion with the insight brought about by wisdom. Buddhist faith embraces the concept of life after death and recognizes 31 forms of beings, six floors of heaven, and seven floors of hell. The other form of spirituality often seen in Myanmar is the ancient traditional beliefs about the 37 Nats (spirits), who are viewed as supernaturally powerful beings, situated between the gods and the spiritual beings. The number of the Nats was set in the 12th century in order to contain a cult that Buddhism had failed to eliminate. And, Myanmar remains superstitious in many ways. Its people carry out the traditions and cultural heritage of the older generations. They believe that the Nats can bring luck and prosperity to the worshipers and can also bring danger to those who do not respect them. The official religious faith in Myanmar is Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Islam 4%, Animist 1% and other 2%.

Myanmar has a long history dating back several thousand of years. The traditions and culture of Myanmar as well as the philosophy of life of its people, the majority of whom are Buddhists, have been shaped profoundly by Buddhism and the worshiping of ancient Nat… Hence, Myanmar’s people, regardless of their race or ethnic origin are peace-loving, friendly, generous and hospitable. They also have an innate sense of duty to family, community and country. HINTS Myanmar’s people, regardless of their race or ethnic origin are peace-loving, friendly, generous and hospitable. Myanmar culture is also inspired by the Chinese and Indian traditions Each of the 135 national races that comprise the Myanmar nation has its own language, dialect and characteristics. The benevolent prince, called Lawkanat is often portrayed in Myanmar and regarded as the patron of performing arts. Myanmar culture is also inspired by the Chinese and Indian traditions, and it can claim to have retained its own beliefs and culture due to the post-war and post-independence national isolation policy. The culture is complex and rich. Each of the 135 national races that comprise the Myanmar nation has its own language, dialect and characteristics. They live in harmony with each other and with nature, most of them living in remote areas. The major ethnic groups are the Kachin, the Kayah, the Kavin, the Chin, the Mon, the Bamar, the Rakline, and the Shan. An interesting tradition, taking place particularly in rural areas, is to see the people collectively helping with each other’s work and participating in communal activities. These traditional practices not only contribute to community development but also bring members of the community closer and thus help to foster solidarity in the building of a peaceful and developed nation. myanmar_culture_overview_images The benevolent prince, called Lawkanat is often portrayed in Myanmar and regarded as the patron of performing arts. He stands for peace and harmony, happiness and joy and all that is right and good. His role as a peacemaker is based on a fascinating legend handed down through the generations. It is also the favorite subject of Myanmar’s sculpture and painting, and its graceful figure is frequently seen adorning the Myanmar traditional orchestra.