Myanmar is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia. The country is bordered by China on the north-east, Laos on the east, Thailand on the south-east, Bangladesh on the west, India on the north-west and the Bay of Bengal to the south-west with the Andaman Sea defining its southern periphery. One-third of Burma's total perimeter, 1,930 kilometres (1,199 mi), forms an uninterrupted coastline. the climate is tropical, with monsoonal rains making flooding and landslides common during the rainy season (June to September). Forest cover almost half the country, making forestry a major source of export earnings. However, excessive logging has resulted in deforestation in both rural and urban areas.
PEOPLE
More than a third of the population live in rural areas.
Yangon (or Rangoon) with over 4.5million people, is the
capital and largest city. Myanmar possess a great diversity
of ethnic groups, comprising Burmans, Shans, Karens,
Rakhines, Mons, chins and Kachins. Buddhism remains the
leading religion with Christianity and Islam also practised.
Most people speak Burmese with a small number of communities
speaking indigenous languages.
HISTORY
The
country's culture, heavily influenced by neighbours, is
based on
Theravada
local elements. Burma's diverse population has played a
major role in defining its politics, history and
demographics in modern times, and the country continues to
struggle to mend its
ethnic tensions. The military has dominated government
since
General Ne Win led a coup in 1962 that toppled the
civilian government of
Nu. Burma remains under the tight control of the
military-led
State Peace and Development Council.
