Myanmar Central Census Committee. Customs and traditions of Myanmar

Unfortunately, very few people know where the small but quite attractive state of Myanmar is located, which until 1989 was called Burma.

Myanmar is located in the north-west of the Indochina Peninsula. Its neighbors are from the north - China, from the east - China, Thailand and Laos.

Its western neighbors are India and Bangladesh.

Such a small state nevertheless has access to the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal of the Indian Ocean.

Recently, this exotic country has begun to attract an increasing number of tourists. This is understandable: Myanmar, small in size, includes all the delights of traditional Asia.

Capital	Naypyitaw
Population	59 million 534 thousand people. (as of 2009)
	676577 thousand km²
Population density	73.9 people/km²
	Burmese
Religion
Form of government	federal Republic

Timezone
International dialing code
Internet domain zone

Climate and weather

Myanmar is home to high mountains, impenetrable jungles, many mysterious Buddhist temples, and, of course, the snow-white smiles of the local residents. The famous Shwedagon Pagoda or the beautiful Inle Lake leave people enchanted by their charms for a lifetime. Many who have visited this paradise on earth want to come back here again. And the magnificent resorts of Ngwe Saung and Ngapali are beginning to compete well with the famous resorts of Thailand.

The climate in Myanmar is tropical monsoon. The south of the country is located in the subequatorial climate zone. Monsoons in Myanmar create three weather seasons. The first season lasts from November to February, the average daily temperature during this period does not exceed +25 °C. This weather is quite cool for this area. It is during these months that there is a high probability of dust storms occurring in Myanmar.

The second season is called hot. It lasts from March to May, and the air temperature during these months rises above 32 °C.

The third season is the rainy season from June to October. It is advisable not to plan a trip to Myanmar during this period.

Nature

Much of Myanmar includes high mountain ranges that are part of Himalaya mountain system. The highest point in all of Southeast Asia is located in this country - this Mount Hakabo-Razi. Its height is 5881 m. Thanks to the climate, the mountain ranges, abundantly covered with a variety of plant species, attract a large number of ecotourists from all over the world.

The central part of the country is occupied by the beautiful and unique plains of the two largest rivers of Myanmar - Irrawaddy and Salween. Several national parks are organized on their territory. Myanmar is also home to famous mountain reserves that offer tourists a closer look at the uniqueness of the local nature. The most famous among visitors to the country are Alangdo-Katpa National Park, Lampi Island in the Andaman Sea, Shaedaung and Pidaun mountain reserves.

Attractions

The most famous attraction that attracts many tourists every year is located in Yangon Shwedagon Pagoda. This structure was built 2500 years ago. The almost 100 meter spire is decorated with more than 1000 precious stones and gold plates. The fame of the temple is given by the huge sculpture of the reclining Buddha, the length of which is almost 55 meters, and the four hairs of the spiritual mentor of Buddhists kept in the pagoda. Interestingly, this pagoda is still operational, which allows all Buddhist pilgrims to visit these great relics.

Myself Yangon is a kind of park with often beautiful ponds and lakes. This city is the best place in all of Myanmar for families with children, who can frolic for hours in the local amusement parks.

The city is called the cultural center of the country Mandalay. This place attracts people with its Shwenandaw Palace, Mandalay Hill, as well as nearby ancient cities Ava, Amarputa and Sagaing.

An abandoned city famous throughout the world for its unique temples Bagan allows you to feel the whole atmosphere of extraordinary Asia. The sight of thousands of ancient pagodas and monasteries located on an area of 42 km 2 truly fascinates foreign tourists.

When going to Myanmar, you should definitely plan a visit to the unique Inle Lake, in the middle of which is built Monastery of Jumping Cats. Six monks live there to this day and teach cats to perform amazing tricks for tourists. This lake has become famous not only because of its amazing cats, but also because local residents organize a floating market here once a week. You can buy almost the same souvenirs there as at the traditional market.

Nutrition

The main feature of Myanmar cuisine, as in all of East Asia, is the use of overly hot seasonings. Local chefs add them to almost all dishes. Traditionally, fish is seasoned with ginger, rice with onions and garlic. Chicken culinary masterpieces are also popular in this country, for example, "o-no-hauk-sve"(rice pasta with coconut milk and chicken). Burmese cuisine usually pays special attention to seafood.

Most hotels and restaurants in Myanmar are happy to serve national dishes to their visitors. Particularly popular is a fish soup with the addition of vermicelli called "moinga", as well as spicy vegetable salad with rice - "letok dream". The national Burmese dessert is pickled tea leaves served with sesame seeds, garlic, roasted peanuts, onions and fried locusts.

Thanks to its proximity to tradition-filled countries such as China and India, many restaurants offer Indian and Chinese cuisine. However, close to popular tourist resorts, you can easily find a restaurant serving Western cuisine.

The world-famous Burmese tea is the main drink here. Interestingly, some nationalities manage to add hot spices to this wonderful drink. Not all foreign tourists risk trying this drug.

And, of course, not a single hospitable Asian country can do without exotic fruits. Some of their species grow exclusively in this area, for example, durian, mangosteen, jackfruit. They are in great demand among tourists.

Accommodation

When choosing this fabulous country for your holiday, you must take into account that local hotels do not have an official classification. Of course, most Burmese hotels meet all international requirements, so in the tourism business it is customary to set the “number of stars” by the tour operators themselves.

Before traveling to Myanmar, you need to thoroughly study all the services provided by hotels: food, room equipment, distance from the beach, etc. It is worth noting that in this country almost all sockets are three-pin; the necessary adapter for our electrical appliances can be obtained at the reception.

Entertainment and relaxation

Mostly tourists come to Myanmar to bask on the soft sandy beaches of this country. The best beach area is considered Ngapali. White warm sand, a large number of first-class hotels and excellent restaurants attract more and more people every year to this paradise of the planet.

Another beautiful resort in Myanmar is Ngwe Saung, which differs from other places in its excellent beaches with tall beautiful palm trees. This place is slightly inferior to Ngapali in popularity among tourists, but every year more and more foreigners visit this resort.

Active recreation in Myanmar is still underdeveloped compared to famous world resorts. Some companies are happy to offer their clients cycling tours of local beauty. Hiking and unforgettable safaris through the national parks and reserves of Myanmar are quite popular entertainment among tourists.

Every year the number of fishing enthusiasts who come to this country for new experiences of catching big fish near the beaches of Ngapali is increasing.

Near the resort of Ngwe Saung there is a famous "Elephant Camp" In this place, for very little money you can ride a real Indian elephant. Many tourists prefer to spend their free time in a new Ngalaik water park, which is located near the capital of Myanmar - Naypyitaw.

It is not for nothing that many people call Myanmar the “Land of Golden Pagodas”. They are located everywhere here. Therefore, the main excursions are organized specifically around these attractions.

Purchases

No trip abroad is complete without purchasing remarkable souvenirs. Fortunately, shops and markets in Myanmar are replete with a diverse range of goods presented. Their quality and prices are so varied that buyers are sure to find something attractive.

The main items of trade in Myanmar are various crafts made from seashells, all kinds of sculptures and paintings made of wood, figurines, teapots, etc. A large number of tourists, when choosing a Burmese souvenir, stop their eyes on national clothes. Products made from precious stones are also widely represented on the markets. However, you have to be a true connoisseur of these jewelry so as not to encounter a fake. By the way, the Burmese love to bargain. This will allow you to purchase a quality item at an affordable price.

Transport

Small Myanmar has many modes of transport, from airplanes to oxen and elephants. Public transport in Burmese cities is represented by buses. The fleet of cars is quite old, but they are all equipped with air conditioning and a video viewing system. Tickets for such transport cost approximately $0.5.

The best way to get around large cities is by taxi. One trip on such transport will cost $2. You can use the services of car rental companies. But, taking into account the peculiarities of the country's traffic rules, it is best for foreign tourists to take a car with a local driver. It is worth noting that the condition of the road surface in Myanmar is extremely unsatisfactory. So you should prepare in advance for a completely uncomfortable trip on local roads.

A large number of Myanmar residents prefer to travel between major cities using railways. The quality of passenger service by rail leaves much to be desired. Low speed, constant delays of trains, as well as high fares compared to buses force tourists to use another type of transport. In addition, Burmese trains are completely uncomfortable. In most carriages, the seats are equipped with wooden flooring. The only branded train, in which the carriages are similar to our compartments, runs on the Yangon-Mandalay route.

Therefore, most tourists prefer to travel around the country by air transport. Domestic flights in Myanmar are provided by private companies Yangon Airways, Air Mandalay and Bagan Airways. However, using their services is quite expensive. A cheaper option is to fly with state-owned Myanma Airways, but this carrier has a reputation for poor safety in Myanmar.

You can travel along the major Burmese rivers on wonderful passenger ships and ferries. One trip costs approximately $20.

Connection

Communications in Myanmar are quite poorly developed. There are a large number of machines in the capital that provide intra-city communications and operate from one kyat. International calls can only be made from special devices, but there are few of them even in Naypyitaw. It is possible to call another country from a hotel, however, such a call will be expensive: approximately $5.

Mobile communications have a small coverage area, mainly the capital and its districts. Tariffs for this type of communication are very high. Just recently, a SIM card from a mobile operator cost one thousand dollars.

Internet services are provided by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Myanmar and mainly in Internet cafes; connection speeds often leave much to be desired. True, the departure halls of Yangon International Airport are equipped with high-speed Internet, which cannot but please foreigners.

Safety

It is worth noting that there are restrictions on movement within Myanmar. When visiting this country, there are special maps on which cities and regions of the state are marked, entry into which is strictly prohibited. Some places have been declared semi-closed. In this case, visiting such areas is carried out only with the presence of an accompanying person from a national travel company.

Myanmar can safely be called a safe country, although sometimes petty pickpocketing occurs in shopping centers. It is generally accepted that the overall crime rate in Myanmar is one of the lowest. Most Burmese hotels offer their clients the service of using safes; they can be located either at the reception or in individual rooms (of course, such a service is paid additionally).

In this country, you should not get carried away with photographing military installations and people in uniform. The least that local authorities can do for this is to confiscate your camera and film. Or they may even deport you from the country without even explaining the reasons to you. The guide usually informs you about prohibited objects for photography.

Business climate

To stimulate interest in real estate in Myanmar, President Than Shwe recently decided to improve the climate for foreign investors. To this end, bilateral agreements were concluded with foreign companies to begin the development of mineral deposits, in particular gas and oil. The main conditions for working in Myanmar were the improvement of oil production technologies and the possibility of quickly building pipelines and compressor stations. In addition, the president decided to release the long-term lending market, which made Burmese real estate even more attractive for investment.

There is quite a wide range of real estate in Myanmar, for example, beautiful bungalows located next to Buddhist monasteries, magnificent studios in large cities. Any company will find attractive premises in this country. Considering the economic situation of the country, most companies prefer to focus on the tourism business, which allows them to recoup their investments in just a few years.

Real estate

At the moment, the Myanmar economy is just beginning to develop; it has great potential for the rapid growth of the real estate market. Europeans who are accustomed to high prices will be pleasantly surprised by local prices for apartments, houses or bungalows. Today in Myanmar you can buy an apartment with an area of more than 100 m2 for only $10,000. The purchase of an industrial enterprise with average processing capacity will cost the buyer a little more than $50,000. Such a low cost of real estate attracts numerous foreign investors.

Myanmar, like all countries representing the culture of Southeast Asia, has a large number of traditions that every visitor to this unique state must observe.

Here are the main ones:

1. you cannot hug and kiss in public;
2. You should also not touch the head of a child or adult;
3. if you do not want to feel the judgmental glances of local residents, you should not step over the person;
4. Burmese people never wear shoes at home, especially in temples;
5. while in places sacred to Buddhism, you cannot talk or laugh loudly;
6. if you want to take some photographs in a Buddhist temple, you should ask permission for this;
7. women are not allowed to touch monks;
8. It’s interesting that the Burmese don’t take or give anything with their left hand. They expect the same from visiting people.

Some tips about eating food in Myanmar: if you do not want to spend money on treatment in a Burmese hospital, then when buying any food products at the market, you should rinse them thoroughly with boiled water. By the way, you should not drink local tap water here. It is better not to drink it even when boiled; sometimes such a disinfecting process cannot rid the water of pathogenic bacteria. It is better to use bottled liquids.

And, of course, when in any Asian country, you need to behave with dignity and treat the surrounding local population with respect.

Visa information

To enter Myanmar, citizens of Russia and the CIS require a special visa. You can order it in advance at the consulate of the Myanmar Embassy. To do this, it is advisable to collect all the necessary documents: a foreign passport, valid for at least six months at the time of submission of documents; two color photographs on a white background; visa application form completed in English. When traveling with a child, you must make a copy of his birth certificate.

To obtain a visa, you must pay a consular fee of $20. Payment is made immediately after receiving the passport with visa directly at the consulate.

Additional information can be obtained at the address: Moscow, st. Bolshaya Nikitskaya, 41.

Basic moments

Myanmar is a predominantly mountainous country with a monsoon climate and subtropical and tropical landscapes. The vegetation here is ancient and very diverse. Forests, covering more than 60% of the territory, are unevenly distributed. The central lowland is the most densely populated area and is practically devoid of forest vegetation. In this area, every piece of land is either cultivated or was previously cultivated. Some plants on irrigated lands produce 2-3 harvests per year. Rice, oilseeds, legumes, grains, cotton, horticultural crops, tea, and sugar cane are grown. In the reserves available in Myanmar, the state is trying to restore the numbers of some animal species: rhinoceroses, tapirs, peacocks, wild elephants (according to rough estimates, there are more than 3,000 of them here).

The largest port city, industrial, commercial and cultural center is the capital of the country, Naypyidaw (925 thousand inhabitants). In the central part of the city, on a hill, there is a sacred place for Buddhists - the largest ancient pagoda in the country, Shwedagon.

The ancient, now dead city of Bagan, the capital of Myanmar in the 11th–13th centuries, is attractive to tourists. There are hundreds of monumental structures - temples and stupas - here, the most famous is the Ananda Temple.

In the I-XI centuries. on the territory of Myanmar there were the states of Srikshetra, Arakan, and the Mon states. Myanmar itself created its own state in the 11th century. - Pagan. In the XIII-XVIII centuries. the states of Ava, Pegu, Taungu fought to unite the territories of Myanmar under their rule. In the middle of the 18th century. A unified state was created at the beginning of the 19th century. one of the largest in the Southeast. Asia. As a result of the Anglo-Burmese wars, Myanmar was captured by the British. In 1886-1937 it was part of British India, then it became a separate colony. In the 1st third of the 20th century. The national movement intensified. In December 1941, Myanmar was occupied by Japanese troops. The fight for liberation from the Japanese occupiers and then from British colonial rule was led by the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League. On January 4, 1948, the independence of Myanmar was declared. In 1988, a military coup took place in the country, and the 1974 constitution was suspended. Since 1989, the country has been called Myanmar.

Recently, this exotic country has begun to attract an increasing number of tourists. This is understandable: Myanmar, small in size, includes all the delights of traditional Asia.

Climate and weather

The second season is called hot. It lasts from March to May, and the air temperature during these months rises above 32 °C.

The third season is the rainy season from June to October. It is advisable not to plan a trip to Myanmar during this period.

Nature

Much of Myanmar includes high mountain ranges that are part of the Himalaya mountain system. The highest point in all of Southeast Asia is located in this country - Mount Hakabo Razi. Its height is 5881 m. Thanks to the climate, the mountain ranges, abundantly covered with a variety of plant species, attract a large number of ecotourists from all over the world.

The central part of the country is occupied by the beautiful and unique plains of the two largest rivers of Myanmar - the Irrawaddy and Salween. Several national parks are organized on their territory. Myanmar is also home to famous mountain reserves that offer tourists a closer look at the uniqueness of the local nature. The most famous among visitors to the country are the Alangdo-Katpa National Park, Lampi Island in the Andaman Sea, and the Shaedaung and Pidaun mountain reserves.

Attractions

The most famous attraction that attracts many tourists every year is the Shwedagon Pagoda located in Yangon. This structure was built 2500 years ago. The almost 100 meter spire is decorated with more than 1000 precious stones and gold plates. The fame of the temple is given by the huge sculpture of the reclining Buddha, the length of which is almost 55 meters, and the four hairs of the spiritual mentor of Buddhists kept in the pagoda. Interestingly, this pagoda is still operational, which allows all Buddhist pilgrims to visit these great relics.

Yangon itself is a kind of park with beautiful ponds and lakes often located. This city is the best place in all of Myanmar for families with children, who can frolic for hours in the local amusement parks.

The city of Mandalay is called the cultural center of the country. This place attracts people with its Shwenandaw Palace, Mandalay Hill, and the nearby ancient cities of Awa, Amarputa and Sagaing.

The abandoned city of Bagan, famous throughout the world for its unique temples, allows you to feel the whole atmosphere of extraordinary Asia. The sight of thousands of ancient pagodas and monasteries located on an area of 42 km² truly fascinates foreign tourists.

When going to Myanmar, you should definitely plan a visit to the unique Inle Lake, in the middle of which the Monastery of Jumping Cats is built. Six monks live there to this day and teach cats to perform amazing tricks for tourists. This lake has become famous not only because of its amazing cats, but also because local residents organize a floating market here once a week. You can buy almost the same souvenirs there as at the traditional market.

Kitchen

The main feature of Myanmar cuisine, as in all of East Asia, is the use of overly hot seasonings. Local chefs add them to almost all dishes. Traditionally, fish is seasoned with ginger, rice with onions and garlic. Chicken dishes such as o-no-hauk-swe (rice pasta with coconut milk and chicken) are also popular in this country. Burmese cuisine usually pays special attention to seafood.

Most hotels and restaurants in Myanmar are happy to serve national dishes to their visitors. Particularly popular is fish soup with the addition of vermicelli called “moinga,” as well as a spicy vegetable salad with rice called “letok son.” The national Burmese dessert is pickled tea leaves served with sesame seeds, garlic, roasted peanuts, onions and fried locusts.

The world-famous Burmese tea is the main drink here. Interestingly, some nationalities manage to add hot spices to this wonderful drink. Not all foreign tourists risk trying this drug.

And, of course, not a single hospitable Asian country can do without exotic fruits. Some of their species grow exclusively in this area, for example, durian, mangosteen, jackfruit. They are in great demand among tourists.

Accommodation

Entertainment and relaxation

Mostly tourists come to Myanmar to bask on the soft sandy beaches of this country. Ngapali is considered the best beach area. White warm sand, a large number of first-class hotels and excellent restaurants attract more and more people every year to this paradise of the planet.

Another beautiful resort in Myanmar is Ngwe Saung, which differs from other places in its excellent beaches with tall, beautiful palm trees. This place is slightly inferior to Ngapali in popularity among tourists, but every year more and more foreigners visit this resort.

Every year the number of fishing enthusiasts who come to this country for new experiences of catching big fish near the beaches of Ngapali is increasing.

The famous “Elephant Camp” is located near the Ngwe Saung resort. In this place, for very little money you can ride a real Indian elephant. Many tourists prefer to spend their free time in the new Ngalaik water park, which is located near the capital of Myanmar - Naypyitaw.

Shopping

Transport

You can travel along the major Burmese rivers on wonderful passenger ships and ferries. One trip costs approximately $20.

Connection

Safety

In this country, you should not get carried away with photographing military installations and people in uniform. The least that local authorities can do for this is to take away your camera and film. Or they may even deport you from the country without even explaining the reasons to you. The guide usually informs you about prohibited objects for photography.

Business climate

Real estate

At the moment, the Myanmar economy is just beginning to develop; it has great potential for the rapid growth of the real estate market. Europeans who are accustomed to high prices will be pleasantly surprised by local prices for apartments, houses or bungalows. Today in Myanmar you can buy an apartment of more than 100 m2 for just $10,000. The purchase of an industrial enterprise with average processing capacity will cost the buyer a little more than $50,000. Such a low cost of real estate attracts numerous foreign investors.

Myanmar, like all countries representing the culture of Southeast Asia, has a large number of traditions that every visitor to this unique state must observe.

Here are the main ones:

And, of course, when in any Asian country, you need to behave with dignity and treat the surrounding local population with respect.

Visa information

To obtain a visa, you must pay a consular fee of $20. Payment is made immediately after receiving the passport with visa directly at the consulate.

Additional information can be obtained at the address: Moscow, st. Bolshaya Nikitskaya, 41.

Story

The prehistoric period of Myanmar begins with the migration of three groups into the country: first from the Mon Kingdom in modern Cambodia, then Mongol Burmese from the eastern Himalayas and Thai tribes from northern Thailand. In the 11th century, the Burmese Bagan Kingdom controlled what is now Myanmar, but it failed to unite the disparate ethnic groups and collapsed before the Mongol-Tatar invasion in 1287. Over the next 250 years, Burma was in a state of chaos, and the territory was not unified until the mid-16th century, when several Taungoo kings began to expand their dominance and were victorious over Siam. In the 18th century, the country again split into several parts, the Mon tribes and some hill tribes created their own kingdoms. In 1767, the Burmese captured Siam and destroyed Ayuthaya, forcing the Siamese to move their capital to Bangkok.

Occasional border skirmishes led to the ambitious British occupying the country in 1824, and again in 1852 and 1883. Burma became part of British-owned India, the British created a colonial infrastructure here and began to develop the country as a major exporter of rice. Together with the British, Indians and Chinese came to Burma, which further intensified interethnic strife. In 1937, Burma seceded from British India and talk of self-government began to arise. The Japanese drove the British out of Burma during World War II and tried to suppress Burma's desire for independence through political means. The Burmese were inspired by the opportunity to gain independence, and soon a liberation movement broke out in the country. In 1948, Burma gained independence and almost immediately the hill tribes, communists, Muslims and Mon tribes began to claim control of the country.

In 1962, the communist wing of the army led by General Ne Ving overthrew the democratic government and set the country on the road to socialism. The Burmese economy suffered a period of decline for 25 years until the Burmese finally decided they had enough. Large demonstrations began to call for Ne Ving's resignation, and a major confrontation broke out between pro-democracy demonstrators and the military, leading to the deaths of 3,000 people in six weeks. Several puppets appointed by Ne Ving succeeded each other in leadership positions, and then a military coup (believed to have been inspired by Ne Ving) occurred and General Saw Maung and the State Council for the Restoration of Law and Order took control of the country. The new leader promised to hold elections in 1989.

The opposition quickly formed a coalition party called the National Democratic League, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of independence hero Bogyoke Aung San. In 1989, the National Democratic League received an overwhelming majority of votes in the elections.

The military junta did everything possible to prevent Aung San Suu Kyi from forming his cabinet and beginning to rule the country, then they provoked uprisings by Karen rebels and the involvement of the personal armed forces of the drug lord Khun Sa. Reports of Khun Sa's "house arrest" at his comfortable Rangoon villa, complete with personal service, luxury cars, military guards, hotel and estate, have raised suspicions of a deal between Rangoon and Khun Sa's heroin corporation.

At the time of her arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi received several international peace prizes, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. In July 1995, the government released her to the great joy of the Burmese people and her supporters abroad. However, she was prohibited from traveling outside Rangoon and was arrested again in September 2000 while attempting to leave the city.

Hopes for any change are slim, but in October 2000, Aung San Suu Kyi held secret talks with the government through a United Nations representative. Negotiations finally succeeded and she was released by the Myanmar military government in May 2002. She is now free to participate in all activities without the restrictions that accompanied her first release. Both sides have decided to continue consultations, with Aung San Suu Kyi intending to establish democracy in the country, even if it takes years. “This is the beginning of a new dawn in our country,” she said, “we hope that the dawn will come very quickly indeed.” Time will tell whether the junta intends to deliver on its reform promises, but Myanmar's future looks more promising now than it has in the past decade.

Culture

Art in Myanmar has always been closely associated with religion and royalty. Temples, pagodas and palaces showcase the artistic skills of painters, woodcarvers and sculptors. Temples and pagodas were traditionally built of brick, and many still remain today. The majestic palaces were, however, made of wood, and today there are only poorly preserved remains of these once beautiful examples of carved architecture. Art and architecture, supported by royal power, fell into decline as soon as the last kingdom collapsed.

Although court art has fallen into decline, urban folk culture lives and flourishes. The basis of folk culture is dramatic art; almost any holiday is a great occasion to put on a show (pve). Mostly these are performances based on Buddhist legends, but they can also be more frivolous entertainment, including elements of comedy, dancing, ensemble singing or giant puppet theater. Music is an integral part of Burmese performances; it originates from Siamese music and is based on rhythm and melody. Percussion instruments (drums, gongs), as well as harps and bamboo flutes are mainly used.

More than 85% of the population of Myanmar are Theravada Buddhists, although the religion is not officially recognized by the state, and since the Ne Ving government came to power, it has played a less and less important role in the country. There are many Muslims living in the Rakhine region near Bangladesh. Christian missionaries have had some success among the hill tribes, but most remain animists.

Burmese is the main language in the country and has its own alphabet and script. Although you probably won't have time to learn the alphabet, it may be worth learning the numerals in order to read bus numbers. Few Burmese speak English, mostly among the older generation.

The easiest way to buy national Burmese dishes is in food stalls rather than in restaurants. Most restaurants and cafes feature Indian and Chinese cuisine, but hotel restaurants try not to put too much chilli sauce and shrimp paste in Burmese dishes. The basis of any Burmese dish is rice. Curry sauce and spicy vegetable salad are added to it in varying quantities, and ngapi, dried and mashed shrimp paste, is added to almost all dishes. Chinese tea tastes better than too strong, too sweet and too milky Burmese tea. Sugarcane juice is a very popular drink sold on the street, with orange brandy, lychee wine, white liqueur and jungle liqueur being popular among the stronger drinks.

Economy

Agriculture employs two thirds of the country's population. Myanmar's main crops are rice, corn, and tobacco, which are grown mainly in the Sitaun and Ayeyarwady river valleys, where irrigation is widely used. In 2002, Myanmar harvested 21.9 million tons of rice, which is 3.8 times world production. According to this indicator, the country is in 7th place in the world. Of this amount, approximately 700 thousand tons of rice were exported, which is significantly lower than the volume of exports in previous years due to its low quality. Opium poppy is grown in the east of the country, the crops of which are under the control of both the authorities and the opposition. In this area there is the so-called "Golden Triangle". In 2001, 900 thousand tons of fish and fish products were caught. As for livestock farming, in 2002 there were a million heads: cattle 11.3, buffaloes 2.5, pigs 4.4, goats and sheep 1.9, poultry 61.7. Half of Myanmar's territory is covered by forests, and timber exports accounted for 10% of export revenues. Timber export - about 40 million cubic meters.

The mining industry plays an important role in the country's economy. The depths of Myanmar are rich in minerals, of which there are more than 20 types: oil, gas, tungsten, coal, precious stones, lead, tin, gold, nickel, silver, zinc, copper, sapphires, rubies. In 2002, 0.6 million tons of oil, 7 billion cubic meters of gas, 2 tons of silver, etc. were produced.

The most developed are the food industry, rice and tobacco processing. All large enterprises belong to the state.

The country has factories for assembling buses, tractors, bicycles, machine tools, etc. There are shipbuilding and ship repair enterprises.

Inflation began to rise especially strongly after the military coup in 1989 and the military junta coming to power. There has been a decline in GDP and an increase in inflation.

Sometimes Myanmar is still called Burma, although this name has long “sunk into oblivion.” It seems to us that it would be more correct to call Myanmar, as some tourists already do, the “Golden Country”, because there you can see hundreds of Buddhist pagodas shining in the sun. Beach lovers will definitely appreciate the snow-white local beaches, in the water near which there are beautiful coral reefs.

Geography of Myanmar

Myanmar is located in Southeast Asia. In the west it borders with India and Bangladesh, in the east with Laos, in the northeast with China, and in the southeast with Thailand. In the southwest the country is washed by the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. The area of this state, including adjacent islands, is 678,500 square meters. km, and the total length of the state border is 5,876 km.

Most of Myanmar is occupied by mountains, starting in the Himalayas. The highest peak is Mount Hkakabo Razi, whose height reaches 5,881 m. The mountains divide the country into three river systems - the Ayeyarwady, Salwin and Sittang. The longest of them is the Irrawaddy River (2,170 km).

Capital

The capital of Myanmar is Naypyidaw, which is now home to more than 1 million people. Naypyitaw became the capital of this Asian state only in 2005.

Official language of Myanmar

The official language in Myanmar is Burmese, which belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family.

Religion

About 89% of the population of Myanmar professes Buddhism (mostly Theravada Buddhism), 4% is Islam, and another 4% is Christianity (Catholicism).

Government of Myanmar

According to the current Constitution of 2008, Myanmar is a presidential republic. Its head is the President. The military has a great influence on the political life of the country.

The bicameral parliament is called Pyidaungsu Hluttaw - it consists of the House of Nationalities (224 people) and the House of Representatives (440 deputies).

The main political parties are the Union of Solidarity and Development, the National Unity Party, and the National League for Democracy.

Climate and weather

The climate in Myanmar is tropical monsoon and has three seasons: summer (March - mid-May), monsoon season (mid-May - late October) and winter (November - late February). Weather conditions vary greatly by region. So, if in central Myanmar in summer the average air temperature is +43.3C, then in the north of the country it is +36.1C.

The best time to visit Myanmar is from November to February. During this period there is little rain, it is not too hot, and the sea is very warm and welcoming.

Sea in Myanmar

The shores of Myanmar are washed by the waters of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. The total length of the coast is 1,930 km. In February, the sea temperature off the coast averages +26C, and in August - +27C.

Rivers and lakes

The mountains divide Myanmar into three river systems - the Ayeyarwady, Salwin and Sittang. The longest of them is the Irrawaddy River (2,170 km), which flows into the Andaman Sea.

Myanmar culture

The culture of Myanmar was formed under the influence of Buddhism. Every Burmese pays respect to Buddhist monks and teachers.

Festivals are held throughout the year in Myanmar: in January there is a three-day festival dedicated to Independence Day; in February - Modin Pagoda Festival; in March – Thabaung Full Moon Festival; in April - Water Festival and New Year; in May - the festival of the Shite Taung pagoda; in July – the festival of the Tikhoshin pagoda; in August - Thong Bion Festival; in September – Do-U Pagoda Festival; in October – the festival of the Dancing Elephants; in November there is the Fovinthang holiday, and in December there is Christian Christmas.

Kitchen

Chinese and Indian culinary traditions had a great influence on the formation of Myanmar cuisine. The main foods are rice, fish, seafood, fruits and spices. Meat is not eaten very often.

Some local dishes are very exotic. Therefore, it is better for tourists to find out in advance what they are prepared from.

For desserts, we recommend trying “Kyauk Kyaw” (seaweed jelly with coconut milk), “Thagu Byin” (pudding with palm sugar and coconut). The most affordable local dessert eaten in villages is jaggery.

Traditional soft drinks are tea (black and green).

Sights of Myanmar

Myanmar is arguably the country with the most Buddhist temples and pagodas per capita. The main local attractions are Buddhist temples, monasteries and pagodas.

In the small town of Mingun, tourists can see a huge bell on one of the pagodas, whose weight is 90 tons. Interestingly, this giant bell is in working order.

Cities and resorts

The largest local cities are Yangon, Mawlamyine, Mandalay, and the capital is Naypyitaw.

Most of Myanmar's white beaches are located along the coast of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Every evening on the coast tourists can see stunning sunsets. The sun seems to sink into the water every evening. Near the coast there are many beautiful islands with untouched nature.

This country has three beaches that are most popular among locals and tourists. These are Ngapali Beach, Ngwe Saung Beach (sometimes called Ngwe Sung) and Chaungtha Beach (also known as Choungtha). If you are interested in an active holiday on the beach, then you, of course, need Chaungtha Beach.

Hotels offer boat trips and fishing trips to foreign tourists. During boat trips, tourists can explore distant fishing villages, islands, and also go diving (there are beautiful coral reefs there).

Souvenirs/shopping

Myanmar's population
Population of Myanmar is 51.5 million people.

1 Basic information about the population
- 1.1 2014 Census
- 1.2 CIA World Factbook
2 Peoples of Myanmar
- 2.1 Colonial period
- 2.2 Independent Burma
- 2.3 Current state
3 Comments
4 Notes
5 Literature

Basic information about the population

Sex and age pyramid for 2014

2014 Census

According to the 2014 census, the country's population was 51,419,420 (50,213,067 personally participated and 1,206,353 residents of the northern regions of Rakhine, Kachin and Kayin states who did not participate in the census, estimate). Women make up 51.8% of the population. There are 10,889,348 households in the country. The average household size is 4.4 people, in Kachin and Chin states - 5.1, in the administrative regions of Ayeyarwady, Magway, Pegu and Naypyitaw - 4.1.

CIA World Fact Book

CIA version of the World Fact Book.

The median age of residents is 27.9 years (men - 27.3; women - 28.5). Life expectancy for newborns is 65.94 years (68.46 for women and 63.57 for men).

Children under 14 years old make up 26.4% of the population, elderly people over 65 years old make up 5.2%.

The population growth rate is 1.03%. The birth rate is 2.18 children per woman. The prevalence of contraceptives is 46%.

For every girl born, there are 1.06 boys. in the period of 15-24 years the ratio becomes 1:1.03, in 25-54 - 1:0.99. In total, there are 0.99 men for every woman in Myanmar.

The maternal mortality rate for 2010 is 200 deaths per 100,000 live births. The infant mortality rate is 44.91 deaths per 1000 live births. Obese - 4%; children suffering from underweight - 22.6%. 195,700 people are sick with HIV/AIDS, which is 0.6% of the population.

The urban population is 32.6%, the urbanization rate is 2.49%. The intensity of net migration is minus 0.3 per 1000 inhabitants. The largest cities as of 2009 are Yangon, 4.3 million inhabitants; Mandalay, 1 million; Naypyitaw (capital), 992,000.

The literacy rate (persons over 15 years of age who can read and write) is 92.7%, among men - 95.1%, women - 90.4%.

Peoples of Myanmar

Myanmar is an ethnically diverse country in which minorities make up between 30 and 40 percent of the population. The Burmese are the titular nation professing Buddhism. They live mainly on the plains in the central part of the country. Most of the small peoples of the country are also Buddhists (among the inhabitants of the hills surrounding the plains there are Shans, Mons, Arakanese, among the mountain inhabitants - Karens, Pao, Palaung), however, many Kachins, Kayas and Chins converted to Christianity, and the Rohingya profess Islam.

Colonial period

Burmese Chinese traders; 1890s

In general, it can be said that during the colonial era, among the working class, foreigners mainly occupied the industrial sector of the economy, while local residents were involved in agriculture. With the colonial conquest of the country in 1886, Indians poured into Myanmar, and by 1930 Indians constituted the majority of the population in Yangon. Among the doctors who practiced Western medicine, almost 60% were Indian. The Chinese had been trading in Myanmar since before colonial rule, but the British officially encouraged their increased involvement in extractive industries, and Myanmar's Chinese diaspora also grew. In addition, the colonial administration tried to recruit Christian Karens, Chins and Kachins into the army rather than Burmese, which became an additional item in the long list of grievances against the British. After independence, the new government began nationalization, which caused the collapse of the economy. Ne Win officially blamed the Chinese diaspora for economic problems, which is why both Chinese and Indians left the country en masse to escape the 1967 pogroms.

Independent Burma

After the Japanese occupation began in 1942, the Japanese created the first national army in the country's modern history, which accepted only ethnic Burmese. The Allies recruited representatives of small nations into the anti-Japanese troops, promising independence after the end of World War II.

The civil war that began after independence hit minorities hard, as most of the fighting took place in minority-occupied territories and the new government refused to take the rights of small peoples seriously. Armed armies of national minorities (Shans, Karens and others) appeared. The 1962 coup only made the situation worse.

To pay for weapons, national armies often resorted to the sale of opium and human trafficking; in particular, the United Wa State Party in 2005 was named one of the largest drug producers and trafficking groups in the world.

Current state

Pao women

Following the adoption of the 2008 constitution, six national self-governing zones were created.

Leaders of national minorities accuse the government of exploiting the territories of minorities: the government extracts minerals (oil, gas, gold, rubies, jade) and forests in the places of traditional residence of small peoples, but the money received from the sale of these resources is not returned there, but ends up in Yangon and Naypyitaw.

In addition, smaller languages and cultures are under pressure from the Burmese language and culture: education, even in the regions, is conducted almost exclusively in the Burmese language, and artifacts of non-Burmese origin are destroyed. Thus, in 1991, the army destroyed the Shan palace in Chongtung; the Shans perceived this as an attempt to wipe out Shan culture from the face of the Earth. The Mons have relatively successfully resisted Burmanization and have managed to establish education in their language in the so-called Mon national schools. Religious persecution also persists: according to the UN, the Rohingya are one of the most persecuted minorities in the world.

In 2012, the law banning publications in languages other than Myanmar was lifted, and peoples who ceased armed resistance are formally allowed to teach in local languages (but funding must be provided at local expense). This led to a decrease in tension and a ceasefire.

The bulk of refugees from Myanmar are Chin, Rohingya, Muslim Burmese, Mon and Arakanese.

Comments

It should be taken into account that before 2014, the last general population census in the country took place in 1931, and therefore all quantitative estimates of the period 1931-2014 are very approximate

Notes

1 2 Summary of the Provisional Results. - Ministry of Immigration and Population, August 2014.
1 2 CIA World Factbook: Burma. CIA.
Dittmer, 2010, p. 52
Dittmer, 2010, p. 53
1 2 Taylor, 2009
Cheah, 2011, p. 114
Dittmer, 2010, p. 55
Cheah, 2011, p. 116
Howe, 2013, p. 145
Dittmer, 2010, pp. 50-51
Dittmer, 2010, p. 61
Dittmer, 2010, p. 70
1 2 Dittmer, 2010, p. 73
Myanmar, Bangladesh leaders "to discuss Rohingya", AFP (29 June 2012). Archived from the original on July 18, 2012.
OECD, p. 174
Symaco, 2013, p. 161

Literature

Symaco L.P., Brock C. Education in South-East Asia. - Bloomsbury Academic, 2013. - (Education Around the World). - ISBN 9781441101419.
Cheah J. Race and Religion in American Buddhism: White Supremacy and Immigrant Adaptation. - Oxford University Press, USA, 2011. - (AAR ACADEMY SER). - ISBN 9780199756285.
Taylor R.H. The State in Myanmar. - NUS Press, 2009. - ISBN 9789971694661.
Dittmer L. Burma Or Myanmar? The Struggle for National Identity. - World Scientific, 2010. - ISBN 9789814313643.
Howe B. The Protection and Promotion of Human Security in East Asia. - Palgrave Macmillan, 2013. - (Critical Studies of the Asia-Pacific). - ISBN 9781137293657.
OECD Development Pathways Multi-dimensional Review of Myanmar Volume 1. Initial Assessment: Volume 1. Initial Assessment. - OECD Publishing, 2013. - (OECD Development Pathways). - ISBN 9789264202085.

Myanmar's population

Countries of the world

Kaufman A.S. The working class and the national liberation movement in Burma. M., 1961
Vasiliev V.F. Essays on the history of Burma. 18851947. M., 1962
Kozlova M.G. Burma on the eve of the British conquest. M., 1962
Vasiliev V.F. Colonial period of modern history of Burma (1918-1947). In the book: New history of Asian and African countries. M., 1965
Kurakova L.I. Burma. Natural areas and landscapes. M., 1967
Gavrilov Yu.N. The struggle for independence and progressive changes in Burma. M., 1970
Takin Lwin. History of the Burma Labor Movement. M., 1972
Mozheiko I.V., Uzyanov A.N. History of Burma(Brief essay). M., 1973
Kaufman A.S. Burma: ideology and politics. M., 1973
Gavrilova A.G. The national question in Burma in the 1940-1950s (some problems of the struggle for a unified state). M., 1981
Burma. Directory. M., 1982
Lintner, Bertil. Land of Jade: A Jorney through Insurgent Burma. Edinburgh, Bangkok, 1990
Lintner, Bertil. The Rise and Fall of the Communist Party of Burma. Ithaca, New York, 1990
Agadzhanyan A.S. The Buddhist path in the 20th century Religious values and modern history of Theravada countries. M., 1993
Lintner, Bertil. Burma in Revolt: Opium and Insurgency since 1948. Bangkok, 1994
Darchenkov D. V. U Well and the state development of Burma. M., 1997
Smith, Martin. Burma: Insurgency and the Politics of Ethnicity (revised and updated). London: Zed Books, 1999
Fink, Christina. Living Silence: Burma under Military Rule. New York: Zed Books, 2001

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