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Guide to Burma

Burma, once part of the British Empire is also known as Myanmar. It separated in 1937 and became independent in 1948. Now under military rule,and generally stable, a third of the country is still in rebel hands.

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Official name: Union of Myanmar
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand
Population: 48.8 million (UN, 2007)
Capital: Nay Pyi Taw
Largest city: Rangoon (Yangon)
Area: 676,552 sq km (261,218 sq miles)
Major languages: Burmese, indigenous ethnic languages
Major religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Animism
Life expectancy: 59 years (men), 65 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 kyat = 100 pyas
Main exports: Teak, pulses and beans, prawns, fish, rice, opiates, oil and gas
GNI per capita: not available
Internet domain: .mm
International dialling code: +95

Note: The current regime changed the name to Myanmar in 1989. However Burma's democracy movement prefers the form ‘Burma’ because they do not accept the legitimacy of the unelected military regime to change the official name of the country. Internationally, both names are recognised.

10 October 2007

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