Republic of the Union of Myanmar | Burma
Destination Myanmar, a country in Southeast Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal south. It is bordered in north and northeast by China, in east by Laos and Thailand, in west by Bangladesh and the Indian states of Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. The country is also known as Burma and called the Golden Land.
The country covers an area of 676,578 km², making it almost twice the size of Germany or slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Texas.
Probably the highest elevation in both Myanmar and Southeast Asia's is Mount Hkakabo Razi (Khaka Borazi) at 5,881 m (19,295 ft) located in Kachin state near the country's northern border with China, about 110 km (70 mi) north of Putao. Burma's main rivers are the Chindwin (the 'Mighty Chindwin') and the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady).
Myanmar has a population of 51.4 million people (2014 census). Largest city, former capital, and the economic center of Myanmar is Yangon. Since 2005 Burma's new capital is Naypyidaw, a planned city in central. Spoken languages are Burmese (official). Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Chin, Mon, Rakhine, and Shan are regional languages. Rohingya, the language of the Rohingya people from Rakhine State is spoken by about 1.3 million. According to the United Nations, the Rohingya are one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. In 2017 hundreds of thousands Rohingya fled from western Myanmar into neighboring Bangladesh because of the repression and violence they face in Myanmar.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Site of the ministry with information on Myanmar and its foreign relations.
Diplomatic Missions
Permanent Mission of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations and Other International Organizations
Geneva, Switzerland.
Consulate General of Myanmar in Hong Kong
With information on Myanmar in English and Chinese.
Myanmar Embassy Singapore
The embassy provides as well information on Myanmar.
Missions of Myanmar
List of Myanmar missions in foreign countries.
Foreign Embassies Addresses in Myanmar
Address List of Foreign Embassies Addresses in Myanmar.
News
The Burmanet News
Burma (Myanmar) related news in Burmese.
Democratic Voice of Burma - DVB
DVB broadcasts twice a day Burma related current news and news commentaries.
The Irrawaddy
News Magazine covering Burma and Asia published by expatriates.
Mizzima.com
Specialising on Burma - related news and issues, especially India-Burma relations.
Myanmar Times
Official Myanmar Journal.
The New Light of Myanmar
An official daily newspaper from Myanmar.
Kyehmon - The Mirror
Myanmar news.
Myanmar Business Today
Myanmar's first bilingual business newspaper. (in English)
Arts & Culture
Myanmar is a nation with a multiplicity of ethnic groups, more than130 distinct ethnic groups are recognized by the Burmese government. By far the largest group (68%) are the Bamar people who speak the Burmese language (a Sino-Tibetan language).
Other main groups are Shan 9%, Kayin 7%, Rakhine 3.5%, Mon 2.0%, Kachin 1.25%, and Kayah 0.75%.
Other minorities in Burma are Chinese 2.5% and 1.5% Indians.
Myanmar Culture
The culture of Myanmar (also known as Burma) has much influence by Buddhism and the Mon people. Burmese culture has also been influenced by its neighbours India, and China.
Myanmar Arts
Myanmar is a country full of ancient traditions and culture. From time to time, the Myanmars have adapted different cultures and arts. To describe about the Arts of Myanmar, there are 10 Myanmar traditional arts which are metaphorically called "Ten Flowers".
Theses arts have been passed on from one century to another until today. The 10 arts are as follows:
Panbe (the art of blacksmith)
Panbu (the art of sculpture)
Pantain (the art of gold and silver smith)
Pantin(the art of bronze casting)
Pantaut (the art of making floral designs using masonry)
Panyan (the art of bricklaying and masonry)
Pantamault (the art of sculpting with stone)
Panpoot (the art of turning designs on the lathe)
Panchi (the art of painting)
Panyun (the art of making lacquer ware)
The Art of Burma
Burma Art gallery, a collection of Burmese art presented by Center for Burma Studies, Northern Illinois University.
The Art of Burma: Burmese Buddhism is a combination of indigenous beliefs and customs and Theravada Buddhist concepts and practices. The Buddha sought to teach people the moral and spiritual path to enlightenment. At his own enlightenment, the Buddha became knowledgeable of the cycles of rebirth (reincarnation), karma, and the Four Holy Truths. Karma is defined as the principle that individuals are reborn well or poorly depending on their actions in previous lives. For example, hatred and violence lead to hell, whereas kindness and generosity lead to happy lives in human or god-like forms. Minor actions can have effects on appearance, levels of wealth, and health, among others. All intentional actions contribute to the sum of an individual’s karma. A more advanced approach to Buddhist thought can be found in the Four Holy Truths, which state that a) all individuals are subject to suffering, b) the cause of this suffering is craving, c) the attainment of nirvana will end this suffering, and d) the path to nirvana is via the Eight-fold Path or Middle Way which focuses upon correct behavior and thoughts.
Not all individuals are able to understand and practice the Buddha’s teachings upon first hearing them, and various methods are used to assist these beings to come to a higher understanding of Buddhist concepts. One method is the production and honoring of Buddha images, stupas, and religious art, which can function both as reminders of the most recent Buddha and his ideas, and as reliquaries. As Buddhism diffused from India to other countries, religious art was altered to suit local expression. For example, the Buddhas on display here show the Burmese interpretation of canonical descriptions, as well as revealing peculiarly Burmese features, such as extensive ribbons and crowns.
Unorthodox ideas were also incorporated into Burmese Buddhist art. The Dekhina Thakha, for example, is a non-canonical image that functions as a protector and is used as a Buddha image on private altars at home. Shin Thivali, a monk, has also come to symbolize protection, in addition to his position as a spiritually advanced being.
Many other elements of Burmese art also play a protective role. Nagas (serpents/dragons), devas (gods), bilu (ogres), lokanat (guardians of the directions and harmony), and kinnari (creatures who are half-human and half-bird) are liberally depicted in Burmese art to ward off evil and to provide a cosmological balance to the world. Bilu are usually placed at the entrance to area; lokanat at the entrance to a building or close to the king’s throne. Kinnari and Kinnara are located on doors, on wall paintings or roofs of monasteries, on wall paintings, and at the corners of buildings. Devas and nagas can be seen within religious buildings. The devas are connected with the heavens, while the nagas are associated with water and territory or soil.
Do's and Don'ts in Myanmar
Also known as "Lawka Niti" for those who visits Myanmar or who is dealing with Myanmar people should observe certain rules.
Languages
Aungsan, Burmese, Karen and Suukyi, English
Business & Economy
Since the transition to a civilian government in 2011, Burma has begun an economic overhaul aimed at attracting foreign investment and reintegrating into the global economy. The government’s commitment to reform, and the subsequent easing of most Western sanctions, has begun to pay dividends. Burma’s abundant natural resources, young labor force, and proximity to Asia’s dynamic economies have attracted foreign investment, actually more an invasion of foreign interests and badly needed money.
Transportation
Airlines
Air Bagan
Domestic carrier.
Asian Wings
Private airline based at Yangon International Airport.
Air Mandalay
A domestic and regional carrier for the tourism sector.
Myanmar Airways International
Offers international flights to Singapore and Bangkok.
Yangon Airways
Domestic airline in Myanmar.