Myanmar
Pyi-daung-zu Myan-ma Naing-ngan-dawUnion of Myanmar
links
Agriculture - products:
rice, pulses, beans, sesame, groundnuts, sugarcane; hardwood; fish and fish products
Climate:
tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April)
Terrain:
central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: AndamanSea 0 m
highest point: Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 14.92%
permanent crops: 1.31%
other: 83.77% (2005)
Irrigated land:
15,920 sq km (1998 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 70%, industry 7%, services 23% (2001)
From Wikipedia:
16°46′N 96°09′E
Largestcity / Yangon (Rangoon)
Officiallanguage(s) / Burmese
Government
Chairman, SPDC
Prime Minister / Military junta
Sr. Gen. Than Shwe
Lt.-Gen. Soe Win
Independence
- Date / From the United Kingdom
January 4, 1948
Area
- Total
- Water (%) /
678,500km²(39th)
261,970mi²
3.06%
Population
- July 2005 est.
- n/a census
- Density /
42,909,4641 (28th)
n/a
63/km² (105th)
163/mi²
GDP (PPP)
- Total
- Per capita / 2005 estimate
$76.2 billion (66th)
$1,800 (187th)
HDI (2003) / 0.578 (129th) – medium
Currency / kyat (K) (MMK)
Time zone
- Summer(DST) / MMT (UTC+6:30)
not observed (UTC+6:30)
Internet TLD / .mm (formerly .bu)
Calling code / +95
1.) Note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected.
The Union of Myanmar (also known as the Union of Burma by bodies and states who do not recognize the ruling military junta) is the largest country (in geographical area) in mainland Southeast Asia. It is bordered by the People's Republic of China on the north, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, and India on the northwest, with the Andaman Sea to the south, and the Bay of Bengal to the southwest. There are over 2,000 kilometres (1,243 mi) of coastline. The country was ruled by a military junta led by GeneralNe Win from 1962 to 1988, and its political system today remains under the tight control of its militarygovernment, since 1992, led by Senior General Than Shwe.
History
Main article: History of Myanmar
In a series of wars (1824–1826, 1851–1852 and 1885–1886) Burma lost territory to the British and became a province of India under British rule. On April 1, 1937, Burma became a separately-administered colony independent of the Indian administration. During World War II Burma became a major front in the Southeast Asian Theatre. After initial successes by the Japanese in the Burma Campaign which saw them expel the British from most of Burma, the British fought back and by July 1945 had retaken the country. Burmese fought for both sides in the war. The Burma 1st Division, the Kachin Levies, the Karen Rifles and in other formations such as the American-Kachin Rangers fought for the Allies, and the Burmese National Army under the command of Aung San fought for the Japanese.
On January 4, 1948 at 04:20 am, the nation became an independent republic, known as the Union of Burma, with Sao Shwe Thaik as its first President and U Nu as its first Prime Minister. There was a bicameralparliament consisting of a Chamber of Deputies and a Chamber of Nationalities.
Democratic rule ended in 1962 with a military coup d'état led by General Ne Win. Ne Win ruled for nearly 26 years, bringing in harsh reforms. In 1990 free elections were held for the first time in almost 30 years, but the landslide victory of the NLD, the party of Aung San Suu Kyi was voided by the military, which refused to step down.
One of the top figures in Burmese history in the 20th century is Army founder and freedom figure General Aung San, a student-turned activist whose daughter is 1991 Nobel Peace Laureate and worldwide peace, freedom and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi of the NLD, now under house arrest. The third most recognised Burmese figure in the world is U Thant, who was UN Secretary General for two terms and highly respected throughout United Nations' history.
On 27 March 2006 the military junta moved the national capital from Yangon to Pyinmana, which has been renamed "Naypyidaw" meaning "seat of kings".4
[edit]
Subdivisions
Main article: Subdivisions of Myanmar
Myanmar is divided into 7 states and 7 divisions.
Myanmar is divided into states and divisions. Divisions are predominantly Bamar. States, in essence, are divisions in which particular ethnic minorities exist. There are 7 divisions and 7 states in the country. The administrative divisions are further subdivided into townships, wards, and villages.
Major cities such as Yangon and Mandalay have larger metropolitan areas. Therefore, townships in the suburbs of such cities are designated as myo-thit (New Town). Upon reaching the government's installed development markers, the New Towns become townships.
Within the states, there are ethnic-based movements for self-autonomy and independence.
Divisions
- Ayeyarwady Division (Irrawaddy Division)
- Bago Division (Pegu Division)
- Magway Division
- Mandalay Division
- Sagaing Division
- Tanintharyi Division (Tenasserim Division)
- Yangon Division (Rangoon Division)
States
- Chin State
- Kachin State
- Kayin State (KarenState)
- Kayah State (KarenniState)
- Mon State
- Rakhine State (ArakanState)
- Shan State
Military ranked 10th
[edit]
Geography
Main article: Geography of Myanmar
Myanmar is located between Bangladesh and Thailand, with China to the north and India to the north-west, with coastline on the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. The country has a total area of 678,500 square kilometres (261,970 mi²), of which almost half is forest or woodland.
In the north, the Hengduan Shan mountains form the border with China. The fertile plains of the Ayeyarwady and ThanlwinRivers are in the central lowlands of Myanmar. Most of the country's population lives in this central lowland. The Shan Plateau lies east of Mandalay. In the south, the Ayeyarwady River fans out into a wide and fertile delta. Many crops are grown in this region, which borders the Andaman Sea. The Gulf of Martaban also indents the southern coast of Myanmar. It drains into the AndamanSea.
[edit]
Economy
Main article: Economy of Myanmar
During British colonisation, Myanmar was the wealthiest country in Southeast Asia and was believed to be on the fast track to development. Today, it is one of the poorest nations in the world, suffering from the 1962 military takeover and Burmese Way to Socialism, a plan to consolidate and nationalise all industries. During this period, there was economic mismanagement and stagnation. In 1989, the government of Myanmar began decentralising economic control and has since liberalised some portions of the economy. However, the lucrative industries of gems, oil and forestry remain under the control of the military government. The United Nations lists Myanmar as a LDC3 (least developed country). Tourism is being encouraged by the government; however, fewer than 750,000 tourists enter the country yearly. Private enterprises are often co-owned or indirectly by the Tatmadaw. In recent years, both China and India have attempted to strengthen ties with the government because of Myanmar’s oil reserves.
Some nations, such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, have placed trade sanctions on Myanmar. Foreign investment comes primarily from China, Singapore and Thailand.
Myanmar lacks adequate infrastructure, and has suffered as a result. Goods travel primarily through the Burmese-Thai borders, from which most illegal drugs are exported, and through the Ayeyarwady River. Railroads are rudimentary, with few repairs since their construction in the 19th century. Highways are normally unpaved, except in the major cities. Energy shortages are common throughout the country. Myanmar is the second-largest producer of heroin in the world. Other industries include agricultural goods, textiles, wood products, construction materials, and metals. The lack of an educated workforce also contributes to the growing problems of the Burmese economy.
[edit]
Politics
Main article: Politics of Myanmar
Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962. The current Head of State is Senior General Than Shwe who holds the title of "Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council." His appointed prime minister was Khin Nyunt until 19 October2004, when he was replaced by Gen. Soe Win. Almost all cabinet offices are held by military officers. US sanctions against the military government have been largely ineffective, due to loopholes in the sanctions and the willingness of mainly Asian business to continue investing in Myanmar and to initiate new investments, particularly in natural resource extraction. For example, the French oil company Total S.A. is able to buy Myanmar's oil despite the country being under sanctions, although Total (formerly TotalFinaElf) is the subject of a lawsuit in French and Belgian courts for alleged connections to human rights abuses along the gas pipeline jointly owned by Total, the American company Unocal, and the Myanmar military.1 The United States clothing and shoe industry could also be affected if all the sanctions loopholes were to be closed, although they were already subject to boycotts prior to US sanctions imposed in June of 2002. At the same time, the US-led sanctions are criticized by many for their adverse effects mainly on the civilian population rather than on the military rulers.2
The regime is accused of having a questionable human rights record and the human rights situation in the country is a subject of concern for a wide number of international organizations. There is no independent judiciary in Myanmar and political opposition to the military government is not tolerated. Internet access is highly restricted. The state uses software-based filtering from US company Fortinet to limit the materials citizens can access on-line, including free email services, free web hosting and most political opposition and pro-democracy pages. [1]
In 1988, protests against economic mismanagement and political oppression were violently repressed; on August 8 of that year, the military opened fire on demonstrators in what has come to be known as the 8888 uprising (a partial list of victims is here). Nonetheless, the 1988 protests paved way for the 1990 elections; these were however invalidated by the military. Aung San Suu Kyi, whose opposition party won 83% of parliamentary seats in a 1990 national election, but who was prevented from becoming prime minister by the military, has earned international praise as an activist for the return of democratic rule to Myanmar. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. She has been repeatedly placed under house arrest, although in recent years the regime has been willing to enter into negotiations with her and her party, the National League for Democracy. She was placed under house arrest on May 31, 2003, following an attack on her convoy in northern Myanmar. Her house arrest was extended for yet another year in late November of 2005. [2]
The junta faces increasing international isolation. Burma's situation was referred to the UN Security Council for the first time in December for an informal consultation. ASEAN has also stated its frustration with Burma's government. However, with China supporting the junta, any drastic change in the country's political situation seems unlikely.
[edit]
Demographics
Much of Yangon's population reside in densely-populated flats.
All population figures are at best educated guesses. The last accurate census was taken by the British in the 1930s. The largely unorganised results of the last pre-World War II censuses were destroyed during the Japanese invasion. The CIA World Factbook gives an unsupported estimate of about 42.9 million and one branch of the UN reports there are about 50 million ([3] mid-2005). Other reports speak of 40 to 55 million inhabitants. A million or more Burmese might be living and working in neighbouring countries (especially Thailand). With figures varying for the whole country by several million, it is evident that figures for various minority groups are not very reliable. Reports and observations in the northern half of the country suggest that several hundred thousand Chinese have migrated into Myanmar in recent years. Other reports suggest that some of these émigrés have returned to China in recent years.
______
Prepared by: Gustavo Romero