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Myanmar Facts & Figures
Full country name: Union of Myanmar (Burma became Myanmar in 1989 after
the State Law and Order Restoration Council decided that the old name implied
the dominance of Burmese culture; the Burmese are just one of the many ethnic
groups in the country)
Location of Myanmar : The Union of Myanmar is geographically situated in
Southeast Asia between latitudes 09° 32' N and 28°31' N and longitudes 92° 10'
E and 101° 11' E.
Area of Myanmar : The total area of Myanmar is 2,61,228 square miles
(6,77,000 square kilometers).
Capital City of Myanmar : Yangon is the Capital City of Myanmar and
second capital city of myanmar is Mandalay.
Myanmar Standard time : Myanmar Standard time (MST) is six hours and 30
minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC).
Climate of Myanmar : Three seasons of Myanmar is summer, rainy and cold.
Population of Myanmar : 45 million (growth rate 2.1%) Myanmar is a
country with a large land area rich in natural and human resources.
Religion of Myanmar : Freedom of belief and religion exists in Myanmar.
Over 80% of the population in Myanmar are the Theravada Buddhists faith. There
are also some who profess faith in Christianity , Hinduism and Islam.
Language use in Myanmar :Myanmar is the main language and English is
widely understood.
Should you go to Myanmar?
The decision as to whether or not to travel to Myanmar is best made after an
appraisal of the pros and cons of such a visit.
Reasons to go to Myanmar
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Tourism remains one of the few industries to which ordinary Burmese have
access. Any reduction in tourism means a reduction in local income-earning
opportunities
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It is becoming increasingly possible to travel in Myanmar without staying in
government-owned hotels, using government-owned transport etc
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Many pro-democracy activists within Myanmar itself argue that sanctions are
counter-productive, and that economic development can lead to political
liberalisation
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Keeping the Burmese isolated from international witnesses to internal
oppression may only cement the government's control
If You Decide to go to Myanmar
In order to maximise the positive effects of a visit among the general populace,
while minimising support of the government, follow these simple tactics:
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Stay at private, locally owned hotels and guesthouses
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Avoid package tours connected with Myanmar Travel & Tours
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Avoid MTT-sponsored modes of transport, such as the Yangon-Mandalay Express
trains, the MTT ferry between Mandalay and Bagan, and Myanma Airways (MA)
flights
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Buy handicrafts directly from the artisans, rather than from government shops
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Avoid patronising companies involved with the military-owned Myanmar Economic
Holdings. Companies with solid links to the Tatmadaw (armed forces) are often
called Myawadi or Myawaddy
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Write to the Myanmar government and to the Myanmar embassy in your country
expressing your views about the human-rights situation there.
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