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LAND AND PEOPLE
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LOCATION
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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. |
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Myanmar is bordered on the north and northeast by the
People's Republic of China, on the east and southeast by the Lao People's
Democratic Republic and the Kingdom of Thailand, on the south by the Andaman
Sea and the Bay of Bengal and on the west by the People's Republic of
Bangladesh and the Republic of India. |
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East longitude 96° 13' and north latitude 16° 45' run
through Yangon, the Capital City of Myanmar. Myanmar Standard Time, taken as on
east longitude 97° 30' is six hours and thirty minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean
Time. |
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AREA
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The total area of Myanmar is 2,61,228 square miles (6,77,000
square kilometers). It stretches for 582 miles (936 kilometers) from east to
west and 1,275 miles (2,051 kilometers) from north to south. |
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The length of contiguous frontier is 3,828 miles (6,129
kilometers), sharing 1,370 miles with China, 1,310 miles with Thailand, 832
miles with India, 1,687 miles with Bangladesh and 148 miles with Laos
respectively. The length of the coastline from the mouth of Naaf River to
Kawthaung is approximately 1,385 miles. |
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PHYSICAL FEATURES
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The topography of Myanmar can roughly be divided into three
parts: the Western Hills Region, the Central Valley Region and the Eastern Hill
Region. The Himalayan Range has a link with Myanmar and is known as the Western
Yoma that runs to the south. The Khakabo Razi which is situated in the
northernmost part of the Westem Yoma is 19,296 feet high while the Sarameti is
12,553. The Western Yoma Range serves as a wall that separates Myanmar from
India.
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The Central Valley Region consists of the broadest valley of
the Ayeyawady. The first part of the River Ayeyawady is from the origin of
river to Mandalay; the second part constitutes from Mandalay to Pyay and the
third is the part from Pyay to the mouth of the river. The Central Valley
Region consists of Sittaung Valley and Chindwin Valley. In the centre lies the
small mountain ranges such as Zeebyu Taungdan, Minwun Taungdan, Hman-kin
Taungdan and Gangaw Taungdan. There also lies the low range of Bago Yoma that
slopes down from north to south. |
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The Eastern Hills Region is the Shan Plateau which is
average 3,000 to 4,000 feet above sea level. Unlike the plain, the plateau has
high mountain ranges and the River Than Lwin flows through the Shan Plateau to
the northern Taninthayi Coastal Strip. The rivers of Shweli, Myitnge, Zawgyi
and Pan-laung which have their sources at the Shan Plateau flow into the River
Ayeyawady. |
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THE STATE SEAL
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The distinguishing features of the State Seal are as follows
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At the centre of the State Seal is a pinion with fourteen equal-sized cogs on
which the map of Myanmar is superimposed. The pinion and the map are encircled
with two ears of paddy.
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The ears of paddy are flanked on each side by an artistic Myanmar Lion. The
lion on the right side faces towards the right and the one on the left side
faces towards the left.
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The words "The Union of Myanmar" are inscribed in Myanmar below the lions and
the ears of paddy.
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At the top of the State Seal is a star with five vertices.
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Myanmar floral designs are etched on either side of the ears of paddy and the
star.
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THE STATE FLAG
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The State Flag is rectangular in shape and its background
colour is red with a dark blue canton at the top left corner. A pinion and ears
of paddy encircled with fourteen white stars of equal size have been
superimposed on the dark blue field of the canton. |
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The centre of the pinion coincides with the centre of the
blue canton. The pinion has fourteen cogs of equal size and within it are two
ears of paddy consisting of 34 grains. At the top of each cog of the pinion is
a star with five vertices. |
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Of the three colours of the flag, red signifies courage and
decisiveness, white signifies purity and virtue and dark blue signifies peace
and integrity. |
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CLIMATE
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The climate of Myanmar is roughly divided into three seasons: summer, rainy
season and cold season. From March to mid-May are summer months; the rain falls
from mid-May to the end of October and the cold season starts in November and
ends in the end of February. Generally, Myanmar enjoys a tropical monsoon
climate. However, climatic conditions differ widely from place to place due to
widely differing topographical situations. For instance, Central Myanmar has an
annual rainfall of less than 40 inches while the Rakhine coast gets about 200
inches. |
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Besides, the average highest temperature in Central
Myanmar during the summer months March and April is above 110°F (43.3
degree centigrade) while in Northern Myanmar, it is about 79°F (36.1
degree centigrade) and on the Shan Plateau between 85°F and
95°F (29.4 centigrade and 35 degree). Temperature of towns vary
according to their location and elevation. |
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The location and topography of the country create
summer, rainy season, and cold season. Extremes of temperature are not
encountered. The direction of winds and depression bring rains, and in some
years, severe storms occur causing damage from storm in coastal regions. In
order to bring about the favourable climatic conditions, the State has given
priority to the Nine Districts Special Region Refoliation Project. |
| January |
19 degrees Centigrade |
| February |
23 degrees Centigrade |
| March |
29 degrees Centigrade |
| April |
32 degrees Centigrade |
| May |
33 degrees Centigrade |
| June |
33 degrees Centigrade |
| July |
32 degrees Centigrade |
| August |
32 degrees Centigrade |
| September |
30 degrees Centigrade |
| October |
28 degrees Centigrade |
| November |
18 degrees Centigrade |
| December |
16 degrees Centigrade |
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FLORA AND FAUNA
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Myanmar is endowed with a rich diversity of habitat types
arising largely from its unusual ecological diversity. It is home to nearly 300
known mammal species, 300 reptiles, and about 100 bird species. |
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The country is also a haven for about 7000 species of plant
life. The potential worth of plant species in Myanmar is considerable. |
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Since Myanmar considers such a rich pool of biodiversity as
an important national asset, the government of the Union of Myanmar has drawn
up strict regulations to protect its reservoir of biodiversity and biological
resources. |
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POPULATION
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The Union of Myanmar is made up of over hundred national
races of which the main ethnic groups are Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar,
Mon, Rakhine and Shan. According to the statistics of 2000-2001, the population
of the country is estimated at million and the population growth rate is 1.84
per cent. Males constitute 23.46 million, forming 49.66 per cent and females
constitute 23.79 million, forming 50.34 per cent. It is expected that the
population will reach 50 million by the year 2000. |
| Sr. |
Census Year |
Area Square |
Population (Million) |
Density of Population per square mile |
Growth Rate(%) |
| 1 |
1872 * |
88566 |
2.727 |
31 |
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| 2 |
1881 * |
87220 |
3.737 |
43 |
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| 3 |
1891 |
171430 |
7.722 |
45 |
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| 4 |
1901 |
226209 |
10.491 |
46 |
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| 5 |
1911 |
230893 |
12.115 |
52 |
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| 6 |
1921 |
233707 |
13.212 |
57 |
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| 7 |
1931 |
233492 |
14.667 |
63 |
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| 8 |
1941 |
261057 |
16.824 |
64 |
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| 9 |
1973 |
261228 |
28.921 |
111 |
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| 10 |
1983 |
261228 |
35.308 |
135 |
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| 11 |
1993 ** |
261228 |
43.116 |
165 |
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| 12 |
1996 ** |
261228 |
45.565 |
174 |
1.84 |
| 13 |
1997 ** |
261228 |
46.40 |
178 |
1.84 |
| 14 |
2000 ** |
261228 |
49.008 |
188 |
1.84 |
| 15 |
2003 ** |
261228 |
51.660 |
198 |
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RELIGION
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Since the ancient times, there has been full freedom
of worship for followers of religions. So, different religions can be practised
in Myanmar. The religious edifices and religious orders have been in existence
and religious festivals can be held on a grand scale. |
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Although the main religion, Buddhism is practised by
the 89.3 percent of the population, there is full freedom of worship for other
religions. Christianity is practised by 5.6 percent, Islam by 3.8 percent,
Hinduism by 0.5 percent and Animism by 0.2 percent respectively.
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CITIZENSHIP
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Every national and every person born of parents, both
of whom are nationals are citizens by birth. |
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The following persons born in or outside the State are also citizens : |
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Persons born of parents, both of whom are citizens;
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Persons born of parents, one of whom is a citizen and the other an associate
citizen;
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Persons born of parents, one of whom is a citizen and the other a naturalized
citizen;
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Offsprings born of parents, one of whom is a citizen, or an associate citizen,
or a naturalized citizen and the other born of parents, both of whom are
associate citizens;
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Offsprings born of parents, one of whom is a citizen, or an associate citizen,
or a naturalized citizen and the other born of parents, both of whom are
naturalized citizens;
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Offsprings born of parents, one of whom is a citizen, or an associate citizen,
or a naturalized citizen and the other born of parents, one of whom is an
associate citizen and the other a naturalized citizen;
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MYANMAR RESIDENTS REGISTRATION
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Compilation of national registration which puts on
record name, male or female, age and date of birth, birth-place, nationality,
residence, marital status is of importance. |
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IMMIGRATION
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Laws have been enacted for the permission of entry and
stay for any foreigner in the Union of Myanmar. Any foreigner shall not be
allowed to enter the Union of Myanmar without stay visa or passports.
Foreigners are not allowed to enter the country at any rate without passports
or valid certificates of registration. Visas must be applied for in a
prescribed way. |
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Foreigners who enter the country with visas are
allowed to stay one month. Depending upon the entry visa, the validity period
can be extended. |
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FOREIGNERS
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Laws have been enacted to allow or check the
residence, transition and travelling in Myanmar for foreigners. And a
punishment of deportation has been provided. |
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Foreigners who are travelling without certificates, or
those who travel out of the limited area, or those who travel with invalid
certificates and those who fail to adhere to the laws can be taken into custody
without warrants. |
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CENSUS SURVEY
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Census is taken to record population, animals,
property and business. Statistics are taken in cooperation with the authorities
concerned all over the country or regionwise. Population, statistics are
included in the task. |
Taking of census is conducted by the Government
entirely or partly in the
country. Census is taken once in ten years. The task is undertaken by the
Population
Department to give the accurate statistics on population, male or female,
age-groups,
regional residence. |
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NATIONAL REGISTRATION AND CITIZENSHIP REGISTRATION
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National Registration cards are issued to those
residing in the country in accordance with the 1921 Registration by Law. Today,
Citizenship Cards are issued to those legally eligible. |
