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Myanmar Luxury Hotels, Tours, Travel Deals
Myanmar Travel Information
 Formerly known as Burma, Myanmar is one of the poorest but at the same time one of the most captivating countries of Southeast Asia, and these two seemingly opposed attributes are in fact connected.
Traveling to Myanmar involves not only a journey into a different geographic region, but also an excursion into another time. How far back into the past one travels depends on the destinations chosen within the country. For instance, if you compare the Burmese capital Yangon to the Thai capital Bangkok, you may be taken back 30 or 40 years into the past. However, a visit to the country's hill tribes can equal a trip into the middle ages!
In the native tongue, Burma's name has always been Myanmar. In 1989, the Burmese military government issued a decree that the country be known by the name of Myanmar among the international community. But however you refer to this fascinating destination, you'll be treated to a step back in time and a treasure-trove of Burmese architecture.
Myanmar is the traditional name both of the country and of its people. The British called the country "Burma" following colloquial usage and coined the name "Burmese" for the people.
The land was also known as Suvannabhumi, "Golden Land" in ancient times, and today, with its rich natural resources and diversity of attractions, it still deserves to be called the Golden Land.
With a land area of 676,577 sq.km., Myanmar is the largest country in the South-east Asian peninsula. It shares borders with Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand and has a 2832 km-long coastline on the Indian Ocean. Situated between latitudes 9° 30'N and 28° 30' N and between longitudes 92° 10' E and 101° 10' E the country stretches 2090 km north to south, and 925km east to west and has a varied topography which includes islands, extensive rice plains, river valleys and forested hills and mountains.
Over 50 percent of the total land area is covered with forests, and the flora ranges from sub-alpine forests in the north through thorn forests in the central region to tropical rain forests in the south. Myanmar enjoys tropical climate and has three seasons; the monsoon or rainy season from June to October, a cool season from November to February, and a hot season from March to May. During the monsoon season, rainfall can vary from a high of 500 cm in coastal regions to a low of 75 cm in the central region. Average temperatures range from 32 H C in the coastal and delta areas to 21 H C in the northern highlands.
The People
Myanmar is a Union of over 135 ethnic groups with the name Myanmar embracing all the ethnic groups. The major ethnic groups are Bamar, Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Raichine and Shan. The Bamar is the largest group forming 69% of the total population of 47 million. A majority (89%) of the population are Buddhists and the rest are Christians, Muslims, Hindus and some Animists.
Culture
Myanmar lies between two great civilizations, India and China, but it has developed its own distinctive culture. Buddhism has a great influence on the daily lives of the Myanmar people. The people have preserved the traditions of close family ties, respect for elders, devotion to Buddhist teachings and wearing the simple native dress. They are a people easily contented and cheerful in the face of adversity. Myanmar people are known for their friendliness and simple hospitality. The wealth of natural resources may be impressive but the great fascination of Myanmar lies in its people.
The official language is Myanmar and it is spoken by at least 80% of the population. The spoken Myanmar language differs slightly from region to region and the minority ethnic groups have their own languages and dialects. English is spoken by many and is widely understood.
Economy
Since 1988, Myanmar has moved from a centrally planned economy to a market oriented economy and has liberalised domestic and external trade, promoted the development of the private sector and been opened up to foreign investment. In line with the new economic direction, such laws as the Foreign Investment Law, Central Bank of Myanmar Law, Financial Institutions of Myanmar Law, and Myanmar Tourist Law have been enacted and Chambers of Commerce reactivated
Agriculture remains the main sector of the economy and measures are being taken to increase productivity, promote crop diversification, increase agricultural exports and develop agro-based industries. Under the new economic policy, Myanmar's rich natural and human resources are being utilized and developed not only by the state sector but also by local and foreign investors.
Myanmar is also rich in tourist attractions and there is enormous potential for the tourism industry.
Myanmar (Burma) is a developing, agrarian country ruled by a military regime. The country's political situation is relatively volatile because the military government suppresses expression of opposition to its rule. The capital is Rangoon.
The country has begun to encourage tourism after a long period of isolation. Foreigners can expect to pay at least five times more than locals do for hotels, airfare, and entry to tourist sites. Tourist facilities in Rangoon, Bagan, Taunggyi, and Mandalay are adequate, but they are very limited in most other areas of the country.
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