MYANMAR IN BRIEF
THE LAND
Myanmar, known as Suvanna Bhumi (The Golden Earth) in
the olden days for its fertile land and rich natural resources is the
largest country in the South-east Asia Peninsula sharing borders with
Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand. With a total land area of
676,577 sq.km, it is about the size of Texas and the size of United
Kingdom and France combined. The country stretches over 2090 km from
north to south and over 925 km east to west. It has a 2832 km long
coastline on the Indian Ocean. Over 50 percent of the total land area is
covered with forests.
CLIMATE
Generally, Myanmar has three seasons. The monsoon or
rainy season is from May to October, the cool dry season from November
to February, and the hot season from March to May. During the rainy
season, rainfall varies from 75 cm in the central dry zone to 500 cm in
the coastal region. Average temperature ranges from 21.C in the northern
highlands to 32.C in central and lower areas.
SEASONS
Myanmar has three distinctive seasons; namely, hot
(March to May), rainy (June to October) and cool (November to February).
It is mainly Tropical climate with three seasons.
HISTORICAL BACK GROUND
Early civilization in Myanmar dates back to the 1st
century with archaeological evidences of the Pyu Kingdoms of
Thayekhittaya (Sri Ksetra), Beithano (Vishnu) and Hanlin.
The first Myanmar Empire was founded in early 11th
century by King Anawrahta who unified the country through his strong
leadership and intellect. The Empire with its capital at Bagan lasted
until the end of 13th century with the invasion of the Mongols. This was
more than 20 years before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The
Second Myanmar Empire with its capital in Bago (Pegu) was founded in mid
- 16 century by King Bayinnaung. The Third and the last Myanmar Empire
was founded by King Alaungpaya in 1752. In the 19th century, during the
peak period of colonialism, Myanmar was annexed in three stages by the
British after three Anglo - Myanmar Wars in 1825, 1852 and 1885. During
the Second World War, Myanmar was occupied by the Japanese for nearly
three years until the Allied Forces' reoccupation in 1945. Myanmar
became a sovereign independent state on January 4, 1948.
THE PEOPLE
Myanmar is a union of over 100 nationalities; with
their own languages and dialects. The term 'Myanmar' embraces all
nationalities. The major races are the Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar,
Mon, Rakhine and Shan. There are 7 states and 7 divisions in Myanmar.
POPULATION
The population of Myanmar is at present over 60
million. The average household size is estimated at 3 or 4 people. As
regards education in Myanmar (according to the figures of 1993), the
literacy rate stood at 81%. Yangon is the capital of Myanmar and has a
population of nearly 7 million. Other cities with a large population are
Mandalay, Mawlamyaing, Bago and Pathein.
RELIGION
Predominantly a Buddhist country with more than 80 percent of the people embracing Theravada Buddhism. There are also 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 and simple native dress. While tolerance and contentment are the characteristics of the people, Myanmar hospitality is legendary.
LANGUAGE
The official language is Myanmar. English is widely spoken and understood.
NATIONAL FLAG
The dominating colour of the national flag is red.
The rectangular space at the upper left corner is blue. In it could be
seen the figure of a paddy stalk and a pinion encircled by 14 white
stars of uniform size.
The paddy represents the peasants while the pinion
stands for the workers giving prominence to peasants and workers who are
the majority of the people in the country. 14 uniform white stars
symbolize the equal status and union spirit of the 7 states and 7
divisions that constitute the Union of Myanmar.
Entry Formalities
Passport and Visa
A valid passport with Entry Visa is required of all visitors. A Tourist Visa allows a stay of 28 days, extendible for an additional 14 days. A Business Visa allows a stay of 28 days, extendible up to 12 months on a case-by-case basis. Visa on Arrival is granted on prior arrangement with the Ministry of Hotels and Truism.
Overland entry is permitted for Thai tourists with border pass and for third party tourists with visa at Tachileik, Three Pagoda Pass, Myawaddy and Kawthaung check points along
Myanmar-Thai Border; and for Chinese tourists with border pass and for third party tourists with visa at Lweje, Nam Kham, Muse, Kyukoke, Kwanlong, Mong Lar along
Myanmar-China Border.
Electricity
230 volts 50 cycles.
Customs
Jewelleries, electrical goods and cameras must be declared at the
airport. Antiques and archaeologically valuable items are not allowed to be taken out.
Duty free allowance : Two bottles of liquor: two cartons of cigarettes: 100 cigars: 1.5lb of tobacco: one pint bottle of perfume or eau de cologne.
Time
Myanmar Time is 6:30 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean
Time.
Water
Drink only bottled or boiled water.
Shopping
Bargaining is an art long practiced in Asian
countries including Myanmar. So feel free to ask for a proper discount
when shopping in places where prices are not marked. Be careful in
dealing with sidewalk vendors who may not offer genuine goods at fair
prices. Myanmar arts and crafts, mostly pure hand-made, are best
souvenirs and prices are very reasonable. Lacquerware, wood and ivory
carvings, tapestries, silverware, brassware, silk and cotton fabrics and
shoulder bags are some of the favourite items. For jewellery, there are
Myanmar ruby, sapphire, jade and pearl available at Myanmar gems shops.
Currency
Myanmar currency is the Kyat, made up of 100 pays. Currency notes come in the following denominations: K1000, K500, K200, K100, K50, K20, K15, K10, K5, K1. Visitor are not allowed to bring in or take out
Kyats.
Economy
Since late 1988, Myanmar has replaced the centrally
planned economy to a more liberalized economic policy based on market-oriented
system. In moving towards a more market oriented economy, Myanmar
has liberalized domestic and external trade, promoting the role of
private sector and opening up to foreign investment.
Foreign Investment Law, new Central Bank of Myanmar
Law, Financial Institutions of Myanmar Law and Myanmar Tourism have been
enacted and the Chambers of Commerce have been reactivated.
Myanmar is richly endowed with renewable and
non-renewable energy resources which are being exploited by the state
sector with the participation of local and foreign investors.
Agriculture remains the main sector of the economy
and measures have been taken to increase productivity, diversification
of crop patterns, and revitalization of agriculture exports.
Tourism
The industry of Hotel and Tourism is the most
promising business in Myanmar these days. There are many hotels,
restaurants, tour companies and several other related services growing
throughout the country. The Ministry of Hotels & Tourism also is
making all-out efforts to promote this industry while foreign investment
in this area is earnestly invited too. As a result, there have been more
than 150 hotel (local/overseas ownership) being operated: 134 private
hotels and 16 joint-venture hotels. Some hotels are still under
construction. It is learnt that more or less US$ 1,000 million have been
invested in Myanmar, as regards hotels and tourism. As the year 1996 has
been designated as 'Visit Myanmar Year'. Myanmar are expecting more visitors
with the same exuberance you can feel around you.
Dress
Light causal wear for all year round. A cardigan or
light sweater for the cool season especially when visiting Upper
Myanmar, like Mandalay or Bagan. An umbrella will be useful during the
rainy season. Sandals or slippers are convenient as all foot wears must
be taken off when entering the precincts of pagodas and monasteries. Visitors
should not wear shorts or briefs when visiting pagodas and monasteries.
Business Hours
| Government offices |
09:30 - 16:30 hrs |
| Bank |
10:00 - 14:00 hrs |
Health
No vaccination certificate is required unless coming from an infected area.
MEDIA
Radio Myanmar
Radio Myanmar is on the air in English from 8:30 hrs
to 9:00 hrs in the morning, 13:30 hrs to 14:00 hrs in the afternoon and
21:00 hrs to 22:30 hrs in the evening.
TV Myanmar
TV Myanmar with NTSC system. TV programmes start from
16:00 hours to midnight and Satellite News at 20:45 hours in the
evening. On every Saturday and Sunday, TV Myanmar starts from 08:30 hrs
to 09:30 hours, MRTV3 up to 10:00 hrs. In the afternoon from 12:00 hours
to 14:30 hours.
Myawaddy TV Station
This TV station transmits every day only in the
morning from 07:00 hrs to 10:00 hrs and 16:00 hrs to evening.
Newspapers
The New Light of Myanmar is the only newspaper in
English. Four Newspapers in Myanmar, "Myanma Alin", "Kyemon"
(The Mirror), "Myodaw" (evening tabloid) and "Yadanabon".
Foreign Exchange
Visitors may bring in any amount of foreign currency but it must be declared to the customs if it exceeds US$ 2000.
Only Foreign Independent Travellers (FITs) are required to exchange US$ 200 for Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC) on arrival at the Airport.
FECs, equivalent to US Dollars, are issued in $20, $10,$5 and $1 denominations. FEC can be purchased with US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. FECs are accepted by hotels, airlines, travel agencies, taxis, restaurants, and as payment of admission fees to museums, and pagodas.
Visa, Diner and American Express Credit Cards are accepted by airlines, major hotels, and supermarkets.
