The Land

Myanmar is the word, which has long been used by its people to describe their homeland which the British called Burma . It is also known as the golden land for the wealth of Agriculture and minerals. Myanmar with a total area of 676,577 square kilometers is the largest mainland in South East Asia . It shares a total of 5,858 km of international borders with Bangladesh and India on the Northwest, China on the Northeast, Laos on the East and Thailand on the Southeast. It has a total length of 2,832 km of Coastlines. The Country stretches 2,090 km from North to South and 925 km from East to West at its widest points. The official name is Union of Myanmar. Myanmar has its own kingdom and monarchy, but this ceased in 1885.

Climate

Myanmar enjoys a tropical climate with three seasons in general. The rainy season occurs from mid May to mid October. The cold season (winter) occurs from mid October to mid February and the hot season (summer) occurs from mid February to mid May before the rains begin. During the rainy season, the coastal regions and the mountains in the north have an average rainfall of about 200 inches annually. The Ayeyarwaddy delta regions have an average annual rainfall of 100 inches. Central Myanmar areas have totally dry weather and as annual rainfall of 25 to 45 inches only. During the cold season, the temperature can drop to nearly freezing point at night around the highlands in the northern mountain region. In the dry zone area the temperature is around 25 C.




Historical Background

Early history of Myanmar began with the founding of the first capital of Myanmar kings at Tagaung, 160 km up-river from Mandalay , reputed to have been thriving during 5 th Century BC. The Pyu Civilization which followed flourished in the Ayeyarwaddy valley from Tagaung to Pyay (formally known as Prome) in the 1 st century B.C and which ascended to a high level of economic, social, and cultural development. Myanmar 's greatness in history can be dated back to 11 th Century. There were three golden periods in Myanmar 's history. King Anawyahta consolidated the whole country into the First Myanmar Empire in Bagan (1044 AD-1077AD). The Bagan Empire encompassed the area of the present-day Myanmar and the entire Menan Valley in Thailand that lasted two centuries. The Bagan Dynasty collapsed with the invasion of the Mongols under Kublai Khan in the 13 th century. The Second Myanmar Empire of the Taungoo Period (1551 AD-1581AD) was founded by King Bayin Naung. King Alaung Phaya founded the Third Myanmar Empire in 1752 AD. It was during the zenith of the Konbaung Dynasty that the British moved into Myanmar . It became a British colony after three Anglo-Burmese Wars in 1825, 1852 and 1885 AD. During the Second World War, it was occupied by the Japanese from 1942 until the return of allied forces in 1945. Myanmar regained the status of a “ Sovereign Independent State ” on 4 th January 1948 , following 123 years of British Colonial administration.

Religion

Theraveda Buddhism is the predominant religion embracing about 89.4 percent of the people. There are about 500,000 monks and over 1000 monasteries in the whole country. There are also Christians, Muslims, Hindus and even some animists. However, there is full freedom of worship for followers of other religions. Christian missionaries have been active in Myanmar for over 150 years.

Culture

Myanmar is situated between China and India . As a result, Myanmar 's culture is, to an extent, influenced by its neighboring countries culture. Myanmar also has its own style of cultures to be experienced. Most of the culture is related to Buddhism, but there are also influences from some other religions. In the days, one would make an offering to the Nat (Spirits) which were revered and worshiped before Buddhism arrived. There are various kinds of worship attributed to Buddhism. With over 135 races in Myanmar , there is no single place where one cannot fail to see expressions of Myanmar 's diverse cultures.



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