Myanmar
Background
Official Name: Union of Myanmar
Other Name: Burma (English); Myanmar is in Burmese
Capital: Yangon-Burmese/Rangoon-English
Bordered by: Thailand, Laos, China, India, Bangladesh, and Bay of Bengal
Divisions: Ayeyarwady Division, Mandalay Division, Sagaing Division, Tanintharyi Division, Magway Division, Bago Division, Yangon Division
States: Chin State, Kachin State, Kayin (Karen) State, Kayah (Karenni) State, Mon State, Rakhine (Arakan) State, Shan State
River Systems: Irrawaddy, Salween, Chindwin
Main lake: Lake Inle
Mountain ranges which border it (from Northernmost downwards): Tanen Mountains, Dawna Range, Bilaktaung Range
Seasons: Cool (Nov to Feb), Hot (Mar to May), Rainy (June to Oct)
Major ethnic group: Burmans (ethnic groups want autonomy because they were unhappy with what they felt as domination by the central government in Yangon
Economy
Chief crop: Rice
Also famous for: Opium (member of the druggy's Golden Triangle along with Thailand and Laos)
Produces about 80% of the world’s teak (type of wood)
Hydro-electric energy accounts for 50% of the energy
Major gems produced: Rubies, Sapphires, Jades
Government
State Law and Order Restoration Council
-main military regime of Myanmar
-abolished all Organs of State Power
-removed government bodies
-implemented martial law
-turned into State Peace and Development Council in 1997
-head of state: Sr. Gen. Than Shwe
-head of gov't: Gen. Soe Win
National League for Democracy (NLD)
-biggest opposition political group
-headed by Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate
Culture
-Major religion is Theravada Buddhism (Followers lean to avoid wordly things and material objects)
-Shwe Dagon: pagoda in Rangoon/Yangon that is the center of Burmese religious life
-Ceremonies: Boys- Shin byu (Shaving of heads and entering monasteries); Girls- Nahtwin (Ear piercing)
Coat of Arms
-Banner translates as “Union of Myanmar”
-Map of Myanmar superimposed on cogwheel and surrounded by paddy
-Two chinthe (mythical lions) face each other
-Star: independence
Women’s Rights
Women are allowed to:
-Keep name after marriage
-Own property
-Work/run their own businesses
-Run household and manage finances
History
1886-annexed to India
1937-became a separate colony of Britain
1947-gains independence
1961-U Thant becomes the 1st non-Westerner to become Secretary-General of the UN
1962-Gen. Ne Win stages a coup. "Burmese Way of Socialism"
1962-74-Revolutionary Council
1974-88-Ne Win resigns from the military and runs in an election under the Burma party
1989-SLORC is formed
1997-SLORC is renamed to SPDC
More Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burma