About Myanmar

Geography

The country covers an area of 677,000 square kilometres (261,228 square miles) ranging 936 kilometres (581 miles) from east to west and 2,051 kilometres (1,275 miles) from north to south, It is a land of hills and valleys and is rimmed in the north, east and west by mountain ranges forming a giant horseshoe. Enclosed within the mountain barriers are the flat lands of Ayeyarwaddy, Chindwin and Sittaung River valleys where most of the country's agricultural land and population are concentrated.

The length of contiguous frontier is 6,159 kilometres. The total length of Myanmar-Bangladesh boundary is 271 kilometres (168.7 miles). The total length of Myanmar-China boundary is 2,204 kilometres (1,370 miles); Myanmar-Thailand 2,107 kilometres (1,309.8 miles); Myanmar-India 1,338 kilometres (831.8 miles); and Myanmar-Laos 238 kilometres (147.9 miles).

Location

Myanmar is situated in the South East Asia and has an area of 261,218 sq. miles (67,655 sq. km.). Myanmar is sharing borders with Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand. The major rivers the Ayeyarwady, The Chindwin, The Sittaung and Thanlwin rivers flow from North to South. Myanmar has two distinct land regions. There are fertile plains and delta in the South and central area, whereas the northern area is largely a mountainous country.

Climate & Weather

Myanmar enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct seasons:
- The monsoon (or) Rainy Season ( from May to October)
- The Cool dry season ( from November to February )
- The hot (or) Summer season ( from March to May )

During the rainy season, rainfall varies from as much as 200 inches along the coastline, 25 to 50 inches in the Dry Zone and the average of 100 inches in the plain.

Average temperature ranges from 21 C in the northern highlands to 32C in central and lower areas.

People

Myanmar is union of over 135 ethnic groups. The major ethnic races are Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Bamar, Rakhine and Shan, live in Seven States and Seven Divisions in Myanmar.

Population

The population of Myanmar is over 52 millions. The major racial groups are the Bamars, making up 70% of the population.

Language

The official language is Myanmar. English is widely used.

Religion

80% of Myanmar embraces Theravada Buddhism. The rest are mainly Christians, Muslims, Hindus and some animists.