The Land

Myanmar is the name which has long been used by its people to describe their home-land which British called Burma Also known as the golden land for its rich land and the wealth of its precious gems Geographically, Myanmar is the largest country in mainland South-East Asia Sharing borders with Bangladesh India, China, Laos and Thailand with a total area of 676,577 square kilometres, it is twice the size of Vietnam and approxi- matelyth size of Great Britain and France combined

Climate

Myanmar enjoys a Fropical climate with three general seasons The rainy season during the south- west monsoons from mid-May to mid-October, the dry cool season from mid-October to mid-February and the hot season from mid-February to mid-May be-fore the rains begin The best time to visit Myanmar is from October to February

The People

Myanmar is a union of many nationalities as many as 135 groups, with their own languages and dia-lects The term Myanmar embraces all nation nalities: the Bamar, the Chin, the Kachin, the Kayah, the Mon, the Rakhine and the Shan The Bamars make up 69 percent of the total population of over 43 million

Religion

Theravada Buddhism is the predominant religion with 80 percent of the people embracing it. There are also Christians Muslims and Hindus.

Historical Background

Myanmar greatness in history dates back to 11th Century when King Anawrahta consolidated the whole country into the first Myanmar Empire in Bagan well before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The Bagan Empire encompassed the entire Menam Valley in Thailand and 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 was founded in mid 16th Century by King Bayinnaung.

King Alaungpaya founded the Third Myanmar Empire in 1752.lt was during the zenith of the Konbaung Dynasty that the British Moved into Myanmar. Myanmar became a British Colony after three Anglo-Myanmar Wars in the period of 1824 to 1885.

During World War ll, Myanmar Was Occupied by the Japanese from 1942 till the return of the Allied Forces in 1945.

Myanmar became a sovereigh independent state on 4 th January, 1948 after more than 100 years of British Colonial administration.

Culture

Myanmar lies in a meeting place of two of the world’s great civilizations-China and India-but its culture is neither that of India nor China exclusively, but a blend of both interspersed with Myanmar native traits and characteristics Early civilization dating back to 5th Century and Myanmar greatness in history dating back to 11 th Century have left a legacy of rich cultural heritage and numerous historical and archaeological places.
Myanmar is known as the Golden Land not for its glittering pagodas but for its rich Land and the wealth of its forests and minerals Myanmar is also rich in cultural heritage and blessed by nature with many attractions. Its golden temples, historical monuments, traditional arts and crafts, snow-capped mountains, Large rivers hill stations, picturesque Lakes and unspoilt beaches combined with the charm and hospitality of its people make Myanmar the most fascinating destination in Asi