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OFFICIAL NAME &
LOCATION:
Myanmar, also called Burma, or officially UNION OF MYANMAR, is
a country lying along the eastern coasts of the Bay of Bengal
and the Andaman Sea in south-east Asia. To be more accurate,
Myanmar lies between Latitudes 4’31’ and 28’31’ North and
Longitudes 92’10’ and 101’11’ East.
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AREA:
The country covers an area of 677,000 square kilometers
(261,228 square miles) ranging 936 kilometers (581 miles)
from east to west and 2,051 kilometers (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 Ayeyaewaddy, Chindwin and
Sittaung River valleys where most of the country's
agricultural land and population are concentrated.
FRONTIER
LINE:
The length of contiguous frontier is 6,159 kilometers. The
total length of Myanmar-China boundary is 2,204 kilometers
(1,370 miles); Myanmar-Thailand 2,107 kilometers (1,309.8
miles); Myanmar-India 1,338 kilometers (831.8 miles);
Myanmar-Laos 238 kilometers (147.9 miles) and
Myanmar-Bangladesh boundary is 271 kilometers (168.7
miles).
COASTLINE:
Myanmar's coastline extends 2832km from the mouth of Naff
River in the west to the southern tip of Taninthary
Division near Ranong, Thailand. Further south, over 800
continental islands dot the littoral sea, forming a mostly
uninhabited island group called the Myeik Archipelago.
CLIMATE:
The location and topography of the country generate the
"dry and wet monsoon climate" pattern. Seasonal changes in
the monsoon wind directions create
Summer months
- February through mid-May;
Rainy
period -
from mid-May through late October and
Winter seasons
- November through January. Daily extremes of temperature
are rare. The directions of winds and depression bring
rain, and although it is always heavy in the coastal areas
during monsoon season, it seldom creates hardships. The
favorite months to travel are October through January when
the days are not so hot, averaging in 32 Celsius and
nights are in 20 Celsius.
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RELIGION:
While
the majority of Myanmar, around 87 per cent, practice
Theravada Buddhism, there are also Christians, Muslims,
Hindus and some animists. However, there is complete
freedom in religion among Buddhists or non-Buddhists in
Myanmar. An appreciation of Buddhism may probably help
foreigners who want better understanding of the Myanmar
temperament.
POPULATION & PEOPLE:
As of 2005 the
population is estimated to be about 54.3 million according
to the census made on world population day on July 15
2005. Though ethnologists have identified 135 different
ethno linguistic groups, the eight major races are Bamar,
Shan, Mon, Kachin, Kayin, kayah, Chin and Rakhine. There
are still a good number of Indian and Chinese people.
HABITAT:
Myanmar is
endowed with a rich diversity of habitat types arising
largely from its unusual ecological diversity. It is home
to 135 different ethnic groups including 8 major races,
nearly 300 known mammal species, 300 reptiles and about
100 birds species, and a haven for about 7,000 species of
plant life.
Myanmar has abundant and varied flora and fauna. You will
be enthralled by the history and culture of this beautiful
country.
THE LAND OF HUMAN ORIGIN:
MYANMAR is one
of the earliest homes of mankind, probably the land of
human origin or the cradle of humanity. Teeth and bits of
jaw from a tiny, squirrel-sized animal that lived 40
MILLION YEARS ago in what is now Myanmar (Burma) suggest
primates originated in Asia, not Africa as was believed,
researchers said. A team of researchers from France,
Japan, and Myanmar say the little animal, which they have
named BAHINIA PONDAUNGENSIS, was probably the
ancestor of modern apes, monkeys and humans. Jean-Jacques
Jaeger of the University Montpellier-II in France and
colleagues found the fossils in a layer of red clay, along
with a complete lower jaw from a more advanced primate
called Amphipithecus.
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Ç
HOW TO GET IN:
UNQUESTIONABLY,
the best way to enter into Myanmar is
by air to Yangon. Chiang Mai to Mandalay is also possible by
Myanmar Airline (Air Mandalay) once or twice a week, depending on low/high
tourist season.
Land Crossings:
FROM Ranong (Thailand) to
Kawthaung (Myanmar) or Mae Sai (Thailand) to
Tachilek (Myanmar) or Ruili (China) to Mu Se (Myanmar)
is apparently legal. But you will need a prior arrangement for
your visa to fly to Yangon and maybe Mandalay. However the
possibility of land crossings can be changed from time to time
and it is always best to check with embassy first before you
plan to enter into Myanmar.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS:
YANGON has direct air-links with
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Singapore, Jakarta, Dhakka, Calcutta,
Kunming, Doha, Paro (Bhutan), Taipei, Hong Kong, Delhi,
and Vientiane. 14 International Airlines including Myanmar
Airways International operate scheduled flights in and out of
Yangon, but some don't. Some are Thai Airways International,
Silk Air, Biman (Bangladesh), Air China, Phuket
Airlines, Silk Air, Malaysian Airlines, Druk Air, Austrian
Airlines, Indian Airlines, Mandarin Airlines, . Myanmar
Airways International operates six flights a week to Bangkok,
thrice-weekly to Singapore and twice-weekly to Hong Kong.
|
Airline |
Code |
Routes |
Inbound |
Outbound |
|
Air China |
CA |
Kunming - Yangon |
Wed/Sun |
same |
|
|
MU |
Kunming - Mandalay |
Mon/Wed/Fri |
same |
|
Air Mandalay |
6T |
Chiang Mai - Yangon |
Sun |
same |
|
|
|
Chiang Mai - Mandalay |
Thursday |
|
|
Bangkok Airways |
PG |
Bangkok - Yangon |
Daily |
same |
|
Biman (Bangladesh) |
BG |
Dhakka - Yangon - Bangkok |
Wed/Sun |
same |
|
Druk Air (Bhutan) |
KB |
Paro-Calcutta-Yangon-Bangkok |
Mon/Thu |
Tue/Fri |
|
Indian Airlines |
IC |
Calcutta - Yangon |
Mon/Thu |
same |
|
Lauda Air |
OS |
Milan - Yangon - Phuket |
|
|
|
|
|
Vienna - Yangon - Phuket |
|
|
|
Malaysia Airlines |
MH |
Kuala Lumpur - Yangon |
Tue/Fri |
same |
|
Mandarin Airlines |
AE |
Taipei - Yangon |
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat |
same |
|
Myanmar Airways Intl' |
8M |
Hong Kong - Yangon |
Mon/Fri |
same |
|
Delhi - Yangon |
Tue/Thu/Sat |
Mon/Wed/Fri |
|
Kuala Lumpur - Yangon |
Thu/Sun |
same |
|
Singapore - Yangon |
Mon/Wed/Fri |
same |
|
Bangkok - Yangon |
Daily. 2 on Tue/Thu/Sat |
same |
|
Phuket Airlines |
9R |
Bangkok - Yangon |
Mon/Wed/Fri |
|
|
Silk Air |
MI |
Singapore - Yangon |
Daily. 2 on Wed/Sat |
same |
|
Thai Airways |
TG |
Bangkok - Yangon |
2 daily |
same |
Ç
AIRLINE OFFICES IN YANGON
(Rangoon)
|
Intl' Carrier |
Destination |
|
Air China (CA):
No.B 13/23,
Shew Kainayei Housing, Narnattaw Road, Quarter N0.7,
Kamayut Township |
Kunming |
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Air Mandalay (6T):
146, Dhamazedi Rd, Bahan Township |
Chiang Mai |
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Austrian Airlines (Lauda) (OS):
La Pyayt Wun Plaza Suite 808 37 Signal Pagoda Rd. Dagon
Township |
Vienna |
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Bangkok Airways (PG):
0305, 3rd Floor, Sakura Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Rd,
Kyauktada Township |
Bangkok |
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Biman Bangladesh (BG):
106/108,
Pansodan Street, Kyauktada Township |
Dhaka, Bangkok |
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Druk Airlines (KB):
52, Phyapon Street, Sanchaung Township |
Bangkok,
Dhaka, Paro, Calcutta |
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Indian Airlines Limited (IC):
127, Sule
Pagoda Rd, Kyauktada Township |
Calcutta,
Bangkok |
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Malaysia Airlines (MH):
335/357, Bogyoke Aung San Street, Pabedan Township |
Kuala Lumpur |
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Mandarin Airlines (AE):
353/355, Bo
Aung Kyaw Street, Kyauktada Township |
Taipei |
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Myanmar Airways International (8M):
#08-02, Sakura Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Kyauktada
Township |
Bangkok,
Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Delhi |
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Phuket Airlines (9R):
1168/71, 25th
- A Fl, Lumpini Tower, Sathorn, Rama IV Rd, Thungmahamek,
Bangkok |
Bangkok |
|
Silk Air (MI):
#0202, 2nd Fl, Sakura Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Rd,
Kyauktada Township |
Singapore |
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Thai Airways International (TG): #1101,
Ground Fl, Sakura Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Rd,
Kyauktada Township |
Bangkok,
Chiang Mai |
DOMESTIC
FLIGHTS:
|
Air
Mandalay (6T): #146, Dhamazedi Rd, Bahan
Township Tel: (Head Office) 501 520, 525 488 (Airport) 720
309, 652 753~54 |
Nyaung U, Mandalay, Heho, Thandwe, Sittway, Tachileik,
Kyaing Tong |
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Yangon
Airways (HK): #166, level
5, MMB Tower, Upper Pansodan Rd, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp.
Tel: 383 106, 383 107 |
Nyaung U,
Mandalay, Heho, Tachileik, Kyaing Tong, Sittway, Thandwe, Kyauk
Phyu, Myitkyina, Kaw Thaung, Myeik, Dawei |
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Air
Bagan (W9): #56, Shwe Taung Gyar St, Bahan
Township. Tel: (Head Office) 513 322, 513 422, 513 266
(Airport) 653 343, 653 347 |
Nyaung U, Mandalay, Heho, Kyaing Tong, Tachileik, Pathein,
Myeik, Myitkyina, Putao, Dawei, Kaw Thaung, Kalay, Monywa,
Sittway, Thandwe |
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Myanmar
Airways:
#104, Strand Rd, Kyauktada Township.
Tel: (Head Office) 274 874, 277 013, 273 828 (Airport) 662
692 |
Nyaung U,
Mandalay, Lashio, Kyaing Tong, Tachileik, Myitkyina, Putao,
Myeik, Dawei, Kaw Thaung, Sittway |
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ELECTRICITY:
Myanmar uses 220V, which can occasionally be up to 300V and
drop to 100V when it is on. The short power cut is not
uncommon even in capital Yangon. March through May the
electric power is supplied in rotating system from quarter to
quarter in and around Yangon. Most of the popular tourist
destinations still have rationing. However all the major
hotels have their own generator.
TELEPHONE INFO:
Country Code: 95.
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Yangon Area Code: |
1 follow the 6 digit no |
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Mandalay Area Code: |
2 follow the 5 digit no |
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Bagan Area Code: |
61 follow the 5 digit no |
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Inle Area Code: |
81 follow the 5 digit no |
OVERSEAS CALL:
Available at hotels roadside telephone booths or shops.
INTERNET/EMAIL AVAILABILITY:
Myanmar Post & Telecommunication Department and Bagan
Cybertech provides internet and email services using their
proxy servers. There are now many places with computers for
surfing and emailing in Yangon, Mandalay, and Bagan in addition to the
major hotels in popular tourist destinations. However, some
web sites cannot be viewed and some web-based mails (yahoo,
hotmail etc.) cannot be logged on or email client programs
like Outlook Express, Eudora etc. cannot be used.
TIME:
Myanmar Time is 6:30 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time
(GMT+6:30)
BUSINESS HOURS:
Government Offices: 09:30 to 16:30 hrs
BANKS: 10:00 to 14:00 hrs
Companies: 09:00 to 17:00 hrs
CURRENCY:
Myanmar currency is Kyat. (Pronounced as chat)
Notes: Kyat 1000, Kyat 500, Kyat 200, Kyat 100, Kyat
50, Kyat 20, Kyat 15, Kyat 10, Kyat 5, Kyat 1.
Foreign Exchange Certificate (FEC): 20 units, 10 units,
5 units, 1 unit.
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MEDIA:
Radio Myanmar
-
Radio Myanmar is on air in English from 08:30 to 09:00 hrs in
the morning, 13:30 to 14:00 hrs in the afternoon and 21:00 to
22:00 hrs in the evening.
TV Myanmar
- TV programs start from 07:00 to 10:00 hrs in the morning and
again 16:00 hrs to midnight and satellite News can be watched
at 18:00 and around 21:00 hrs in the evening. On every
weekends, TV Myanmar extend its programs also in noon starts
from 11:00 to 15:00 hrs.
Myawaddy TV
- This TV station transmits in the morning from 07:00 hours to
8:30 hrs and in the evening from 16:00 hours to midnight. Like
TV Myanmar, it also transmits noon program from 11:00 to 14:00
on weekends.
NEWSPAPERS -
The
New Light of Myanmar is the only newspaper in English. Two
local newspapers in Myanamr are -- "Myanmar Alin" (The New
Light of Myanmar) and "Kyemon" (The Mirror).
NAME CHANGES:
In
post 1989, all the colonial names given to country, people,
towns, rivers, streets etc. are renamed phonetically closer to
Myanmar pronunciation. Here's to name some:
|
(Old) Colonial Name |
(New) Myanmar Name |
(Old) Colonial Name |
(New) Myanmar Name |
|
Burma/Burmese (Country/People) |
Myanmar |
Pagan
(Town) |
Bagan |
|
Arakan
(People/State) |
Rakhine |
Pegu
(Town) |
Bago |
|
Karen
(People/State)
|
Kayin |
Prome
(Town) |
Pyay or Pyi |
|
Akyab (Town) |
Sittway or Sittwe |
Rangoon
(Town) |
Yangon |
|
Allan
(Town) |
Aung Lan |
Sandoway
(Town) |
Thandwe |
|
Amherst
(Beach) |
Kyaikkami |
Syriam
(Town) |
Thanlyin |
|
Ava
(Town) |
Inwa |
Tavoy
(Town) |
Dawei |
|
Bassein
(Town) |
Pathein |
Tenasserim
(Town/Division) |
Tanintharyi |
|
Fort
Hertz (Town) |
Putao |
Irrawaddy (River) |
Ayeyarwady |
|
Henzada
(Town) |
Hintada |
Salween
(River) |
Thanlwin |
|
Hsipaw
(Town) |
Thibaw |
Sittang
(River) |
Sitthaung |
|
Kentung
(Town) |
Kyaing Tong |
Fraser
(Road) |
Anawrahta Lan |
|
Martaban
(Town) |
Mottama |
Godwin
(Road) |
Myoma Kyaung Lan |
|
Maymyo
(Town) |
Pyin Oo Lwin |
Merchant (Road) |
Khonthe Lan |
|
Mergui
(Town) |
Myeik |
Strand
(Road) |
Kannar Lan |
|
Moulmein
(Town) |
Mawlamyaing or Mawlamyine |
Lewis
(Street) |
Seik Kan Thar Lan |
|
Myohaung
(Town) |
Mrauk U |
Scott
(Market) |
Bogyoke Zei |
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PUBLIC
HOLIDAYS & SPECIAL EVENTS OF FESTIVITIES (2008)
Public (Gazette) Holidays
|
Date |
Name |
Significance |
|
January 4 |
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