FACTS ON MYANMAR

The name of the country: Myanmar or Burma?

The words 'Myanmar Pyay' are seen on a stone inscription dated 597 ME (Myanmar Era) or 1235 CE from the Bagan period during the reign of King Kya Swar, (1234-1250).
This is the earliest written record of the name of the country.

The front side of this 3ft-high stone is damaged in the middle section. The reverse side, better protected from the elements, has on the first line of the inscription the two words 'Myanmar Pyay' which means Myanmar Country.

‘Burma’ was the name given by the British in the 19th century, but in the Burmese language the name has always been ‘Myanmar’. In 1989 the English version was changed to ‘Myanmar’ to be the same as the name in Burmese.

Capital city: established in 2006, Nay Pyi Taw which means 'capital city.'
Largest commercial centre in the delta: Yangon (previously the capital city)
Largest commercial centre in Upper Myanmar: Mandalay (previously the royal capital)

Area: 261,228 square miles

Coastline: 1414 miles

Population: Approximately 55 million

Population distribution
Urban: 28 percent
Rural: 72 percent

Major race: Bamar or Burmese at approximately 70%

Other races: over a hundred with seven major races Chin, Kachin, Shan, Kayin, Kayah, Mon, Rakhine.
Some of the other, smaller racial groups are Mro, Naga, Yaw, Jinghpaw, Rawang, Atsi, Palung, Pa O, Eng, Akha, Lisu, Lushei, Kadu, Taungthu, Inthar, Salon, Danu, Lahu, and Wa. They live in their own communities with strong respect for their own customs, costumes and lifestyles.

Religions, approximate percentages:
Buddhist: 84 percent
Muslim: 4 percent
Christian: 7 percent
Hindu: 3 percent
Others: 2 percent

Official language: Burmese. (English is taught as a second language in all schools)

Rivers:
Ayeyarwaddy River: 1350 miles;
Chindwin River: 750 miles
Sittaung River: 260 miles
Thanlwin River: 1745 miles; begins in Tibet and passes through China before entering Myanmar.

Mountains
Eastern-most end of the Himalayas.
Hkakaborazi: highest in SE Asia at 19,316 ft. It has only been conquered once, in 1996. Covered in snow all year round.
Gamlangrazi: 19,138 ft
Phunganrazi: 9900 ft
Natma Taung (Mt Victoria): 10,013 ft

Environmental sites:

• Natma Taung (Mt. Victoria) National Park
• Indawgyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary
• Phunganrazi and Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuaries
• Hukaung Valley Tiger Reserve
• Hkakaborazi National Park
• Maing Nung Forest Reserve
• Nant Yin Forest Reserve
• Naung Mung Forest Reserves
• Alaungdaw Katthapa National Park
• Lumpi Marine National Park in the Myeik Archipelago
• Moe Yun Gyi Bird Sanctuary
• Mount Popa National Park