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ABOUT MYANMAR (Burma)
Myanmar, officially the Union of Myanmar is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia. It is also known as Burma. Myanmar achieved independence from the United Kingdom on January 4th, 1948. It became the "Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma" on January 4th, 1974, before reverting to the "Union of Burma" on September 23rd, 1988. On June 18th, 1989, the State Law and Order Restoration Council adopted the name "Union of Myanmar."
Myanmar is bordered by the People's Republic of China on the north, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, and India on the northwest, with the Andaman Sea to the south, and the Bay of Bengal to the southwest. One-third of Myanmar's total perimeter, 1,930 kilometers (1,199 mi), forms an uninterrupted coastline.
Myanmar's diverse population has played a major role in defining its politics, history and demographics in modern times. Its political system remains under the control of the State Peace and Development Council, the military government led, since 1992, by Senior General Than Shwe. The Burmese military has dominated government since General Ne Win led a coup in 1962 that toppled the civilian government of U Nu. Part of the British Empire until 1948, Burma continues to struggle to mend its ethnic tensions. The country's culture, heavily influenced by neighbors, is based on Theravada Buddhism intertwined with local elements.
· Area: 676,578 km2
· Population: 56 Million
· Capital: Naypyidaw
· Largest City: Yangon
· Official Language: Burmese
· Currency: Kyat
· GDP: $93 Billion
· Per Capita GDP: $1,691 (150th nation)
Myanmar is bordered by the People's Republic of China on the north, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, and India on the northwest, with the Andaman Sea to the south, and the Bay of Bengal to the southwest. One-third of Myanmar's total perimeter, 1,930 kilometers (1,199 mi), forms an uninterrupted coastline.
Myanmar's diverse population has played a major role in defining its politics, history and demographics in modern times. Its political system remains under the control of the State Peace and Development Council, the military government led, since 1992, by Senior General Than Shwe. The Burmese military has dominated government since General Ne Win led a coup in 1962 that toppled the civilian government of U Nu. Part of the British Empire until 1948, Burma continues to struggle to mend its ethnic tensions. The country's culture, heavily influenced by neighbors, is based on Theravada Buddhism intertwined with local elements.
· Area: 676,578 km2
· Population: 56 Million
· Capital: Naypyidaw
· Largest City: Yangon
· Official Language: Burmese
· Currency: Kyat
· GDP: $93 Billion
· Per Capita GDP: $1,691 (150th nation)
