Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a Southeast Asian nation of more than 100 ethnic groups, bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand. Yangon (formerly Rangoon), the country's largest city, is home to bustling markets, numerous parks and lakes, and the towering, gilded Shwedagon Pagoda, which contains Buddhist relics and dates to the 6th century. The name of the country was changed from Burma to Myanmar in 1989. However some organizations (such as the US Government) due to their opposition to the government of Myanmar continue to refer to the country as Burma. Historically Burma is the English colonial name for the country. From the 13th century to 1885 when the British colonized the country it was indigenously known as "Mranma Prañ" or less formally, "Myanma", since the 13th Century, a time period when a succession of kingdoms existed. In the Burmese language it has been continuous called some variation of the word "Myanmar".
Languages: Burmese (official) 65%, Shan 6.4%, Karen 5.2%, Kachin 1.8%, Chin 1.6%, Mon 1.5%, and Rakhine 1.5%, English
Ethnic Groups: Bamar 68%, Shan 9 %, Kayin 7.00%, Rakhine 3.50%, Chinese 2.50% Mon 2%, Kachin 1.50%, Indians 1.25%, Kayah 0.75%, Other groups including Wa, Naga, Lahu, Lisu and Palaung 4.50%
Belief Systems: Buddhism 87.9%, Christianity 6.2%, Islam 4.3%, Hinduism 0.5%, Tribal religions 0.8%, Other religions 0.2%, Not religious 0.1%
Demographics:
Population: 49.5 million people (World Rank: 26th) (2014 estimate)
Population Density: 196 people/mi^2 (People per Square Mile) (World Rank: 132nd) (2014 estimate)
Population Growth: 0.811 %/yr (World Rank: 143rd) (2013 estimate)
Life Expectancy: 65.2 years (World Rank: 179th) (2013 estimate)
Median Age: 27.8 years (World Rank: 92nd) (2010 estimate
Sites for More Information:
Map of Myanmar
Worldatlas.com
Country Profile for Myanmar
United Nations
Myanmar
Wikipedia.org
Myanmar - Facts and Information 1
Encyclopedia.com
Myanmar - Facts and Information 2
World Factbook
Culture and Tourism:
Traveling to Myanmar 1
Travelnotes.org
Travel Guide for Myanmar
Wikitravel.org
Language Resources:
Burmese/Myanmar script and pronunciation
Omniglot.com
Government Related:
Embassy of Myanmar
in Washington D.C.
Government Websites of Myanmar
by Gunnar Anzinger
