Myanmar is the largest nation in mainland Southeast Asia. Dwelling to over 135 completely different ethnic teams, the nation is culturally wealthy and numerous, nevertheless, nearly all of individuals residing in Myanmar (90 per cent) determine as Buddist. Curious to be taught extra about this fascinating nation? Listed here are a number of the most fascinating details about Myanmar.
7 Fascinating Info about Myanmar
1. Myanmar shares borders with 5 international locations
Myanmar is the most important nation in mainland Southeast Asia and the thirty ninth largest nation on the earth. The Asian nation shares borders with Thailand, Laos, China, India and Bangladesh. It has a shoreline on the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. As of 2022, the inhabitants of Myanmar is 55,030,431. It ranks quantity 26 within the checklist of nations (and dependencies) by inhabitants.
2. Myanmar was beforehand known as Burma
Burma was the title of the nation till 1989. The ruling Navy Junta modified the nation’s title to ‘The Republic of the Union of Myanmar’. Because of the violent historical past of the army in Burma, many governments world wide refused to recognise the brand new title, Myanmar. Steadily, over time, the title was accepted and is in use right now. Nevertheless, the individuals of Myanmar are nonetheless often known as Burmese.
3. The Japanese invaded Burma
The British colonised Burma in 1824. Underneath British rule, the nation was known as British Burma. Britain dominated the nation till the Second World Conflict. In January 1942, the Japanese Military invaded Burma as Japan wished to chop the Burma Street, which was the one remaining land provide path to China. The Empire of Japan occupied Burma till 1945. Burma achieved its independence from Britain on the 4th of January 1948.
4. Naypyidaw is the capital of Myanmar
Yangon, aka Rangoon, is the most important metropolis of Myanmar and capital of the Yangon Area. Yangon was the capital of impartial Myanmar from 1948 to 2006. In 2006, the federal government proclaimed the brand new metropolis of Nay Pyi Taw (Naypyidaw) the brand new capital of the nation. Employees began building of the brand new metropolis of Naypyidaw in 2002 and accomplished it by 2012. Within the Burmese language, the title Naypyidaw means “abode of the king”.
5. There are 135 ethnic teams in Burma
Round 135 ethnic teams name Burma residence. This consists of many hill tribes every with its personal tradition and customs. The Burmese authorities identifies eight classes of ‘main nationwide ethnic races’. These are Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Bamar, Rakhine, Shan. Other than Bamar, every main nationwide ethnic race has its personal state of the identical title. The Moken nomadic individuals dwell in Myanmar however will not be on the checklist. The Burmese authorities doesn’t recognise the Rohingya. This ethnic group from Rakhine State within the west of Myanmar are predominantly Muslim and the Buddhist-majority authorities have denied them citizenship for greater than 4 many years.
6. The Golden Pagoda is in Myanmar
The long-lasting Shwedagon Pagoda (Shwedagon Zedi Daw) in Yangon is the oldest and essentially the most visited Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Constructed round 2,500 years in the past, the temple soars to a top of 110 metres excessive and options over 60 tonnes of gold that covers the interiors and stupas, therefore its nickname, the Golden Pagoda. A stupa is a shrine containing the stays of a holy individual and/or relics. The Shwedagon is essentially the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar. Buddhist consider it accommodates the relics of the 4 earlier Buddhas of the current Kalpa, for example, Buddha’s hair.
7. Myanmar makes use of the imperial measurement system
Myanmar doesn’t use the metric system of measurement – the Worldwide System of Models (SI). The nation nonetheless makes use of the imperial measurement system. It’s one in all simply three international locations in the entire world that don’t use the metric system. The opposite two international locations that also use the imperial measurement system are the US of America and Liberia. The American Colonization Society based Liberia and due to Liberia’s shut affiliation with the US, the nation nonetheless makes use of the imperial measurement system.
