Everything you need to know about Myanmar: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
Myanmar: South East Asian Buddhist Country ruled by a Military Junta
The French, Dutch and the British established their colonies in Burma by the mid-17th century. The Bamar king Alaungpaya threw out both the French and the British later in the century. Again in 1819 the British invaded Burma conquering Rahkine, Tanintharyi, Assam, and Manipur. By 1886 they annexed the entire country and made it a province of India and ruled it through the Raj. In 1948 Myanmar became an separate and self-governing state. Military General Ne Win ruled the Burma from 1962 to 1988. In 1990 Burma held multiparty legislative elections in which the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide victory but the military refused to accept the election result and put Aung San Suu Kyi the leader of NLD under house arrest.
Myanmar Profile: Overview of Facts and Figures
Geographical Information on Myanmar:
Myanmar is situated in Southeast Asia and bordered by China from north and northeast, by Laos and Thailand from the east and southeast by the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal from the south and west by Bangladesh and India.
The climate of Myanmar is basically monsoon type with three main seasons. The hottest month is between February and May with little or no rain. Rainy season exists from May to October and October to February Myanmar has dry and cooler weather.
Culture, Cuisine and Tradition of Myanmar:The cuisine of Myanmar is heavily influenced by the cuisines of China, India and Thailand. In spite of theses influences cuisine of Myanmar still has its unique aspects. Seafood is more prevalent along coastal cities while the interior of Myanmar use Beef and pork as non-vegetarian dishes. The most common staple food in Myanmar is jasmine rice. Various types of noodles are commonly used in salads and soups.
Economy of Myanmar:
About 70% of the population works in agriculture and forestry and rice is the major agricultural output. Other important crops are pulses, sesame, peanuts, and sugarcane. The mineral resources like petroleum, natural gas and iron deposits are also found in Myanmar.
Tourist Attractions of Myanmar:
Myanmar is a major tourist destination due to its mystical, charming and religious places.
Bagan: is the main tourist attraction in Myanmar and known for its archaeological sites in Asia. It is located on the eastern bank of Irrawady River. The Pagodas of Bagan remain the center of attraction for tourists apart from top class lacquer ware.
Mandalay: often called as the showcase of Myanmar arts and architecture. The pagodas and age-old historical sites charm the person whoever visits this place. It is also famous for its woodcarvings, silverware, tapestries, silk cloth and other traditional craft products
Major Sight-seeing Places in Myanmar include:
Beijing, May 3 (Xinhua-ANI): China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Thursday urged Chinese enterprises and citizens in Myanmar to step up security precautions as clashes in northern Myanmar have escalated.
London, May 2 (ANI): Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has taken oath of office to become a member of the country's parliament.
Nay Pyi Taw, May 2 (IANS) Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party swept last month's by-elections, was sworn in as a member of Myanmar's parliament Wednesday.
Ads
Myanmar witnessed a memorable day in its history when leader of opposition Aung Saan Sue ki took oath
Itanagar, May 2 (ANI): The Indian Army's 1st Arunachal Scouts battalion, two years after its formation, has taken charge of providing security to the unmanned, inhospitable and porous international border in the land-locked Himalayan state.
Nay Pyi Taw, May 2 (IANS) Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Myanmar's National League for Democracy (NLD), took oath of office Wednesday.
Yangon, May 1 (Xinhua-ANI): Myanmar President U Thein Sein said the government is putting hope on making peace with the ethnic Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) as the peace process is going on despite differences in some facts, official media reported Tuesday.
Yangon, May 1 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday met Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and hailed her efforts for bring democracy in the country.
Yangon (Myanmar), May 1 (Xinhua-ANI): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Myanmar's National League for Democrcy (NLD), for the first time at her lakeside residence here Tuesday, the last day of Ban's three-day offical visit to the country.
Naypyidaw, Apr 30(ANI): Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will swear an oath in parliament "as soon as possible", in a dramatic turnaround to the ongoing political impasse.
Naypyidaw, April 30 (IANS) Myanmar president U Thein Sein held talks with UN chief Ban Ki-moon in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw Monday, a day after his arrival in Yangon.
Moscow, April 29 (IANS) About 25,000 metric tonnes - or 62 percent - of Russia's chemical weapons haf been destroyed till April 29, RIA Novosti reported Sunday.
Yangon, Apr 29 (Xinhua-ANI): Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon arrived here Sunday on a three-day official visit to Myanmar in light of significant changes taking place in the country.
Yangon, Apr 29 (Xinhua-ANI): German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle arrived Yangon Sunday as part of his trip to Southeast Asia to start a new chapter of cooperation with Myanmar, official sources said.
Yangon, April 29 (IANS) UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon arrived here Sunday on a three-day official visit to Myanmar.
Brunei, Apr 28 (Xinhua-ANI): Europen Union (EU) foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is travelling to Myanmar on Saturday and open an EU office in Yangon, a further move after the bloc suspended most sanctions on the country earlier this month. However, its members seems still divided on whether to fully and permanently lift the sanctions.
Washington, April 27 (IANS) The World Bank will open an office in Myanmar in June, a bank official said Thursday.
Yangon, April 26 (IANS) Myanmar will buy back 100 megawatts of electricity from China, a major investor in the country's hydro-power projects and receives bulk of the power generated from these plants.
Yangon, April 26 (IANS) Revenue from Myanmar's natural gas exports rose by $640 million to $3.5 billion in the fiscal year 2011-12.
Yangon, April 26 (IANS) Natural teak forests are in decline worldwide, almost half of which grow in Myanmar, the UN Food and Agricultural Organization has said. Such forests grow only in three other countries today -- India, Laos and Thailand.
Ottawa, April 25 (IANS) Canada has suspended its non-military sanctions against Myanmar in recognition of the latter's moves towards democracy.
London, April 23 (IANS) The European Union (EU) has formally agreed to suspend sanctions against Myanmar, with an exception of its arms embargo, for a year in recognition of "historic changes" in the country, BBC reported officials as saying.
Yangon, Apr 23 (Xinhua-ANI): The Myanmar military has re- nominated some 59 new representatives to parliament to substitute part of the old ones, according to an announcement of the Union Election Commission made public on Monday.
New Delhi, April 21 (IANS) Making pavements as their homes, over 500 hundred Myanmar nationals, among them women and children, have camped for the past 12 days near the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office here, demanding a refugee status.
New Delhi, April 21 (IANS) The World Health Organisation (WHO), which is observing the year of intensification of routine immunisation in Southeast Asia, has said the region will adopt a more aggressive strategy to address the issue of low immunisation.
Yangon, April 20 (Xinhua-ANI): A bomb blast killed a person at 105th Mile border trade zone in Muse township, in Myanmar's northern Shan state on Friday morning, according to official sources.
Dispur/Guwahati, April 20 (IANS) Braving security threats by the anti-talk faction of the ULFA and a shutdown call by the militants, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday inaugurated the platinum jubilee celebration of the Assam legislative assembly and said he wanted to make the state 'a new engine of growth' for the northeast.
Guwahati, Apr 20 (ANI): Asserting that the new wave of development in Assam has been made possible by a period of social peace and political stability, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Friday said violence provides no answer and that diverse groups can fulfill their aspirations only through engagement in the democratic process.
Yangon, April 19 (IANS) The US has lifted a ban on charity works by non-profit groups in Myanmar after the country successfully held its parliamentary elections earlier this month.
Brussels, April 19 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The European Union (EU) will abolish 20-year sanctions against Myanmar and include the country into its generalised system of preferences, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said.
London, April 18 (IANS) Myanmar's pro-democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi is to make a symbolic visit to Britain after accepting an invitation from British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Agartala, April 17 (IANS) Highlighting crimes such as smuggling of weapons, narcotics and fake Indian currency notes (FICN), the northeast states have pressed the central government to tighten vigil along international borders.
London, April 14 (IANS) British Prime Minister David Cameron has invited Myanmar's pro-democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi to visit the country later this year.
London, April 14 (IANS) Twenty "lost" Spitfire aircraft that were buried in Myanmar during World War II could return to the skies, The Independent reported Saturday.
Rangoon, Apr 14 (ANI): One of Myanmar's key ethnic insurgent groups, Karen National Union, has reportedly urged the international community to wait for more political reforms and a national cease-fire before easing long-standing sanctions against the country.
London, April 13 (IANS) David Cameron Friday became the first British prime minister to set foot in Myanmar since its independence in 1948.
Bangkok, April 12 (IANS) Myanmar will witness a robust growth as Western countries start to ease sanctions, an Asian Development Bank (ADB) official has said.
United Nations, April 12 (IANS) The UN Security Council has praised the by-elections held in Myanmar as important progress in the country's democratic reform process.
The recent Earthquake, which hits Indonesia and many countries including India, has once again raised the memoirs of Tsunami.
New Delhi/Hong Kong, April 11 (IANS) Many states along India's east coast felt tremors as a high intensity earthquake rocked Sumatra Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. A tsunami warning has been issued in India and 27 other countries
Hong Kong, April 11 (IANS) A tsunami alert has been sounded in 28 places across the world, including India, after a massive earthquake rocked Indonesia Wednesday.
New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) The visas on arrival issued to foreign tourists from 11 countries saw a jump of 34 percent during January-March this year compared to the same period in 2011, officials said Tuesday.
London, April 10 (IANS) British Prime Minister David Cameron will make a landmark trip this week to Myanmar where he is expected to meet Nobel laureate and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a media report said.
Bangkok, April 6 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A drug-resistant malaria strain, which health officials had hoped to contain to a small area in southwest Asia, has spread significantly along the Thai-Myanmar border, a joint study by US and British doctors said Friday.
New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) As WHO focusses on healthy ageing as its theme for the World Health Day Saturday, experts say sedentary lifestyles and growing psycho-social factors are affecting the health of India's elderly.
Washington, April 5 (IANS) The US will ease its financial and investment restrictions on Myanmar following the landmark parliamentary by-election in the country, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.
Guwahati, April 4 (IANS) Even as Myanmarese refugees from various parts of India are returning home to celebrate the political return of Aung San Suu Kyi, two sisters from Myanmar, rescued from the clutches of human traffickers in Mumbai, are spending sleepless nights at a shelter home in Guwahati, waiting for the Indian government to facilitate their return home.
Phnom Penh, April 3 (IANS) Cambodia, the current ASEAN chair, has called for stronger financial cooperation among its member countries to promote economic growth.
New Delhi, April 3 (IANS) India Tuesday congratulated pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi after her National League for Democracy's (NLD) thumping election victory.
New Delhi, Apr 3 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, may undertake a visit to Myanmar next month in an endeavor to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.
New Delhi, Apr 3 (ANI): India on Tuesday welcomed the successful conduct of by-elections that took place in Myanmar on April 1.
New Delhi, April 3 (IANS) With by-poll results in Myanmar indicating a landslide win for pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), India Tuesday welcomed the successful conduct of the by-elections and congratulated Suu Kyi for the victory.
Washington, April 3 (IANS) The White House has applauded the parliamentary by-election in Myanmar, calling it an important step in the country's democratic transformation.
New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) Against the backdrop of the unfolding democratic transition in Myanmar, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to visit the Southeast Asian country next month.
New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) Downplaying divergences on the Iranian issue after imposing fresh sanctions, the US Monday sought India's cooperation in pressing Tehran to come clean on its nuclear programme and clarified that it was not seeking to undermine New Delhi's energy security.
New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) Hailing victory of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the Myanmar by-polls, Myanmarese settled here say that they are eagerly waiting to see how she would change the atmosphere of their parliament and country while acknowledging she would not be able to make much headway in the present scenario.
New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) Amid cheers, enthusiasm and hope, students of New Delhi's Lady Shri Ram college Monday hailed alumna and Myanmarese leader Aung San Suu Kyi's landmark victory in the country's by-polls, stating that it was a "much-awaited moment in the long journey of the country towards democracy".
Guwahati, Apil 2 (IANS) As the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi claimed a landslide victory in Sunday's by-election in Myanmar, it cheered more than one lakh Myanmarese refugees in India's Northeast, particularly in Mizoram.
Yangon, April 2 (IANS) The Central Bank of Myanmar Monday set a new exchange rate for its currency kyat. It has set 818 kyat per US dollar.
Yangon, Apr 2(ANI): The landslide opposition victory in the parliamentary elections in Myanmar could prompt a backlash against reformist President Thein Sein by military hardliners.
Aizawl, April 2 (IANS) With six hostages abducted by a separatist outfit in Mizoram untraced for a week, border fencing along the India-Bangladesh border has been stopped, officials said Monday.
Yangon, April 2 (IANS) Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi called it a "victory of the people" after her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), said she had won a seat in the Myanmar parliament.
Yangon, April 1 (IANS) Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi Sunday scored a momentous victory following a decades-long fight for democracy by winning a parliamentary by-poll for a seat in Myanmar's lower house.
Yangon, April 1 (IANS) Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party, Sunday won the parliamentary by-elections, securing a seat in Myanmar's lower house, the party announced.
Amidst the 150 foreign observers the people of Myanmar are casting their vote for parliamentary by election in which Nobel laureates.
Yangon (Myanmar), Apr.1 (ANI): At least 70 percent voting has taken place in the first five hours of elections in Myanmar. A clearer picture on the way the polls have progressed is expected in the next couple of hours.
Yangon, April 1 (IANS) Thousands Sunday voted in Myanmar's parliamentary by-elections in which Nobel laureate and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi is contesting for the first time.
New Delhi, Apr.1 (ANI): The Indian Government has asked two experienced election commission officials and its envoy in Myanmar to observe the elections that are taking place in that country today (Sunday).
Yangon, April 1 (IANS) Polling began Sunday in Myanmar's by-elections that promise to be the most open contest in decades, with Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi among those standing.
Yangon, March 31 (IANS) A day before the crucial elections in Myanmar, around 60 percent of respondents in a countrywide survey said they will vote for Nobel laureate Aung Sang Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party.
Rome, March 27 (IANS) Natural teak forests are declining worldwide and the quality of natural grown teak wood is deteriorating, said the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Aizawl, March 26 (IANS) At least six people, including residents of Assam, Punjab, and Rajasthan, were abducted by unidentified tribal guerrillas in a Mizoram district bordering Bangladesh Monday, police said here.
Yangon, March 25 (IANS) A state-run domestic airline in Myanmar has plans to start medical emergency chartered flight services in a bid to facilitate patients during difficult times, a local weekly reported Sunday.
Agartala, March 24 (IANS) Two poverty-stricken Myanmar nationals were Saturday sentenced to two years in jail by a local court here for illegally entering India, a police official said.
Singh had expressed deep concern over reports of poaching and disappearance of tigers in various sanctuaries, particularly Sariska and Ranthambhore Tiger reserves in Rajasthan in 2004, leading to the formation of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in December 2005 at the recommendation of the Tiger Task Force.
Rangoon, Mar 21 (ANI): Myanmar has agreed to allow observers from neighbouring countries to monitor the nation's April parliamentary election.
Rangoon, Mar 21 (ANI): Myanmar has agreed to allow observers from neighbouring countries to monitor the nation's April parliamentary election.
Rangoon, Mar 20 (ANI): Myanmar has pardoned a leader of the Karen ethnic minority group who was given a 20-year sentence for treason.
Rangoon, Mar 20 (ANI): Myanmar has pardoned a leader of the Karen ethnic minority group who was given a 20-year sentence for treason.
Imphal, Mar 2 (ANI): Under its Look East policy, the Centre plans to start the first ever bus service from Imphal to Myanmar.
Imphal, Mar 2 (ANI): Under its Look East policy, the Centre plans to start the first ever bus service from Imphal to Myanmar.
London, Feb.28 (ANI): Scientists of a Madrid-based university have claimed that the rise in the trafficking of women is one of the key reasons for the male-female imbalance in China.
Guwahati, Feb 24 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi recently revealed that Maoists and Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) were trying to make the northeast their base.
Guwahati, Feb 24 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi recently revealed that Maoists and Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) were trying to make the northeast their base.
New Delhi, Feb.13 (ANI): Delhi Dialogue is a track 1.5 event organized annually by the Ministry of External Affairs with select partners since 2009. he fourth edition, 'Delhi Dialogue-IV' will beheld on February 13 and 14.
New Delhi, Feb 13 (ANI): The fourth edition of Delhi Dialogue organized annually by the Ministry of External Affairs with select partners since 2009 will take place on February 13 and 14 in New Delhi.
Dhaka, Feb. 12 (ANI): Bangladesh has asked India to invoke the spirit of cooperation and friendship witnessed during its war of liberation against West Pakistan in 1971, particularly with respect to the resolution of the stalled Teesta water sharing treaty, in order to move forward on all other fronts such as transit and trade of goods and services from mainland India to its north-eastern states.
Washington, Feb 10 (ANI): Ultrasound scans have provided the first direct evidence that malaria infection reduces early foetal growth, a study claims.
Rangoon, Feb 6 (ANI): United Nations Human Rights Envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana has said he has witnessed a positive impact in Myanmar's recent human rights situation, but added that serious challenges still remain and need to be addressed.
Rangoon, Feb 6 (ANI): United Nations Human Rights Envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana has said he has witnessed a positive impact in Myanmar's recent human rights situation, but added that serious challenges still remain and need to be addressed.
In an unprecedented development the Obama administration has signalled easing of sanctions against Myanmar. Few right groups have urged international community not to remove sanctions until the Burmese government has released all political prisoners.
New Delhi, Jan 25 (ANI): Myanmar's Foreign Minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, on Wednesday said his country was moving ahead with democratic reforms and expected to see concrete and tangible steps from the western powers to ease its two-decade-long international isolation.
New Delhi, Jan 24 (ANI): India and Myanmar have expressed commitment to strengthen cooperation in border issues.
New Delhi, Jan 24 (ANI): India and Myanmar have expressed commitment to strengthen cooperation in border issues.
Washington, Jan 22 (ANI): US Senator John McCain has said that the Obama administration should not rush to lift sanctions against Myanmar until it sees the results of a parliamentary by-election planned for early April.
Dimapur, Jan 17 (ANI): The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), a banned militant group active in Nagaland, has accused the Indian Government of violating a ceasefire agreement.
New Delhi, Jan 17 (ANI): The 7th Northeast Business Summit was recently held in New Delhi on January 6-7, with an aim to discuss the possible opportunities for investment and trade in the region.
