Myanmar Info

Myanmar: History
Myanmar, officially Union of Myanmar, also called Burma, Burmese Myanmar, or Pyidaungzu Myanmar Naingngandaw, is a country lying along the eastern coasts of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea in southeast Asia.
Pearlolithic and Neolithic cultures flourished in many parts of Myanmar from about 20,000 years ago leaving behind much material evidence as well as the wall painting of Padalin Cave in the Shan foothills near Myittha. A bronze culture later developed, well represented by the Nyaunggan archaeological site near Monywa. Transition to an urban civilization was made in the 2nd century B.C. A number of cities flourished.
Among them, Wathali of the Rakhine, Land of Gold of the Mons, Beikthano, Hanlin, Thayekhittaya of the Pyus, King Anawrahta is the first unifier of Myanmar. King Bayintnaung created the vast Hanthawady Empire and rebuilt Bago on a magnificent scale. King Alongpaya established the last Myanmar dynasty of 11 Kings. The British started to rule the whole country in 1886. Myanmar regained independence on 4th January 1948. . It is officially now known as the Union of Myanmar

Location
Myanmar is situated in Southeast Asia and is bordered on the north and northeast by China, on the east and southeast by Laos and Thailand, on the south by the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal and on the west by Bangladesh and India. It is located between latitudes 09 32 N and 28 31 N and longitudes 92 10 E and 101 11 E.

Area: total- 678,500 sq km, land: 657,740 sq km, water: 20,760 sq km

Land boundaries: total- 5,876 km

Border countries: Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km, Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km

Elevation extremes: lowest point- Andaman Sea 0 m, highest point: Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m

Natural resources: petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower

Irrigated land: 15,920 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts

Environment
current issues: deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease

Economy
Since 1988, the market-oriented economic system has been in practice in Myanmar. Processes such as giving freedom to the agricultural sector, encouraging foreign investment, giving legal service for border trade, encouraging the participation of private sector in foreign trade and letting companies, Joint-ventures, traders and Association of Union of Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry have been organized in sequences and are being implemented step by step. Also, Myanmar is rich in tourist attractions and there is enormous potential for the tourism industry.

Culture
Myanmar abounds in ancient cultural heritage such as ancient cities, cultural heritage, religious edifices and structures. Areas prominent for the proliferation of such heritage are Pyay, Bagan, Bago, Shwebo, Mandalay, Inwa and Sagaing. However, Myanmar lies two great civilizations, India and China. Later on, it has developed its own distinctive culture. Buddhism has a great influence on the daily lives of Myanmar people. The people have preserved the traditions of close family ties. Myanmar people are known for their friendliness and simple hospitality.

Airport Facilities
Yangon international Airport is located 20 km from downtown Yangon. The Arrival Terminal is located separately from the Departure Terminal and the Domestic Terminal. International passengers are processed quickly through immigration and custom.

Media
Newspaper
Three morning newspapers Myanmar Ah Lin and Kyemon in Myanmar and The New Light of Myanmar in English are published in Yangon and The Yadanabon News in Myanmar is published in Mandalay. Myanmar Times Journal (English Version) is distributed every Monday, and the Myanmar Version is distributed every Thursday. The locally published magazines in English and foreign newspapers available at In-wa (Ava) Bookshop, No.232, Sule Pagoda Road.

Radio
Radio Myanmar broadcasts English on the following schedule: 8:30 am to 9:00am 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm; and 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm. The new City FM broadcasts from 08:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. and from 13:00 P.M. to 17:00 P.M. daily.

Television
There are two local TV channels: TV Myanmar and Myawaddy with programs running from 7 AM to 10 AM; and from 4 PM to 11 PM. Most hotels also have satellite TV. MRTV 3 English programs are telecast for viewers in Myanmar from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. 

Domestic Traveling
Domestic Flights
The main tourist centers are located at a distance from Yangon, and it is convenient for visitors to travel by domestic flights. Myanmar Airways, Air Mandalay and Yangon Airways operate flights of major tourist sites including Mandalay, Bagan, Heho, Thandwe, Myitkyina, Tachileik and Kawthaung.

Rail Service
Yangon-Mandalay is the main rail link with four express trains running daily between Yangon and Mandalay. Thazi on the Yangon-Mandalay line, a branch line runs to Shwenyaung (the nearest station to Inlay Lake) and to Taunggyi.
From Mandalay, there are rail services to Pyin Oo Lwin, Lashio, Monywa and Bagan. There is also a rail service from Yangon to Bagan which operate on alternate days.

Road Transport
Most tourist sites are also accessible by road. There are 12 Highway Bus services running between Yangon and Mandalay using air-conditioned coaches. Traveling time is about 14 hours with brief stopover at Taungoo and Pyinmana.

Inland Waterways
Myanmar has many rivers and a large delta in which the Inland Water Transport operates a huge fleet of double and triple-deck boats. There is a regular service between Bhamaw and Mandalay and between Mandalay and Bagan.
A journey on Burma's Irrawaddy River is one of life's great travel experiences. No vessel could be more appropriate for this than the RV Pandaw. Built in Scotland in 1947, the Pandaw is the same design as the original Irrawaddy Flotilla Company steamers that coped so well with the difficult conditions of the Irrawaddy.
"The Road to Mandalay", a luxury boat, sails from Mandalay to Bagan during the open season. Irrawaddy Princess, sails between Mandalay and Bagan and is also available for charter to Bhamaw and Pyay (Prome). The north and western part of the country are very rugged and mountainous. Three parallel chains of mountain ranges run from north to south. They begin from the eastern extremity of the Himalaya to Hka-kabo Razi (5881 ft), the highest peak in South-East Asia. The mountain chains separate the country into three river systems the Ayeyawaddy, Sittaung and Than-Lwin.

Public Holidays

Time
The Myanmar Standard Time (MST) is six and half-hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Half an hour behind Bangkok.

Business Hours
Government Offices 09:30 to 16:30 hrs. - Weekdays Mon. to Fri.
Banks 10:00 to 15:00 hrs. - Weekdays Mon. to Fri.
Shops 09:00 to 21:00 hrs. - Sun through Sat.

Electricity
Domestic power A.C 220 - 250V 50Hz. Power Line 440V.
Language Myanmar is the official language but English is widely understood in cities.
Airport Tax The international airport departure tax is US $10 for international passengers, payable in FEC (Foreign Exchange Certificates) or US$. There is no airport tax on domestic flights.
Airline Offices International airlines maintain offices in Yangon. Click here for airlines in Yangon.

Customs
Gems and jewellery purchased from authorized dealers (with vouchers) are allowed to be taken out. But antiques are not allowed to be taken out of the country.

Duty Free Shopping
Duty Free shopping facilities are available in both the Departure and Arrival Halls of Yangon International Airport.

On-line visa application
Myanmar Official On-arrival Visa Application Service.
On line visa application is applicable at http://www.myanmarvisa.com

Communication Services
Postal Service - The Yangon Central Post Office, located at 39, Bo Aung Kyaw Street, is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm., Monday through Friday. Major hotels provide mail boxes; and postage stamps are available at the Reception Counters.

Telephone
International phone calls can be made by International Direct Dialing (IDD) phone or through operators from most hotels in Yangon, and from some hotels at major tourist sites.
E-mail - You can check the email at Cyber Cafes.
Internet - You can use the Internet at Cyber Cafes.