With Myanmar gradually opening up, now is the time to visit and the best way to do this is to study up on the place beforehand and be prepared. Have a read through our information below and beef up your knowledge about our beautiful, golden country, Myanmar.
Official Name | Republic of the Union of Myanmar |
Area | 676,000 sq. km |
Capital City | Nay Pyi Taw |
Commercial City | Yangon (former Capital City) |
Population | 51 million (Source: Census in Myanmar, 2004) |
Geography | Located in South East Asia bordering China on the North and North East, Laos on the East, Thailand on the South East, Bangladesh on the West and India on the North West |
Coastline | 1,930 km contiguous along the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea |
Border Countries | China (2,192 km), Laos (224 km), Thailand (2,096 km), India (1,331 km), Bangladesh (256 km) |
Official Language | Myanmar |
Recognised | Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Chin, Mon, Rakhine and Shan |
Regional Languages Religion | Buddhism (87.9%), Christianity (6.2%), Islam (4.3%), Hinduism (0.5%), Tribal religions (0.8%), other religions (0.2%), and no religion (0.1%) (Source: Census in Myanmar, 2004) |
Ethnic groups | 135 distinct ethnic groups |
Climate | Myanmar has three seasons as follows:
|
Local Time | UTC + 6:30 |
Country Phone Code | +95 |
Currency | Myanmar Kyat (K) – MMK |
Credit Cards | Airlines, major hotels and supermarkets accept payment by Visa and Master cards. Credit cards are accepted in major cities only. Cash withdrawal from ATMs by Master and Visa cards with local currency are now available. Traveller’s cheques are not widely accepted. |
Business Hours | Government Offices 09:00 - 17:00 hrs (closed on Saturdays and Sundays) Banks 09:00 - 17:00 hrs (closed on Saturdays and Sundays) Post Office 09:30 hrs - 16:30 hrs (closed on Saturdays and Sundays) |
Tipping | Not compulsory but recommended in addition to hotel and restaurant service charges shown on bills |
Nightlife | Limited to major cities only |
Electricity | 230V, 50Hz |
Electrical Outlets | Type C (European 2-pin), Type D (Old British 3-pin), Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth), Type G (Irish/British 3-pin). Universal travel adapter is recommended. |
Food | A vast variety of choices ranging from Asian style and Western style with different tastes such as spicy, hot, sour and so on |
Transportation | Myanmar has various modes of transportation as follows:
|
Photography | Photography in airports, railway stations and near any military base is forbidden. Please use discretion when photographing people. For close-up shots always ask first. |