Burma is a country in Southeast Asia, which is located on the coast of the Indian Ocean. This state is little known to the inhabitants of our country, since for a long time it was in forced isolation from the entire civilized world. Now the situation is changing in the country for the better, access is open to tourists from all over the world. Before traveling to a little-known state, it is advisable to get to know the location of Burma, its brief history, sights and features, to be fully equipped.
Where is Burma located?
The country is located on the western part of the island of Indochina, next to many countries. This is Bangladesh, and India, China and Laos, Thailand. From the south and west of the country, the coast, with a length of 2000 km, is washed by the waters of the bays - Begalsky and Moutam. Also in contact with the warm waters of the Andaman Sea, which is part of the Indian Ocean.
Burma (country) occupies an area of 678.5 thousand square kilometers on land and several other ocean islands. This is the largest square in all of Indochina. Although two-thirds of the land is occupied by high impassable mountain ranges and dense thickets of jungle.
On the geographical map of the planet, you may not find where Burma is located , since the country has been renamed Myanmar since 2010. So be careful, look for the Indochina Peninsula on the map first , it is located next to the Indian Peninsula, and then you can easily find the country, since it is the largest on the map of the peninsula.
Before traveling to such a distant land, you need to not only know where Burma is, but also familiarize yourself with its historical past, then many controversial points and misunderstandings will be clear.
History of the state
The first mention of this country dates back to the 3rd century BC. Many different nationalities inhabited this territory, but most of them were mona. The ancient Chinese called the inhabitants of these places "Western Qiang." The history of Burma is very closely intertwined with neighboring countries. Often wars were waged with China and Thailand. Power passed from hand to hand. Mons civilization lasted a considerable period of time, bringing together Buddhist and Indian cultures.
Change of kings and constant wars continued throughout the history of the country, as, indeed, of many other states. However, everything calmed down a bit with the seizure of territory by British troops in 1824, when a very cruel and bloodthirsty tyrant, King Thibault Ming, was removed. Therefore, subjects of the Queen of England were greeted by the cheers of the locals. A calm life lasted more than a hundred years, right up to the outbreak of World War II.
In May 1942, Japanese troops captured Burma. The occupiers were cruel, and the locals organized a guerrilla movement against the invaders. When in 1945, Japan announced its complete surrender and left its soldiers to the mercy of fate, the partisans continued to finish them off in the dense forests.
Independence
In 1948, the British decided to leave a foreign country and gave power to the locals, having relieved themselves of all powers. But this did not benefit the long-suffering people. The struggle for power in certain regions led to a civil war that raged for many years in Myanmar (Burma).
The Wu Well government failed to cope with state administration. Oil production fell to a minimum, the country was exhausted by constant confrontations. At that time, only the army of Burma could cope with problems. And in March 1962, the general headquarters of the army, headed by General Ne Win, took power into their own hands and immediately announced the chosen socialist path of development.
As in all socialist countries, prosperity followed the same path. The global nationalization of all private property of both local residents and foreigners has passed. All foreign trade was taken over by the military leaders of the country.
The inhabitants of Burma suffered from hunger, the shops were empty, the products were issued on the card system. Many rulers engaged in active trade with Thailand, selling off "popular goods", and ordinary citizens were impoverished every day.
Military dictatorship
Since 1987, serious unrest has passed in the country related to the withdrawal of banknotes from circulation. People already led a beggarly way of life, and then in an instant another 80% poorer. University students marched in protest demonstrations. The authorities came into conflict with the people, brutally suppressing the uprising, many were killed and arrested, some universities were closed altogether.
In the country, all power was concentrated at the SLORC committee, the so-called State Council for the restoration of law and order. This authority consisted of generals. In 1989, they began to change the geographical names of cities and the country as a whole. Now it was called Myanmar. However, most civilized countries did not recognize this renaming. Sanctions against dictatorial power were announced.
All opposition parties and the daughter of the main Democrat, Aung Sang, were taken under house arrest. They were banned from participating in the 1989 elections.
Management Features
Despite the totalitarian regime of governance and cruel means of maintaining Buddhist morality in society, a number of positive points can be noted. The authorities obliged the monks to teach peasant children to read and write, every month mobile military hospitals came to the villages, carried out treatment procedures and vaccinated the population.
The sex industry is under the strictest ban; the country does not know AIDS problems. Very low levels of drunkenness and drug addiction among local residents. Only women from Myanmar (Burma) smoke, and then only domestic tobacco.
The country began work on the restoration of cultural and architectural values. So the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon was restored.
But the tyranny of power continued to punish people for the slightest crimes, widely applying the death penalty. People were still isolated from the whole world. No information was received, since only top officials had the Internet, there were very few cars, and telephone communications were not carried out everywhere.
Horse -drawn vehicles remained the main means of transportation, in the bulk of the carts with drawn bulls. People lived beyond poverty.
Change
In the early fall of 2007, the peaceful performance of Buddhist monks escalated into riots against the government. About a hundred people were killed.
Since 2011, changes have been felt in the country. Events in Burma have changed the attitude towards the country of other states. Since 2012, the European Union has abolished visa sanctions, which were previously in force for all senior officials of the country.
In the same year, elections were held in the country, which changed the balance of power in the Parliament towards democratic forces led by Aung San Suu Kyi. And already in 2015, the National League for Democracy party received a majority in this authority. The president of the country, Thin Jo, was also elected democratically. Now, travelers from all over the world have the desire to personally see where Burma is. After all, the leading countries of the world have restored relations with the country, investors have directed their money in the development of the economy, so its rapid rise is foreshadowed.
Relief
The geographical location of the country has the most diverse relief. These are beautiful mountains in the west of the country, the Shan Highlands in the eastern part of the territory, in the center - a large fertile plain, on the coast of the Bay of Bengal - the Rakhine plain.
On the border with China is the highest point in the country. This is Khakaborazi Mountain (Hakabo-Razi), whose height is 5881 meters. And the mountain peaks of the Shan Highlands in the south-west of the country are not very high, but impassable. Their height is from 1600 to 2600 m above sea level.
Numerous mountains give rise to rivers, the largest of which are the Irrawaddy, Chinduin and Sithown. They spread over the valleys and make the land fertile and suitable for agriculture. Myanmar rivers carry their waters into the Indian Ocean. In the northern part of the country, most of the lakes are located. The largest and deepest is Indoji.
But now in the world they are mostly familiar with Inle Lake. It is located on the Shan Highlands. In size it is not very large, only 100 square meters. m, and the depth reaches 6 meters. Ask why is the lake so famous? The answer is simple. Pile villages are located on the shores of the reservoir, the inhabitants of which live on the water, feed on what they catch during fishing, and grow vegetables for themselves and sell them on floating gardens.
There are also artificial reservoirs and reservoirs that are built near major cities and from the capital of Burma, the city of Naypyidaw.
A large number of mountains are located in seismically active territory. The country has several mud volcanoes. The most famous of the extinct giants is Pope, 1518 m high. It is located in the Pegu ridge. According to popular beliefs, at the top of the volcano live the spirits of Nata. They are called to defend the country. Buddhist monks built the Tuyin Town pagoda on the mountain, which has since become a place of pilgrimage.
Climate
Choosing the time of year to travel to any country, it will not be superfluous to get acquainted with the climate in this territory. Remember where is Burma? Surrounded by mountain peaks. Therefore, the climate here is tropical and subtropical. Mountains protect the area from strong and cold air masses from the north.
If our weather corresponds to the seasons, then in Myanmar there are three different types of climate:
- wet (from May to October), when it often rains;
- cool (from late October to February);
- hot (the rest of the year).
But the cooling in Burma is relative, that is, it will not be 40 degrees, but 20. In the mountainous regions, the temperature is significantly different. In winter, the thermometer can drop to 0 degrees. Also in the cool season, you can become a frequent witness to dust storms.
sights
Before going to Burma, you need to study the sights of the country in advance in order to know where to go first. The star of all the commercials is the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. But in the country there are countless ancient monasteries, pagodas, temple complexes, Buddha statues in a standing and lying position of enormous size. Not to mention the mythical ancient city of Pagan. This is a whole architectural complex, which attracts tourists from all over the world.
In addition to the capital of Burma, the city of Naypyidaw, it is worth going to Mandalay. Here is the cultural center of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. This is the full and more correct name of the country. The royal palace of the ruler of Mindon since its construction in 1857 has become a forbidden place where no one was allowed. Although the city of kings, hidden from prying eyes, is large, it is surrounded by 4 km of ramparts, whose height is 9 meters.
Many travel agents advise you to visit Inle Lake. In the middle of the water surface there is a monastery with a very strange name - Jumping cats. This is due to the fact that all six monks living in this remote monastery teach cats to perform tricks. Also try to get to the floating market when you can purchase various goods, including souvenirs, right from the boats.
In addition to architectural beauties, the country is full of natural attractions.
Wonders of nature
Myanmar is a wonderful region with beautiful mountainous areas that abound in rivers and beautiful majestic waterfalls. Not far from Mandalay are the most famous of them - Anisican. Mighty avalanches of water plunge into a small natural pool at the foot. The rumble of a water stream is heard from afar. Tourists love this place also for comfortable conditions. A narrow path with gazebos and benches for rest of people tired of the rise leads to the waterfalls. Like all waterfalls in the world, the data are the most full-flowing after the rainy season.
The famous limestone caves under the general name Pandalin will amaze the travelers. They are located in the south of the country, in the state of Shan. These are two huge caves, inside of which, in addition, you can admire the pagodas. On the walls of cave halls you can see the cave paintings of animals and people left by ancient settlers. Underground walkways are well equipped for visitors. Convenient ladders and transitions along the bridges were made. All halls have artificial lighting.
Near the city of Yangon there is a large national park where animal lovers will fully satisfy their needs. The recreational area covers an area of 630 ha. The park begins on the shores of Lake Khloga. Tourists can watch the life of wild animals in their natural habitat. Deer, monkeys, storks and other non-dangerous animals walk freely in the park.
But the predators were located separately, in the fenced enclosures of the zoo you can see tigers, lions, leopards. If a tourist has the courage and determination, then there is the opportunity to ride an elephant.
For lovers of the plant world, we suggest going to the Kendouji Botanical Garden. He received the status of reserve and government garden. The park occupies a vast territory and has many rare and exotic plants found only in Burma. Even people who are far from botany while walking in the park will enjoy the extraordinary pleasure of contemplating such natural beauty.
Burma population
Since ancient times, the country was inhabited by immigrants from different countries - India, China, Bangladesh, there were many Europeans. But the constant wars and revolutionary events in Burma scared away many aliens, who for the most part left the country.
Now, after the opening of borders for citizens, many illegally leave the country in search of a better life and work in the more developed Thailand and Malaysia.
More than 135 different nationalities that have their own culture and language inhabit the country. Burmese make up the bulk of the population and oppress minorities of other nationalities. This often leads to contentious issues between parts of the country. However, the official language is still considered Burmese.
The bulk of foreign citizens living in Burma are emigrants from China. Their number is almost 2 million. Both English and Chinese are used as a business language.
The main ethnic groups: Burmese, Shans, Karen, Arakanians, Chinese, Indians, Mona, Kachin and others.
Religious preferences
Myanmar is a country with many different faiths. Most of Burma's population profess Buddhism. This is almost 90% of the total ethnic composition. There is a small percentage of Islamists, the rest are Christians, of whom one third are Catholics.
There are many adherents of the Baptist church, Protestants, Anglicans, Methodists, Adventists, 7 days, etc.
Denominations do not always coexist peacefully. Often there are confrontations ending in disastrous. In 2012, a conflict broke out between Buddhists and Muslims. A state of emergency was declared in the country, as thousands of Muslim houses were burned, who in fear sought refuge in Thailand.
The story did not end there, and in 2013 anti-Muslim pogroms flared up again in the city of Meithila.
What else do tourists need to know?
Holidays of the country:
- January 4 - Independence Day from the British.
- from April 13 to 16 - a water festival (it will be interesting for tourists to observe the traditions of pouring water on New Year's Eve).
- July 19 - Day of the Martyrs (commemorating Aung San, a fighter for freedom and democracy);
- November 11 is also a holiday of paper lanterns and burning flying kites, which is also interesting for travelers.
- December 25 - traditional Christmas.
Many other holidays are related to peasants, Buddhists, each nation celebrates the celebration of the new year on its own calendar.
Burma's money is Kyat. One kyat contains 100 pya. Banknotes depict architectural monuments. Upon entering the country, tourists must exchange $ 300 at the most disadvantageous rate at the national bank. This is a prerequisite. Bank cards for tourists in Myanmar are absolutely not useful. It is very problematic to exchange cash, but the prices in the country of travelers will please.