Myanmar

Myanmar, country in Southeast Asia, formerly called Burma, bordered by India, Bangladesh, and the Bay of Bengal on the west, by China on the north and northeast, by Laos and Thailand on the east, and by the Andaman Sea on the south. The capital is Yangon, formerly called Rangoon.

Climate

Myanmar's climate is typical of the tropical monsoon regions of southeast Asia and India. The rainy season lasts from June to October, and rainfall averages 200 in (508 cm) annually.

People

The people are predominantly (about 70%) Burmans, but there are minorities of Karens, Shans, Chins, Kachins, Indians, Chinese, and Bangladeshis. More than 85% are adherents of Theravada Buddhism. Although more than 100 different languages are spoken, the official language is Burmese.

Economy

The majority of Myanmar's work force is engaged in agriculture and forestry. The forests are sources of teak and rubber. There are also rich mineral deposits of oil, silver, tungsten, tin, zinc, and lead. Myanmar is famous for its rubies, sapphires, and rich deposits of jade, but agriculture remains the mainstay of the country's economy.

History

Myanmar was settled in the 9th century by peoples who established a kingdom that reached its height under the Buddhist King Anawrahta in the 11th century. The kingdom and its capital fell to Kublai Khan in 1287, and the area was not reunited until the 16th century. After a series of wars (1826–85), Britain annexed Burma to its Indian empire. It was granted separate dominion status in 1937. The Japanese occupied the country during World War II, and it was not until after the war, with the foundation of the Union of Burma in 1948, that the country became independent. The first prime minister, U Nu, was overthrown by Gen. Ne Win in 1958. In 1960 U Nu returned to power but was again overthrown by Ne Win in 1962. In 1973 a new constitution made Burma a one-party socialist republic. In 1981 Ne Win resigned the presidency but retained control of the Burma Socialist Program Party. Pro-democracy demonstrations were crushed by the military late in 1988. In elections for a National Assembly in May 1990 the National League for Democracy won 80% of the vote, but the military arrested the League's leaders and the country remained under military rule. The economy deteriorated in the late 1990s. Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi continued her fight for the restoration of democracy. The country joined the ASEAN.