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 being opened 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 in order to be fully equipped.
Where is Burma?
The country is located on the western part of the island of Indochina, next to many countries. These are Bangladesh, and India, China and Laos, Thailand. From the southern and western countries, the coast, 2000 km long, 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 ofIndian Ocean.
Burma (country) occupies a territory of 678.5 thousand square kilometers on land and several other oceanic islands. This is the largest square in all of Indochina. Although two-thirds of the land is occupied by high, impenetrable mountain ranges and dense thickets of the jungle.
On the geographical map of the planet, you may not find where Burma is, since the country has been renamed Myanmar since 2010. So be careful, first look for the Indochina peninsula on the map, it is located next to the Indian peninsula, and then you can easily find the country, as it is the largest on the map of the peninsula.
Before traveling to such a distant land, you need not only to know where Burma is located, but also to get acquainted 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 Mons. The ancient Chinese called the inhabitants of these places "Western Qiang". The history of Burma is very closely intertwined with neighboring countries. Often there were wars with China and Thailand. Power passed from hand to hand. Mon civilization lasted for a significant period of time, bringing together Buddhist and Indian cultures.
Changes of kings and constant wars continued throughout the history of the country, as, indeed, of many other states. However, things calmed down a little with the capture of the territory by British troops in 1824,when a very cruel and bloodthirsty tyrant, King Thibault Ming, was deposed. Therefore, the subjects of the English queen were greeted with joyful exclamations of local residents. Quiet life lasted for more than a hundred years, right up to the start of World War II.
In May 1942, Japanese troops captured Burma. The invaders were brutal, and the locals organized a partisan movement against the invaders. When in 1945 Japan announced its complete surrender and abandoned its soldiers to the mercy of fate, the partisans continued to finish them off in dense forests.
Independence
In 1948, the British decided to leave a foreign country and gave power to the locals, removing all powers from themselves. But this did not benefit the long-suffering people. The struggle for power of individual regions led to a civil war that raged for many years on the territory of Myanmar (Burma).
The government of Wu Nu failed to manage the state. Oil production fell to a minimum, the country was exhausted by constant confrontations. At that time, only the Burmese army could cope with the problems. And in March 1962, the General Staff of the Army, headed by General Ne Win, takes power into his own hands and immediately announces the chosen socialist path of development.
As in all socialist countries, prosperity went the same way. There has been a global nationalization of all private property, both locals and foreigners. All foreign trade was taken over by the military leaders of the country.
Burmans suffered from hunger, shopsstood empty, products were issued according to the rationing system. Many rulers were engaged in active trade with Thailand, selling off "people's goods", and ordinary citizens became poorer every day.
Military dictatorship
Since 1987, there have been serious unrest in the country related to the withdrawal of banknotes from circulation. People already led a beggarly lifestyle, and then in an instant they became impoverished by another 80%. University students took to the streets to protest. 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 in the SLORC committee, the so-called State Council for the Restoration of Law and Order. This body of power 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 were announced against the dictatorial government.
All opposition parties and the daughter of top Democrat Aung San were placed under house arrest. They were banned from participating in the 1989 elections.
Control Features
Despite the totalitarian regime of government and the brutal means of maintaining Buddhist morality in society, a number of positive aspects can be noted. The authorities obliged the monks to teach literacy to peasant children, every month mobile military hospitals came to the villages, carried out medical procedures and vaccinated the population.
The sex industry is under the strictest ban, the country does not knowproblems with AIDS. Very low level of drunkenness and drug addiction among local residents. Only women of Myanmar (Burma) smoke, and then only domestic tobacco.
The country began work on the restoration of cultural and architectural values. This is how the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon was restored.
But the tyranny of power continued to punish people for the slightest crimes, widely using the death pen alty. People were still isolated from the whole world. Information was not received, since only top officials had the Internet, there were very few cars, telephone communication was not carried out everywhere.
The main means of transportation remained horse-drawn transport, mostly carts with harnessed oxen. People lived below the poverty line.
Change
In the early autumn of 2007, a peaceful protest by Buddhist monks turns into riots against the government. About a hundred people were killed.
Since 2011, changes have been felt in the country. The events in Burma changed the attitude of other states towards the country. Since 2012, the European Union has lifted visa sanctions that were previously in effect for all top 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 receives a majority in this government body. The country's president, Thin Kyaw, was also democratically elected. Now travelers from all over the world have a desire to see firsthand whereBurma is located. After all, the leading countries of the world have restored relations with the country, investors have invested their money in the development of the economy, so its rapid recovery is predicted.
Relief
The geographical location of the country has the most diverse relief. These are the beautiful mountains in the west of the country, the Shan Plateau 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 Mount Khakaborazi (Khakabo-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 difficult to pass. Their height is from 1600 to 2600 m above sea level.
Numerous mountains give rise to rivers, the largest of which are the Ayeyarwaddy, Chindwin and Seatown. They spread through the valleys and make the land fertile and suitable for agriculture. The Myanmar rivers carry their waters to the Indian Ocean. Most of the lakes are located in the northern part of the country. The largest and deepest - Indoji.
But now the world is mostly familiar with Inle Lake. It is located on the Shan Highlands. It is not very large in size, only 100 square meters. m, and the depth reaches 6 meters. Why is the lake so famous? The answer is simple. Piling villages are located on the banks of the reservoir, the inhabitants of which live on the water, eat what they catch while fishing, and grow vegetables for themselves and for sale on floating gardens.
There are also artificial reservoirs and reservoirs thatlined up near major cities and from the capital of Burma, the city of Naypyidaw.
A large number of mountains are located in seismically active territory. There are several mud volcanoes in the country. The most famous of the extinct giants is Popa, 1518 m high. It is located in the Pegu ridge. According to the beliefs of local residents, the spirits of nata live on the top of the volcano. They are called upon 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 season for a trip to some country, it will not be superfluous to get acquainted with the climate in this territory. Where is Burma located? Surrounded by mountain peaks. Therefore, the climate here is tropical and subtropical. The mountains protect the area from strong and cold air masses from the north.
If our weather corresponds to the seasons, then there are three different types of climate in Myanmar:
- wet (May to October) when it rains frequently;
- cool (late October to February);
- hot (rest of the year).
But the cooling in Burma is relative, that is, it will not be 40 degrees, but 20. In mountainous areas, the temperature differs significantly. In winter, the thermometer can drop to 0 degrees. Also in the cool season, you can become a frequent witness to dust storms.
Attractions
Before traveling 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 commercials is the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. But on the territorycountless ancient monasteries, pagodas, temple complexes, Buddha statues in standing and lying positions of enormous size. Not to mention the mythical ancient city of Bagan. This is a whole architectural complex that attracts tourists from all over the world.
In addition to the capital of Burma, the city of Naypyidaw, it is also 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 fortress walls, the height of which is 9 meters.
Many travel agents recommend visiting Inle Lake. A monastery is built in the middle of the water surface, which has 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, where you can buy various goods, including souvenirs, directly from the boats.
Besides architectural beauties, the country is full of natural attractions.
Wonders of Nature
Myanmar is a wonderful land with beautiful mountainous regions that abound in rivers and beautiful majestic waterfalls. Not far from Mandalay are the most famous of them - Anisikan. Mighty avalanches of water fall into a small natural pool at the foot. The roar of the water flow is heard from afar. Tourists love this placefor comfortable conditions. A narrow path leads to the waterfalls with gazebos and benches for people who are tired of climbing to rest. Like all waterfalls in the world, the data is the most full-flowing after the rainy season.
Travelers will also be amazed by the beauty of the famous limestone caves under the common name Pandalin. They are located in the south of the country, in the state of Shan. These are two huge caves, inside which, moreover, you can admire the pagodas. On the walls of the cave halls, you can see the rock paintings of animals and people left by the ancient settlers. Underground passages are well equipped for visitors. Convenient ladders and bridges have been made. All halls are artificially lit.
There is a large national park near the city of Yangon, where animal lovers will fully satisfy their needs. The recreational zone covers an area of 630 hectares. The park starts from the shore of Lake Hloga. Tourists can look at the life of wild animals in their natural habitat. Deer, monkeys, storks and other non-dangerous animals roam freely in the park.
But the predators are located separately, in the zoo's fenced enclosures you can look at tigers, lions, leopards. If the 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 Kendoudzhi Botanical Garden. It received the status of a reserve and a 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, walking in the park, will getthe extraordinary pleasure of contemplating such natural beauty.
Population of Burma
Since ancient times, the country was inhabited by people from different countries - India, China, Bangladesh, there were many Europeans. But the constant wars and revolutionary events in Burma scared away many newcomers, who mostly left the country.
Now, after the borders are opened for citizens, many people illegally leave the country in search of a better life and work in more developed Thailand and Malaysia.
The country is inhabited by more than 135 different nationalities that have their own culture and language. Burmese make up the bulk of the population and oppress minorities of other nationalities. This often leads to disputes between different parts of the country. However, Burmese is still considered the state language.
The main share 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.
Main ethnic groups: Burmese, Shan, Karen, Arakanese, Chinese, Indians, Mons, Kachins and others.
Religious preferences
Myanmar is a country with many different faiths. Most of Burma's population is Buddhist. This is almost 90% of the entire ethnic composition. There is a small percentage of Islamists, the rest are Christians, of which one-third are Catholics.
There are many Baptists, Protestants, Anglicans, Methodists,7 Day Adventist Etc
Confessions do not always coexist peacefully. Often there are confrontations that end in failure. In 2012, a conflict broke out between Buddhists and Muslims. A state of emergency has been declared in the country as thousands of houses of Muslims who fearfully sought asylum in Thailand were burned down.
The story did not end there, and in 2013, anti-Muslim pogroms flared up again with renewed vigor in the city of Meithila.
What else do tourists need to know?
Country Holidays:
- January 4th - British Independence Day.
- from 13 to 16 April - water festival (it will be interesting for tourists to observe the traditions of pouring water on New Year's Eve).
- July 19 - Martyrs' Day (commemorate Aung San - a fighter for freedom and democracy);
- November 11 is also an interesting holiday for travelers of paper lanterns and burning kites.
- December 25 is traditional Christmas.
Many other holidays are related to peasants, Buddhists, each nation celebrates the New Year according to its own calendar.
The money of Burma is kyats. One kyat contains 100 pya. The banknotes depict monuments of architecture. When entering the country, tourists must exchange 300 dollars at the most unfavorable rate in the national bank. This is a prerequisite. Bank cards are absolutely not useful for tourists in Myanmar. It is very problematic to exchange cash, but the prices in the country will please travelers.
