Myanmar

Note: This column mainly includes countries along the Belt and Road and countries that have signed cooperation agreements with China on Belt and Road Initiative.

Myanmar is a new and emerging touristdestination in South East Asia. Known to most travelers as the Golden land,Myanmar is rich in cultures and natural attractions. There are numerouspagodas, temples, beauty spots, archaeological sites, snow-peaked mountains,deep forests with abundant flora and fauna, rivers and natural lakes, unspoiltbeaches and archipelagos, 135 national races with their colourful costumes andcustoms, traditional arts and crafts all make up Myanmar the most exotic andfascinating destination in Asia. Visitors will find Myanmar a beautiful andpeaceful place with the most hospitable people in the world.

Location

Myanmar is situated in Southeast Asia andis bordered on the north and northeast by China, on the east and southeast byLaos and Thailand, on the south by the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal and onthe west by Bangladesh and India.

Geography

The country covers an area of 677,000square kilometres (261,228 square miles) ranging 936 kilometres (581 miles)from east to west and 2,051 kilometres (1,275 miles) from north to south, It isa land of hills and valleys and is rimmed in the north, east and west bymountain ranges forming a giant horseshoe. Enclosed within the mountaionbarriers are the flat lands of Ayeyarwaddy, Chindwin and Sittaung River valleyswhere most of the country’s agricultural land and population are concentrated.

Climate

As a whole, the location and topography ofthe country generated a diversity of climate conditions. Seasonal changes inthe monsoon wind directions create summer, rainy and winter seasons. Extremesof temperature are rare. The directions of winds and depression bring rain, andalthough it is always heavy in the coastal areas during monsoon season, itseldom creates hardships. The Government is giving priority to the forestconservation and greening of nine arid districts in central Myanmar.

Population

The Union of Myanmar is made up of 135national races, of which the main national races are Kachin, Kayah, Kayin,Chin, Bamar, Mon, Rakhine and Shan. Population of the country is estimated at52.4 million (July, 2003) and the population growth rate is 1.84 percent.

Tourism

Myanmar possesses a rich and vibrantcultural tradition. Great natural beauty combines with magnificent templearchitecture.

Traditionally, Myanmar tourism is based onculture. Myanmar with its long history, culture and religion has many pagodas,temples and monuments all over the country. In addition, Myanmar is alsoblessed by nature with natural attractions. There are snow-capped mountains,deep forests, cool and scenic places, long rivers, beautiful lakes, and manuunspoiled beaches and archipelagoes. The different national races and their wayof life, traditional arts and crafts offer exotic vistas of the nation whilethe warm hospitality of Myanmar people world-renowned.

Source: myanmarembassy.sg