Union of Myanmar, state in Southeast. Asia. Modern name Myanmar (Myanma) country of the Myan people. Until 1989, the country was called Burma (cf. French Birmanie, English Burma). See also Salween. Geographical names... Geographical encyclopedia
Myanmar- Myanmar. Sunset over the Irrawaddy. MYANMAR (Republican Union of Myanmar), a state in Southeast Asia, in the northwestern part of the Indochina Peninsula, is washed in the west by the Bay of Bengal, in the south by the Andaman Sea. Area 677 thousand km2. Population... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary
- (until 1989 Burma) Union of Myanmar, a state in the Southeast. Asia, in the northwestern part of the Indochina Peninsula. 677 thousand km². population 44.6 million people (1993), 69% Burmese, the rest Karens, Shans, etc. Urban population OK. 25% (1993). Official... ...
- (Republican Union of Myanmar) a state in Southeast Asia, on the Indochina Peninsula. Area 677 thousand km2. Population 44.6 million people. The capital is Yangon... Historical Dictionary
Burma Dictionary of Russian synonyms. Myanmar noun, number of synonyms: 2 Burma (2) country (... Dictionary of synonyms
- (Burmese) people, the main population of Myanmar (over 30 million people). They also live in India, Cambodia, Laos, etc. The total number is 30.28 million people (1987). Language Burmese. Religion is mainly Buddhist... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary
Union of Myanmar (formerly Burma), a state in Southeast Asia. Area 676,577 sq. km. Population 46.8 million people (1997). In the west it is washed by the waters of the Bay of Bengal and borders on Bangladesh and India, in the north and northeast With… … Collier's Encyclopedia
- (until 1989 Burma), Union of Myanmar, a state in Southeast Asia, in the northwestern part of the Indochina Peninsula. 677 thousand km2. Population 46 million people (1996), 69% Burmese, the rest Karens, Shans, etc. Urban population 27%. Official language...... Encyclopedic Dictionary
Myanmar- Union of Myanmar (until 1989 Burma, Union of Burma) Legal system General characteristics Civil and related branches of law Criminal law and procedure Judicial system. Control authorities Literature State in Southeast Asia, in North... ... Legal systems of the countries of the world. Encyclopedic reference book
Myanmar- () a state in Southeast Asia, on the Indochina Peninsula. Area 677 thousand sq. km. Population 44.6 million people. Capital Yangon. In the XI-XIII centuries. there was a large state of Myanmar Pagan; Buddhism was established. IN mid-18th century V. Myanmar,... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary of World History
Books
- Myanmar. 88 declarations of love, Kiryukhantsev Pavel. Album - a philosophical photo journey of Pavel Kiryukhantsev to amazing country Southeast Asia- Myanmar...
- Myanmar. 88 declarations of love, Pavel Kiryukhantsev. The album is a philosophical photo journey of Pavel Kiryukhantsev to the amazing country of Southeast Asia - Myanmar. Addressed to a wide range of readers and specialists in the field of history of world culture,…
Highlights
Myanmar - predominantly mountainous country with a monsoon climate, subtropical and tropical landscapes. The vegetation here is ancient and very diverse. Forests, covering more than 60% of the territory, are unevenly distributed. The central lowland is the most densely populated area and is practically devoid of forest vegetation. In this area, every piece of land is either cultivated or was previously cultivated. Some plants on irrigated lands produce 2-3 harvests per year. Rice, oilseeds, legumes, grains, cotton, horticultural crops, tea, and sugar cane are grown. In the reserves available in Myanmar, the state is trying to restore the numbers of some animal species: rhinoceroses, tapirs, peacocks, wild elephants (according to rough estimates, there are more than 3,000 of them here).
The largest port city, industrial, commercial and cultural center- the capital of the country is Naypyitaw (925 thousand inhabitants). In the central part of the city, on a hill, there is a sacred place for Buddhists - the largest ancient pagoda in the country, Shwedagon.
Attractive to tourists, the ancient, now dead city Bagan is the capital of Myanmar in the 11th–13th centuries. There are hundreds of monumental structures - temples and stupas - here, the most famous is the Ananda Temple.
In the I-XI centuries. On the territory of Myanmar there were the states of Srikshetra, Arakan, and the Mon states. Myanmar itself created its own state in the 11th century. - Pagan. In the XIII-XVIII centuries. the states of Ava, Pegu, Taungu fought to unite the territories of Myanmar under their rule. In the middle of the 18th century. created single state, V early XIX V. one of the largest in the Southeast. Asia. As a result of the Anglo-Burmese wars, Myanmar was captured by the British. In 1886-1937 it was part of British India, then it became a separate colony. In the 1st third of the 20th century. The national movement intensified. In December 1941, Myanmar was occupied by Japanese troops. The fight for liberation from the Japanese occupiers and then from British colonial rule was led by the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League. On January 4, 1948, the independence of Myanmar was declared. In 1988, a military coup took place in the country, and the 1974 constitution was suspended. Since 1989, the country has been called Myanmar.
IN lately this exotic country began to attract an increasing number of tourists. This is understandable: Myanmar, small in size, includes all the delights of traditional Asia.
Climate and weather
Myanmar is high mountains, and impenetrable jungles, and many mysterious Buddhist temples, and, of course, snow-white smiles local residents. The famous Shwedagon Pagoda or the beautiful Inle Lake leave people enchanted by their charms for a lifetime. Many who have visited this paradise on earth want to come back here again. And the magnificent resorts of Ngwe Saung and Ngapali are beginning to compete well with the famous resorts of Thailand.
The climate in Myanmar is tropical monsoon. The south of the country is located in the subequatorial climatic zone. Monsoons in Myanmar create three weather seasons. The first season lasts from November to February, the average daily temperature during this period does not exceed +25 °C. This weather is quite cool for this area. It is during these months that there is a high probability of dust storms occurring in Myanmar.
The second season is called hot. It lasts from March to May, and the air temperature during these months rises above 32 °C.
The third season is the rainy season from June to October. It is advisable not to plan a trip to Myanmar during this period.
Nature
Much of Myanmar includes high mountain ranges, which are included in mountain system Himalayas. The most high point The mountain of all Southeast Asia is located in this country - this is Mount Hakabo-Razi. Its height is 5881 m. Thanks to the climate, the mountain ranges, abundantly overgrown with various plant species, attract large number ecotourists from all over the world.
The central part of the country is occupied by the beautiful and unique plains of the two largest rivers of Myanmar - the Irrawaddy and Salween. There are several organized on their territory national parks. Myanmar is also home to famous mountain reserves that offer tourists a closer look at the uniqueness of the local nature. The most famous among visitors to the country are National Park Alangdo-Katpa, Lampi Island in the Andaman Sea, Shaedaun and Pidaun mountain reserves.
Attractions
The most famous attraction that attracts many tourists every year is the Shwedagon Pagoda located in Yangon. This structure was built 2500 years ago. The almost 100 meter spire is decorated with more than 1000 precious stones and gold plates. The fame of the temple is given by the huge sculpture of the reclining Buddha, the length of which is almost 55 meters, and the four hairs stored in the pagoda spiritual mentor Buddhists. Interestingly, this pagoda is still operational, which allows all Buddhist pilgrims to visit these great relics.
Yangon itself is a kind of park with beautiful ponds and lakes often located. This city is the best place in all of Myanmar for families with children, who can frolic for hours in the local amusement parks.
The city of Mandalay is called the cultural center of the country. This place attracts people with its Shwenandaw Palace, Mandalay Hill, and the nearby ancient cities of Awa, Amarputa and Sagaing.
The abandoned city of Bagan, famous throughout the world for its unique temples, allows you to feel the whole atmosphere of extraordinary Asia. The sight of thousands of ancient pagodas and monasteries located on an area of 42 km² truly fascinates foreign tourists.
When going to Myanmar, you should definitely plan a visit to the unique Inle Lake, in the middle of which the Monastery of Jumping Cats is built. Six monks live there to this day and teach cats to perform amazing tricks for tourists. This lake became famous not only thanks to amazing cats, but also because here once a week local residents organize a floating market. You can buy almost the same souvenirs there as at the traditional market.
Kitchen
The main feature of Myanmar cuisine, as in all of East Asia, is the use of overly hot seasonings. Local chefs add them to almost all dishes. Traditionally, fish is seasoned with ginger, rice with onions and garlic. Chicken dishes such as o-no-hauk-swe (rice pasta with coconut milk and chicken) are also popular in this country. Special attention Burmese cuisine tends to focus on seafood.
Most hotels and restaurants in Myanmar are happy to serve national dishes to their visitors. Particularly popular is fish soup with the addition of vermicelli called “moinga,” as well as a spicy vegetable salad with rice called “letok son.” The national Burmese dessert is pickled tea leaves served with sesame seeds, garlic, roasted peanuts, onions and fried locusts.
Thanks to its proximity to tradition-filled countries such as China and India, many restaurants offer Indian and Chinese cuisine. However, close to popular tourist resorts, you can easily find a restaurant serving Western cuisine.
The world-famous Burmese tea is the main drink here. Interestingly, some nationalities manage to add hot spices to this wonderful drink. Not all foreign tourists risk trying this drug.
And, of course, not a single hospitable Asian country can do without exotic fruits. Some of their species grow exclusively in this area, for example, durian, mangosteen, jackfruit. They are in great demand among tourists.
Accommodation
Choosing this fairyland For your holiday, you must take into account that local hotels do not have an official classification. Of course, most Burmese hotels meet all international requirements, so in the tourism business it is customary to set the “number of stars” by the tour operators themselves.
Before traveling to Myanmar, you need to thoroughly study all the services provided by hotels: food, room equipment, distance from the beach, etc. It is worth noting that in this country almost all sockets are three-pin; the necessary adapter for our electrical appliances can be obtained at the reception.
Entertainment and relaxation
Mostly tourists come to Myanmar to bask on the soft sandy beaches of this country. Ngapali is considered the best beach area. White warm sand, a large number of first-class hotels and excellent restaurants attract everyone every year more people to this heavenly corner of the planet.
Another beautiful resort in Myanmar is Ngwe Saung, which differs from other places in its excellent beaches with tall, beautiful palm trees. This place is slightly inferior to Ngapali in popularity among tourists, but every year more and more foreigners visit this resort.
Active recreation in Myanmar is still underdeveloped compared to famous world resorts. Some companies are happy to offer their clients cycling tours of local beauty. Quite popular entertainment among tourists are hiking and unforgettable safaris through the national parks and reserves of Myanmar.
Every year the number of fishing enthusiasts who come to this country for new fishing experiences is increasing. big fish close to the beaches of Ngapali.
The famous “Elephant Camp” is located near the Ngwe Saung resort. In this place, for very little money you can ride a real Indian elephant. Many tourists prefer to spend their free time in the new Ngalaik water park, which is located near the capital of Myanmar - Naypyitaw.
It is not for nothing that many people call Myanmar the “Land of Golden Pagodas”. They are located everywhere here. Therefore, the main excursions are organized specifically around these attractions.
Shopping
No trip abroad is complete without purchasing remarkable souvenirs. Fortunately, shops and markets in Myanmar are replete with a diverse range of goods presented. Their quality and prices are so varied that buyers are sure to find something attractive.
The main items of trade in Myanmar are various crafts made from seashells, all kinds of sculptures and paintings made of wood, figurines, teapots, etc. A large number of tourists, when choosing a Burmese souvenir, stop their eyes on national clothing. Products made from precious stones are also widely represented on the markets. However, you have to be a true connoisseur of these jewelry so as not to encounter a fake. By the way, the Burmese love to bargain. This will allow you to purchase a quality item at an affordable price.
Transport
Small Myanmar has many modes of transport, from airplanes to oxen and elephants. Public transport In Burmese cities it is represented by buses. The fleet of cars is quite old, but they are all equipped with air conditioning and a video viewing system. Tickets for such transport cost approximately $0.5.
The best way to get around large cities is by taxi. One trip on such transport will cost $2. You can use the services of car rental companies. But, taking into account the peculiarities of the country's traffic rules, it is best for foreign tourists to take a car with a local driver. It is worth noting that the condition of the road surface in Myanmar is extremely unsatisfactory. So you should prepare in advance for a completely uncomfortable trip on local roads.
A large number of Myanmar residents prefer to travel between major cities using railways. The quality of passenger service by rail leaves much to be desired. Low speed, constant delays of trains, as well as high fares compared to buses force tourists to use another mode of transport. In addition, Burmese trains are completely uncomfortable. In most carriages, the seats are equipped with wooden flooring. The only branded train with carriages similar to our compartments runs on the Yangon-Mandalay route.
Therefore, most tourists prefer to travel around the country by air transport. Domestic flights in Myanmar are provided by private companies Yangon Airways, Air Mandalay and Bagan Airways. However, using their services is quite expensive. A cheaper option is to fly with state-owned Myanma Airways, but this carrier is quite famous in Myanmar. low level security.
You can travel along the major Burmese rivers on wonderful passenger ships and ferries. One trip costs approximately $20.
Connection
Communications in Myanmar are quite poorly developed. There are a large number of machines in the capital that provide intra-city communications and operate from one kyat. International calls can only be made from special devices, but there are few of them even in Naypyitaw. It is possible to call another country from a hotel, however, such a call will be expensive: approximately $5.
Mobile communications have a small coverage area, mainly the capital and its districts. Tariffs for this type of communication are very high. Just recently, a SIM card from a mobile operator cost one thousand dollars.
Internet services are provided by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Myanmar and mainly in Internet cafes; connection speeds often leave much to be desired. True, departure lounges international airport Yangon is equipped with high-speed Internet, which is good news for foreigners.
Safety
It is worth noting that there are restrictions on movement within Myanmar. When visiting this country there are special cards, which indicate cities and regions of the state, entry into which is strictly prohibited. Some places have been declared semi-closed. In this case, visiting such areas is carried out only with the presence of an accompanying person from a national travel company.
Myanmar can safely be called a safe country, although sometimes shopping centers and petty pickpocketing occurs. It is generally accepted that the overall crime rate in Myanmar is one of the lowest. Most Burmese hotels offer their clients the service of using safes; they can be located either at the reception or in individual rooms (of course, such a service is paid additionally).
In this country, you should not get carried away with photographing military installations and people in uniform. The least that local authorities can do for this is to take away your camera and film. Or they may even deport you from the country without even explaining the reasons to you. The guide usually informs you about prohibited objects for photography.
Business climate
To stimulate interest in real estate in Myanmar, President Than Shwe recently decided to improve the climate for foreign investors. To this end, bilateral agreements were concluded with foreign companies to begin the development of mineral deposits, in particular gas and oil. The main conditions for working in Myanmar were the improvement of oil production technologies and the possibility of quickly building pipelines and compressor stations. In addition, the president decided to release the long-term lending market, which made Burmese real estate even more attractive for investment.
There is quite a wide range of real estate in Myanmar, for example, beautiful bungalows located next to Buddhist monasteries, magnificent studios in major cities. Any company will find attractive premises in this country. Considering the economic situation of the country, most companies prefer to focus on the tourism business, which allows them to recoup their investments in just a few years.
Real estate
At the moment, the Myanmar economy is just beginning to develop, it has great potential for the fastest growth of the real estate market. Accustomed to high prices Europeans will be pleasantly surprised by local prices for apartments, houses or bungalows. Today in Myanmar you can buy an apartment of more than 100 m2 for just $10,000. The purchase of an industrial enterprise with average processing capacity will cost the buyer a little more than $50,000. Such low cost real estate attracts numerous foreign investors.
Myanmar, like all countries representing the culture of Southeast Asia, has a large number of traditions that every visitor to this unique state must observe.
Here are the main ones:
1. you cannot hug and kiss in public;
2. You should also not touch the head of a child or adult;
3. if you do not want to feel the judgmental glances of local residents, you should not step over the person;
4. Burmese people never wear shoes at home, especially in temples;
5. while in places sacred to Buddhism, you cannot talk or laugh loudly;
6. if you want to take some photographs in a Buddhist temple, you should ask permission for this;
7. women are not allowed to touch monks;
8. It’s interesting that the Burmese don’t take or give anything with their left hand. They expect the same from visiting people.
Some tips about eating food in Myanmar: if you do not want to spend money on treatment in a Burmese hospital, then when buying any food products at the market, you should rinse them thoroughly with boiled water. By the way, you should not drink local tap water here. It is better not to drink it even when boiled; sometimes such a disinfecting process cannot rid the water of pathogenic bacteria. It is better to use bottled liquids.
And, of course, when in any Asian country, you need to behave with dignity and treat the surrounding local population with respect.
Visa information
To enter Myanmar, citizens of Russia and the CIS require a special visa. You can order it in advance at the consulate of the Myanmar Embassy. To do this, it is advisable to collect everything necessary documents: foreign passport valid for at least six months at the time of submission of documents; two color photographs on a white background; visa application form completed in English. When traveling with a child, you must make a copy of his birth certificate.
To obtain a visa, you must pay a consular fee of $20. Payment is made immediately after receiving the passport with visa directly at the consulate.
Additional information can be obtained at the address: Moscow, st. Bolshaya Nikitskaya, 41.
Story
Myanmar's prehistory begins with migration into the territory countries of three groups: first - from the Mon Kingdom in the territory of modern Cambodia, then the Mongolian Burmese from the eastern Himalayas and the Thai tribes from northern Thailand. In the 11th century, the Burmese Bagan Kingdom controlled what is now Myanmar, but it failed to unite the disparate ethnic groups and collapsed before the Mongol-Tatar invasion in 1287. Over the next 250 years, Burma was in a state of chaos, and the territory was not unified until the mid-16th century, when several Taungoo kings began to expand their dominance and were victorious over Siam. In the 18th century, the country again split into several parts, the Mon tribes and some hill tribes created their own kingdoms. In 1767, the Burmese captured Siam and destroyed Ayuthaya, forcing the Siamese to move their capital to Bangkok.
Occasional border skirmishes led to the ambitious British occupying the country in 1824, and again in 1852 and 1883. Burma became part of British-owned India, the British created a colonial infrastructure here and began to develop the country as a major exporter of rice. Together with the British, Indians and Chinese came to Burma, which further intensified interethnic strife. In 1937, Burma seceded from British India and talk of self-government began to arise. The Japanese drove the British out of Burma during World War II and tried to suppress Burma's desire for independence. political methods. The Burmese were inspired by the opportunity to gain independence, and soon a outbreak of liberation movement. In 1948, Burma gained independence and almost immediately the hill tribes, communists, Muslims and Mon tribes began to claim control of the country.
In 1962, the communist wing of the army led by General Ne Ving overthrew the democratic government and set the country on the road to socialism. The Burmese economy suffered a period of decline for 25 years until the Burmese finally decided they had enough. Large demonstrations began to call for Ne Ving's resignation, and a major confrontation broke out between pro-democracy demonstrators and the military, leading to the deaths of 3,000 people in six weeks. Several puppets appointed by Ne Ving succeeded each other in leadership positions, and then there was a military putsch (believed to have been inspired by Ne Ving), and General Saw Maung and State Council to Restore Law and Order took control of the country. New leader promised to hold elections in 1989.
The opposition quickly formed a coalition party called the National Democratic League, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of independence hero Bogyoke Aung San. In 1989, the National Democratic League received an overwhelming majority of votes in the elections.
The military junta did everything possible to prevent Aung San Suu Kyi from forming his cabinet and beginning to rule the country, then they provoked uprisings by Karen rebels and the involvement of the personal armed forces of the drug lord Khun Sa. Reports of Khun Sa's "house arrest" at his comfortable Rangoon villa, complete with personal service, luxury cars, military guards, hotel and estate, have raised suspicions of a deal between Rangoon and Khun Sa's heroin corporation.
During her arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi received several international peace prizes, including Nobel Prize Mira in 1991. In July 1995, the government released her to the great joy of the Burmese people and her supporters abroad. However, she was prohibited from traveling outside Rangoon and was arrested again in September 2000 while attempting to leave the city.
Hopes for any change are slim, but in October 2000, Aung San Suu Kyi held secret talks with the government through a United Nations representative. The negotiations were finally successful, and military government Myanmar released her in May 2002. IN at the moment she has the right to take part in all activities without the restrictions that accompanied her first release. Both sides have decided to continue consultations, with Aung San Suu Kyi intending to establish democracy in the country, even if it takes years. “This is the beginning of a new dawn in our country,” she said, “we hope that the dawn will come very quickly indeed.” Time will tell whether the junta intends to deliver on its reform promises, but Myanmar's future looks more promising now than it has in the past decade.
Culture
Art in Myanmar has always been closely associated with religion and royalty. Temples, pagodas and palaces showcase artistic skill painters, woodcarvers and sculptors. Temples and pagodas were traditionally built of brick, and many still remain today. The majestic palaces were, however, made of wood, and today there are only poorly preserved remains of these once beautiful examples of carved architecture. Art and architecture, supported by royal power, fell into decline as soon as the last kingdom collapsed.
Although court art has fallen into decline, urban folk culture lives and flourishes. The basis of folk culture is dramatic art; almost any holiday is a great occasion to put on a show (pve). Mostly these are performances based on Buddhist legends, but they can also be more frivolous entertainment, including elements of comedy, dancing, ensemble singing or giant puppet theater. Music is an integral part of Burmese performances; it originates from Siamese music and is based on rhythm and melody. Percussion instruments (drums, gongs), as well as harps and bamboo flutes are mainly used.
More than 85% of the population of Myanmar are Theravada Buddhists, although the religion is not officially recognized by the state, and after the Ne Ving government came to power, it began to play less and less important role in the country. There are many Muslims living in the Rakhine region near Bangladesh. Christian missionaries have had some success among the hill tribes, but most remain animists.
Burmese is the main language in the country and has its own alphabet and script. Although you probably won't have time to learn the alphabet, it may be worth learning the numerals in order to read bus numbers. Few Burmese speak English, mostly among the older generation.
The easiest way to buy national Burmese dishes is in food stalls rather than in restaurants. Most restaurants and cafes feature Indian and Chinese cuisine, but hotel restaurants try not to put too much chilli sauce and shrimp paste in Burmese dishes. The basis of any Burmese dish is rice. Curry sauce and spicy vegetable salad are added to it in varying quantities, and ngapi, dried and mashed shrimp paste, is added to almost all dishes. Chinese tea tastier than too strong, too sweet with too much milk Burmese tea. Sugarcane juice is a very popular drink sold on the street, with orange brandy, lychee wine, white liqueur and jungle liqueur being popular among the stronger drinks.
Economy
IN agriculture employs two thirds of the country's population. Myanmar's main crops are rice, corn, and tobacco, which are grown mainly in the valleys of the Seatown and Ayeyarwady rivers, where irrigation is widely used. In 2002, Myanmar harvested 21.9 million tons of rice, which is 3.8 times world production. According to this indicator, the country is in 7th place in the world. Of this amount, approximately 700 thousand tons of rice were exported, which is significantly lower than the volume of exports in previous years due to its low quality. Opium poppy is grown in the east of the country, the crops of which are under the control of both the authorities and the opposition. In this area there is the so-called "Golden Triangle". In 2001, 900 thousand tons of fish and fish products were caught. As for livestock farming, in 2002 there were a million heads: cattle 11.3, buffaloes 2.5, pigs 4.4, goats and sheep 1.9, poultry 61.7. Half of Myanmar's territory is covered by forests, and timber exports accounted for 10% of export revenues. Timber export - about 40 million cubic meters.
The mining industry plays an important role in the country's economy. The depths of Myanmar are rich in minerals, of which there are more than 20 types: oil, gas, tungsten, coal, precious stones, lead, tin, gold, nickel, silver, zinc, copper, sapphires, rubies. In 2002, 0.6 million tons of oil, 7 billion cubic meters of gas, 2 tons of silver, etc. were produced.
Most developed food industry, rice and tobacco processing. All large enterprises belong to the state.
The country has factories for assembling buses, tractors, bicycles, machine tools, etc. There are shipbuilding and ship repair enterprises.
Inflation began to rise especially strongly after the military coup in 1989 and the military junta coming to power. There has been a decline in GDP and an increase in inflation.
Religion in this multinational country it is represented by several faiths. Theravada Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and animism are present here. But despite the fact that in neighboring countries oh, all the religious movements there coexist peacefully; in the country of Myanmar, the Muslim religion has somehow “annoyed” the representatives of Buddhism.
This led to mass persecution of Muslims, pogroms and, as a consequence, their flight from the country. Despite the diversity of beliefs, in the state of Myanmar the religion of Buddhism Theravada- main.
Here is the third largest and most important among the ascetics of Buddhism in Asia. Bagan temple complex, which has several thousand Buddhist temples and pagodas. Here in Myanmar, religion even influences political life countries.
Whatever forces come to power, the basis of their postulates should not radically diverge from religious canons. As in most Asian countries, in the country of Myanmar, religion has influenced the culture of the country.
Temples are being built even in the most remote and smallest villages of the country. Accordingly, the need to build and decorate temples contributes to the preservation and development of crafts, such as inlay with gold and precious stones, wood carving, sculpture, and pottery.
And if you consider that the government has always supported artisans, one can only imagine the degree of development of crafts in our time.
In addition, boys who reach a certain age are sent to the temple, where, having become a monk, he learns writing, crafts and meditation from the monks. Unlike other beliefs (for example Christianity), monasticism here is not lifelong; its term is negotiated separately.
Locals still wear national clothes hand-painted, they play folk musical instruments that have not undergone changes over time.
A favorite entertainment during the holidays is the local equivalent of opera, which lasts more than several hours. It includes elements of comedy, tragedy and farce.
Literature and writing also owe their origin to religion. Typical scenario: monks make books and copy them sacred texts, whose canons everyone follows literary genres, whose heroes are Buddha and the people.
An interesting example of religiosity, it is an obligatory place of pilgrimage male population Myanmar, professing Buddhism - golden buddha stone, which miraculously stays on the rock, and which no one can throw off from there, no matter how hard they try.
From infinite number pagodas and Buddhist temples, practically dazzles the eyes. And if you consider that all this glitters, as it is decorated with gold and precious stones, then I would like to advise you not to take off your sunglasses.
Buddha statues everywhere here too. The most interesting are: Buddha with glasses and Buddha about a hundred meters high. In general, one might get the impression that everything related to Buddha is very big and golden.
For example, Shwedagon Temple has a height of about 110 meters, thousands of gold sheets, precious and semi-precious stones were used to decorate it, and National Museum an eight-meter golden throne is kept.
Reclining Buddha statue has a size of 55 meters. "Marble Book" - Kutdoho Pagoda, each room of which carries sacred texts carved on its walls, has 729 rooms.
The world's largest bell in the city Mingun(active!!!) Weighs 90 tons, and on the walls of the pagoda Tangobay there are almost 583 thousand images of the same Buddha.
Until 1989, this state, located in the western part of the Indochina Peninsula, was called “Burma”.
Domestically, the name "Burma" was not popular, so it was changed to "Union of Myanmar", and in 2010 to "Republic of the Union of Myanmar". At the same time as the name of the country, the state symbols: flag and coat of arms.
Myanmar borders India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand. From the south and southwest, its shores are washed by the waters of the Bay of Bengal and the Gulf of Moutama (Martaban), as well as the Andaman Sea.
State symbols
Flag– is a rectangular panel with an aspect ratio of 2:3 of three horizontal equal stripes: yellow, green and red, in the center of which a large white 5-pointed star is placed. The three colors of the flag's stripes symbolize solidarity, peace and stability, courage and determination. White star is a symbol of the country's unity. The new flag of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar is a combination of the flag of the State of Burma, on which, instead of depicting a symbol royal power, there is a symbol of Union unity, borrowed from the flag of independent Burma. The flag was approved on October 21, 2010.
Coat of arms- emblem of Myanmar. The coat of arms depicts two mythical lions facing each other, and in its center is a map of the country, surrounded by ornamental branches.
Government structure of modern Myanmar
Form of government- republic.
Head of State- President.
Capital- Neilido.
Largest cities– Yangon, Mandalay, Mawlamyine.
Official language– Burmese.
Territory– 678,500 km².
Population– 55,167,330 people. This is a multi-ethnic country, representatives of more than 100 nationalities live here. The main ethnic groups are: Burmese (68%), Shan (9%), Karen (7%), Arakanese (4%), Chinese (3%), Indians (2%) , Mons (2%), Kachins (1.5%), other nationalities (3.5%). In addition, there are about 20 small nations.
Currency– Myanmar kyat.
Administrative division – 7 administrative regions(Taying) and 7 states (Pui-Neh). Regions and states are divided into districts (myone), which consist of cities (myo) and rural townships (subdistricts), uniting urban neighborhoods (yakwe) and groups of villages (cheyua).
Religion– due to the large number of ethnic groups living in the country, Myanmar is a multi-religious country, but the vast majority of the population are Buddhists (Theravada school). They make up 89% of the population. Christians - 4%, Muslims - 4%, animists - 1%, others - 2%.
Economy- the country has the following natural resources: oil, gold, timber, tin, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, marble, precious stones, gas, hydropower.
Rice fields
Agriculture(70% of workers) – rice, legumes, peanuts, sugar cane. Industry(7% of employees) – processing of agricultural products; forestry; extraction of oil, gas, copper, tin, tungsten, iron; clothing production; mining of precious and semi-precious stones.
Export: gas, timber, beans, fish, rice, clothing, ornamental and precious stones. Import: petroleum products, fertilizers, engineering products, vehicles, cement, building materials, food.
The country is the world's second largest producer of illicit opium (after Afghanistan).
Education– the country has a British education system, which is associated with almost a century of British and Christian presence in Burma. Almost all schools are public, but recently the number of private schools teaching in English has increased.
Required school age– 16 years old. Primary education is mandatory and lasts 5 full years. Secondary education:
1st cycle: 3 years, from 6th to 8th grade, upon completion, students take standard high school exams.
2nd cycle: from 9 to 10 grades. Students must choose the direction of further education - humanitarian or scientific, which determines the possibility of continuing education in certain specialties in higher educational institutions.
In the second cycle of education, regardless of the direction (humanities or science), Burmese and English are compulsory for study, as well as mathematics.
Myanmar has 101 universities, 12 institutes and 33 colleges. There are 10 vocational schools, 23 nursing schools, 1 sports academy and 20 midwifery schools.
Armed forces– consist of three types:
Ground forces
Air Force
Naval forces
Sport– martial arts are popular: bando, founded in the 11th-12th centuries. in Buddhist monasteries; lehway; Poonjee secrets.
Poundji of secrets- imitation of movements Buddhist monk(Burmese “ponji”), actions with open palms and on the principles of non-violence and non-aggression, but, despite the name, the Burmese monks themselves do not engage in martial arts.
Athletics, weightlifting, sailing, and boxing are popular. Football is also popular, and a national football team has been created. On summer Olympic Games the country has been participating since 1948.
Nature
The climate of the country is mainly tropical and subequatorial. The main rivers originate in the mountains and belong to the Indian Ocean basin. The largest rivers in Myanmar are the Ayeyarwady, Mekong, Salween, Seatown and Chindwin. Largest lake-Inle on the Shan Highlands.
Floating vegetable garden on Inle Lake
Flora
Forests cover about 60% of Myanmar's territory. They are preserved mainly in mountainous, hard-to-reach, sparsely populated areas. On the Central Plain, forests have been almost destroyed and are occupied by agricultural land or secondary semi-desert vegetation.
The flora has about 7 thousand species, more than 1 thousand are endemic. There are 1,347 species of trees, 96 species of bamboo and 841 species of orchids.
Evergreen forests in Myanmar are divided into waterlogged (rain) and typical. Above 4000 m there are alpine meadows.
Fauna
The mountains, covered with tropical rainforests, are home to many species of large mammals: Indian elephant, tiger, leopard, gibbons, macaques and other monkeys. The number of wild gaur and banteng bulls, black-backed tapir and two-horned Sumatran rhinoceros is declining. There are muntjac and Indian sambar deer, bovids include black and Milne-Edwards serow, and wild boars.
Sumatran rhinoceros
Dry tropical teak forests are home to Burmese gaur and banteng, tamine and muntjac deer.
The avifauna is rich, numbering at least 1200 species. Among the most exotic species mottled Burmese pheasant, green peacock, great argus, bank chickens, hornbills. The green peacock is the national symbol of Myanmar.
The national symbol of Myanmar is the green peacock.
There are more than 400 species of reptiles, including numerous snakes (python, cobra and several types of vipers). There are crocodiles, lizards, including geckos, and turtles, including sea turtles in coastal waters. Lots of fish - sea and river.
Culture and life
Approximately 75% of the population lives in village huts, usually built on low stilts, with walls made of woven bamboo panels, plank floors and thatched roofs. The cities, of course, have a European look.
Marriage and divorce require only a simple declaration in the presence of senior family members. The Burmese do not have surnames or patronymics, and the name can change throughout life, for example, with a change in profession. Women keep their name even after marriage. Children do not inherit their father's name, but in return they usually receive two: according to the day of the week the child was born, and according to the qualities that the parents would like to see in him in the future.
Main food: rice, vegetable oil (sesame, peanut or coconut), vegetables and fruits. Steamed rice is seasoned with hot sauces (such as curry), ngapi fish paste and dried shrimp paste sauce.
National clothes – colorful sarong(lounge - male and thamein - female). It is a piece of fabric sewn in the shape of a cylinder and covering the body from the waist to the ankles. Women wear a light jacket with a clasp on the right side, under which there is a thick bodice.
Men - a shirt without a collar and a short jacket.Men's headdresschaunban- a frame woven from bamboo ribbons, tied at the top with a silk scarf. Women usually go without a headdress. Casual shoes are sandals, which must be removed when entering a living space.
But now more and more Myanmar people are switching to European clothes.
Buddhist and Muslim religious holidays are celebrated according to lunar calendar. The most significant religious holiday is tinjan, or “water festival” (April). It marks the arrival of the Burmese New Year, can last 3-4 days and is accompanied by dousing people with water, which washes away the sins of the old year.
The national culture experienced Indian influence, but it mainly related to royal court. Dancers and musicians, craftsmen of gold and silver products enjoyed the patronage of the throne. Famous temples of the 13th century. and other religious buildings in Pagan are examples of the achievements of traditional Burmese civilization.
Temples in Bagan
After the establishment of English colonial rule, Western trends began to penetrate into the country. If earlier literature was associated with the monastery, then the genre of the novel arose.
The work of the poet and essayist is known in the country Takin Kodo Hmain, novelist and satirist Takin Thein Phey Myintha and novelist Ludu U Hla.
In modern cultural life The country's old and new merged. The most popular entertainment events are cinema (including American) and pve(a folk opera that often lasts all night and combines elements of comedy and drama).
Percussion (gongs, drums) and wind instruments are still used in traditional Burmese orchestras accompanying dramatic performances.
Sights of Myanmar
Ubein Wooden Bridge
Myanmar has the longest of the oldest bridges - Ubein. It is 1.2 km long and built around 1850 from teak wood.
Yangon
Former capital of Myanmar. Population – more than 4 million people. It is a huge and sprawling city. In the city center there are colonial English houses surrounded by a regular rectangular network of monotonous streets.
Shwedagon Stupa
The huge golden Shwedagon stupa towers over the city. Around the stupa there is a temple complex of several dozen pavilions. Special elevators are equipped for foreigners, because... the platform consists of hundreds of steps. In one of the pavilions hangs a bell, which the British, trying to take away, drowned in the river, and Burmese engineers pulled it out of the silt and put it back.
Mandalay
A huge, chaotic city centered around a palace complex. The wall of the palace complex was built in 1857 by King Mindon and is a regular square with a side of about 2 km. The wall is surrounded by a wide canal of water, through which there are 4 bridges on each side. The palace was badly damaged during the bombing by the British and Japanese.
Mandalay fortress wall
Of great interest are the ancient capitals of Ava and Amarapura in the vicinity of Mandalay, as well as many small towns and monasteries.
A huge mountain rises above Mandalay, on which the temple complex is located. Huge Buddha points down towards Mandalay, where he foresaw the construction of a new city. Covered staircase galleries with thousands of steps descend from the temple complex. There are monasteries in the forests around.
Naypyitaw
Pagoda in Naypyitaw
Ngwe Saung
Beach resort. It is famous for its beautiful 15-kilometer sandy beach, abundance of greenery and palm trees.
An hour's drive from the beach, in a humid tropical forest, there is an “Elephant Camp” where mahouts train elephants caught in the jungle.
Tandv
An ancient city and the main seaport of the country.
Ngapali– the most famous beach in Myanmar (7 km from Thandwe), a popular place among tourists. The beach stretches for 3 km and goes to Indian Ocean. The name "Ngapali" comes from the Italian "Napoli" (Naples).
Story
The history of Myanmar (Burma) begins approximately with III millennium BC e. Many people lived in this area various peoples, the most ancient of which are Mons. In the 9th century. The Burmese migrated from southwestern China to the Irrawaddy River valley and after some time began to form the majority of the population. The history of Burma is closely connected with the history of neighboring countries: China, India, Bangladesh, Laos and Thailand.
Mon
Archaeological evidence suggests that humans inhabited these areas more than 11,000 years ago, but the first civilization that could be identified was that of the Mon (a people who lived in southern Burma). Their first kingdom, Suvarnabhumi, was founded near the port of Thaton in 300 BC. e. Mons were closely associated with Buddhism back in the 3rd century. BC e.
Mon civilization combined Indian and Buddhist culture. In the X-XI centuries. In Lower Burma, a federation of Mon cities of Ramannades arises, led by the largest of them, Thaton.
I drink
The Pyu (people) arrived in Burma in the 1st century BC. e. and founded several kingdoms on trade routes between China and India. Buddhism predominated in the Pyu kingdoms. The Pyu never united into a single empire, creating over a dozen city-states.
In 832, the troops of the Thai state of Nanzhao defeated the largest of the Pyu kingdoms, Srikshetra.
Kingdom of Bagan
In 1044, the first Burmese king, Anoratha, ascended the throne in Pagan. He was involved in the monumental construction of numerous golden pagodas, temples, stupas and monasteries. Pagan became the world center of Theravada, and thousands of pilgrims flocked there.
Monument to King Anoratha near the Military Academy in Pyi U Lin
When in the middle of the 13th century. Mongols appeared from the north, the last Pagan king began to destroy temples in order to use building materials for the construction of fortifications. Panic began and the population fled from the city. The Mongols occupied Pagan with virtually no resistance.
Taungoo Dynasty
In the 16th century On the territory of Burma, a new state, Taungoo, arose. New dynasty put an end to feudal fragmentation after the fall of Pagan and conquered the Thai states of Siam. But in 1600 the Thais freed themselves from Burmese rule, and in 1752 the state ceased to exist.
Konbaun (dynasty of Burmese kings who ruled from 1752 to 1885 in the Kingdom of Burma)
In 1757, the Mon king Tala captured the Burmese king Maha Dhammayaz and his family and executed 6 captives. The news of the execution caused horror in the country. A month later, the king of the Shuebo state, Alaunpaya, defeated the city of Pegu, King Tala was killed, and all of Burma was united.
Anglo-Burmese Wars
King Mindon
The British first took possession of the Mon and Arakan kingdoms, and then of Lower Burma. King Mindon, who was left with a relatively small kingdom cut off from the sea with its capital in Mandalay, turned out to be a wise ruler and could successfully resist British influence. But France began construction railway from Laos to Mandalay and the organization of a joint military fleet in the Irrawaddy. The British decided to resist French influence in Burma and, taking advantage of internal instability, easily occupied Mandalay in 1885, the population greeted them enthusiastically.
Japanese protectorate
During World War II, the Japanese occupied Indochina to cut off supplies to China. But in January 1939, a new supply route to China opened through Burma. The Japanese invaded Burma and occupied Mandalay on May 2, 1942. During the firefight, the palace was heavily damaged, and the Japanese turned it into a warehouse. In 1945, the British liberated Mandalay.
The Japanese occupation was brutal. When Japan's surrender was announced in 1945, top generals left Burma, leaving behind the soldiers. Japanese soldiers groups and individually were destroyed by various partisan detachments.
Independence of Burma
After the war, Burma was overcome internal conflicts, which she could not resolve. The only organized force capable of restoring order and taking measures to protect unity was the army led by General Ne Win, which took power into its own hands in March 1962 and launched the Burmese Road to Socialism program. The old one was broken state apparatus, widespread nationalization of foreign and local private property, as well as all foreign trade, the public sector was declared the basis of the socialist economy. In 1974 Burma was renamed Socialist Republic Union of Burma.
The path to socialism was accompanied by famine and the rationing system. The country was in international isolation: China had no time for Burma due to its own cultural revolution, and the Soviet Union did not include Burma in the socialist camp.
In 1987, Secretary of State Sein Lwin announced the denomination of banknotes into 25, 35 and 75 kyat. Serious unrest began. Students took to the streets of Yangon to destroy cars and villas of government officials, after which all universities and colleges were closed. The students did not calm down, mass arrests were carried out, and on March 18, 1988, troops suppressed a massive student demonstration in the center of Yangon with about 3,000 casualties.
In 1989 the government announced the replacement of many geographical names colonial era ( official name country was changed to Myanmar), but Great Britain and a number of other states refused to recognize the changes.
By May 1989, the opposition (against the junta) Democratic League, led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
The “State Council for the Restoration of Law and Order” did not allow the Democratic League to take power in the country; Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest.
Due to the military dictatorship, the country was closed to the West. The country is still isolated. Not only the Internet, but also the internal telephone network is poorly developed in the country. In terms of infrastructure and Internet, Myanmar is inferior to Laos, Thailand, India, and Cambodia.
The country, despite the presence of oil and gas, has a poorly developed road network; in many parts of the country, bulls are used as a means of transport.
Thein Sein- first president of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
