MYANMAR (Burma) is a Southeast Asian country that has a history of ancient kingdoms, British colonization, and military dictatorship. Myanmar became independent in 1948, but was ruled by the army since 1962. The army suppressed the pro-democracy movement led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who won the elections in 1990 and 2015. In 2021, the army staged a coup and arrested Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders. The people resisted the coup and demanded democracy and human rights. The army responded with violence and killed hundreds of people. The coup also triggered some ethnic conflicts in the country. The situation is still unstable and dangerous, as the army and the people are in a deadly conflict, with no dialogue or compromise.

• TOTAL AREA: 676,578 sq km
• POPULATION : 57,527,139 (2024 est.)
• CAPITAL: Nay Pyi Taw (Naypyidaw) (population 924,608, 2024 est.); largest city and former capital: Yangon (Rangoon) (population 5,610,000, 2023)
• ETHNIC GROUPS: Burman (Bamar) 68.8%, Karen 6.7%, Rakhine 4.6%, Shan 4.5%, Mon 2.2%, Chin 2.1%,: Kachin 1.5%, other 9.6% (2019)
• LANGUAGES: Burmese (official), various ethnic languages
• MAJOR RELIGIONS: Buddhist 89.8%, Christian 6.2%, Muslim 2.3%, other 1.6% (2019)
• TIME DIFFERENCE: UTC+6.5
• EXCHAGE RATES: Kyat (MMK) per US Dollar (USD) 3,575 (2024)
• TELEPHONE CODE: +95
• EMERGENCY PHONES: Ambulance: 192; Fire: 191; Police: 199
  Note: Depending on where you are, the numbers might vary. Ask your local tour guide for assistance if necessary. They will know how and where to make the call and get help.
• TIPPING GUIDELINES: Tipping is not a common practice, but guides and drivers do expect to be tipped. Tipping guides USD 2-5 per person per day is customary; drivers should receive USD 1-2 per day.
• SOUVENIRS: Bamboo and lacquer items, silk, longyi sarongs, loose gem stones, jewelry, jade items, especially Buddha figures; marionettes
• CLIMATE: Myanmar has a tropical to sub-tropical climate with three seasons: cool, hot, and rainy. The climate depends on location and elevation. The coast and delta are humid and warm, the central dry zone is semi-arid and hot, and the hills and mountains are temperate and cool. The average temperature is 27.4 °C (81.3 °F), and the average rainfall is 2,783.3 mm (109.58 in). The rainy season is from May to October, and the dry season is from November to April. The climate affects the natural resources, agriculture, biodiversity, human health, and tourism of the country. The climate is also vulnerable to climate change, which can cause extreme weather, sea level rise, flooding, and drought.