10 Interesting Myanmar Facts
Myanmar Facts present the information about the country located in Southeast Asia. It was called Burma in the past. Compared to Texas, Myanmar is slightly larger. It has the area of 676,578 sq km. Based on the estimated data in July 2013, there are 55,167,330 people living in Myanmar. Here are facts about Myanmar for you:
Myanmar Facts 1: Border
The capital city is Naypyidaw. Myanmar is bordered by some countries such as Laos, India, Bangladesh, China and Thailand.
Myanmar Facts 2: economy
Based on the data in 2012, the unemployment rate in Myanmar was 5.4 percent. The GDP per capita was $1,400, while the GDP was around $89.23 billion.
Myanmar Facts 3: religion
The majority of the people in Myanmar embrace Buddhism. It occupies 89 percent of the whole people. The rest of them are Christian, Muslim, animist and others.
Myanmar Facts 4: ethnic groups
There are various ethnic groups in Myanmar. Most people are Burma. It occupies 68 percent of the population. Others include Shan 9 percent, Karen 7 percent, Rakhine 4 percent, Chinese 3 percent, Indian 2 percent, Mon 2 percent and others 5 percent.
Myanmar Facts 5: as a part of British Indian
Burma had to fight in a big war for three times with Great Britain in more than 62 years. In 1824 till 1886, it became a part of British India. On January 1947, Great Britain agreed to grant Burma independence. This decision occurred after the negotiation with AFPFL or Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League.
Myanmar Facts 6: death of Aung San
Aung San was the leader of AFPFL. He was killed in July 1947. But Burma gained the independence from Great Britain on 4 January 1948.
Myanmar Facts 7: The military government
Ne Win established a military government in March 1962. Around August to October 1988, there were at least 450 people died in the mass of anti government demonstration in Burma. Gen. Saw Maung took over the power in 1988.
Myanmar Facts 8: name
The official name of the country, Burma was changed into Myanmar in 1989. The capital city was changed from Rangoon to Yangon.
Myanmar Facts 9: General elections
The junta is called as the general election in Myanmar. It was conducted in May 1990. The winner of the election was Aung San Suu Kyi’s party. However, the military did not want to give the power. Check Aung San Suu Kyi facts here.
Myanmar Facts 10: ASEAN
Myanmar joined ASEAN on 23 July 1997. Naypyidaw was selected as the new administrative capital in Myanmar in March 2006.
On 12 August 2007, people protested the government after the decision to increase the cost of diesel and petroleum by 100 percent. Do you want to give opinion on facts about Myanmar?