Myanmar Travel InformationLocationSituated in the South-east Asia Peninsular and flanked by five
neighboring countries: Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand. SizeWith an area of 676,577 square kilometers nearly the size of
United Kingdom and France combined, the largest country in
South-east Asia. Administrative CapitalNay Pyi Taw Commercial CapitalYangon (Rangoon) PopulationMyanmar is over 53 million with over 130 ethnic groups. ClimateMyanmar, like most other semitropical countries, has three
seasons. The dry season is from March to May with average
temperature of between 25-30˙C, the rainy season from June to
September. The cool season from November to February with average
temperature of 15-24˙C. Climate vary from region to region due to
the country's diverse geography. In the dry Zone like Mandalay and
Bagan Temperature can reach about 45'C in hottest month (April -
May). With northern part of the country being a part of Himalayas,
its temperature often falls under freezing-point in the cool
seasons. The annual rainfall is 300-500 cm in the coastal areas and
150-200 cm in the delta regions. The best time to visit is during
the cool season. Flora & FaunaWith Myanmar being covered with thick forests, flanked by sea and
a mountainous country, a great variety of wild animals make them
their homes. According to the record of forestry department, it has
a variety of 300 mammal species, 300 reptiles and 1000 bird species.
With the country's diverse geography, the flora ranges from sub
alpine forests in the north through thorn forests in the central
region to tropical rain forests in the south and mangrove in the
delta region. Natural CharacteristicsMyanmar is one of the most interesting and colorful independent
countries in Asia and second largest country in Southeast Asia. The
peoples are of Tibet-Mongolian stock, with brown cheerful faces;
they dress in bright and vivid clothes. They are friendly,
hospitable to visitors and generous in spirit and have a true desire
to make the tourist happy and comfortable. Myanmar is a land of vast
expanses of rice fields and pristine teak forests stretch up the
hills with rich flora and fauna. Myanmar is also known as the land
of Pagodas, where the dominant feature of any scene is the golden
Buddha pagodas. In this land of precious stones, rubies, jades and
sapphires are of distinctive interest. Compared to other Southeast
Asia countries Myanmar is the only country in Southeast Asia, where
ice and snow capped mountains is situated. Nothing has changed the
basic beauty of Myanmar. ReligionThe main religions of the country are Buddhism (over 85 %).
Others are Christianities, Muslims, Hindus and Animism. With regard
to religions there is no discrimination in Myanmar. Time DifferenceSix hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT, and one hour difference
with Singapore and 30 minutes with Thailand. Working TimeGovernment offices are open from 9:30 to 4:30 except on weekend. Business Firms are from 9:00 to 5:30 except on Sunday. Banks are from 9:30 to 2:00. Calendar of holidaysMyanmar national holidays include: Jan 4 (Independence day), Feb
12 (Union Day ), Mar 02 (Peasants' Day ), Mar 13 (Full moon Day of
Tabaung ), Mar 27 (Armed Forces Day ), April 13-17 (Water Festival &
Myanmar New Year), May 1 (May Day), May 11 (Full moon Day of Kason),
Jul 9 (Full moon Day of Waso/ Beginning of Buddhist Lent), July 19
(Martyrs' Day), Oct 6 (Thadingyut Festival of Lights/ End of
Buddhist Lent), Nov 4 (Tazaungmon Festival of Lights), Nov 14
(National Day) and December 19( Kayin New Year), Dec 25 (Christmas
Day). LanguageMyanmar is the local language. English are wildly understood in
big cities. CurrencyThe unit of Myanmar currency is the kyat, divided into 100 Pyars and are issued in 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 denominations. FECs (Foreign Exchange Certificates) are issued in 20, 10, 5, 1 denominations. Being equivalent to the U.S dollar, EFCs are accepted by hotel, airline, travel agencies, shops, and as payment of admission fees to museums and Pagodas. No Myanmar currency is allowed to bring out.
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