At 676,578 sq km in size, The Union of Myanmar is the largest single nation in the region of Southeast Asia. The region has a complex history and one of the most diverse native ethnic populations in the area. Its cultural heritage is unmatched and while it has certainly been at the centre of much political debate, Myanmar remains one of the most fascinating areas in the world.

Landscape and Climate

Myanmar is home to stunning lush vegetation, as it is situated in a prominent monsoon region and parts of the country receive almost 5000 mm of rainfall a year. Meanwhile, the country remains an ecological haven as much of the land is still undeveloped. In the natural jungle habitat, there is a healthy population of tigers and leopards, while the Northern plains are home to elephants, rhinoceros and other glorious creatures.

History

Archaeological evidence shows that Ancient Myanmar is in fact quite old. The first artefacts found in the area date past 1^st century BC. Tibeto-Burman, who eventually came to make up the ethnic majority of the region, began migrating to the region around 7^th century. Various kingdoms ruled the land for centuries, but in 1886, Myanmar fell under British colonial rule. It was officially given independence in 1948 and became known as the Union of Burma. After 14 years the government was overthrown by a military coup d’état.  In 1989, the country officially changed its moniker to Myanmar.

Getting There, Around and Enjoying your Stay

Myanmar is a fascinating place to discover and every year, travellers from across the world are learning more about the unique offerings of its people. Yangon serves as the gateway for travellers and the easiest way is flying into Thailand and connecting to Yangon via Bangkok. Some international flights have discontinued their services to Myanmar, so it’s good to plan your trip well ahead of time.

Once there, travel is relatively open for tourists and visitors can set their own itineraries and schedules to open sites. Travelling by bicycle in the cities or by bus between cities is fairly easy and recommended. Do be aware that there are a few restricted areas in the country that require a government fee, a pre arranged permit or are simply off limits to tourists.

Culture and Cuisine

Myanmar has a multitude of indigenous cultures that have been greatly influenced by nearby countries. While the majority are Burmese, major ethnic communities include the Karen, Shan, Chin and over 135 recognised other minority groups. Local indigenous practices are still prevalent in individual village communities, while Buddhist traditions make up the majority of the mainstream culture.

Travel to Myanmar – Fast Facts

Population:50,020,000
Capital:Naypyidaw
Language: Burmese with a number of recognised indigenous languages
Currency: Kyat
Economy: GDP:$67.9 billion

Did You Know?

The area is abundant in precious stones including jade, sapphires and pearls. Meanwhile, 90% of the world’s rubies come from Myanmar exports.

Wai Chim writes for FlightCentre in Australia, specializing in cheap flights worldwide.