Myan Thu Thu Tourism Co., Ltd

Myanmar (formerly Burma) fertile land with rich natural resources is the largest country in the South East Asia Peninsular. Total land area of 676,577 sq. km. peninsular sharing borders with Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand. The Country stretches over 2090 km from north to south and over 925km east to west .It has a 2832 km long coastline on the India Ocean. Over 50 percent of the total land area is covered with forests.

Archaeological findings reveal that parts of Myanmar were inhibited some five thousand years ago. The ancestors of present-day Myanmar, the Pyus and the Mons established several kingdoms throughout the country from the 1st century A.D. to the 10th century A.D From that early beginning, there are today a fascinating 135 ethnic groups who call Myanmar home.

Myanmar history dates back to the early 11 th Century when King Anawrahta unified the country and founded the First Myanmar Empire in Bagan more than 20 years before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 (i.e. 1044 A.D). The Bagan Empire encompassed the areas of the present day Myanmar and the entire Menam Valley in Thailand and lasted two centuries.

The Second Myanmar Empire was founded in mid 16th Century by King Bayinnaung (1551-1581). King Alaungpaya founded the last Myanmar Dynasty in 1752 and it was during the zenith of this Empire that the British moved into Myanmar. Like India, Myanmar became a British colony but only after three Anglo-Myanmar Wars in 1825, 1852 and 1885.

During the Second World War, the Japanese occupied Myanmar from 1942 till the return of the Allied Forces in 1945.Myanmar has become a sovereign independent state since 4th January 1948 after more than 100 years under the colonial administration.

Myanmar is richly endowed with renewable and non-renewable energy resources, which are being exploited by state sector with the participation of local and foreign investors. Agriculture remains the sector of the economy and measures have been taken to increase productivity, diversification of crop patterns, and revitalization of agriculture exports.

Buddhism is the dominant religion and over 80 percent of the population practices it. There are also Christians, Muslims, Hindus and some animists. The official Language is Myanmar. English is widely spoken and understood.

Myanmar has three seasons in a year. The moonsoon or rainy season starts from June and ends in October, cold season starts from November and ends in February and the hot season starts from March and ends in May. Average temperatures are 15º-25º C in the cold and 25º-35º in dry season.

Myanmar is a union of 135 ethnic groups with their own languages and dialects. The major races are Bamar, Shan, Kachin, Kayin, Kayah, Chin, Mon, Rakhine and Bumar , live in seven states and seven divisions in Myanmar.

Festivals

January	- Kachin Manao Festival (Myitkyina, Kachin State) - Htamane Festival (nation wide) - Ananda Pagoda Festival (Bagan) - Shwesettaw Pagoda Festival (Minbu, Magway) - Mahamuni Pagoda Festival (Mahamuni Pagoda, Mandalay) - Shwe Oo Min Pagoda Festival (Pindaya, Shan State)
February	- Maw-tin-sun Pagoda Festival (Pathein, Ayeyarwaddy Division) - Indawgyi Pagoda Festival (Kachin State) - Pindaya Cave Pagoda Festival (Shan State) - Chinese New Year
March	- Shwedagon Pagoda Festival (Yangon) - Shwemawdaw Pagoda Festival (Bago) - Shinpyu Novitation Ceremonies (nation wide)
April	- Thingyan (Water) Festival (nation wide) - Myanmar New Year's Day (nation wide) - Popa Nats or Spirits Festival (Mount Popa)
May	- Kason Fullmoon Day (Watering of the Sacred Bo Tree Festival) (nation wide) - Taung-yo Torchlight Procession Festival (Pindaya, Shan State)
June	- Nayone Festival of Tipitaka (nation wide)
July	- Waso Fullmoon Day or Dhammasetkya Day (nation wide)
August	- Taungpyone Nats or Spirits Festival (Taungpyone, Mandalay)
September/ October	- Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival (Inlay Lake, Shan State) - Performing Arts Competition (Yangon)
October	- Thadingyut Festival of Lights (nation wide) - Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival (Kyaukse, Mandalay) - Shwezigon Festival (Bagan)
November	- Tazaungdine Festival of Lights (nation wide) - Kyaik-htiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock) Festival (Kyaik Hto, Mon State) - Hot Air Balloons & Fierworks Festival (Taunggyi, Shan State) - Kahtein Thingan (Yellow Robe) Weaving Festival (nation wide)
December	- 9000 Lighting of Candles (Koe Htat Gyi Pagoda, Yangon) - Kayin New Year Day - Christmas Day

MYANMAR (THE GOLDEN LAND) IN BRIEF

Festivals