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Myanmar (formerly Burma) is an East Asian country home to over 100 ethnic groups, its capital Yangon being home to bustling markets and the beautiful Shwedagon Pagoda.
Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a Southeast Asian country
Myanmar lies at the heart of Southeast Asia. As an agrarian society with many citizens engaging in subsistence agriculture, and with a complex economic system that integrates both traditional and command economies.
After decades of military rule, Myanmar began transitioning away from full military control starting in 2011. Unfortunately, however, a military junta took back power again in 2021 and has begun cracking down heavily against protesters and opposition forces.
Precipitation levels differ based on region in Myanmar, with coastal and western regions receiving more precipitation than its more arid central area. The Irrawaddy River serves to drain delta regions while Chindwin River tributaries drain western and southeastern mountains; because the central region lies on its lee side away from seawater it receives less rainfall, leading to wide daily temperature variations across the nation. Unfortunately, Myanmar’s military junta does not tolerate any criticism against their narrative, banning outspoken media outlets in which opposition exists against its narrative.
It is a member of the ASEAN region
ASEAN members surprisingly agreed in 1997 to admit Myanmar (formerly Burma) despite strong objections from Western nations, though their membership has struggled ever since with managing Myanmar during its ongoing political turmoil.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, the crackdown by the military junta against democracy activists has killed over 3,750 civilians and left 24,000 imprisoned since 2010. Military leaders largely disregarded an ASEAN five-point plan meant to end violence and open dialogue with opposition groups.
ASEAN’s lack of clarity on Myanmar has allowed China to play an ally role for Myanmar’s military junta, increasing China’s economic leverage through bilateral agreements and joint projects with ASEAN members as well as increasing military cooperation with them. China could exert serious leverage if ASEAN unitedly opposed the military junta by implementing embargoes on oil exports to Myanmar as well as sanctions targeting state-owned oil company operations as well as targeting bank accounts of their leaders held within Southeast Asian countries.
It is a country of great ethnic diversity
Myanmar boasts an incredibly rich ethnic diversity that often remains hidden by decades of isolation and seclusion. Under its current administration, steps have been made towards reform and increasing global economic connections.
Longstanding efforts by Myanmar for ethnic and regional autonomy continue to cause unrest and conflict. Different groups have been dislocated within Myanmar itself and some have left for neighboring countries; others have fallen prey to brutal military campaigns with threats of genocide being raised against them.
At present, Myanmar is home to 135 ethnic groups that can be classified into eight major national ethnic races, though this does not take into account culture or language of each group; they instead depend on geographical considerations that do not reflect its uniqueness; for instance the Karenni who reside in mountainous Kayin State are excluded from official classification and classified as minority groups, being denied their rights and subjected to legal harassment as a result.
It is a country of great natural beauty
Myanmar offers breathtaking natural beauty for photographers to capture, but also has many cultural attractions that will entice travelers for centuries. Bagan, for instance, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its extraordinary collection of over 2,000 temples, pagodas, and stupas that inspire spirituality and mysticism among travelers from around the globe.
Myanmar is famed for its Shwedagon Pagoda, but there are other sites worthy of visiting, from bustling markets to Inle Lake. Furthermore, National Kandawgyi Gardens provide nature enthusiasts with botanical and horticultural wonders that await discovery.
Myanmar, or Union of Myanmar, boasts 135 ethnic groups; however, Bamar (the national race) account for over 70% of its population. Most citizens adhere to Buddhism; however, significant minorities also practice Christianity, Islam and Hinduism – making religious intolerance rare within Myanmar’s borders; yet natural disasters do occur due to unchecked logging operations and illegal wildlife trading practices.