BurmaMyanmar

BurmaMyanmar is the name often used to refer to the republic located in Southeast Asia that was formerly known as Burma. The official name of the country is the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and the local name in Burmese is မြန်မာနိုင်ငံ. The country occupies an area of 676,578 square kilometres and shares borders with India, China, Laos, Thailand, and Bangladesh, along with a maritime boundary that includes the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Martaban.

The capital city is Naypyidaw, established in 2005, while the largest city and former capital is Yangon, which remains an important economic and cultural centre. Myanmar has a population of approximately 54 million people, comprising numerous ethnic groups such as Bamar, Shan, Karen, Rakhine, and many others. The country is a constitutional republic with a multi‑party parliamentary system, although the political environment has been shaped by periods of military rule and ongoing transitions aimed at democratic governance.

Myanmar’s economy is mixed, with agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors contributing to its growth. Major exports include natural gas, rice, jade, and textiles. The country’s official currency is the kyat, and the predominant religion is Theravada Buddhism, although there are communities practising Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and traditional animist beliefs.

Internationally, Myanmar is a member of the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and participates in various regional and global organisations. The international community continues to monitor the country’s human rights situation and political reforms in a context of balancing national sovereignty with global expectations.