Location
Myanmar is the largest mainland in Southeast Asia. It consists of 7 states and 7 divisions. It shares borders with China,
Laos, Thailand, India and Bangladesh. The size of Myanmar is 676.577 km². The country stretches over 2.090 km from
north to south and over 925 km east to west. It has a 2.832 km long coastline on the Indian Ocean. Over 50 percent of
the land is covered with forests. It has four large rivers, the Ayeyarwaddy, the Chindwin, the Thanlwin and the
Sittaung which flow from the north down to the south where they end in the Andaman Sea. The Ayeyarwaddy,
the confluence of Maykha and Malikha rivers in the north, serves as an artery of traffic.

Climate
Myanmar enjoys a tropical climate with three seasons: the rainy season from mid May to mid October, the cool
season (winter) from mid October to mid February and the hot season (summer) from mid February to mid May.
The best time to visit Myanmar is from mid October to mid May.  

People
Myanmar has a population of 54 million. It is a union of over 100 nationalities with their own languages and dialects.
The major ethnic groups are the Bamar 70%, the Chin, the Kachin, the Shan 9%, the Kayah 6% , the Kayin, the Mon
and the Rakhine. Napydaw is the official capital but Yangon is still the center of most activities.

Religion
More than 80 % of the people embrace Theravada Buddhism. There are also Christians, Muslims, Hindus and some
animists. Most of the tribal groups still follow their own traditional customs, cultures, costumes, dialects and
life-styles.  

Language
Myanmar. English is sometimes spoken and understood.

Currency
Kyat;  1 Euro is approximately 1000 Kyat. You can change USD or Euro in the airport or in some major banks in Yangon.
The use of credit cards is not possible although some expensive business hotels accept them. There are no
ATM machines that accept international credit- or debit cards.

Economy
Is based on agriculture. Major exports are teak, fish, prawn and beans. Major trading partners are China, Japan,
Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.