Myanmar is a country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Thailand, Laos, China, India, and Bangladesh. It is known for its ancient Buddhist temples, golden pagodas, and rich cultural heritage. The Irrawaddy River runs through the heart of the country, serving as a vital waterway for trade and daily life.
- Capital
- Naypyidaw
- Continent
- Asia
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia
- Area
- 676,578 km²
- Coordinates
- 22° N, 98° E
Country facts
- Myanmar is home to Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world.
- The country has over 100 distinct ethnic groups, making it one of the most ethnically diverse nations in Asia.
- Burmese, the official language, is written in a rounded script that developed from an ancient Mon alphabet.
- Myanmar is one of the world's leading producers of rubies and jade, with gemstone mining being a significant industry.
- Thanaka, a yellowish-white paste made from ground tree bark, is traditionally applied to the face as sunscreen and decoration by many Myanmar people.
Capital facts
- Naypyidaw was purpose-built as Myanmar's capital and officially inaugurated on 6 November 2005.
- The city was built inland, replacing Yangon as the capital, partly to give the government a more central and strategically located seat of power.
- Naypyidaw is known for its unusually wide highways, some stretching up to 20 lanes across.
- The Naypyidaw Zoological Gardens is one of the largest zoos in Southeast Asia and a major attraction in the city.
- Despite being a capital city, Naypyidaw has a relatively low population density compared to other world capitals, giving it a spacious and spread-out character.