Discover Fascinating Myanmar Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Myanmar.
Burma
Background
Burma, known today as Myanmar, has a fascinating history! π From being a province of British India until 1937, it became a self-governing colony before gaining independence in 1948. After a military coup in 1962, the military took charge for 50 long years, shaping both politics and economics. ποΈ But in 2015, hope was on the horizon with a civilian government elected! Sadly, just six years later, in 2021, the military overthrew this government and set back many reforms. Now, the country is facing a challenging time with an ongoing insurgency against the military regime since 2021. π
Years under military rule after coup in 1962
50
Year independence was gained
1948
Year of civilian government election
2015
Year of military coup reversing civilian government
2021
Exports - commodities
ππ Let's dive into what amazing things Burma exports to the world! In 2022, some of the top commodities included:
- Garments: Stylish clothes that people everywhere love! ππ
- Precious Stones: Shiny, beautiful gems that sparkle! π
- Natural Gas: A fuel that helps power homes and businesses! π₯
- Dried Legumes: Healthy snacks and cooking staples! π±
- Rice: A staple food enjoyed by many around the globe! π
These items showcase the rich resources and industries in Burma that contribute to global trade and the economy! πποΈ
Exports - partners
Burma (also known as Myanmar) has some interesting trade partners! π²π² In 2022, China was the biggest partner, accounting for a whopping 36% of Burma's exports. Following China, we have Thailand bringing in 13% of the exports. Both Germany and Japan each take 6%, while the good ol' US comes in at 4%. π Letβs visualize how these countries stack up in trade with Burma!
Total Export Partners
5
Percentage of exports to China
36%
Percentage of exports to Thailand
13%
Percentage of exports to Germany
6%
Percentage of exports to Japan
6%
Percentage of exports to the US
4%
Exports Partners of Burma (2022)
Capital
The capital city of Burma is Rangoon (also known as Yangon). π²π² It is the city that the US Government continues to recognize as the primary capital. However, the administrative capital is Nay Pyi Taw. ποΈ This gives us an interesting distinction between the cities that play important roles in the governance and identity of the nation!
Primary recognized capital
Rangoon (Yangon)
Administrative capital
Nay Pyi Taw
Imports - commodities
Burma imports a variety of commodities that are essential for its economy! π Here's a peek into some of the key items that Burma trades in: refined petroleum, fabric, synthetic fabric, crude petroleum, and fertilizers. These imports play a vital role in supporting various industries in the country. Let's dive into these exciting commodities and their importance! π
Climate
Climate of Burma π¦οΈ
Burma, also known as Myanmar, experiences a tropical monsoon climate. This means its weather can be quite interesting! π
- Summers (from June to September) are hot, humid, and full of cloudy, rainy days thanks to the southwest monsoon. β
- Winters (from December to April) bring a different feel with less cloud cover, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, and lower humidity during the northeast monsoon. π€οΈ
The change in seasons is quite noticeable, making Burma's climate both unique and varied!
Executive branch
In Myanmar (Burma), the chief of state and head of government is the same person: Prime Minister, Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. ποΈ He has been in office since August 1, 2021. This marked a significant change in the country's leadership, as he was appointed during a critical time during the military rule. Let's dive into what this means for the country! π²π²
Current Prime Minister
Min Aung Hlaing
In office since
1 August 2021
Legislative branch
π In Burma, the legislative branch plays a crucial role in shaping the country's laws and governance. The legislature is known as the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, which consists of two chambers: the People's Assembly and the National Assembly. ποΈ
Each chamber is crucial in representing the voice of the people and making important decisions about national policies. Members are elected, which shows that the citizens have a say in their government! π³οΈ Let's explore some interesting numbers about Burma's legislative branch that help us understand its structure better! π
Total number of members in the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw
Lower House: 440, Upper House: 224
Percentage representation in the People's Assembly (lower house)
75% representatives from regions/states
Percentage representation in the National Assembly (upper house)
25% military appointees
Natural resources
Burma is rich in natural resources! π Here are some notable treasures found in the country:
- Petroleum π’οΈ
- Timber π²
- Tin π₯«
- Antimony πͺ¨
- Zinc βοΈ
- Copper π
- Tungsten π
- Lead π©Έ
- Coal βοΈ
- Marble ποΈ
- Limestone ποΈ
- Precious Stones π
- Natural Gas π₯
- Hydropower β‘
- Arable Land πΎ
These resources provide a vital foundation for the economy and the daily lives of its people!
Total types of natural resources
14
Economic overview
Burma was on a positive path before the COVID-19 pandemic and the military coup in February 2021. π The country experienced huge declines in poverty, rapid economic growth, and improvements in social welfare! π± However, several challenges now pose threats to these gains, including underdevelopment, climate change, and unequal investment. π After the military coup, foreign assistance has often stopped, leaving the economy in a tough spot. π
Economic Growth
Rapid
Poverty Decline
Massive reductions
Threats to Sustainability
Underdevelopment, Climate Change, Unequal Investment
Foreign Assistance after Coup
Ceased from most funding sources
Government type
In Burma, the government is currently a military regime. This means that the military has control over the country and is in charge of making important decisions. π΄ The military's role in the government often leads to a lot of changes and challenges for the people living there. π’πΌ
Current Government Type
Military regime
Ethnic groups
Burma is a colorful tapestry of ethnic groups! π Here's a quick overview of the different communities that make up this beautiful country:
- Burman (Bamar): 68%
- Shan: 9%
- Karen: 7%
- Rakhine: 4%
- Chinese: 3%
- Indian: 2%
- Mon: 2%
- Other: 5%
As you can see, the Burman people make up the largest group, but there are many other ethnicities adding to Burma's rich culture! π
Percentage of Burman (Bamar)
68%
Percentage of Shan
9%
Percentage of Karen
7%
Percentage of Rakhine
4%
Percentage of Chinese
3%
Percentage of Indian
2%
Percentage of Mon
2%
Percentage of Other
5%
Ethnic Groups in Burma
Religions
In Burma, the tapestry of beliefs is rich and diverse! π Here's how the population identifies by religion according to a 2014 estimate:
- Buddhist: 87.9% π§ββοΈ
- Christian: 6.2% βοΈ
- Muslim: 4.3% βͺοΈ
- Animist: 0.8% πΏ
- Hindu: 0.5% ποΈ
- Other: 0.2% π
- None: 0.1% π ββοΈ
These percentages show how the beliefs are distributed among the people in Burma. π Let's dive into the visual representation of this data!
Total Percentage of Major Religions
98.4%
Percentage of Minor Religions
1.6%
Religious Distribution in Burma (2014 Estimate)
Languages
In Myanmar (also known as Burma), the official language is Burmese! π It's spoken by the majority of the population and serves as a vital part of the country's identity. π
While Burmese is the primary language, there are also various ethnic languages spoken throughout the country, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of Myanmar! π
Official Language
Burmese
Imports - partners
π’ Let's dive into the exciting world of Burma's imports! In 2022, Burma imported goods from various countries. The biggest partner was China, contributing a whopping 45% of all imports! π Following China, we have Thailand at 16%, Singapore at 14%, and both Malaysia and Indonesia sharing a tiny 4% each. Can you guess which country is the next big player? Check out the breakdown below!
Top Import Partner
China with 45%
Second Largest Partner
Thailand with 16%
Third Largest Partner
Singapore with 14%
Burma's Import Partners (2022)
Population
π Let's dive into the population of Burma! As of now, the total population stands at an impressive 57,527,139 people. That's a lot of different stories and experiences all in one place! What makes this diverse population so fascinating? π€
Total Population
57,527,139
Area
π Did you know that Burma, officially known as Myanmar, has a total area of 676,578 sq km? Here's a deeper dive into the details: - Land Area: The majority of this area, 653,508 sq km, is land where beautiful landscapes and vibrant cultures thrive! π - Water Area: There are also 23,070 sq km of water, adding to the natural beauty of the country! π§ Isnβt that fascinating? Burma's diverse terrain includes mountains, forests, rivers, and coastlines, making it a truly unique place to explore! πΊοΈ
Total Area
676578 sq km
Land Area
653508 sq km
Water Area
23070 sq km
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
π Let's take a look at Burma's growth in Real GDP (purchasing power parity) over the last few years! This figure tells us how much the economy is worth while taking into account the cost of living. Here are the numbers:
- In 2021, Burma's Real GDP was $276.462 billion.
- By 2022, it grew to $287.624 billion. π
- And in 2023, it jumped to $290.507 billion! π
This shows a steady growth in the economy, which is a great sign for the future! Let's visualize this growth to see the trend better.
Real GDP in 2021
$276.462 billion
Real GDP in 2022
$287.624 billion
Real GDP in 2023
$290.507 billion
Burma's Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) Over the Years
Real GDP per capita
π Let's take a closer look at Burma's Real GDP per capita over the past few years! This number tells us how much money each person would make if the country's total income were evenly divided. It's pretty important for understanding how rich or poor a country is!
Here's the breakdown:
- In 2021, the Real GDP per capita was $5,100.
- In 2022, it increased to $5,300.
- And it stayed the same in 2023 at $5,300! π°
That shows us that Burma is on a path of steady growth over these years, which is exciting news! π
Real GDP per capita in 2021
5100 USD
Real GDP per capita in 2022
5300 USD
Real GDP per capita in 2023
5300 USD
Burma's Real GDP per Capita (2021-2023)
Imports
π Let's take a closer look at Burma's imports over the past few years! The country's import figures have shown some interesting changes. In 2021, Burma's imports were estimated at a whopping $23.1 billion! π This represents a significant increase from $17.356 billion in 2019 and $18.664 billion in 2018. It seems like things have been on the up and up for the Burmese import economy! ππΌ
Highest Import Value
$23.1 billion
Import Value in 2019
$17.356 billion
Import Value in 2018
$18.664 billion
Burma's Imports Over Time
Exports
π²π² Let's dive into the world of exports for Burma! π¦β¨ In recent years, the export figures have shown some exciting changes. Here are the estimated export values:
- 2021: $20.4 billion
- 2019: $17.523 billion
- 2018: $15.728 billion
It's clear that Burma's exports have been growing! π How about we visualize this fantastic data?
Export Estimation in 2021
$20.4 billion
Export Estimation in 2019
$17.523 billion
Export Estimation in 2018
$15.728 billion
Burma's Export Growth Over Time
Population growth rate
π The population growth rate for Burma is estimated to be 0.71% in 2024! This means that the number of people living in Myanmar is slowly increasing, which can impact everything from resources to schools. π Let's keep an eye on these numbers and see how they change over time!
Estimated Population Growth Rate for 2024
0.71%