Burma(Myanmar) Country & Tourist Information

Location
South-East Asia.

Area
676,552 sq km (261,218 sq miles).

Population
48.9 million (UN estimate 2002).

Population Density
72.2 per sq km.

Capital
Yangon (Rangoon). The authorities plan to move the seat of government to Pyinmana.
Population: 4.5 million (UN estimate 2001).

Government
Socialist Republic since 1974. Power assumed by the army in 1988. 

Language
The official language is Myanmar (Burmese). There are over 100 dialects spoken in Myanmar. English is spoken in business circles.

Religion
87 per cent Theravada Buddhist. The remainder are Hindu, Muslim, Christian and animist.

Time
GMT + 6.5.

Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Soe Win since 2004.

Head of State
Senior General Than Shwe since 1992.

Telephone
Country code: 95. For emergencies, dial 199 (police), 191 (fire) and 192 (ambulance). There is a limited public internal service. Only larger cities can be dialed direct from within Myanmar; smaller towns still use manual switchboards and callers need to ask the operator to connect them to a specific town operator. The Central Telephone & Telegraph (CTT) office on the corner of Pansodan and Mahabandoola Streets is the only public place in the country where international telephone calls can be conveniently arranged.

Mobile Telephone
GSM 900 network is operated by Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications. Fees are high and coverage limited. Note: All visitors who want to use communication devices such as mobile phones and receivers must first apply for permission from the Government of the Union of Myanmar. Without prior permission granted, mobile phones will be temporarily held by customs on arrival.

Internet
There are a few Internet cafes, but access to many free international e-mail services is blocked. All Internet use is montiored by the government and is usually expensive.

Media



Post
Service to Europe takes up to one week and letter forms are quicker than ordinary letters. To ensure despatch, it is advisable to go to the post office personally to obtain a certificate of posting, for which a small fee is charged.

Press
• The only English-language newspapers are the Guardian and the New Light of Myanmar.
• Myanmar Travel & Tours also publishes a tourist publication, Today, in English.

Radio
• Radio Myanmar is state run.
• Democratic Voice of Burma is an opposition station based in Norway and broadcasts via shortwave.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
4 Jan Independence Day.
12 Feb Union Day.
2 Mar Peasants’ Day. 
2 Mar Full Moon of Tabaung.
27 Mar Armed Forces Day.
13-16 Apr Maha Thingyan (Water Festival).
17 Apr Myanmar New Year.
30 Apr Full Moon of Kasone. 
1 May May Day. 
19 Jul Martyr’s Day.
29 Jul Full Moon of Waso (Beginning of Buddhist Lent).
26 Oct Full Moon of Thadingyut (End of Buddhist Lent).
14 Nov National Day.
24 Nov Tazaungmon Full Moon Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2008
4 Jan Independence Day.
12 Feb Union Day.
2 Mar Peasants’ Day.
27 Mar Armed Forces Day.
Mar* Full Moon of Tabaung.
Apr* Maha Thingyan (Water Festival).
Apr* Myanmar New Year.
Apr* Full Moon of Kasone. 
1 May May Day. 
19 Jul Martyr’s Day.
Jul* Full Moon of Waso (Beginning of Buddhist Lent).
Oct* Full Moon of Thadingyut (End of Buddhist Lent).
Nov* Tazaungmon Full Moon Day.
Nov* National Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
*TBC
Buddhist holidays are determined according to lunar sightings, and dates given here are approximations only. Other festivals celebrated by minorities include the Islamic observance of Bakri Idd in late November; Christmas and Easter; and the Karen New Year in early January. For further information, contact the Embassy (see Passport/Visa Information) or see the World of Buddhism appendix.


Contact Information:

Myanmar Tourism Promotion Board
c/o Traders Hotel, Level 3, Business Center, 223 Sule Pagoda Road, Yangon, Myanmar
Tel: (1) 242 828 ext: 6462.
Website: www.myanmar-tourism.com

Embassy of the Union of Myanmar in the UK
19A Charles Street, Berkeley Square, London W1J 5DX, UK
Tel: (020) 7499 4340 or 0906 550 8924 (recorded visa and tourism information; calls cost £1 per minute).
Website: www.myanmar.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1630.

Embassy of the Union of Myanmar in the USA
2300 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 332 9044/5.
Website: www.mewashingtondc.com or www.myanmar.com


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