20 Interesting Facts About Myanmar

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is a Southeast Asian nation bordered by India, China, Thailand, Laos, and Bangladesh. It boasts a rich cultural heritage influenced by its diverse ethnic groups, with Buddhism playing a central role in daily life. The country is renowned for its ancient temples, especially in Bagan, and its natural beauty, including the Irrawaddy River and the Shan Hills. Despite its cultural wealth, Myanmar has faced significant political and economic challenges, particularly due to military rule and ongoing conflicts between the government and various ethnic groups.

1. India and Bangladesh border Myanmar to its north-west, China to its north-east, Laos and Thailand to its east and southeast, and the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal to its south and south-west.
2. The country was under British rule from the year 1824 to 1948. They use to call Myanmar Burma, and it was a province of British India.
3. The people of Myanmar celebrate their new year with water. The festival is known as Thingyan that usually occurs in the middle of the month of April. It is a Buddhist festival celebrated over a period of four to five days.
4. Longyi is the traditional clothing of people in the country. It is a sheet of cloth widely worn around the waist and running to the feet into a cylindrical shape.
5. Myanmar is one of the three countries that still use the imperial system for measurements. The other two are the United States and Liberia.
6. The Bagan is the oldest city in Myanmar and one of the oldest fortressed city in the world. It was founded in the year 849 and is also a UNESCO world heritage site.
7. The country has a coastline of 1,930 km along the sea of Andaman and bay of Bengal.
8. 90% of the total population follow Theravada Buddhism, 4% follow Christianity, 4% are Muslims, 1% follow Hinduism, and the remaining 1% consists of Mahayana Buddhism, Vajrayana Buddhism, and Animism.
9. The country comes on the 3rd spot in terms of highest proportions of Buddhists in a country—over 90 % of the population following the religion just after Thailand and Cambodia.
10. Wine production is a popular industry in the country. Some of the wine produced are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz-Tempranillo, Rosé D’Inlé, Pinot Noir,, Cabernet Sauvignon, Late Harvest,Syrah, Red Tawny and Muscat Selection.
11. The Burmese people have a tradition of not cutting their hair on Monday, Friday, and on their birthdays. They don’t cut their hair on these days because they believe it as unlucky.
12. Myanmar is a highly ethnically diverse nation with over 135 distinct ethnic groups. The ethnic groups are majorly divided into eight main groups Bamar, Chin, Kachin, Kayin, kayah, Mon, Rakhine, and shan.
13. Hkakabo Razi is the highest mountain peak in Myanmar and the highest peak in Southeast Asia. It has an elevation of 5,881 meters (19,295 ft).
14. Taung Kalat is a Buddhist monastery and temple complex in the Mandalay Region, Myanmar. The site is built on a tall volcanic plug and is one of several prominent nat spiritual sites in the vicinity of nearby Mount Popa.
15. Taung Kalat is a Buddhist monastery and a temple complex in the Mandalay Region, Myanmar. The site is built on a tall volcanic plug and is one of the important Buddhist monasteries.
16. The country’s national animal is the green peafowl, whereas the grey peacock pheasant is their national bird.
17. Chinlone, also known as caneball, is the traditional and national sport of Myanmar (Burma).
18. Burma’s top exports are precious stones ($4.13 billion), petroleum gas ($3.49 billion), dried legumes ($1.62 billion), non-knit women’s coats ($1.24 billion), and rice ($1.01 billion), with the majority exported to China ($9.62 billion), Thailand ($3.48 billion), Germany ($1.68 billion), Japan ($1.52 billion), and the United States ($1.15 billion).
19. Burma’s top imports include refined petroleum ($5.21 billion), crude petroleum ($966 million), special purpose ships ($800 million), light rubberized knitted fabric ($748 million), and palm oil ($740 million), with the majority of imports coming from China ($13.5 billion), Thailand ($4.7 billion), Singapore ($4.22 billion), Malaysia ($1.31 billion), and Indonesia ($1.06 billion).
20. Padauk is the national flower of Myanmar. Whereas the cucumber is the national fruit of Myanmar.