Burma is home to ethnic Burmans and scores of other ethnic and religious minority groups that have resisted external efforts to consolidate control of the country throughout its history. Britain conquered Burma over a period extending from the 1820s to the 1880s and administered it as a province of India until 1937, when Burma became a self-governing colony. Burma gained full independence in 1948. In 1962, General NE WIN seized power and ruled the country until 1988 when a new military regime took control.
- Capital
- Rangoon (aka Yangon, continues to be recognized as the primary Burmese capital by the US Government); Nay Pyi Taw is the administrative capital
- Government
- military regime
- Population
- 57,931,718
- Area
- 676,578 sq km
- Location
- Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand
- Climate
- tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September);
- Natural resources
- petroleum; timber; tin; antimony; zinc; copper…
- Languages
- Burmese (official)
- Religions
- Buddhist 87.9%; Christian 6.2%; Muslim 4.3%; Animist 0.8%…
- Independence
- 4 January 1948 (from the UK)
- Administrative divisions
- 7 regions (taing-myar, singular - taing), 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne), 1 union territory regions: Ayeyarwa…
- Currency
- kyats (MMK)
- Export partners
- China 32%; Thailand 16%; Japan 7%; Germany 6%…
- Import partners
- China 40%; Thailand 18%; Singapore 15%; Indonesia 4%…