<text><span class="style42"></span><span class="style12">MYANMAR (BURMA)</span><span class="style14"></span><span class="style42">Official name:</span><span class="style13"> Myanma Naingngandaw (The Union of Myanmar). The name Burma was officially dropped in 1989, but is still in widespread use internationally and by the opposition in the country.</span><span class="style42">Member of:</span><span class="style13"> UN</span><span class="style42">Area: </span><span class="style13">676577 km2 (261228 sq mi)</span><span class="style42">Population: </span><span class="style13">44615000 (1991 est)</span><span class="style42">Capital: </span><span class="style13">Rangoon (Yangon) 2513000 (1983 census)</span><span class="style42">Other major cities: </span><span class="style13">Mandalay 533000, Moulmein 230000 (1983 census)</span><span class="style42">Languages: </span><span class="style13">Burmese (official; 80%), Karen, Mon, Shan, Kachin</span><span class="style42">Religion: </span><span class="style13">Buddhist (88%), various Christian Churches (5%)</span><span class="style42">GOVERNMENT</span><span class="style13">Power is held by a 19-member State Law-and-Order Restoration Council. There is constitutional provision for a 489-member Assembly elected by universal adult suffrage, a Council of Ministers and a Council of State, whose Chairman is head of state.</span><span class="style42">GEOGRAPHY</span><span class="style13">The north and west of Burma are mountainous, rising to Hkakado Razi (5881 m / 19 296 ft). In the east, is the Shan Plateau along the Thai border. Central and south Burma consists of tropical lowlands. </span><span class="style42">Principal river: </span><span class="style13">Irrawaddy 2090 km (1300 mi). </span><span class="style42">Climate: </span><span class="style13">Burma is tropical, experiencing monsoon rains ΓÇô up to 5000 mm (200 in) in the south ΓÇô from May to October.</span><span class="style42">ECONOMY</span><span class="style13">Burma is rich in agriculture, timber, and minerals, but because of poor communications, self-imposed isolation, lack of development and rebellions by a number of ethnic minorities, the country has been unable to realize its potential. Subsistence farming involves about 80% of the labor force. </span><span class="style42">Currency: </span><span class="style13">Kyat.</span><span class="style42">HISTORY</span><span class="style13">Burman supremacy over the Irrawaddy valley was first claimed in 1044 by King Anawratha, who adopted Buddhism from the rival Mon people. Chinese conquest (1287) allowed a reassertion of Mon power until the 16th century. After 1758 the Konbaung dynasty expanded Burman territory until British counter-expansion led to total annexation (1826ΓÇô85). Separated from British India in 1937, Burma became a battleground for British and Japanese forces in World War II. In 1948, Burma left the Commonwealth as an independent republic, keeping outside contacts to a minimum, particularly following the coup of General Ne Win in 1962. Continuing armed attempts to gain autonomy by non-Burman minorities strengthened the role of the army. The military retained power following multi-party elections in 1990 and detained leaders of the winning party (including Aung San Suu Kyi, who was awarded the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize). The government has come under strong international pressure to introduce reforms, but it has continued to exert military pressure on minorities, including the Karen and Muslims. By 1995 most of the ethnic rebellions had been either put down, contained or ended by truces.</span></text>
