Map and Profile of Burma

Current Affairs and Political Links

Facts About Myanmar

Official Name. Union of Myanmar.
Capital. Rangoon (Yangon).
Area. 261,228 square miles (676,577 square kilometers).
Population (1991 estimate). 42,561,000; 162.9 persons per square mile (62.9 persons per square kilometer); 24 percent urban, 76 percent rural.
Major Language. Burmese (official).
Major Religion. Buddhism.
Literacy (1990 est.): 81% of adult population.
Universities (1989): 2.
Hospital beds (1987-88): 25,759.
Physicians (1987-88): 9,481.
Life expectancy (1992): women--61 years; men--57 years.
Infant mortality (1992): 68 per 1,000 live births
Mountain Ranges. Chin Hills, Kumon Range, Shan Plateau.
Highest Peak. Hkakabo Razi, 19,578 feet (5,967 meters).
Major Rivers. Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady), Salween, Chindwin.
Form of Government. Military regime.
Head of State and Government. Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council.
Legislature. National Assembly.
Voting Qualifications. All citizens 18 years of age except members of religious orders.
Political Divisions. 7 states and 7 divisions.
Major Cities (1983 census). Rangoon (Yangon) (2,513,023), Mandalay (532,949), Moulmein (Mawlamyine) (219,961), Pegu (Bago) (150,528), Bassein (Pathein) (144,096).
Chief Manufactured and Mined Products. Cement, cigarettes, coal, crude petroleum, gasoline, lead, natural gas, silver, tin, tungsten, zinc.
Chief Agricultural Products. Crops peanuts (groundnuts), pulses (peas, beans, lentils), rice, sugarcane, teak and other hardwoods. Livestock buffalo, cattle, chickens, ducks, pigs.
Monetary Unit. 1 kyat = 100 pyas.