Burma

- Water (%) 3. The flag of Burma (also called Myanmar) was adopted on January 3, 1974 upon the declaration of a Socialist republic in Burma by The Coat of arms of Burma is used in all official government documents including publications A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history traditions and struggles of its people recognized either by a nation's Kaba Ma Kyei ("Till the End of the World Burma" is the National anthem of Burma. Naypyidaw ( also spelled Nay Pyi Taw) is the Capital of Burma. The following is an overview of the Demographics of Burma (or Myanmar) including Statistics such as population and religious affiliation Yangon (also known as Rangoon) is the largest city and a former capital of Burma. An official language is a Language that is given a special legal status in a particular Country, State, or other territory The Burmese language (မြန်မာဘာသာ myà̃mà bàθà MLCTS: myanma bhasa) is the official Language of Burma. A regional language is a Language spoken in an area of a Nation state, whether it be a small area a federal State or Province, or "Kachin language" redirects here For other meanings of word "Kachin" see Kachin (disambiguation The Jingpho language (also The Shan language is related to the Thai language and is called Tai-Yai, or Tai Long in the Tai languages The Karen languages are Tonal languages spoken by the Karen people and are classified as part of the Tibeto-Burman group of the Sino-Tibetan language The Mon language is an Austroasiatic language spoken by the Mon, who live in Burma and Thailand. Tamil (ta தமிழ்; t̪əmɨɻ is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a People or the inhabitants of a place The Bamar ( bəmà lùmjó also called Burman) are the dominant Ethnic group of Burma, constituting approximately 68% (30000000 of the population For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government. A military junta is a government ruled by a committee of military leaders The State Peace and Development Council or Arr Nar Yuu Myar A Phwet ( nàiNŋàNdɔ̀ éiʤáN θàja yéi n̥ḭN pʰṵNpʰyo yéi kaùNsì abbreviated SPDC) is the official Senior General Than Shwe (သန်းရွှေ θáɴ ʃwè born 2 February 1933 is Head of State of Myanmar (Burma serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw Vice-Senior General Maung Aye ( maʊN éi born 25 December 1937 The Prime Minister of Burma is the head of government of Burma, also called Myanmar General Thein Sein (သိန္းစိန္ is the prime minister of Myanmar. Lieutenant-General Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo (born in 27 May 1950 is the First Secretary of the State Peace and Development Council from Myanmar. The History of Burma, now officially Myanmar, is long and complicated Bagan ( formerly Pagan, is an ancient city in the Mandalay Division of Burma. The Toungoo dynasty (1486-1752 was one of the most powerful post- Bagan Burmese kingdoms over which seven kings reigned for a period of 155 years The Konbaung Dynasty ( 1752 - 1885) sometimes called the Alaungpaya Dynasty or the House of Alompra by the British colonial rulers was the last Events 46 BC - Titus Labienus defeats Julius Caesar in the Battle of Ruspina. Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. To help compare Orders of magnitude of different geographical regions we list here Surface areas between 100000 km² and 1000000 km² This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by total area. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. In Mathematics, a percentage is a way of expressing a number as a Fraction of 100 ( per cent meaning "per hundred" 06

Population

- 2005–2006 estimate 55,390,000 (24th)

- 1983 census 33,234,000

- Density 75/km² (119th)
193/sq mi

GDP (PPP) 2005 estimate

- Total $93. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology List of countries by population in 2005|List of countries by population in 1907This is a list of countries ordered according to Population. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume List of countries and dependencies by Population density in inhabitants/km² The purchasing power parity ( PPP) theory uses the long-term equilibrium Exchange rate of two currencies to equalize their Purchasing power. 77 billion (59th)

- Per capita $1,691 (150th)

HDI (2007) ▲ 0. There are three lists of Countries of the world sorted by their Gross domestic product (GDP (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head with Per meaning 'through' or 'by' This article includes three lists of Countries of the world sorted by their Gross domestic product (GDP at Purchasing power parity (PPP Per capita The Human Development Index ( HDI) is an index combining normalized measures of Life expectancy, Literacy, Educational attainment, and GDP 583 (medium) (132nd)

Currency kyat (K) (mmK)

Time zone MMT (UTC+6:30)

Internet TLD .mm

Calling code +95

¹ Some governments recognize Rangoon as the national capital. This is a list of countries by Human Development Index as included in the United Nations Development Program 's Human Development Report 2007 A currency is a unit of exchange, facilitating the transfer of Goods and/or services It is one form of Money, where money is The kyat ( dʒɛʔ or tʃɛʔ ISO 4217 code MMK is the Currency of Myanmar / Burma. ISO 4217 is the International standard describing three-letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established A country This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E Yangon (also known as Rangoon) is the largest city and a former capital of Burma.

² Estimates for this country takes into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected.

BurnYourMa, officially the Union of Myanmar (BurnPlease: , pronounced [pjìdàunzṵ mjəmà nàinŋàndɔ̀]), is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia.

The country is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, and India on the northwest, with the Bay of Bengal to the southwest. Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES Laos (ˈlɑːoʊs or /ˈlaʊs/ officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a Landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj ( Bengali: বাংলাদেশ inc-Latn Bangladesh) officially India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The Bay of Bengal is a bay that forms the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. One-third of Burma's total perimeter, 1,930 kilometers (1,199 mi), forms an uninterrupted coastline. A mile is a unit of Length, usually used to measure Distance, in a number of different systems including Imperial units United States The coast is defined as the part of the land adjoining or near the Ocean.

BurnYourMa's diverse population has played a major role in defining its politics, history and demographics in modern times, and the country continues to struggle to mend its ethnic tensions. Its political system remains under the tight control of SPDC, the military led government, since 1992, by Senior General Than Shwe. Defense Policy and Doctrine Defence Policy of Myanmar Tatmadaw was formally declared in February 1999. Senior General Than Shwe (သန်းရွှေ θáɴ ʃwè born 2 February 1933 is Head of State of Myanmar (Burma serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw The military has dominated government since General Ne Win led a coup in 1962 that toppled the civilian government of U Nu. Ne Win (နေဝင်း nè wín 24 May or 14 May 1911 or 10 July 1910 – 5 December 2002; born Shu U Nu (ဦးနု ú nṵ otherwise known as Thakin Nu 25 May 1907 – 14 February 1995) was a leading Burmese Nationalist The country's culture, heavily influenced by neighbours, is based on Theravada Buddhism intertwined with local elements. History Origin of the school The Theravāda school is ultimately derived from the Vibhajjavāda (or 'doctrine of analysis' grouping which was a continuation History The history of Buddhism in Burmaextends nearly a millennium

1 The name of the country
2 Geography
3 History
4 Government and politics
5 Divisions and states
6 Foreign relations and military
- 6.1 Drug trade
7 United Nations
8 Human rights
- 8.1 Human rights violations
- 8.2 Karen minority
9 Economy
10 Demographics
11 Culture
12 Media
13 Notes
14 External links
- 14.1 Social organizations and NGOs

The name of the country

Main article: Names of Burma

The name "Myanmar" is derived from the local short-form name Myanma Naingngandaw,^[1] the name used by the regime currently in power in the country. The country popularly known in English as Burma, and officially named Myanmar, has undergone changes in both its official and popular names worldwide While the etymology of the name is unclear, it has been used since the 13th Century^[2] primarily as a reference to the Myanma ethnic group. Until the mid-19th century, rulers in the region identified themselves with the areas that they ruled. For example, the 18th Century king, Alaungpaya alternately referred to himself as the ruler of Tampradipa and Thunaparanta, Ramanadesa, and Kamboza (all alternate names of places in the Irrawaddy Valley) in correspondence with the East India Company. Alaungpaya (အလောင်းဘုရား or Alompra or Alaung Mintaya (အလောင်းမင်းတရား(อลองพญา lit The Honourable East India Company ( HEIC) referred to most commonly as the East India Company, also historically and colloquially as John Company, or ^[3] The Court of Ava was the first to use this name to refer to its kingdom in the mid-19th Century, when its power was declining, when the kingdom was confined to the Irrawaddy Valley which was predominantly Myanma in character, and at a time when the Myanma ethnic identity first began to develop a political identity. ^[3] In older English documents the usage was Bermah, and later Burmah, possibly from the Portuguese Birmania which is thought to be a corruption of the Indian word for Burma, Bama. Burma is known as Birmanie in French, Birmania in both Italian and Spanish, and Birmânia in Portuguese.

Confusion among English speakers on how to pronounce 'Myanmar' gives rise to pronunciations such as IPA: /ˌmjɑnˈmɑr/, IPA: /ˈmjɑːnmɑr/, IPA: /ˌmaɪənˈmɑr/, IPA: /ˈmiːənmɑr/ and IPA: /miˈɑːnmɑr/. ^[4]^[5]^[6]

On 18 June 1989, the Burmese military junta passed the "Adaptation of Expressions Law" that officially changed the English version of the country's name from Burma to Myanmar, and changed the English versions of many place names in the country along with it, such as its former capital city from Rangoon to Yangon (which represents its pronunciation more accurately in Burmese though not in Arakanese). Events 618 - Coronation of the Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) The State Peace and Development Council or Arr Nar Yuu Myar A Phwet ( nàiNŋàNdɔ̀ éiʤáN θàja yéi n̥ḭN pʰṵNpʰyo yéi kaùNsì abbreviated SPDC) is the official Geographical renaming is the act of changing the name of a geographical feature or area Yangon (also known as Rangoon) is the largest city and a former capital of Burma. The Burmese language (မြန်မာဘာသာ myà̃mà bàθà MLCTS: myanma bhasa) is the official Language of Burma. The Rakhine people ( ja̰kʰàin lùmjóʊ formerly Arakanese) are an Ethnic group of Myanmar, and form the majority along Rakhine State's This prompted one scholar to coin the term "Myanmarification" to refer to the top-down programme of political and cultural reform in the context of which the renaming was done. ^[7] The action was strictly an executive act, not based on any statutory authority, and the government did not hold a national referendum to have the Burmese electorate ratify the name change. ^[1] Within the Burmese language, Myanma is the written, literary name of the country, while Bama or Bamar (from which "Burma" derives) is the oral, colloquial name. Literature is the Art of written works Literally translated the word means "acquaintance with letters" (from Latin littera letter A colloquialism is an expression not used in formal speech, writing or Paralinguistics. In spoken Burmese, the distinction is less clear than the English transliteration suggests.

The renaming proved to be politically controversial on several grounds. Opposition groups continue to use the name "Burma", since they do not recognize the legitimacy of the ruling military government nor its authority to rename the country in English. ^[8] Various non-Bamar ethnic groups choose to not recognize the name because the term Myanmah has historically been used as a label for the majority ethnic group rather than for the country. ^[3]^[9]^[10]

Various world entities have chosen to accept or reject the name change. The United Nations accepts the name Myanmar, since the UN allows its members states to be known by any name they choose. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security However it has not been recognized by many Western governments such as the United States, Australia, Canada or the United Kingdom, which continue to use "Burma", while the European Union uses "Burma/Myanmar" as an alternative. The term Western world, the West or the Occident ( Latin: occidens -sunset -west as distinct from the Orient) can have multiple meanings The United States of America —commonly referred to as the For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in China has not agreed to change its translations and continues to use 缅甸，Japan uses the name Myanmar (ミャンマー) but calls the people Burmese (ビルマ人), France continues to use Birmanie, and most other countries continue to use their traditional translations. ^[11]^[12]^[13].

Use of "Burma" and its adjective, "Burmese", remains common in the United States and Britain. Many news organizations, such as the BBC, The Financial Times, The Times, Voice of America, The Washington Post, USA Today, ITN, Sky News, Bangkok Post and others still use these forms^[14] ^[15]. The Financial Times ( FT) is a British international business Newspaper. The Times is a daily national Newspaper published in the United Kingdom since 1785 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. Voice of America ( VOA) is the official external radio and Television broadcasting service of the United States federal government. The Washington Post is the largest and most circulated Newspaper in Washington D USA TODAY is a national American daily Newspaper published by the Gannett Company. ITN ( Independent Television News) is a major news and content provider with headquarters in the United Kingdom. Sky News is a rolling TV news channel providing 24 hour news coverage including the latest breaking news The Bangkok Post is a Broadsheet English -language daily Newspaper published in Bangkok, Thailand. MSNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and others use "Myanmar" as the country name and "Burmese" as the adjective. MSNBC is a 24-hour cable television news channel based in the United States and available in Canada. The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network. The Economist is an English-language weekly news and International affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd and edited in London The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation also refers to both names in their news articles.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Burma

Burma, which has a total area of 678,500 square kilometers (261,970 sq mi), is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia, and the 40th-largest in the world (Zambia being the 39th). Burma (Officially The Union of Myanmar is a country located on the mainland of Southeast Asia, and would be the northwestern most entity of the region The Republic of Zambia (ˈzæmbɪə is a Landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is somewhat smaller than the U. S. state of Texas and slightly larger than Afghanistan. Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State. Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت,

It is located between Chittagong Division of Bangladesh and Assam, Nagaland and Manipur of India to the northwest. Chittagong Division (চট্টগ্রাম is one of the six administrative divisions of Bangladesh. ( Bengali: বাংলাদেশ inc-Latn Bangladesh) officially Assam) ( Assamese: অসম Ôxôm) is a northeastern state of India with its capital at Dispur, a suburb of the city Nagaland ( Hindi: नागालैंड is a hill state located in the far north-eastern part of India. Manipur (mnipur in Meitei Mayek) is a state in northeastern India, making its capital in the city of India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country It shares its longest borders with Tibet and Yunnan of China to the northeast for a total of 2,185 km (1,358 mi). Definitions of Tibet See also Definitions of Tibet Name In English The English word Tibet, like the word for Tibet in most European Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES It is bounded by Laos and Thailand to the southeast. Laos (ˈlɑːoʊs or /ˈlaʊs/ officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a Landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj Burma has 1,930 km (1,199 mi) of contiguous coastline along the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea to the southwest and the south, which forms one-third of its total perimeter. The Bay of Bengal is a bay that forms the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. The Andaman Sea (မုတ္တမ moʊʔtəma̰ is a body of water to the southeast of the Bay of Bengal, south of Myanmar, west of Thailand and east ^[1]

The Irrawaddy Delta, which is approximately 50,400 km² (19,500 sq mi) in area, is largely used for rice cultivation. The Irrawaddy Delta or Ayeyarwady Delta lies in the Irrawaddy Division, the lowest expanse of land in Burma that fans out from the limit of tidal influence ^[16]

In the north, the Hengduan Shan mountains form the border with China. Hkakabo Razi, located in Kachin State, at an elevation of 5,881 m (19,295 ft), is the highest point in Burma. Hkakabo Razi ( Burmese:) is Southeast Asia 's highest Mountain, located in the northern Burma state of Kachin. Kachin State ( Jingphaw Mungdaw) is the northernmost state of Burma. ^[17] Three mountain ranges, namely the Rakhine Yoma, the Bago Yoma, and the Shan Plateau exist within Burma, all of which run north-to-south from the Himalayas. ^[18] The mountain chains divide Burma's three river systems, which are the Ayeyarwady, Salween (Thanlwin), and the Sittang rivers. The Ayeyarwady River or Irrawaddy River ( is a River that flows from north to south of Burma (Myanmar The Salween River (သံလွင်မြစ် θànlwìn myiʔ also spelled Salwine) rises in Tibet ( after which it flows through Yunnan The Sittang (known as the Sittoung in earlier romanisations is a River in Burma (in Bago Division except for a part near the mouth which ^[16] The Ayeyarwady River, Burma's longest river, nearly 2,170 kilometres (1,348 mi) long, flows into the Gulf of Martaban. The Andaman Sea (မုတ္တမ moʊʔtəma̰ is a body of water to the southeast of the Bay of Bengal, south of Myanmar, west of Thailand and east Fertile plains exist in the valleys between the mountain chains. ^[18] The majority of Burma's population lives in the Ayeyarwady valley, which is situated between the Rakhine Yoma and the Shan Plateau.

Much of the country lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator. For the novel by Henry Miller, see Tropic of Cancer (novel. The Tropic of Cancer, or Northern tropic, is one of five The equator (sometimes referred to colloquially as "the Line") is the intersection of the Earth 's surface with the plane perpendicular to the It lies in the monsoon region of Asia, with its coastal regions receiving over 5,000 mm (200 in) of rain annually. A monsoon is a seasonal prevailing wind which lasts for several months Annual rainfall in the delta region is approximately 2,500 mm (100 in) , while average annual rainfall in the Dry Zone, which is located in central Myanmar, is less than 1,000 mm (40 in). In Meteorology, precipitation (also known as one class of hydrometeors, which are atmospheric water phenomena is any product of the condensation of atmospheric A delta is a Landform where the mouth of a River flows into an Ocean, Sea, Estuary, Lake or another river Northern regions of the country are the coolest, with average temperatures of 21 °C (70 °F). Coastal and delta regions have mean temperatures of 32 °C (90 °F). ^[16]

The country's slow economic growth has contributed to the preservation of much of its environment and ecosystems. An ecosystem is a natural unit consisting of all plants animals and micro-organisms( Biotic factors in an area functioning together with all of the non-living physical ( Forests, including dense tropical growth and valuable teak in lower Burma, cover over 49% of the country. Teak ( Tectona) is a genus of tropical Hardwood Trees in the family Verbenaceae, native to the south and southeast of Asia Other trees indigenous to the region include acacia, bamboo, ironwood, mangrove, michelia champaca coconut and betel palm, and rubber has been introduced. Acacia is a Genus of Shrubs and Trees belonging to the Subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first Bamboo is a group of Woody perennial Evergreen Plants in the True grass family Poaceae, subfamily Mangroves (generally are Trees and Shrubs that grow in saline coastal habitats in the Tropics and Subtropics. Michelia champaca is an evergreen tree native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The Coconut Palm ( Cocos nucifera) is a member of the Family Arecaceae (palm family Areca catechu is the areca palm or areca nut palm, ( Malay: Pinang) a species of palm which grows in much of the In the highlands of the north, oak, pine and various rhododendrons cover much of the land. The term oak can be used as part of the common name of any of about 400 species of Trees and Shrubs in the Genus Quercus (from Latin This article is about the tree For other uses of the term "pine" see Pine (disambiguation. Rhododendron (from the Greek: rhodos, "rose" and dendron, "tree" is a genus of flowering plants in the family ^[19] The lands along the coast support all varieties of tropical fruits. This list of culinary fruits contains the names of some fruits that are considered edible in some Cuisines The definition of fruit for these lists is a culinary fruit In the Dry Zone, vegetation is sparse and stunted.

Typical jungle animals, particularly tigers and leopards, are common in Burma. Jungle usually refers to a dense Forest in a hot climate such as a Tropical rainforest. The tiger ( Panthera tigris) is a member of the Felidae family the largest and the most powerful of the four " Big cats quot in the Genus The leopard (lɛpɚd Panthera pardus) is an Old World Mammal of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four roaring In upper Burma, there are rhinoceros, wild buffalo, wild boars, deer, antelope and elephants, which are also tamed or bred in captivity for use as work animals, particularly in the lumber industry. Rhinoceros (raɪˈnɒsərəs often colloquially abbreviated rhino, is a name used to group five extant species of Odd-toed ungulates in the family The boar or wild boar ( Sus scrofa) is an Omnivorous, gregarious Mammal of the biological family Suidae. A deer is a Ruminant Mammal belonging to the family Cervidae. Antelope are Ruminant hoofed Mammals of the family Bovidae in the order of Even-toed ungulates. Elephants ( family: Elephantidae) are large land Mammals of the order Proboscidea. Lumber or timber is Wood in any of its stages from felling through readiness for use as structural Material for Construction, or Smaller mammals are also numerous, ranging from gibbons and monkeys to flying foxes and tapirs. Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands Gibbons are the small Apes in the family Hylobatidae. The family is divided into four genera based on their Diploid Chromosome A monkey is any member of either the New World monkeys or Old World monkeys two of the three groupings of Simian Primates the third group being Bats of the genus Pteropus, belonging to the Megachiroptera sub-order are the largest Bats in the world Tapirs (ˈteɪpɚ as in "taper" or /təˈpɪər/ as "ta-pier" are large browsing Mammals, roughly pig-like in shape with short The abundance of birds is notable with over 800 species, including parrots, peafowl, pheasants, crows, herons and paddybirds. Parrots are birds of the roughly 350 Species in 85 genera comprising the order Psittaciformes, found in most warm and tropical regions The term peafowl refers to Gallinaceous Birds classified within the genera Rheinardia Argusianus Afropavoand Pavo Pheasants are a group of large Birds in the order Galliformes. The true crows are large Passerine Birds that comprise the Genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. The herons are wading Birds in the Ardeidae family Some are called Egrets or Bitterns instead of herons Among reptile species there are crocodiles, geckos, cobras, Burmese pythons and turtles. Reptiles, or members of the class Reptilia are air-breathing Cold-blooded Vertebrates that have skin covered in scales as opposed to hair or feathers A crocodile is any Species belonging to the family Crocodylidae (sometimes classified instead as the Subfamily Crocodylinae) Geckos are small to average sized Lizards belonging to the family Gekkonidae which are found in warm climates throughout the world Cobras ( are venomous Snakes of the family Elapidae, of several genera, but particularly Naja. The Burmese Python ( Python molurus bivittatus) is the largest subspecies of the Indian Python and one of the 6 largest Snakes in the world native Turtles are Reptiles of the Order Testudines (all living turtles belong to the Crown group Chelonia) most of Hundreds of species of freshwater fish are wide-ranging, plentiful and are very important food sources. Freshwater is a word that refers to bodies of water such as Ponds lakes rivers and streams containing low concentrations of dissolved Salts and other Total dissolved Fish are aquatic Vertebrate animals that are typically ectothermic (previously Cold-blooded) covered with scales, and equipped with two ^[20]

History

Main article: History of Burma

Summary

After the First Burmese War, the Ava kingdom ceded the provinces of Manipur, Tenassarim, and Arakan to the British. The History of Burma, now officially Myanmar, is long and complicated The First Anglo–Burmese War lasted from 1823 to 1826 In the United Kingdom it is called the First Burmese War whereas Burmese custom names both belligerents Innwa ( formerly Ava) is a city in the Mandalay Division of Burma, situated just to the south of Amarapura on the Ayeyarwady River Manipur (mnipur in Meitei Mayek) is a state in northeastern India, making its capital in the city of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located ^[21]Rangoon and southern Burma were incorporated into British India in 1853. Yangon (also known as Rangoon) is the largest city and a former capital of Burma. All of Burma came directly or indirectly under British India in 1886 after the Third Burmese War and the fall of Mandalay. For usage see British rule in India British Raj ( rāj, lit "reign" in Hindustani) primarily refers to the British The Third Anglo-Burmese War or The Third Burmese war lasted several weeks in 1885 with sporadic resistance into 1887 ^[21] Burma was administered as a province of British India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony. For usage see British rule in India British Raj ( rāj, lit "reign" in Hindustani) primarily refers to the British The country became independent from the United Kingdom on 4 January 1948, as the "Union of Burma". Events 46 BC - Titus Labienus defeats Julius Caesar in the Battle of Ruspina. Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It became the "Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma" on 4 January 1974, before reverting to the "Union of Burma" on 23 September 1988. Events 46 BC - Titus Labienus defeats Julius Caesar in the Battle of Ruspina. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. Events 1122 - Concordat of Worms. 1459 - Battle of Blore Heath, the first major battle of the English Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) On 18 June 1989, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) adopted the name "Union of Myanmar" for English transliteration. Events 618 - Coronation of the Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) The State Peace and Development Council or Arr Nar Yuu Myar A Phwet ( nàiNŋàNdɔ̀ éiʤáN θàja yéi n̥ḭN pʰṵNpʰyo yéi kaùNsì abbreviated SPDC) is the official This controversial name change in English, while accepted in the UN and in many countries, is not recognised by opposition groups and by nations such as the United Kingdom and the United States^[22]. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The United States of America —commonly referred to as the

Early history

Main article: Early history of Burma

The Mon people are thought to be the earliest group to migrate into the lower Ayeyarwady valley, and by the mid-900s BC were dominant in southern Burma. Humans lived in the region that is now Myanmar as early as 11000 years ago but archeological evidence dates the first settlements at about 2500 BC with cattle rearing and the production The Mon ( Mon language: မန် or မည် မွန်လူမျိုး‌ mùn lùmjóʊ Thai: มอญ are an Ethnic group from ^[23] The Mons became one of the first in South East Asia to embrace Theravada Buddhism. History Origin of the school The Theravāda school is ultimately derived from the Vibhajjavāda (or 'doctrine of analysis' grouping which was a continuation

The Tibeto-Burman speaking Pyu arrived later in the 1st century BC, and established several city states – of which Sri Ksetra was the most powerful – in central Ayeyarwady valley. The Tibeto-Burman family of languages (often considered a sub-group of the Sino-Tibetan Language family) is spoken in various central and south Asian countries including Pyu (also Pyuu or Pyus; in Chinese records Pyao) refers to a collection of City-states and their language found in the central and northern regions Pyay (ျပည္also known as Prome is a town in the Bago Division in Burma. The Mon and Pyu kingdoms were an active overland trade route between India and China. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National The Pyu kingdoms entered a period of rapid decline in early 9th century AD when the powerful kingdom of Nanzhao (in present-day Yunnan) invaded Ayeyarwady valley several times. Nanzhao, alternate spellings Nanchao and Nan Chao ( Traditional Chinese: 南詔 Simplified Chinese: 南诏 Pinyin: Nánzhāo In 835, Nanzhao decimated the Pyu by carrying off many captives to be used as conscripts.

Bagan (1044-1287)

Tibeto-Burman speaking Burmans, or the Bamar, began migrating to the Ayeyarwady valley from present-day Yunnan's Nanzhao kingdom starting in 7th century AD. The Bamar ( bəmà lùmjó also called Burman) are the dominant Ethnic group of Burma, constituting approximately 68% (30000000 of the population The Bamar ( bəmà lùmjó also called Burman) are the dominant Ethnic group of Burma, constituting approximately 68% (30000000 of the population Filling the power gap left by the Pyu, the Burmans established a small kingdom centered in Bagan in 849. Bagan ( formerly Pagan, is an ancient city in the Mandalay Division of Burma. But it was not until the reign of King Anawrahta (1044-1077) that Bagan's influence expanded throughout much of present-day Burma. Anawrahta ( ənɔ̀ja̰tʰa reigned 1044 - 1077) also spelled Aniruddha or Anoarahtâ or Anoa-ra-htá-soa, was a ruler of the kingdom

After Anawrahta's capture of the Mon capital of Thaton in 1057, the Burmans adopted Theravada Buddhism from the Mons. Thaton ( is a Town in Mon State, in southern Myanmar on the Tenasserim plains The Burmese script was created, based on the Mon script, during the reign of King Kyanzittha (1084-1112). The Burmese abugida ( Burmese: မြန်မာအက္ခရာ mjànmà eʔkʰəyà is a script in the Brahmic family used in Burma for writing The Mon language is an Austroasiatic language spoken by the Mon, who live in Burma and Thailand. King Kyanzittha ( tʃánziʔθá was king of Bagan from 1084 to 1113 Prosperous from trade, Bagan kings built many magnificent temples and pagodas throughout the country – many of which can still be seen today.

Bagan's power slowly waned in 13th century. Kublai Khan's Mongol forces invaded northern Burma starting in 1277, and sacked Bagan city itself in 1287. Early years Kublai Khan studied Chinese culture and became enamoured of it Bagan's over two century reign of Ayeyarwady valley and its periphery was over.

Pagodas and temples continue to exist in present-day Bagan, the capital of the Bagan Kingdom. The Pagan Kingdom (849-1287 is considered to be the first Burmese Empire.

Small kingdoms (1287-1531)

The Mongols could not stay for long in the searing Ayeyarwady valley. But the Tai-Shan people from Yunnan who came down with the Mongols fanned out to the Ayeyarwady valley, Shan states, Laos, Siam and Assam, and became powerful players in South East Asia. The Shan (ရှမ်းလူမျိုး ʃán lùmjóʊ) are a Tai Ethnic group of Laos (ˈlɑːoʊs or /ˈlaʊs/ officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a Landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj Assam) ( Assamese: অসম Ôxôm) is a northeastern state of India with its capital at Dispur, a suburb of the city

The Bagan empire was irreparably broken up into several small kingdoms:

The Burman kingdom of Ava or Innwa (1364-1555), the successor state to three smaller kingdoms founded by Burmanized Shan kings, controlling Upper Burma (without the Shan states)
The Mon kingdom of Hanthawady Pegu or Bago (1287-1540), founded by a Mon-ized Shan King Wareru (1287-1306), controlling Lower Burma (without Taninthayi). Innwa ( formerly Ava) is a city in the Mandalay Division of Burma, situated just to the south of Amarapura on the Ayeyarwady River The Shan (ရှမ်းလူမျိုး ʃán lùmjóʊ) are a Tai Ethnic group of Upper Burma was a term used by the British to refer to the central and northern area of what is now the country of Myanmar (Burma Shan State is an administrative division of Myanmar (Burma, which takes its name from the Shan people, one of several ethnic groups that inhabit the area Lower Burma is a historical region referring to the part of Burma annexed by the British Empire after the Second Anglo-Burmese War, which took place in Tanintharyi Division, better known by the old name Tenasserim (Thaiตะนาวศรี is a division of Myanmar, covering the long narrow southern
The Rakhine kingdom of Mrauk U (1434-1784), in the west. Mrauk U ( is an archaeologically important Town in northern Rakhine State, Myanmar.
Several Shan states in the Shan hills in the east and the Kachin hills in the north while the northwestern frontier of present Chin hills still disconnected yet. Shan State is an administrative division of Myanmar (Burma, which takes its name from the Shan people, one of several ethnic groups that inhabit the area

This period was characterized by constant warfare between Ava and Bago, and to a lesser extent, Ava and the Shans. Ava briefly controlled Rakhine (1379-1430) and came close to defeating Bago a few times, but could never quite reassemble the lost empire. Nevertheless, Burmese culture entered a golden age. Hanthawady Bago prospered. Bago's Queen Shin Saw Bu (1453-1472) raised the gilded Shwedagon Pagoda to its present height. The Shwedagon Pagoda (ʃwèdəgòun; ʃwèdəgòun pʰəjá officially titled Shwedagon Zedi Daw (ʃwèdəgòun zèdìdɔ̀ also known as the Golden

By the late 15th century, constant warfare had left Ava greatly weakened. Its peripheral areas became either independent or autonomous. In 1486, King Minkyinyo (1486-1531) of Taungoo broke away from Ava and established a small independent kingdom. Taungoo ( also known as Toungoo) is a city in the Bago Division of Myanmar, located 220 km from Yangon, towards the northern end of the In 1527, Mohnyin (Shan: Mong Yang) Shans finally captured Ava, upsetting the delicate power balance that had existed for nearly two centuries. The Shan (ရှမ်းလူမျိုး ʃán lùmjóʊ) are a Tai Ethnic group of The Shans would rule Upper Burma until 1555.

Taungoo (1531-1752)

Reinforced by fleeing Burmans from Ava, the minor Burman kingdom of Taungoo under its young, ambitious king Tabinshwehti (1531-1551) defeated the more powerful Mon kingdom at Bago, reunifying all of Lower Burma by 1540. Taungoo ( also known as Toungoo) is a city in the Bago Division of Myanmar, located 220 km from Yangon, towards the northern end of the Tabinshwehti ( təbìnʃwètʰí 1512 &ndash 1550 also spelt Tabinshweti) was a king who unified Burma (now Myanmar) in 1539 and known as the founder Lower Burma is a historical region referring to the part of Burma annexed by the British Empire after the Second Anglo-Burmese War, which took place in Tabinshwehti's successor King Bayinnaung (1551-1581) would go on to conquer Upper Burma (1555), Manipur (1556), Shan states (1557), Chiang Mai (1557), Ayutthaya (1564, 1569) and Lan Xang (1574), bringing most of western South East Asia under his rule. Bayinnaung (ဘုရင်နောင် bayìnnaʊ̀n lit the King's Elder Brother known in Portuguese as Braginoco and in the Thai language as Burinnaung or Burengnong Upper Burma was a term used by the British to refer to the central and northern area of what is now the country of Myanmar (Burma Manipur (mnipur in Meitei Mayek) is a state in northeastern India, making its capital in the city of Shan State is an administrative division of Myanmar (Burma, which takes its name from the Shan people, one of several ethnic groups that inhabit the area Chiang Mai (in Thai; locally (Kham Muang Jiang Mai also sometimes written as "Chiengmai" is the largest and most culturally significant The kingdom of Ayutthaya (อาณาจักรอยุธยา was a Thai kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767 The Lao kingdom of Lan Xang or Lan Ch'ang ( Pali: Sisattanakhanahut ລ້ານຊ້າງ lâansâang - ລ້ານ "million" Bayinnaung died in 1581, preparing to invade Rakhine, a maritime power controlling the entire coastline west of Rakhine Yoma, up to Chittagong province in Bengal. The Rakhine people ( ja̰kʰàin lùmjóʊ formerly Arakanese) are an Ethnic group of Myanmar, and form the majority along Rakhine State's Chittagong ( Bengali: চট্টগ্রাম Chôţţogram) is Bangladesh 's main Seaport and its second-largest city

Bayinnaung's massive empire unraveled soon after his death in 1581. Ayutthaya Siamese had driven out the Burmese by 1593 and went on to take Tanintharyi. The Thai (or Tai) are the main ethnic group of Thailand and are part of the larger Tai ethnolinguistic peoples found in Thailand and adjacent countries Tanintharyi Division, better known by the old name Tenasserim (Thaiตะนาวศรี is a division of Myanmar, covering the long narrow southern In 1599, Rakhine forces aided by the Portuguese mercenaries sacked the kingdom's capital Bago. The Rakhine people ( ja̰kʰàin lùmjóʊ formerly Arakanese) are an Ethnic group of Myanmar, and form the majority along Rakhine State's Chief Portuguese mercenary Filipe de Brito e Nicote (Burmese: Nga Zinga) promptly rebelled against his Rakhine masters and established Portuguese rule in Thanlyin (Syriam), then the most important seaport in Burma. Thanlyin, more commonly pronounced Tanyin and formerly Syriam, is a City in Yangon Division in Myanmar (Burma The country was in chaos.

The Burmese under King Anaukpetlun (1605-1628) regrouped and defeated the Portuguese in 1611. Anaukpetlun (literally 'died in the west' died 1628 grandson of Bayinnaung, was the ruler of Burma during the early 17th century who re-established the reunification Anaukpetlun reestablished a smaller reconstituted kingdom based in Ava covering Upper Burma, Lower Burma and Shan states (but without Rakhine or Taninthayi). After the reign of King Thalun (1629-1648), who rebuilt the war-torn country, the kingdom experienced a slow and steady decline for the next 100 years. The Mons successfully rebelled starting in 1740 with French help and Siamese encouragement, broke away Lower Burma by 1747, and finally put an end to the House of Taungoo in 1752 when they took Ava. Innwa ( formerly Ava) is a city in the Mandalay Division of Burma, situated just to the south of Amarapura on the Ayeyarwady River

Konbaung (1752-1885)

A British 1825 lithograph of Shwedagon Pagoda reveals early British occupation in Burma during the First Anglo-Burmese War. The Shwedagon Pagoda (ʃwèdəgòun; ʃwèdəgòun pʰəjá officially titled Shwedagon Zedi Daw (ʃwèdəgòun zèdìdɔ̀ also known as the Golden The First Anglo–Burmese War lasted from 1823 to 1826 In the United Kingdom it is called the First Burmese War whereas Burmese custom names both belligerents

King Alaungpaya (1752-1760), established the Konbaung Dynasty in Shwebo in 1752. Alaungpaya (အလောင်းဘုရား or Alompra or Alaung Mintaya (အလောင်းမင်းတရား(อลองพญา lit The Konbaung Dynasty ( 1752 - 1885) sometimes called the Alaungpaya Dynasty or the House of Alompra by the British colonial rulers was the last Shwebo may refer to Shwebo Bhumo, Kachin State Burma Shwebo Sagaing, Burma ^[24] He founded Yangon in 1755. Yangon (also known as Rangoon) is the largest city and a former capital of Burma. By his death in 1760, Alaungpaya had reunified the country. In 1767, King Hsinbyushin (1763-1777) sacked Ayutthya. Hsinbyushin (ဆင်ဖြူရှင်มังระ 1736 - 10 July 1776; literally "Lord of the White Elephant" was the third king of The kingdom of Ayutthaya (อาณาจักรอยุธยา was a Thai kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767 The Qing Dynasty of China invaded four times from 1765 to 1769 without success. Not to be confused with Qin Dynasty, the first dynasty of Imperial China China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National The Chinese invasions allowed the new Siamese kingdom based in Bangkok to repel the Burmese out of Siam by the late 1770s. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj

King Bodawpaya (1782-1819) failed repeatedly to reconquer Siam in 1780s and 1790s. Bodawpaya (ဘိုတော်ဘုရား ปะดุง literally Royal Grandfather 11 March 1745 - 5 June 1819) was the sixth Bodawpaya did manage to capture the western kingdom of Rakhine, which had been largely independent since the fall of Bagan, in 1784. The Rakhine people ( ja̰kʰàin lùmjóʊ formerly Arakanese) are an Ethnic group of Myanmar, and form the majority along Rakhine State's Bodawpaya also formally annexed Manipur, a rebellion-prone protectorate, in 1813. Manipur (mnipur in Meitei Mayek) is a state in northeastern India, making its capital in the city of

King Bagyidaw's (1819-1837) general Maha Bandula put down a rebellion in Manipur in 1819 and captured then independent kingdom of Assam in 1819 (again in 1821). King Bagyidaw (ဘကြီးတော် literally Royal Elder Uncle 23 July 1784 - 15 October 1846 was the seventh king of the Konbaung Dynasty of Burma who General Mahabandoola (မဟာဗန္ဓုလ also spelt Maha Bandula) c Manipur (mnipur in Meitei Mayek) is a state in northeastern India, making its capital in the city of Assam) ( Assamese: অসম Ôxôm) is a northeastern state of India with its capital at Dispur, a suburb of the city The new conquests brought the Burmese adjacent to the British India. The British defeated the Burmese in the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826). The First Anglo–Burmese War lasted from 1823 to 1826 In the United Kingdom it is called the First Burmese War whereas Burmese custom names both belligerents Burma had to cede Assam, Manipur, Rakhine (Arakan) and Tanintharyi (Tenessarim). Assam) ( Assamese: অসম Ôxôm) is a northeastern state of India with its capital at Dispur, a suburb of the city Manipur (mnipur in Meitei Mayek) is a state in northeastern India, making its capital in the city of The Rakhine people ( ja̰kʰàin lùmjóʊ formerly Arakanese) are an Ethnic group of Myanmar, and form the majority along Rakhine State's Tanintharyi Division, better known by the old name Tenasserim (Thaiตะนาวศรี is a division of Myanmar, covering the long narrow southern

In 1852, the British attacked a much weakened Burma during a Burmese palace power struggle. After the Second Anglo-Burmese War, which lasted 3 months, the British had captured the remaining coastal provinces: Ayeyarwady, Yangon and Bago, naming the territories as Lower Burma. The Second Anglo-Burmese War took place in 1852 and ended in 1853 Yangon (also known as Rangoon) is the largest city and a former capital of Burma. Lower Burma is a historical region referring to the part of Burma annexed by the British Empire after the Second Anglo-Burmese War, which took place in

King Mindon (1853-1878) founded Mandalay in 1859 and made it his capital. Mindon Min (မင်းတုန်းမင်း born Maung Lwin 8 July 1808 in Amarapura, died 1 October 1878 in Golden Mandalay is the second largest city and the last royal capital of Burma (Myanmar and is the economic and cultural hub of Upper Burma He skillfully navigated the growing threats posed by the competing interests of Britain and France. In the process, Mindon had to renounce Kayah (Karenni) states in 1875. His successor, King Thibaw (1878-1885), was largely ineffectual. Thibaw Min (သီပေါ‌မင်း born Maung Pu January 1, 1859 – December 19, 1916; or simply Thibaw, In 1885, the British, alarmed by the French conquest of neighboring Laos, grabbed Upper Burma. Laos (ˈlɑːoʊs or /ˈlaʊs/ officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a Landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma Upper Burma was a term used by the British to refer to the central and northern area of what is now the country of Myanmar (Burma The Third Anglo-Burmese War (1885) lasted a mere one month insofar as capturing the capital Mandalay was concerned. The Third Anglo-Burmese War or The Third Burmese war lasted several weeks in 1885 with sporadic resistance into 1887 Mandalay is the second largest city and the last royal capital of Burma (Myanmar and is the economic and cultural hub of Upper Burma The Burmese royal family was exiled to Ratnagiri, India. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Ratnāgiri ( Marathi:रत्नागिरी is a port city on the Arabian Sea coast British forces spent at least another four years pacifying the country – not only in the Burman heartland but also in the Shan, Chin and Kachin hill areas. Chin ( is one of the ethnic groups in Myanmar. They are notable for being the only major ethnic group in Myanmar for being a Christian majority By some accounts, minor insurrections did not end until 1896.

Colonial era (1886-1948)

The United Kingdom began conquering Burma in 1824 and by 1886 had incorporated it into the British Raj. For usage see British rule in India British Raj ( rāj, lit "reign" in Hindustani) primarily refers to the British Burma was administered as a province of British India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony. For usage see British rule in India British Raj ( rāj, lit "reign" in Hindustani) primarily refers to the British To stimulate trade and facilitate changes, the British brought in Indians and Chinese, who quickly displaced the Burmese in urban areas. A non-resident Indian (NRI is an Indian citizen who has migrated to another country a person of Indian origin who is born outside India or a person of To this day Yangon and Mandalay have large ethnic Indian populations. Yangon (also known as Rangoon) is the largest city and a former capital of Burma. Mandalay is the second largest city and the last royal capital of Burma (Myanmar and is the economic and cultural hub of Upper Burma Railroads and schools were built, as well as a large number of prisons, including the infamous Insein Prison, then as now used for political prisoners. Insein Prison (pronounced like "insane" is located in Yangon Division, near Yangon (Rangoon the old capital of Burma. A political prisoner is someone held in Prison or otherwise detained perhaps under House arrest, for his or her involvement in political activity Burmese resentment was strong and was vented in violent riots that paralyzed Yangon on occasion all the way until the 1930s. ^[25] Much of the discontent was caused by a perceived disrespect for Burmese culture and traditions, for example, what the British termed the Shoe Question: the colonizers' refusal to remove their shoes upon entering Buddhist temples or other holy places. Arts Historically Burmese art was based on Buddhist or Hindu cosmology and myths In October 1919, Eindawya Pagoda in Mandalay was the scene of violence when tempers flared after scandalized Buddhist monks attempted to physically expel a group of shoe-wearing British visitors. The leader of the monks was later sentenced to life imprisonment for attempted murder. Such incidents inspired the Burmese resistance to use Buddhism as a rallying point for their cause. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Buddhist monks became the vanguards of the independence movement, and many died while protesting. One monk-turned-martyr was U Wisara, who died in prison after a 166-day hunger strike to protest a rule that forbade him from wearing his Buddhist robes while imprisoned. ^[26]

Eric Blair, better known as the writer George Orwell, served in the Indian Imperial Police in Burma for five years and wrote about his experiences. Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950 who used the Pseudonym George Orwell, was an English writer Indian police redirects here For other uses see Indian police (disambiguation. Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950 who used the Pseudonym George Orwell, was an English writer An earlier writer with the same convoluted career path was Saki. Hector Hugh Munro ( December 18, 1870 – November 14, 1916) better known by the Pen name Saki, was a British During the colonial period, intermarriage between European settlers and Burmese women, as well as between Anglo-Indians (who arrived with the British) and Burmese caused the birth of the Anglo-Burmese community. This influential community was to dominate the country during colonial rule and through the mid 1960's.

The Colonial Flag (1937-1948)

On 1 April 1937, Burma became a separately administered territory, independent of the Indian administration. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The vote for keeping Burma in India, or as a separate colony "khwe-yay-twe-yay" divided the populace, and laid the ground work for the insurgencies to come after independence. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country In the 1940s, the Thirty Comrades, commanded by Aung San, founded the Burma Independence Army. The Thirty Comrades (ရဲဘော်သုံးကျိပ် constituted the embryo of the modern Burmese army called the Burma Independence Army (BIA which General Aung San (Bogyoke Aung San ( bòʊdʒoʊʔ àʊn sʰán February 13 1915 – July 19 1947) was a Burmese revolutionary The Burma National Army served as the armed forces of the Burmese government created by the Japanese during World War II and fought in the Burma Campaign The Thirty Comrades received training in Japan. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. ^[27]

During World War II, Burma became a major frontline in the Southeast Asian Theatre. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was the name given to the campaigns of the Pacific War in India, Thailand, The British administration collapsed ahead of the advancing Japanese troops, jails and asylums were opened and Rangoon was deserted except for the many Anglo-Burmese and Indians who remained at their posts. A stream of some 300,000 refugees fled across the jungles into India; known as 'The Trek', all but 30,000 of those 300,000 arrived in India. Initially the Japanese-led Burma Campaign succeeded and the British were expelled from most of Burma, but the British counter-attacked using primarily troops of the British Indian Army. The Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily between British Commonwealth, Chinese and United By July 1945, the British had retaken the country. Although many Burmese fought initially for the Japanese, some Burmese, mostly from the ethnic minorities, also served in the British Burma Army. In 1943, the Chin Levies and Kachin Levies were formed in the border districts of Burma still under British administration. The Burma Rifles fought as part of the Chindits under General Orde Wingate from 1943-1945. The Chindits (Officially in 1942 77th Indian Infantry Brigade and in 1943 Indian 3rd Infantry Division) were a British Indian Army "Special Force" that served Major-General Orde Charles Wingate, DSO and two bars ( February 26, 1903 &ndash March 24, 1944) was a Later in the war, the Americans created American-Kachin Rangers who also fought against the Japanese. Detachment 101 of the Office of Strategic Services operated in the China Burma India Theater of World War II. Many others fought with the British Special Operations Executive. The Special Operations Executive ( SOE) (sometimes referred to as "the Baker Street Irregulars " after Sherlock Holmes ' fictional group of helpers The Burma Independence Army under the command of Aung San and the Arakan National Army fought with the Japanese from 1942-1944, but switched allegiance to the Allied side in 1945. The Burma National Army served as the armed forces of the Burmese government created by the Japanese during World War II and fought in the Burma Campaign General Aung San (Bogyoke Aung San ( bòʊdʒoʊʔ àʊn sʰán February 13 1915 – July 19 1947) was a Burmese revolutionary

In 1947, Aung San became Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council of Burma, a transitional government. But in July 1947, political rivals assassinated Aung San and several cabinet members. General Aung San (Bogyoke Aung San ( bòʊdʒoʊʔ àʊn sʰán February 13 1915 – July 19 1947) was a Burmese revolutionary ^[27]

Democratic republic (1948-1962)

Sao Shwe Thaik

On 4 January 1948, the nation became an independent republic, named the Union of Burma, with Sao Shwe Thaik as its first President and U Nu as its first Prime Minister. Agga Maha Thray Sithu Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma Sao Shwe Thaik (1896-1962 was the first president Events 46 BC - Titus Labienus defeats Julius Caesar in the Battle of Ruspina. Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A republic is a State or Country that is not led by a hereditary Monarch, but in which the people (or at least a part of its people have impact on its Agga Maha Thray Sithu Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma Sao Shwe Thaik (1896-1962 was the first president U Nu (ဦးနု ú nṵ otherwise known as Thakin Nu 25 May 1907 – 14 February 1995) was a leading Burmese Nationalist Unlike most other former British colonies and overseas territories, it did not become a member of the Commonwealth. A bicameral parliament was formed, consisting of a Chamber of Deputies and a Chamber of Nationalities. In Government, bicameralism (bi + Latin la ''camera'' chamber is the practice of having two legislative or Parliamentary chambers Thus a bicameral TalkParliament#Screen-size. -->A parliament is a Legislature, especially in those Chamber of deputies is the name given to a legislative body such as the Lower house of a Bicameral legislature or can refer to a Unicameral legislature The Chamber of Nationalities was the Upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Burma (also called Myanmar ^[28]

The geographical area Burma encompasses today can be traced to the Panglong Agreement, which combined Burma Proper, which consisted of Lower Burma and Upper Burma, and the Frontier Areas, which had been administered separately by the British. Lower Burma is a historical region referring to the part of Burma annexed by the British Empire after the Second Anglo-Burmese War, which took place in Upper Burma was a term used by the British to refer to the central and northern area of what is now the country of Myanmar (Burma British rule in Burma lasted from 1824 to 1948 from the Anglo-Burmese Wars through the creation of Burma Province as a colony of British India The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located ^[9]

In 1961, U Thant, then the Union of Burma's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and former Secretary to the Prime Minister, was elected Secretary-General of the United Nations; he was the first non-Westerner to head any international organization and would serve as UN Secretary-General for ten years. U Thant (ဦးသန့် 22 January 1909 &ndash 25 November 1974) was a Burmese Diplomat and the third Secretary-General The Secretary-General of the United Nations is the head of the Secretariat, one of the principal organs of the United Nations. ^[29] Among the Burmese to work at the UN when he was Secretary-General was a young Aung San Suu Kyi. Aung San Suu Kyi ( àunsʰánsṵtʃì born 19 June 1945 in Rangoon, is a pro- Democracy activist and leader of the National League for

Military rule (1962-present)

Democratic rule ended in 1962 when General Ne Win led a military coup d'état. Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is held completely by the people under a free electoral system Ne Win (နေဝင်း nè wín 24 May or 14 May 1911 or 10 July 1910 – 5 December 2002; born Shu He ruled for nearly 26 years and pursued policies under the rubric of the Burmese Way to Socialism. The Burmese Way to Socialism is the name of the ideology of Burmese ruler Ne Win, who ruled the country from 1962 to 1988 Between 1962 and 1974, Myanmar was ruled by a revolutionary council headed by the general, and almost all aspects of society (business, media, production) were nationalized or brought under government control (including the Boy Scouts). ^[21] In an effort to consolidate power, General Ne Win and many top generals resigned from the military and took civilian posts and, from 1974, instituted elections in a one party system. Ne Win (နေဝင်း nè wín 24 May or 14 May 1911 or 10 July 1910 – 5 December 2002; born Shu Between 1974 and 1988, Myanmar was effectively ruled by General Ne Win through the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP). Ne Win (နေဝင်း nè wín 24 May or 14 May 1911 or 10 July 1910 – 5 December 2002; born Shu Burma Socialist Programme Party (မြန်မာ့ဆိုရှယ်လစ်လမ်းစဉ်ပါတီး Myanma Hsoshalit Lanzin Pati or Lanzin Party ^[30]

Almost from the beginning there were sporadic protests against the military rule, many of which were organized by students, and these were almost always violently suppressed by the government. On July 7, 1962 the government broke up demonstrations at Rangoon University killing 15 students. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[21] In 1974, the military violently suppressed anti-government protests at the funeral of U Thant. U Thant (ဦးသန့် 22 January 1909 &ndash 25 November 1974) was a Burmese Diplomat and the third Secretary-General Student protests in 1975, 1976 and 1977 were quickly suppressed by overwhelming force. ^[30]

In 1988, unrest over economic mismanagement and political oppression by the government led to widespread pro-democracy demonstrations throughout the country known as the 8888 Uprising. The 8888 Uprising ( Burmese: ၈-၄လုံး or ရွစ္‌ေလးလုံး MLCTS: hrac le lum) was a national revolution in Burma Security forces killed thousands of demonstrators, and General Saw Maung staged a coup d'état and formed the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). Saw Maung (စောမောင် December 1928 - 24 July 1997) born in Mandalay, was a head of State in Myanmar. The State Peace and Development Council or Arr Nar Yuu Myar A Phwet ( nàiNŋàNdɔ̀ éiʤáN θàja yéi n̥ḭN pʰṵNpʰyo yéi kaùNsì abbreviated SPDC) is the official In 1989, SLORC declared martial law after widespread protests. Martial law is the system of rules that takes effect when the military takes control of the normal administration of justice The military government finalized plans for People's Assembly elections on 31 May 1989. Events 1279 BC - Rameses II (The Great (19th dynasty becomes pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) ^[31]

SLORC changed the country's official English name from the "Union of Burma" to the "Union of Myanmar" in 1989. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States

In May 1990, the government held free elections for the first time in almost 30 years. The National League for Democracy (NLD), the party of Aung San Suu Kyi, won 392 out of a total 489 seats, but the election results were annulled by SLORC, which refused to step down. The National League for Democracy (အမျိုးသားဒီမိုကရေစီအဖွဲ့ချုပ် is a Burmese political party founded on 27 September Aung San Suu Kyi ( àunsʰánsṵtʃì born 19 June 1945 in Rangoon, is a pro- Democracy activist and leader of the National League for General elections were held in Burma on 27 May, 1990. They were the first since 1960 after which the country had been ruled by a Military dictatorship ^[32] Led by Than Shwe since 1992, the military regime has made cease-fire agreements with most ethnic guerrilla groups. Senior General Than Shwe (သန်းရွှေ θáɴ ʃwè born 2 February 1933 is Head of State of Myanmar (Burma serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw In 1992, SLORC unveiled plans to create a new constitution through the National Convention, which began 9 January 1993. On 9 April 2008, the military government of Burma released its proposed new Constitution for the country to be put to a vote in public referendum Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) In 1997, the State Law and Order Restoration Council was renamed the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). The State Peace and Development Council or Arr Nar Yuu Myar A Phwet ( nàiNŋàNdɔ̀ éiʤáN θàja yéi n̥ḭN pʰṵNpʰyo yéi kaùNsì abbreviated SPDC) is the official

On 23 June 1997, Myanmar was admitted into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Events 1180 - First Battle of Uji, starting the Genpei War in Japan 1305 - The Flemish Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, commonly referred to as ASEAN, ˈɑːsiːɑːn AH-see-ahn in English (the Official language The National Convention continues to convene and adjourn. Many major political parties, particularly the NLD, have been absent or excluded, and little progress has been made. ^[33] On 27 March 2006, the military junta, which had moved the national capital from Yangon to a site near Pyinmana in November 2005, officially named it Naypyidaw, meaning "city of the kings". Events 196 BC - Ptolemy V ascends to the throne of Egypt. 1309 - Pope Clement V excommunicates Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Yangon (also known as Rangoon) is the largest city and a former capital of Burma. Pyinmana ( Burmese:; population 100000 (2006 estimate is a Logging Town and Sugar cane Refinery center in Mandalay Division Naypyidaw ( also spelled Nay Pyi Taw) is the Capital of Burma. ^[34]

In November 2006, the International Labour Organization announced it will be seeking "to prosecute members of the ruling Myanmar junta for crimes against humanity" over the continuous forced labour of its citizens by the military at the International Court of Justice. The International Labour Organization Unfree labour is a generic or collective term for those work relations especially in modern or early modern history in which people are employed against their will See also International Commission of Jurists The International Court of Justice (known colloquially as the World Court or ICJ; Cour ^[35] According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), an estimated 800,000 people are subject to forced labour in Myanmar. The International Labour Organization ^[36]

2007 protests and consequences

Main article: 2007 Burmese anti-government protests

The August 2007 demonstrations were led by well-known dissidents, such as Min Ko Naing (with the nom de guerre Conqueror of Kings), Su Su Nway (now in hiding) and others. The 2007 Burmese anti-government protests were a series of anti-government protests that started in Burma (also known as Union of Myanmar on August 15, A pseudonym is a fictitious alternative to a person's legal name (see Alias) The military quickly cracked down and still has not allowed the International Red Cross to visit Min Ko Naing and others who are reportedly in Insein Prison after being severely tortured. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an International humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers worldwide who stated Insein Prison (pronounced like "insane" is located in Yangon Division, near Yangon (Rangoon the old capital of Burma. Reports have surfaced of at least one death, of activist Win Shwe, under interrogation. ^[37]

On 19 September 2007, several hundred (possibly 2000 or more) monks staged a protest march in the city of Sittwe. Events 335 - Dalmatius is raised to the rank of Caesar by his uncle Constantine I. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The 2007 Burmese anti-government protests were a series of anti-government protests that started in Burma (also known as Union of Myanmar on August 15, ^[38] Larger protests in Rangoon and elsewhere ensued over the following days. Security became increasingly heavy handed, resulting in a number of deaths and injuries. ^[39] By 28 September, internet access had been cut^[40] and journalists were reputedly warned not to report on protests. Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt. ^[41] Internet access was restored by at least midnight of 5 October, Burmese time. Events 869 - The Fourth Council of Constantinople is convened to decide about what to do about Patriarch Photius of Constantinople Sources in Myanmar said on 6 October that the internet seems to be working from 22:00 to 05:00 local time. Events 105 BC - Battle of Arausio: The Cimbri inflict the heaviest defeat on the Roman army of Gnaeus Mallius Maximus

On October 13, 2007, the military junta of Burma made people march in a government rally, reportedly paying some participants 1000 kyat (approximately $0. Events 54 - Nero ascends to the Roman throne 409 - Vandals and Alans crossed the Pyrenees Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. 80) each. Junta officials also approached local factories and demanded they provide 50 workers each; if they didn't, they were to be fined. ^[42]

On 7 February 2008, SPDC announced that there will be referendum for the Constitution in May 2008, and Election by 2010. Events 457 - Leo I becomes emperor of the Byzantine Empire. 1074 - Battle of Montesarchio in which the Prince 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common

Various global corporations have been criticized for profiting from the dictatorship by financing Burma's military junta. ^[43]

World governments remain divided on how to deal with the military junta. Calls for further sanctions by United Kingdom, United States, and France are opposed by neighboring countries; in particular, China has stated its belief that "sanctions or pressure will not help to solve the issue". The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The United States of America —commonly referred to as the This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National ^[44]

Cyclone Nargis

Main article: Cyclone Nargis

On May 3, 2008, Cyclone Nargis devastated the country when winds of up to 215kph (135 mph)^[45] touched land in the densely populated, rice-farming delta of the Irrawaddy Division. Cyclone Nargis ( JTWC designation 01B, also known as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Nargis) was a strong Tropical cyclone that caused Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Cyclone Nargis ( JTWC designation 01B, also known as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Nargis) was a strong Tropical cyclone that caused Ayeyarwady Division or Irrawaddy Division is a division of Burma, occupying the delta region of the Ayeyarwady River (also known as the ^[46]

Recent reports estimate that more than 130,000 people are dead or missing from Cyclone Nargis that hit the country's Irrawaddy delta. Damage totaled to 10 billion dollars (USD); it was the worst natural disaster in Burman history. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been Shari Villarosa, who leads the U. S. Embassy in Yangon, said the number of dead could eventually exceed 140,800 because of illnesses and injury. Yangon (also known as Rangoon) is the largest city and a former capital of Burma. ^[47]^[48] Adds the World Food Programme, "Some villages have been almost totally eradicated and vast rice-growing areas are wiped out. "^[49]

The United Nations projects that as many as 1 million were left homeless; and the World Health Organization "has received reports of malaria outbreaks in the worst-affected area. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security "^[50] Yet in the critical days following this disaster, Burma's isolationist regime complicated recovery efforts by delaying the entry of United Nations planes delivering medicine, food, and other supplies into the Southeast Asian nation. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security Similarly, the junta continues to reject the United States offer to provide much-needed assistance,^[51] although on May 13, the first U. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1497 - Pope Alexander VI excommunicates Girolamo Savonarola. S. military transport plane was allowed to land, bringing 14 tons of medical supplies, mosquito nets and blankets. ^[52] The government's failure to permit entry for large-scale international relief efforts was described by the United Nations as "unprecedented. "^[53] The Burmese Foreign Ministry stressed its capability in handling the aftermath of the cyclone and insisted that it was not ready to accept large-scale foreign assistance. ^[54]

AP news stories state that foreign aid provided to disaster victims was modified to make it look like it came from the military regime, and state-run television continuously ran images of Gen. Than Shwe ceremonially handing out disaster relief. ^[55]

More than a week after the disaster, only one out of 10 people who are homeless, injured or threatened by disease and hunger have received some kind of aid. The governmental regime only began to allow UN/international aid into the country for relief efforts after a meeting of heads of States in Singapore, headed by Singapore, who is the current chair of the ASEAN group. ^[56]

According to British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, "A natural disaster is turning into a humanitarian catastrophe of genuinely epic proportions in significant part because of the malign neglect of the regime. "^[57]

Donor nations, meeting Sunday in Burma, pressed the government hold to its promise and allow foreign aid workers access to several communities in which foreigners are not allowed, thus increasing the rate of receipt of aid to millions who where most affected by the cyclone. The United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki Moon, said that the government was "moving fast in the right direction. " By opening greater access to foreign aid, this will help the nation avoid a "second disaster" of disease. ^[58]

On May 27, 2008, to complicate world opinion and in contrast to numerous and varied accounts from international relief organizations, the Burma junta praises U. Events 927 - Simeon the Great, Tsar of Bulgaria, dies 1120 - Richard III of Capua is anointed 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common N. aid. ^[59]

List of historical capitals

Bagan

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Burma

Burma is governed by a strict military dictatorship. Bagan ( formerly Pagan, is an ancient city in the Mandalay Division of Burma. Amarapura ( lit City of Immortality is a city in the Mandalay Division of Myanmar, situated 11 km to the south of Mandalay. Innwa ( formerly Ava) is a city in the Mandalay Division of Burma, situated just to the south of Amarapura on the Ayeyarwady River Bagan ( formerly Pagan, is an ancient city in the Mandalay Division of Burma. The balo ( balenjeh, behlanjeh) is a musical instrument used among the Mandinka people of West Africa Mandalay is the second largest city and the last royal capital of Burma (Myanmar and is the economic and cultural hub of Upper Burma Mrauk U ( is an archaeologically important Town in northern Rakhine State, Myanmar. Naypyidaw ( also spelled Nay Pyi Taw) is the Capital of Burma. Yangon (also known as Rangoon) is the largest city and a former capital of Burma. Sagaing ( population estimate 300000 is the chief city and capital of Sagaing Division in Myanmar. Shwebo may refer to Shwebo Bhumo, Kachin State Burma Shwebo Sagaing, Burma Thaton ( is a Town in Mon State, in southern Myanmar on the Tenasserim plains A military dictatorship is a Form of government wherein the political power resides with the Military; it is similar but not identical to a Stratocracy, The current head of state is Senior General Than Shwe, who holds the posts of "Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council" and "Commander in Chief of the Defense Services". Senior General Than Shwe (သန်းရွှေ θáɴ ʃwè born 2 February 1933 is Head of State of Myanmar (Burma serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw The State Peace and Development Council or Arr Nar Yuu Myar A Phwet ( nàiNŋàNdɔ̀ éiʤáN θàja yéi n̥ḭN pʰṵNpʰyo yéi kaùNsì abbreviated SPDC) is the official General Khin Nyunt was prime minister until 19 October 2004, when he was replaced by General Soe Win, after the purge of Military Intelligence sections within the Burma armed forces. This article is about the government position For other uses see Prime Minister (disambiguation. Events 202 BCE - The Battle of Zama results in the defeat of Carthage and Hannibal. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " General Soe Win (စိုးဝင်း sóu wín 1948 &ndash October 12 2007) was the Prime Minister of Burma and Secretary-1 of the State Peace Military intelligence (abbreviated MI int Commonwealth, or intel Defense Policy and Doctrine Defence Policy of Myanmar Tatmadaw was formally declared in February 1999. The majority of ministry and cabinet posts are held by military officers, with the exceptions being the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labour, and the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development, posts which are held by civilians. ^[60]

Elected delegates in the 1990 People's Assembly election formed the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), a government-in-exile since December 1990, with the mission of restoring democracy. History The Democratic Government of Burma was formed in Bommersvik, Sweden at the special convention held there from 16-23 July 1995 A government in exile is a political group that claims to be a country's legitimate government but for various reasons is unable to exercise its legal power and instead resides in a foreign ^[61] Dr. Sein Win, a first cousin of Aung San Suu Kyi, has held the position of prime minister of the NCGUB since its inception. Dr Sein Win is Chairman of National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi ( àunsʰánsṵtʃì born 19 June 1945 in Rangoon, is a pro- Democracy activist and leader of the National League for The NCGUB has been outlawed by the military government.

Major political parties in the country are the National League for Democracy and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, although their activities are heavily regulated and suppressed by the military government. The National League for Democracy (အမျိုးသားဒီမိုကရေစီအဖွဲ့ချုပ် is a Burmese political party founded on 27 September The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy is a Political party in Burma (Burma representing the interests of the Shan minority Many other parties, often representing ethnic minorities, exist. The military government allows little room for political organizations and has outlawed many political parties and underground student organizations. The military supported the National Unity Party in the 1990 elections and, more recently, an organization named the Union Solidarity and Development Association. The National Unity Party (တိုင်းရင်သားစီးလုံညီညွတ်ရေးပာတီ Taingyintha Silonenyinyutye) is a Political party The Union Solidarity and Development Association ( abbreviated USDA) is a Burmese organisation formed by Myanmar's ruling Military junta, the ^[62]

Government propaganda poster states: "Tatmadaw and the people, cooperate and crush all those harming the union. Defense Policy and Doctrine Defence Policy of Myanmar Tatmadaw was formally declared in February 1999. "

Several human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science have reported on human rights abuses by the military government. Human Rights Watch is a United States -based international Non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on Human rights. Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is a Western based international Non-governmental organization which defines its mission as "to The American Association for the Advancement of Science (or AAAS) is an organization that promotes cooperation between Scientists defends scientific freedom encourages ^[63]^[64] They have claimed that there is no independent judiciary in Burma. In Law, the judiciary or judicial system is the system of Courts which administer Justice in the name of the sovereign or State The military government restricts Internet access through software-based censorship that limits the material citizens can access on-line. ^[65]^[66] Forced labour, human trafficking, and child labour are common. Unfree labour is a generic or collective term for those work relations especially in modern or early modern history in which people are employed against their will Human trafficking is the recruitment transportation harbouring or receipt of people for the purposes of slavery forced labor (including bonded labor or debt bondage and servitude Child labor is the employment of Children at regular and sustained labour ^[67] The military is also notorious for rampant use of sexual violence as an instrument of control, including systematic rapes and taking of sex slaves as porters for the military. A strong women's pro-democracy movement has formed in exile, largely along the Thai border and in Chiang Mai. There is a growing international movement to defend women's human rights issues. ^[68]

In 1988, the army violently repressed protests against economic mismanagement and political oppression. On 8 August 1988, the military opened fire on demonstrators in what is known as 8888 Uprising and imposed martial law. Events 1220 - Sweden is defeated by Estonian tribes in the Battle of Lihula. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) The 8888 Uprising ( Burmese: ၈-၄လုံး or ရွစ္‌ေလးလုံး MLCTS: hrac le lum) was a national revolution in Burma However, the 1988 protests paved way for the 1990 People's Assembly elections. The election results were subsequently annulled by Senior General Saw Maung's government. Saw Maung (စောမောင် December 1928 - 24 July 1997) born in Mandalay, was a head of State in Myanmar. The National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won over 60% of the vote and over 80% of parliamentary seats in the 1990 election, the first held in 30 years. The National League for Democracy (အမျိုးသားဒီမိုကရေစီအဖွဲ့ချုပ် is a Burmese political party founded on 27 September Aung San Suu Kyi ( àunsʰánsṵtʃì born 19 June 1945 in Rangoon, is a pro- Democracy activist and leader of the National League for The military-backed National Unity Party won less than 2% of the seats. The National Unity Party (တိုင်းရင်သားစီးလုံညီညွတ်ရေးပာတီ Taingyintha Silonenyinyutye) is a Political party Aung San Suu Kyi has earned international recognition as an activist for the return of democratic rule, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. The Nobel Peace Prize ( Swedish, Danish and Nobels fredspris is one of five Nobel Prizes Bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor The ruling regime has repeatedly placed her under house arrest. In Justice and Law, house arrest (also called home confinement, home detention, or electronic monitoring) is a measure by which Despite a direct appeal by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to Senior General Than Shwe and pressure by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the military junta extended Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest another year on 27 May 2006 under the 1975 State Protection Act, which grants the government the right to detain any persons on the grounds of protecting peace and stability in the country. Kofi Atta Annan, GCMG (born 8 April 1938 is a Ghanaian Diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations Senior General Than Shwe (သန်းရွှေ θáɴ ʃwè born 2 February 1933 is Head of State of Myanmar (Burma serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, commonly referred to as ASEAN, ˈɑːsiːɑːn AH-see-ahn in English (the Official language Events 927 - Simeon the Great, Tsar of Bulgaria, dies 1120 - Richard III of Capua is anointed Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[69]^[70] The junta faces increasing pressure from the United States and the United Kingdom. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Burma's situation was referred to the UN Security Council for the first time in December 2005 for an informal consultation. In September 2006, ten of the United Nations Security Council's 15 members voted to place Myanmar on the council's formal agenda. ^[71] On Independence Day, 4 January 2007, the government released 40 political prisoners, under a general amnesty, in which 2,831 prisoners were released. An Independence Day is an annual celebration commemorating the Anniversary of a Nation 's assumption of independent Statehood, usually after ceasing Events 46 BC - Titus Labienus defeats Julius Caesar in the Battle of Ruspina. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. A political prisoner is someone held in Prison or otherwise detained perhaps under House arrest, for his or her involvement in political activity ^[72] On 8 January 2007, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the national government to free all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi. Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Ban Ki-moon (born 13 June 1944 Korean: 반기문 Hanja: 潘基文 is the current Secretary-General of the United Nations. ^[73] Three days later, on 11 January, five additional prisoners were released from prison. Events 1055 - Theodora is crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire. ^[72]

ASEAN has also stated its frustration with the Union of Myanmar's government. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, commonly referred to as ASEAN, ˈɑːsiːɑːn AH-see-ahn in English (the Official language It has formed the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus to address the lack of democratisation in the country. ^[74] Dramatic change in the country's political situation remains unlikely, due to support from major regional powers such as India, Russia, and, in particular, China. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES ^[75]^[76]

In the annual ASEAN Summit in January 2007, held in Cebu, Philippines, member countries failed to find common ground on the issue of Burma's lack of political reform. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN holds annual meetings in relation to economic and cultural development of Southeast Asian countries Cebu is one of the Provinces of the Philippines. It lies to the east of Negros Island; to the west of Leyte and to the southeast is Bohol The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP ^[77] During the summit, ASEAN foreign ministers asked Burma to make greater progress on its roadmap toward democracy and national reconciliation. ^[78] Some member countries contend that Burma's human rights issues are the country's own domestic affairs, while others contend that its poor human rights record is an international issue. ^[78]

According to Human Rights Defenders and Promoters (HRDP), on April 18, 2007, several of its members (Myint Aye, Maung Maung Lay, Tin Maung Oo and Yin Kyi) were met by approximately a hundred people led by a local official, U Nyunt Oo, and beaten up. Human Rights Defenders and Promoters was formed in 2002 in Burma to raise awareness among the people of Burma about their Human rights and help them conduct advocacy Events 1025 - Bolesław Chrobry is crowned in Gniezno, becoming the first King of Poland. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Due to the attack, Myint Hlaing and Maung Maung Lay were badly injured and are now hospitalized. The HRDP believes that this attack was condoned by the authorities and vows to take legal action. Human Rights Defenders and Promoters was formed in 2002 to raise awareness among the people of Burma about their human rights. Human Rights Defenders and Promoters was formed in 2002 in Burma to raise awareness among the people of Burma about their Human rights and help them conduct advocacy Human rights refers to the "basic Rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled

Burma's army-drafted constitution was overwhelmingly approved (by 92. 4% of the 22 million voters with alleged voter turnout of 99%) on May 10 in the first phase of a two-stage referendum amid Cyclone Nargis. Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England. A referendum (plural referendums or referenda) ballot question, or plebiscite (from Latin plebiscita Cyclone Nargis ( JTWC designation 01B, also known as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Nargis) was a strong Tropical cyclone that caused It was the first national vote since the 1990 election. Multi-party elections in 2010 would end 5 decades of military rule, as the new charter gives the military an automatic 25% of seats in parliament. NLD spokesman Nyan Win, inter alia, criticized the referendum: "This referendum was full of cheating and fraud across the country; In some villages, authorities and polling station officials ticked the ballots themselves and did not let the voters do anything. Nyan Win (ဥာဏ်ဝင်း born January 22, 1953) has been the Foreign minister of Myanmar since September 19 2004 "^[79] The constitution would bar Aung San Suu Kyi, from public office. Aung San Suu Kyi ( àunsʰánsṵtʃì born 19 June 1945 in Rangoon, is a pro- Democracy activist and leader of the National League for 5 million citizens will vote May 24 in Yangon and the Irrawaddy delta, worst hit by Cyclone Nargis. Yangon (also known as Rangoon) is the largest city and a former capital of Burma. Cyclone Nargis ( JTWC designation 01B, also known as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Nargis) was a strong Tropical cyclone that caused ^[80]

Divisions and states

Main article: Administrative divisions of Burma

The 14 states and divisions of Burma. Burma (also known as Myanmar) is divided into 14 administrative subdivisions which include 7 states ( pyine) and 7 divisions ( yin)

The country is divided into seven states (pyine) and seven divisions (yin). ^[81] Divisions (တိုင္း) are predominantly Bamar. The Bamar ( bəmà lùmjó also called Burman) are the dominant Ethnic group of Burma, constituting approximately 68% (30000000 of the population States (), in essence, are divisions which are home to particular ethnic minorities. The administrative divisions are further subdivided into districts, which are further subdivided into townships, wards, and villages. Burma 's states and divisions are divided into 64 districts ( kayaing) which in turn are subdivided into townships that consistally subdivided of towns A township (or Municipality) is a settlement which has the status and powers of a unit of local government In Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, a ward is an Electoral district A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet, but smaller than a Town or City.

Divisions

States

Administrative divisions

Number of Districts, Townships, Cities/Towns, Wards, Village Groups and Villages in Burma as of December 31, 2001^[82]

No. Ayeyarwady Division or Irrawaddy Division is a division of Burma, occupying the delta region of the Ayeyarwady River (also known as the Bago Division is an administrative division of Burma, located in the southern portion of the country Magway Division (also spelt Magwe) is a division located in central Myanmar between north latitude 18° 50' and 22° 47' and east longitude between Mandalay Division is an administrative division of Burma (Myanmar Sagaing Division is a division of Burma, located in the north-western part of the country between latitude 21° 30' north and longitude 94° 97' east Tanintharyi Division, better known by the old name Tenasserim (Thaiตะนาวศรี is a division of Myanmar, covering the long narrow southern Yangon Division is an administrative division of Myanmar. It is bordered by Bago Division in the north and east the Gulf of Martaban in the south Chin State Chin State is the land (segregated in Myanmar where Zomi (or Laimis are commonly begun from. Kachin State ( Jingphaw Mungdaw) is the northernmost state of Burma. Kayin State is an administrative division of Myanmar and also known as Karen State Kayah State (also called Karenni State) is a state of Myanmar. Mon State is an administrative division of Myanmar. It is sandwiched between Kayin State on the east the Andaman Sea on the west Bago Division Rakhine State ( formerly Arakan) is a state of Myanmar. Situated the western coast it is bordered by Chin State in the north Shan State is an administrative division of Myanmar (Burma, which takes its name from the Shan people, one of several ethnic groups that inhabit the area Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar.	State/Division	District	Township	City/Town	Wards	Village Groups	Villages
1	Kachin State	3	18	20	116	606	2630
2	Kayah State	2	7	7	29	79	624
3	Kayin State	3	7	10	46	376	2092
4	Chin State	2	9	9	29	475	1355
5	Sagaing Division	8	37	37	171	1769	6095
6	Taninthayi Division	3	10	10	63	265	1255
7	Bago Division	4	28	33	246	1424	6498
8	Magway Division	5	25	26	160	1543	4774
9	Mandalay Division	7	31	29	259	1611	5472
10	Mon State	2	10	11	69	381	1199
11	Rakhine State	4	17	17	120	1041	3871
12	Yangon Division	4	45	20	685	634	2119
13	Shan State	11	54	54	336	1626	15513
14	Ayeyawady Division	5	26	29	219	1912	11651
	Total	63	324	312	2548	13742	65148

Foreign relations and military

Main articles: Foreign relations of Burma and Military of Burma

The country's foreign relations, particularly with Western nations, have been strained. A state is a political association with effective Sovereignty over a geographic Area and representing a Population. Districts are a type of Administrative division, in some countries managed by a Local government. A township (or Municipality) is a settlement which has the status and powers of a unit of local government A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status A town is a type of settlement ranging from a few to several thousand (occasionally hundreds of thousands inhabitants although it may be applied loosely even to huge metropolitan In Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, a ward is an Electoral district A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet, but smaller than a Town or City. Kachin State ( Jingphaw Mungdaw) is the northernmost state of Burma. Kayah State (also called Karenni State) is a state of Myanmar. Kayin State is an administrative division of Myanmar and also known as Karen State Chin State Chin State is the land (segregated in Myanmar where Zomi (or Laimis are commonly begun from. Sagaing Division is a division of Burma, located in the north-western part of the country between latitude 21° 30' north and longitude 94° 97' east Tanintharyi Division, better known by the old name Tenasserim (Thaiตะนาวศรี is a division of Myanmar, covering the long narrow southern Bago Division is an administrative division of Burma, located in the southern portion of the country Magway Division (also spelt Magwe) is a division located in central Myanmar between north latitude 18° 50' and 22° 47' and east longitude between Mandalay Division is an administrative division of Burma (Myanmar Mon State is an administrative division of Myanmar. It is sandwiched between Kayin State on the east the Andaman Sea on the west Bago Division Rakhine State ( formerly Arakan) is a state of Myanmar. Situated the western coast it is bordered by Chin State in the north Yangon Division is an administrative division of Myanmar. It is bordered by Bago Division in the north and east the Gulf of Martaban in the south Shan State is an administrative division of Myanmar (Burma, which takes its name from the Shan people, one of several ethnic groups that inhabit the area Ayeyarwady Division or Irrawaddy Division is a division of Burma, occupying the delta region of the Ayeyarwady River (also known as the Burma (also known as Myanmar) remains a Pariah state to several nations due mainly to its human rights record Defense Policy and Doctrine Defence Policy of Myanmar Tatmadaw was formally declared in February 1999. The United States has placed a ban on new investments by U. S. firms, an import ban, and an arms embargo on the Union of Myanmar, as well as frozen military assets in the United States because of the military regime's ongoing human rights abuses, the ongoing detention of Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi, and refusal to honor the election results of the 1990 People's Assembly election. Aung San Suu Kyi ( àunsʰánsṵtʃì born 19 June 1945 in Rangoon, is a pro- Democracy activist and leader of the National League for ^[83] Similarly, the European Union has placed sanctions on Burma, including an arms embargo, cessation of trade preferences, and suspension of all aid with the exception of humanitarian aid. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in Humanitarian aid (also called succour) is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes typically in response to humanitarian crises ^[84] U. S. and European government sanctions against the military government, coupled with boycotts and other direct pressure on corporations by western supporters of the democracy movement, have resulted in the withdrawal from the country of most U. S. and many European companies. However, several Western companies remain due to loopholes in the sanctions. Asian corporations have generally remained willing to continue investing in the country and to initiate new investments, particularly in natural resource extraction. Natural resources are naturally occurring substances that are considered valuable in their relatively unmodified ( natural) form The country has close relations with neighboring India and People's Republic of China with several Indian and Chinese companies operating in the country. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES The French oil company Total S.A. is able to operate the Yadana natural gas pipeline from Burma to Thailand despite the European Union's sanctions on the country. Total SA () is an oil company headquartered in Paris, France, and one of the six " Supermajor " oil companies in the world The Yadana Project is a project to carry Natural gas from the Yadana gas field in the Andaman Sea to Thailand through Myanmar. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in Total is currently the subject of a lawsuit in French and Belgian courts for the condoning and use of the country's civilian slavery to construct the named pipeline. Experts say that the human rights abuses along the gas pipeline are the direct responsibility of Total S. A. and its American partner Chevron with aid and implementation by the Tatmadaw. Defense Policy and Doctrine Defence Policy of Myanmar Tatmadaw was formally declared in February 1999. Prior to its acquisition by Chevron, Unocal settled a similar human rights lawsuit for a reported multi-million dollar amount. Union Oil Company of California dba Unocal is a defunct company that was a major petroleum explorer and marketer in the late 19th century through the 20th century and into the early ^[85] There remains active debate as to the extent to which the American-led sanctions have had adverse effects on the civilian population or on the military rulers. ^[86]^[87]

The country's armed forces are known as the Tatmadaw, which numbers 488,000. Defense Policy and Doctrine Defence Policy of Myanmar Tatmadaw was formally declared in February 1999. The Tatmadaw comprises the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force. Structure of Myanmar Army The Army has always been by far the largest service in Myanmar and has always received the lion's share of the defence budget History Before 1988 The Myanmar Navy was formed in 1940 and although very small played an active part in Allied operations against the Japanese during The Myanmar Air Force (also known as the Burmese Air Force officially Tatmadaw Lei, informally the Lei tat is the air component of the Myanmar The country ranked twelfth in the world for its number of active troops in service. This is a list of countries sorted by the total number of active troops where the military manpower of a country is measured by the total amount of active troops within the command ^[1] The military is very influential in the country, with top cabinet and ministry posts held by military officers. An officer is a member of an armed force who holds a position of authority Official figures for military spending are not available. Estimates vary widely because of uncertain exchange rates, but military spending is very high. ^[88] The country imports most of its weapons from Russia, Ukraine, China and India. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country

The country is building a research nuclear reactor near May Myo (Pyin Oo Lwin) with help from Russia. This article is a subarticle of Nuclear power. A nuclear reactor is a device in which Nuclear chain reactions are initiated controlled It is one of the signatories of the nuclear non-proliferation pact since 1992 and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since 1957. Nuclear proliferation is a term now used to describe the spread of Nuclear weapons, fissile material and weapons-applicable nuclear technology and information to nations The International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA) is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its The military junta had informed the IAEA in September 2000 of its intention to construct the reactor. The research reactor outbuilding frame was built by ELE steel industries limited of Yangon and water from Anisakhan/BE water fall will be used for the reactor cavity cooling system.

ASEAN will not defend the country in any international forum following the military regime's refusal to restore democracy. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, commonly referred to as ASEAN, ˈɑːsiːɑːn AH-see-ahn in English (the Official language In April 2007, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry parliamentary secretary Ahmad Shabery Cheek said Malaysia and other ASEAN members had decided not to defend Burma if the country's issue was raised for discussion at any international conference. Ahmad Shabery Cheek is a Malaysian politician and the current Malaysian Information Minister For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and "Now Myanmar has to defend itself if it is bombarded in any international forum," he said when winding up a debate at committee stage for the Foreign Ministry. He was replying to queries from opposition leader Lim Kit Siang on the next course of action to be taken by Malaysia and ASEAN with the military junta. Lim Kit Siang (born February 20, 1941; Chinese: 林吉祥 Pinyin: Lín Jíxiáng Lim had said Malaysia must play a proactive role in pursuing regional initiatives to bring about a change in Burma and support efforts to bring the situation in Burma to the UN Security Council's attention. ^[89]

Drug trade

The country is a corner of the Golden Triangle of opium production. The Golden Triangle is one of Asia 's two main illicit Opium -producing areas Opium is a Narcotic formed from the Latex (ie sap released by lacerating (or "scoring" the immature seed pods of opium poppies ( Neither Burma, Vietnam, Laos or Thailand had any history of opium production until colonial times^[90], yet from then until very recently, most of the world's heroin came from the Golden Triangle, including Burma. Heroin ( INN: diacetylmorphine, BAN: diamorphine) is a semi-synthetic opioid synthesized from Morphine, a derivative

The main player in the country's drug market is the United Wa State Army, ethnic fighters who control areas along the country's eastern border with Thailand, part of the infamous Golden Triangle. United Wa State Army (UWSA is the army of an estimated twenty thousand soldiers of Myanmar 's Special Region No The Wa army, an ally of Burma's ruling military junta, was once the militant arm of the Beijing-backed Burmese Communist Party. United Wa State Army (UWSA is the army of an estimated twenty thousand soldiers of Myanmar 's Special Region No Burma has been a significant cog in the transnational drug trade since World War II. ^[91]^[92]

Poppy cultivation in the country decreased more than 80 percent from 1998 to 2006 following an eradication campaign in the Golden Triangle. Officials with the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime say opium poppy farming is now expanding. The number of hectares used to grow the crops in has bounced back 29 percent this year. A U. N. report cites corruption, poverty and a lack of government control as causes for the jump. ^[93]

United Nations

In 1961, U Thant, then Burma's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and former Secretary to the Prime Minister, was elected Secretary-General of the United Nations; he was the first non-Westerner to head any international organization and would serve as UN Secretary-General for ten years. U Thant (ဦးသန့် 22 January 1909 &ndash 25 November 1974) was a Burmese Diplomat and the third Secretary-General The Secretary-General of the United Nations is the head of the Secretariat, one of the principal organs of the United Nations. ^[29] Among the Burmese to work at the UN when he was Secretary-General was the young Aung San Suu Kyi. Aung San Suu Kyi ( àunsʰánsṵtʃì born 19 June 1945 in Rangoon, is a pro- Democracy activist and leader of the National League for

Until 2005, the United Nations General Assembly annually adopted a detailed resolution about the situation in Burma by consensus. Membership For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly see General Assembly members ^[94]^[94]^[95]^[96]^[97] But in 2006 a divided United Nations General Assembly voted through a resolution that strongly called upon the government of Burma to end its systematic violations of human rights. Membership For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly see General Assembly members ^[98]

In January 2007, Russia and China vetoed a draft resolution before the United Nations Security Council^[99] calling on the government of Myanmar to respect human rights and begin a democratic transition. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES South Africa also voted against the resolution, arguing that since there were no peace and security concerns raised by its neighbours, the question did not belong in the Security Council when there were other more appropriate bodies to represent it, adding, "Ironically, should the Security Council adopt [this resolution] . The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa . . the Human Rights Council would not be able to address the situation in Myanmar while the Council remains seized with the matter. The United Nations Human Rights Council is an international body within the United Nations System. "^[100] The issue had been forced onto the agenda against the votes of Russia and the China^[101] by the United States (veto power applies only to resolutions) claiming that the outflow from Burma of refugees, drugs, HIV-AIDS, and other diseases threatened international peace and security. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Nations Security Council 'power of veto' refers to the Veto power wielded solely by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council ^[102]

The following September after the uprisings began and the human rights situation deteriorated, the Secretary-General dispatched his special envoy for the region, Ibrahim Gambari, to meet with the government. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR (born on November 24, 1944 in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria) is a Nigerian scholar and diplomat ^[103] After seeing most parties involved, he returned to New York and briefed the Security Council about his visit. ^[104] During this meeting, the ambassador said that the country "indeed [has experienced] a daunting challenge. However, we have been able to restore stability. The situation has now returned to normalcy. Currently, people all over the country are holding peaceful rallies within the bounds of the law to welcome the successful conclusion of the national convention, which has laid down the fundamental principles for a new constitution, and to demonstrate their aversion to recent provocative demonstrations. On 9 April 2008, the military government of Burma released its proposed new Constitution for the country to be put to a vote in public referendum ^[105]

On 11 October the Security Council met and issued a statement and reaffirmed its "strong and unwavering support for the Secretary-General's good offices mission", especially the work by Ibrahim Gambari^[106] (During a briefing to the Security Council in November, Gambari admitted that no timeframe had been set by the Government for any of the moves that he had been negotiating for. Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR (born on November 24, 1944 in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria) is a Nigerian scholar and diplomat )^[107]

Throughout this period the World Food Program has continued to organize shipments from the Mandalay Division to the famine-struck areas to the north. The United Nations World Food Programme in Burma supplies the needy in Burma with Food and Supplies. Mandalay Division is an administrative division of Burma (Myanmar ^[108]

Human rights

Human rights violations

In a press release of December 16, 2005 the US State Department says UN involvement in Burma is essential. Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[109] The US listed illicit narcotics, human rights abuses and political repression as serious problems that the UN needs to address. ^[110]

In a landmark legal case, some human rights groups have sued the Unocal corporation, previously known as Union Oil of California and now part of the Chevron Corporation. Union Oil Company of California dba Unocal is a defunct company that was a major petroleum explorer and marketer in the late 19th century through the 20th century and into the early They charge that since the early 1990s, Unocal has joined hands with dictators in Burma to turn thousands of citizens there into virtual slaves under brutality. Unocal, before being purchased, stated that they had no knowledge or connection to these alleged actions although it continued working in Burma. This was a landmark case as this might be the first time that anybody has sued an American corporation in a U. S. court on the grounds that the company violated human rights in another country. ^[111]^[112]

Karen minority

Main article: Internal conflict in Burma

Evidence has been gathered suggesting that the Burmese regime has marked certain ethnic minorities such as the Karen for extermination or 'Burmisation'. The Internal conflict in Burma is a term that is employed to refer to the current asymmetric low intensity armed conflict in Burma that has existed since approximately April 1948 between The Karen ( self-titled Pwa Ka Nyaw Po, and also known in Thailand as the Kariang (กะเหรี่ยง or Yang, are an ethnic group in ^[113] This has received little attention from the international community, however, since it has been more subtle and indirect than the mass killings in places like Rwanda. The Republic of Rwanda (ruːˈændə or /rəˈwɑːndə/ in English ɾwanda or in Kinyarwanda is a small Landlocked country in the ^[114]

Economy

Main article: Economy of Burma

The Sakura Tower in Yangon is virtually vacant due to a lack of major foreign investment. Burma is one of the poorest nations in the world suffering from decades of stagnation mismanagement and isolation

The country is one of the poorest nations in South Asia / Southeast Asia, suffering from decades of stagnation, mismanagement and isolation. Burma's GDP grows at a rate of 2. 9% annually – the lowest rate of economic growth in the Greater Mekong Subregion. The Mekong is one of the world’s major Rivers It is the 11th-longest river in the world and 7th longest in Asia ^[1]

Under British administration and in the early 1950s, Burma was the wealthiest country in Southeast Asia. It was once the world's largest exporter of rice. Rice is a Cereal foodstuff which forms an important part of the diet of many people worldwide and as such it is a staple food for many During British administration, Burma supplied oil through the Burmah Oil Company. An oil is a substance that is in a viscous Liquid state ( "oily") at ambient temperatures or slightly warmer and is The Burmah Oil Company was founded in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1896 by David Sime Cargill to develop oil interests on the Indian subcontinent. Burma also had a wealth of natural and labor resources. It produced 75% of the world's teak and had a highly literate population. Teak ( Tectona) is a genus of tropical Hardwood Trees in the family Verbenaceae, native to the south and southeast of Asia ^[8] The country was believed to be on the fast track to development. ^[8]

After a parliamentary government was formed in 1948, Prime Minister U Nu attempted to make Burma a welfare state. U Nu (ဦးနု ú nṵ otherwise known as Thakin Nu 25 May 1907 – 14 February 1995) was a leading Burmese Nationalist This article refers specifically to the Welfare state of the United Kingdom. His administration adopted the Two-Year Economic Development Plan, which was a failure. ^[115] The 1962 coup d'état was followed by an economic scheme called the Burmese Way to Socialism, a plan to nationalize all industries, with the exception of agriculture. The Burmese Way to Socialism is the name of the ideology of Burmese ruler Ne Win, who ruled the country from 1962 to 1988 In 1989, the government began decentralizing economic control. It has since liberalised certain sectors of the economy. ^[116] Lucrative industries of gems, oil and forestry remain heavily regulated. They have recently been exploited by foreign corporations and governments which have partnered with the local government to gain access to Burma's natural resources. A corporation is a separate legal entity usually used to conduct business Natural resources are naturally occurring substances that are considered valuable in their relatively unmodified ( natural) form

Locals in Amarapura, Mandalay Division

Burma was designated a least developed country in 1987. Amarapura ( lit City of Immortality is a city in the Mandalay Division of Myanmar, situated 11 km to the south of Mandalay. Mandalay Division is an administrative division of Burma (Myanmar Least Developed Countries ( LDCs or Fourth World countries are Countries which according to the United Nations exhibit the lowest ^[117] Private enterprises are often co-owned or indirectly owned by the Tatmadaw. Defense Policy and Doctrine Defence Policy of Myanmar Tatmadaw was formally declared in February 1999. In recent years, both China and India have attempted to strengthen ties with the government for economic benefit. Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Many nations, including the United States and Canada, and the European Union, have imposed investment and trade sanctions on Burma. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in Foreign investment comes primarily from China, Singapore, South Korea, India, and Thailand. Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES Singapore South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea and often referred to as Korea ( Korean: 대한민국 tɛː India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj ^[118]

Modern economy

Today, the country lacks adequate infrastructure. Goods travel primarily across the Thai border, where most illegal drugs are exported, and along the Ayeyarwady River. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj The Ayeyarwady River or Irrawaddy River ( is a River that flows from north to south of Burma (Myanmar Railroads are old and rudimentary, with few repairs since their construction in the late nineteenth century. ^[119] Highways are normally unpaved, except in the major cities. ^[119] Energy shortages are common throughout the country including in Yangon. Yangon (also known as Rangoon) is the largest city and a former capital of Burma. Burma is also the world's second largest producer of opium, accounting for 8% of entire world production and is a major source of illegal drugs, including amphetamines. Opium is a Narcotic formed from the Latex (ie sap released by lacerating (or "scoring" the immature seed pods of opium poppies ( The illegal drug trade or drug trafficking is a global Black market consisting of the cultivation manufacture distribution and sale of illegal Drugs Amphetamine, and related drugs such as Methamphetamine are a group of drugs that act by increasing levels of Norepinephrine, Serotonin, and Dopamine ^[120] Other industries include agricultural goods, textiles, wood products, construction materials, gems, metals, oil and natural gas.

The major agricultural product is rice which covers about 60% of the country's total cultivated land area. Rice accounts for 97% of total food grain production by weight. Through collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), 52 modern rice varieties were released in the country between 1966 and 1997, helping increase national rice production to 14 million tons in 1987 and to 19 million tons in 1996. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI is an autonomous Non-profit, Agricultural Research and training organization with offices in more Rice is a Cereal foodstuff which forms an important part of the diet of many people worldwide and as such it is a staple food for many By 1988, modern varieties were planted on half of the country's ricelands, including 98 percent of the irrigated areas. ^[121]

The lack of an educated workforce skilled in modern technology contributes to the growing problems of the economy. ^[122]

Inflation is a serious problem for the economy. In economics inflation or price inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services over a period of time In April 2007, the National League for Democracy organized a two-day workshop on the economy. The National League for Democracy (အမျိုးသားဒီမိုကရေစီအဖွဲ့ချုပ် is a Burmese political party founded on 27 September The workshop concluded that skyrocketing inflation was impeding economic growth. "Basic commodity prices have increased from 30 to 60 percent since the military regime promoted a salary increase for government workers in April 2006," said Soe Win, the moderator of the workshop. "Inflation is also correlated with corruption. " Myint Thein, an NLD spokesperson, added: "Inflation is the critical source of the current economic crisis. "^[123] The corruption watchdog organization Transparency International in its 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index released on September 26, 2007 ranked Burma the most corrupt country in the world, tied with Somalia. Transparency International ( TI) is a leading international Non-governmental organization addressing corruption Since 1995, Transparency International has published an annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI ordering the countries of the world according to "the degree Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar dedicates a Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Somalia ( Soomaaliya; الصومال) officially the Somali Republic ( Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliya, جمهورية الصومال) and formerly known ^[124]

Valley of Rubies

The Union of Myanmar's rulers depend on sales of precious stones such as sapphires, pearls and jade to fund their regime. Sapphire (antique greek hyacinthos refers to gem varieties of the mineral Corundum, an Aluminium oxide (Al2O3 when it is a color other than A pearl is a hard roundish object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled Mollusk. Jade is an Ornamental stone. The term jade is applied to two different rocks that are made up of different Silicate minerals. Rubies are the biggest earner; 90% of the world's rubies come from the country, whose red stones are prized for their purity and hue. A Ruby is a pink to blood-red Gemstone, a variety of the Mineral Corundum ( Aluminium oxide) A Ruby is a pink to blood-red Gemstone, a variety of the Mineral Corundum ( Aluminium oxide) Hue is one of the main properties of a Color described with names such as " Red " " Yellow " etc Thailand buys the majority of the country's gems. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj Burma's "Valley of Rubies", the mountainous Mogok area, 200 km (125 miles) north of Mandalay, is noted for its rare pigeon's blood rubies and blue sapphires. Mogok Township is a Township of Pyin Oo Lwin District in the Mandalay Division of Burma. Mandalay is the second largest city and the last royal capital of Burma (Myanmar and is the economic and cultural hub of Upper Burma Sapphire (antique greek hyacinthos refers to gem varieties of the mineral Corundum, an Aluminium oxide (Al2O3 when it is a color other than ^[125]

Tourism

Since 1992, the government has encouraged tourism in the country. However, fewer than 750,000 tourists enter the country annually. ^[126]

Aung San Suu Kyi has requested that international tourists not visit Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi ( àunsʰánsṵtʃì born 19 June 1945 in Rangoon, is a pro- Democracy activist and leader of the National League for The junta's forced labour programmes were focused around tourist destinations which have been heavily criticised for their human rights records.

Tourism has been promoted by a minority of advocacy groups as a method of providing economic benefit to Burmese civilians, and to avoid isolating the country from the rest of the world. "We believe that small-scale, responsible tourism can create more benefits than harm. So long as tourists are fully aware of the situation and take steps to maximise their positive impact and minimise the negatives, we feel their visit can be beneficial overall. Responsible tourists can help Burma primarily by bringing money to local communities and small businesses, and by raising awareness of the situation worldwide," states Voices for Burma, a pro-democracy advocate group. ^[127]

Humanitarian aid

In April 2007, the U. S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) identified financial and other restrictions that the military government places on international humanitarian assistance. The Government Accountability Office ( GAO) is the Audit, Evaluation, and investigative arm of the United States Congress. The GAO report, entitled "Assistance Programs Constrained in Burma", outlined the specific efforts of the government to hinder the humanitarian work of international organizations, including restrictions on the free movement of international staff within the country. The report notes that the regime has tightened its control over assistance work since former Prime Minister Khin Nyunt was purged in October 2004. The military junta passed guidelines in February 2006, which formalized these restrictive policies. According to the report, the guidelines require that programs run by humanitarian groups "enhance and safeguard the national interest" and that international organizations coordinate with state agents and select their Burmese staff from government-prepared lists of individuals. United Nations officials have declared these restrictions unacceptable. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security

2007 economic protests

The military junta detained eight people on Sunday, April 22, 2007 who took part in a rare demonstration in a Yangon suburb amid a growing military crackdown on protesters. Events 1500 - Portuguese Navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral becomes the first European to sight Brazil. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. A group of about ten protesters carrying placards and chanting slogans staged the protest Sunday morning in Yangon's Thingangyun township, calling for lower prices and improved health, education and better utility services. The protest ended peacefully after about 70 minutes, but plainclothes police took away eight demonstrators as some 100 onlookers watched. The protesters carried placards with slogans such as "Down with consumer prices. " Some of those detained were the same protesters who took part in a downtown Yangon protest on February 22, 2007. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. That protest was one of the first such demonstrations in recent years to challenge the junta's economic mismanagement rather than its legal right to rule. The protesters detained in the February rally had said they were released after signing an acknowledgment of police orders that they should not hold any future public demonstrations without first obtaining official permission. ^[128]

The military government stated its intention to crack down on these human rights activists, according to an April 23, 2007, report in the country's official press. Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The announcement, which comprised a full page of the official newspaper, followed calls by human rights advocacy groups, including London-based Amnesty International, for authorities to investigate recent violent attacks on rights activists in the country. Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is a Western based international Non-governmental organization which defines its mission as "to

Two members of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters, Maung Maung Lay, 37, and Myint Naing, 40, were hospitalized with head injuries following attacks by more than 50 people while the two were working in Hinthada township, Irrawaddy Division in mid-April. Human Rights Defenders and Promoters was formed in 2002 in Burma to raise awareness among the people of Burma about their Human rights and help them conduct advocacy On Sunday, April 22, 2007, eight people were arrested by plainclothes police, members of the pro-junta Union Solidarity and Development Association, and the Pyithu Swan Arr Shin (a paramilitary group) while demonstrating peacefully in a Rangoon suburb. Events 1500 - Portuguese Navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral becomes the first European to sight Brazil. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The eight protesters were calling for lower commodity prices, better health-care and improved utility services. Htin Kyaw, 44, one of the eight who also took part in an earlier demonstration in late February in downtown Yangon, was beaten by a mob, according to sources at the scene of the protest.

Reports from opposition activists have emerged in recent weeks saying that authorities have directed the police and other government proxy groups to deal harshly with any sign of unrest in Yangon. "This proves that there is no rule of law [in Burma]," the 88 Generation Students group said in a statement issued today. [Mon 23 April 2007] "We seriously urge the authorities to prevent violence in the future and to guarantee the safety of every citizen. Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. "^[129]

As of 22 September 2007, the Buddhist monks have withdrawn spiritual services from all military personnel in a symbolic move that is seen as very powerful in such a deeply religious country as Burma. Events 66 - Emperor Nero creates the Legion I Italica. 1236 - The Lithuanians Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The military rulers seem at a loss as to how to deal with the demonstrations by the monks as using violence against monks would incense and enrage the people of Burma even further, almost certainly prompting massive civil unrest and perhaps violence. However, the longer the junta allows the protests to continue, the weaker the regime looks. The danger is that eventually the military government will be forced to act rashly and doing so will provoke the citizenry even more. Some international news agencies are referring to the uprising as a Saffron Revolution. The 2007 Burmese anti-government protests were a series of anti-government protests that started in Burma (also known as Union of Myanmar on August 15,

20,000 monks protest

Main article: 2007 Burmese anti-government protests

Anti-government protests started on August 15, 2007, and have been ongoing. The 2007 Burmese anti-government protests were a series of anti-government protests that started in Burma (also known as Union of Myanmar on August 15, Events 778 - The Battle of Roncevaux Pass, at which Roland is killed Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Thousands of Buddhist monks started leading protests on September 18, and were joined by Buddhist nuns on September 23. A Bhikkhu ( Pāli) or Bhiksu ( Sanskrit) is a fully ordained male Buddhist Monastic. Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated Events 1122 - Concordat of Worms. 1459 - Battle of Blore Heath, the first major battle of the English On September 24, 20,000 monks and nuns led 30,000 people in a protest march from the golden Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, past the offices of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party. Events 622 - Prophet Muhammad completes his hegira from Mecca to Medina. The Shwedagon Pagoda (ʃwèdəgòun; ʃwèdəgòun pʰəjá officially titled Shwedagon Zedi Daw (ʃwèdəgòun zèdìdɔ̀ also known as the Golden Yangon (also known as Rangoon) is the largest city and a former capital of Burma. The National League for Democracy (အမျိုးသားဒီမိုကရေစီအဖွဲ့ချုပ် is a Burmese political party founded on 27 September Comedian Zaganar and star Kyaw Thu brought food and water to the monks. Zarganar (ဇာဂနာ also translated as Zar Ga Nar, or Zargana; born 27 January 1961) is a popular Burmese Comedian On September 22, monks marched to greet Aung San Suu Kyi, a peace activist who has been under house arrest since 1990. Events 66 - Emperor Nero creates the Legion I Italica. 1236 - The Lithuanians Aung San Suu Kyi ( àunsʰánsṵtʃì born 19 June 1945 in Rangoon, is a pro- Democracy activist and leader of the National League for In Justice and Law, house arrest (also called home confinement, home detention, or electronic monitoring) is a measure by which ^[130]^[131]

Protesters in Yangon with a banner that reads non-violence: national movement in Burmese, in the background is Shwedagon Pagoda

On September 25, 2,000 people defied threats from the Union of Myanmar's junta and marched to Shwedagon Pagoda amid army trucks and warning of Brigadier-General Thura Myint Maung not to violate Buddhist "rules and regulations. Yangon (also known as Rangoon) is the largest city and a former capital of Burma. The Burmese language (မြန်မာဘာသာ myà̃mà bàθà MLCTS: myanma bhasa) is the official Language of Burma. The Shwedagon Pagoda (ʃwèdəgòun; ʃwèdəgòun pʰəjá officially titled Shwedagon Zedi Daw (ʃwèdəgòun zèdìdɔ̀ also known as the Golden Events 303 - On a voyage preaching the Gospel, Saint Fermin of Pamplona is beheaded in Amiens, France "^[132] The following morning, various prominent protesters were arrested and troops barricaded Shwedagon Pagoda and attacked the 700 people within. Despite this, 5,000 monks continued to protest in Yangon. At least four deaths were reported after security forces fired on the crowds in Yangon. The junta announced that ten people had died in the crackdown on 27 September 2007 but foreign diplomatic sources in Yangon said more than ten Buddhist monks and demonstrators were dead. Events 489 - Odoacer attacks Theodoric at the Battle of Verona and is defeated again Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Later a badly-beaten Buddhist monk's body was found in Yangon River. A photo was released on an Internet site run by a Norway-based group of exiled journalists. On September 27, security forces began raiding monasteries and arresting monks throughout the country. Events 489 - Odoacer attacks Theodoric at the Battle of Verona and is defeated again The security forces also fired on the nearly 50,000 people protesting in Yangon, killing nine people. ^[133]^[134]^[135]

Internet access within the nation has been suspended, reportedly in an attempt to dampen international awareness of the situation. ^[136] It has also been reported that troops have been specifically targeting people with cameras. ^[137] The junta's violent response to peaceful protests has prompted international condemnation and calls for an immediate halt to the violence. In particular, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has demanded an explanation for the killing of Nagai. The is the usual English-language term used for the Head of government of Japan, although the literal translation of the Japanese name for the office is Prime was the 91st Prime Minister of Japan, serving from 2007 to 2008 Ibrahim Gambari, the United Nations special envoy to Burma, has arrived in Naypyidaw and has met with junta leaders and Aung San Suu Kyi. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR (born on November 24, 1944 in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria) is a Nigerian scholar and diplomat The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security ^[138] Despite increasingly strong calls for peace, the junta continued to attack monks and raid monasteries through October 1. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela. ^[139]

By October 2, 2007, thousands of monks were unaccounted for and their whereabouts unknown. Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Many monasteries are being patrolled by government troops. ^[140] There are eyewitness accounts of injured protesters being burned alive by the military regime in a crematorium on the outskirts of Rangoon. ^[141]

On October 31, 2007 the monks started to protest again. Events 445 BC – Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 91 NLTse Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. 200 monks marched in Pakokku. ^[142]^[143]

On November 29, 2007 the Junta has shut down a Yangon monastery which served as a hospice for HIV/AIDS patients. Events 1777 - San Jose California, is founded as el Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

The Burmese state media says that all but 91 of the nearly 3,000 arrested in the crackdown were released. The United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari criticised the closing of the monastery, yet was assured that the crackdown would stop. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security He expects to return to Burma in December. ^[144]

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Burma and Ethnic groups in Burma

A block of flats in downtown Yangon, facing Bogyoke Market. Much of Yangon's urban population resides in densely-populated flats.

A block of flats in downtown Yangon, facing Bogyoke Market. The following is an overview of the Demographics of Burma (or Myanmar) including Statistics such as population and religious affiliation Burma (or Myanmar is an ethnically diverse nation with 135 distinct Ethnic groups officially recognized by the Burmese government. Bogyoke Aung San Market (ဗိုလ်ချုပ်အောင်ဆန်းဈေး commonly known as Scott's Market (Sa-kor-zay is a major Bazaar Much of Yangon's urban population resides in densely-populated flats.

Burma has a population of about 55 million. ^[145] Current population figures are rough estimates because the last partial census, conducted by the Ministry of Home and Religious Affairs under the control of the military junta, was taken in 1983. ^[146] No trustworthy nationwide census has been taken in Burma since 1931. There are over 600,000 registered migrant workers from Burma in Thailand, and millions more work illegally. The term migrant worker has different official meanings and connotations in different parts of the world the United Nations' definition is very broad essentially including anyone The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj Burmese migrant workers account for 80% of Thailand's migrant workers. ^[147] Burma has a population density of 75 inhabitants per square kilometre (194/sq mi), one of the lowest in Southeast Asia. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume Refugee camps exist along Indian, Bangladeshi and Thai borders while several thousand are in Malaysia. For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and Conservative estimates state that there are over 295,800 refugees from Burma, with the majority being Rohingya, Kayin, and Karenni. The Rohingya are a Muslim Ethnic group of the Northern Rakhine State of Western Burma. The Karen ( self-titled Pwa Ka Nyaw Po, and also known in Thailand as the Kariang (กะเหรี่ยง or Yang, are an ethnic group in Kayah State (also called Karenni State) is a state of Myanmar. ^[148]

A girl from the Padaung minority, one of the many ethnic groups that make up Burma's population. The Kayan are a feminine religion It builds on a feminine solidarity and a preservation of traditions

Burma is home to four major linguistic families: Sino-Tibetan, Austronesian, Tai-Kadai, and Indo-European. The Sino-Tibetan languages form a Language family composed of at least the Chinese and the Tibeto-Burman languages, including some 250 languages of The Tai-Kadai languages, also known as Kadai, Kradai, or Kra-Dai languages and in China as Zhuang-Dong languages are a tonal ^[149] Sino-Tibetan languages are most widely spoken. They include Burmese, Karen, Kachin, Chin, and Chinese. The Burmese language (မြန်မာဘာသာ myà̃mà bàθà MLCTS: myanma bhasa) is the official Language of Burma. The Karen ( self-titled Pwa Ka Nyaw Po, and also known in Thailand as the Kariang (กะเหรี่ยง or Yang, are an ethnic group in The Jingpo or Kachin people (; endonyms Jingpo Jinghpaw Tsaiva Lechi are an Ethnic group who largely inhabit northern Burma ( Kachin State Chin ( is one of the ethnic groups in Myanmar. They are notable for being the only major ethnic group in Myanmar for being a Christian majority The primary Tai-Kadai language is Shan. The Shan language is related to the Thai language and is called Tai-Yai, or Tai Long in the Tai languages Mon, Palaung, and Wa are the major Austroasiatic languages spoken in Burma. The Mon language is an Austroasiatic language spoken by the Mon, who live in Burma and Thailand. The De'ang ( also spelt Deang, Palaung and Benglong) people are an Ethnic group. The Va nationality ( ဝလူမျိုး wa̰ lùmjóʊ lives mainly in compact communities in the Ximeng (in Va Mēng Ka or Si Moung) The Austro-Asiatic languages are a large Language family of Southeast Asia, and also scattered throughout India and Bangladesh. The two major Indo-European languages are Pali, the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism, and English. Pali ( ISO 15919 / ALA-LC: Pāḷi is a Middle Indo-Aryan language or Prakrit of India. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States ^[150]

According to the UNESCO Institute of Statistics, Burma's official literacy rate as of 2000 was 89. United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 traditional definition of literacy is considered to be the ability to read and write or the ability to use Language to read, write, listen, 9%. ^[151] Historically, Burma has had high literacy rates. To qualify for least developed country status by the UN in order to receive debt relief, Burma lowered its official literacy rate from 78. Least Developed Countries ( LDCs or Fourth World countries are Countries which according to the United Nations exhibit the lowest 6% to 18. 7% in 1987. ^[152]

Burma is ethnically diverse. The government recognizes 135 distinct ethnic groups. Burma (or Myanmar is an ethnically diverse nation with 135 distinct Ethnic groups officially recognized by the Burmese government. While it is extremely difficult to verify this statement, there are at least 108 different ethnolinguistic groups in Burma, consisting mainly of distinct Tibeto-Burman peoples, but with sizable populations of Daic, Hmong-Mien, and Austroasiatic (Mon-Khmer) peoples. ^[153] The Bamar form an estimated 68% of the population. The Bamar ( bəmà lùmjó also called Burman) are the dominant Ethnic group of Burma, constituting approximately 68% (30000000 of the population ^[14] 10% of the population are Shan. The Shan (ရှမ်းလူမျိုး ʃán lùmjóʊ) are a Tai Ethnic group of ^[14] The Kayin make up 7% of the population. The Karen ( self-titled Pwa Ka Nyaw Po, and also known in Thailand as the Kariang (กะเหรี่ยง or Yang, are an ethnic group in ^[14] The Rakhine people constitute 4% of the population. The Rakhine people ( ja̰kʰàin lùmjóʊ formerly Arakanese) are an Ethnic group of Myanmar, and form the majority along Rakhine State's Overseas Chinese form approximately 3% of the population. The Burmese Chinese or Chinese Burmese are a group of Overseas Chinese born or raised in Burma (Myanmar ^[154]^[14] Mon, who form 2% of the population, are ethno-linguistically related to the Khmer. The Mon ( Mon language: မန် or မည် မွန်လူမျိုး‌ mùn lùmjóʊ Thai: มอญ are an Ethnic group from The Khmer people are the predominant Ethnic group in Cambodia, accounting for approximately 90% of the 14 ^[14] Overseas Indians comprise 2%. The Burmese Indians ( are a group of Overseas Indians from Myanmar (formerly Burma ^[14] The remainder are Kachin, Chin, Anglo-Indians and other ethnic minorities. The Jingpo or Kachin people (; endonyms Jingpo Jinghpaw Tsaiva Lechi are an Ethnic group who largely inhabit northern Burma ( Kachin State Chin ( is one of the ethnic groups in Myanmar. They are notable for being the only major ethnic group in Myanmar for being a Christian majority Anglo-Indians are people who have mixed Indian and British ancestry and the term is sometimes used in the West. Included in this group are the Anglo-Burmese. Once forming a large and influential community, the Anglo-Burmese left the country in steady streams from 1958 onwards, principally to Australia and the U.K.. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Today, it is estimated that only 52,000 Anglo-Burmese remain in the country.

89% of the country's population are Buddhist, according to a report on abc World News Tonight in May 2008.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Burma

An ear-piercing ceremony at the Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay is one of the many coming-of-age ceremonies in Burmese culture. Arts Historically Burmese art was based on Buddhist or Hindu cosmology and myths Mandalay is the second largest city and the last royal capital of Burma (Myanmar and is the economic and cultural hub of Upper Burma

A diverse range of indigenous cultures exist in Burma, the majority culture is primarily Buddhist and Bamar. History The history of Buddhism in Burmaextends nearly a millennium The Bamar ( bəmà lùmjó also called Burman) are the dominant Ethnic group of Burma, constituting approximately 68% (30000000 of the population Bamar culture has been influenced by the cultures of neighbouring countries. This is manifested in its language, cuisine, music, dance and theatre. The arts, particularly literature, have historically been influenced by the local form of Theravada Buddhism. History Origin of the school The Theravāda school is ultimately derived from the Vibhajjavāda (or 'doctrine of analysis' grouping which was a continuation Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Considered the national epic of Burma, the Yama Zatdaw, an adaptation of Ramayana, has been influenced greatly by Thai, Mon, and Indian versions of the play. Yama Zatdaw, unofficially Myanmar's national epic is the Burmese version of the Ramayana. The Rāmāyaṇa ( Devanāgarī: sa रामायण is an ancient Sanskrit epic attributed to the Hindu sage ( Maharishi) Valmiki The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj The Mon ( Mon language: မန် or မည် မွန်လူမျိုး‌ mùn lùmjóʊ Thai: มอญ are an Ethnic group from India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country ^[155] Buddhism is practiced along with nat worship which involves elaborate rituals to propitiate one from a pantheon of 37 nats. The nats ( naʔ are spirits worshipped in Burma (or Myanmar in conjunction with Buddhism. ^[156]^[157]

In a traditional village, the monastery is the centre of cultural life. Monks are venerated and supported by the lay people. A novitiation ceremony called shinbyu is the most important coming of age events for a boy when he enters the monastery for a short period of time. Shinbyu ( ʃìnbjṵ is the Burmese term for a novitiation ceremony in the tradition of Theravada Buddhism. Coming of age is a young person's transition from Adolescence to Adulthood The age at which this transition takes place varies in society as does the nature ^[158] All boys of Buddhist family need to be a novice (beginner for Buddhism) before the age of twenty and to be a monk after the age of twenty. It is compulsory for all boys of Buddhism. The duration can be at least one week. Girls have ear-piercing ceremonies () at the same time. ^[158] Burmese culture is most evident in villages where local festivals are held throughout the year, the most important being the pagoda festival. ^[159]^[160] Many villages have a guardian nat, and superstition and taboos are commonplace.

British colonial rule also introduced Western elements of culture to Burma. Burma's educational system is modelled after that of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Colonial architectural influences are most evident in major cities such as Yangon. Yangon (also known as Rangoon) is the largest city and a former capital of Burma. ^[161] Many ethnic minorities, particularly the Karen in the southeast, and the Kachin and Chin who populate the north and northwest, practice Christianity. The Karen ( self-titled Pwa Ka Nyaw Po, and also known in Thailand as the Kariang (กะเหรี่ยง or Yang, are an ethnic group in In the Human anatomy, the chin is the lowermost part of the Face. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings ^[162]

Members of the Buddhist monkhood are venerated throughout Burma, which is one of the most predominantly Theravada Buddhist countries in the world. This article concerns the concept of Sangha in Buddhism. For information on other senses see Sangha (disambiguation. History Origin of the school The Theravāda school is ultimately derived from the Vibhajjavāda (or 'doctrine of analysis' grouping which was a continuation

Language

Main article: Languages of Burma

Burmese, the mother tongue of the Bamar and official language of Burma, is related to Tibetan and to the Chinese languages. The number of languages of Burma (or Myanmar is 107 The Official language is Burmese, which recognised as "Myanmar" in government contexts The Burmese language (မြန်မာဘာသာ myà̃mà bàθà MLCTS: myanma bhasa) is the official Language of Burma. Tibetan refers to a group of languages spoken primarily by Tibetan peoples who live across a wide area of eastern Central Asia bordering South Asia as well as by overseas ^[150] It is written in a script consisting of circular and semi-circular letters, which were adapted from the Mon script, which in turn was developed from a southern Indian script in the 700s. The Burmese abugida ( Burmese: မြန်မာအက္ခရာ mjànmà eʔkʰəyà is a script in the Brahmic family used in Burma for writing The Mon language is an Austroasiatic language spoken by the Mon, who live in Burma and Thailand. The earliest known inscriptions in the Burmese script date from the 1000s. It is also used to write Pali, the sacred language of Theravada Buddhism, as well as several ethnic minority languages, including Shan, several Karen dialects, and Kayah (Karenni), with the addition of specialised characters and diacritics for each language. Pali ( ISO 15919 / ALA-LC: Pāḷi is a Middle Indo-Aryan language or Prakrit of India. History Origin of the school The Theravāda school is ultimately derived from the Vibhajjavāda (or 'doctrine of analysis' grouping which was a continuation A diacritic ( also called a diacritic or diacritical mark, point, or sign, is a small sign added to a letter to alter pronunciation ^[163] The Burmese language incorporates widespread usage of honorifics and is age-oriented. An honorific is a word or expression that conveys esteem or respect when used in addressing or referring to a person ^[159] Burmese society has traditionally stressed the importance of education. In villages, secular schooling often takes place in monasteries. This article concerns the buildings occupied by monastics. For the life inside monasteries and its historical roots see Monasticism. Secondary and tertiary education take place at government schools. Australia See also Education Tertiary education, also referred to as third stage third level and' post-secondary education', is the educational level following the completion of a school providing

Religion

Main article: Religion in Burma

Many religions are practiced in Burma and religious edifices and religious orders have been in existence for many years and religious festivals can be held on a grand scale. Burma is a multi-religious country Buddhism in Burma is predominantly of the Theravada sect intermingled with local beliefs The Christian and Muslim populations do, however, face religious persecution and it is hard, if not impossible, for non-Buddhists to join the army or get government jobs, the main route to success in the country. ^[164] Such persecution and targeting of civilians is particularly notable in Eastern Burma, where over 3000 villages have been destroyed in the past ten years. ^[165]^[166]^[167]

Eighty-nine percent of the population embraces Buddhism (mostly Theravada), but other religions can be practised freely. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices History Origin of the school The Theravāda school is ultimately derived from the Vibhajjavāda (or 'doctrine of analysis' grouping which was a continuation Four percent of the population practices Christianity; 4 percent, Islam; 1 percent, traditional animistic beliefs; and 2 percent follow other religions, including Mahayana Buddhism, Hinduism, Chinese religions and the Bahá'í religion. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. Animism (from Latin anima ( Soul, Life) commonly refers to a religious belief that Souls or Spirits exist in Animals Mahayana ( Sanskrit: mahāyāna, Devanagari: महायान 'Great Vehicle' is one of the two main existing schools of Buddhism and a term for Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. The Bahá'í Faith is a Religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in nineteenth-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind ^[168]^[169]^[170]

Education

Main article: Education in Burma

Yangon University of Medicine 1

Yangon University of Computer Studies

The educational system of Burma is operated by the government Ministry of Education. The educational system of Burma is operated by the government Ministry of Education. The University of Medicine-1 ( formerly the Institute of Medicine-1) is the oldest of four medical institutions in Myanmar (formerly Burma The University of Computer Studies Yangon is the top IT and computer science university located in Yangon, Burma. Universities and professional institutes from upper Burma and lower Burma are run by two separate entities, the Department of Higher Education of Upper Burma and the Department of Higher Education of Lower Burma. Headquarters are based in Yangon and Mandalay respectively. The education system is based on the United Kingdom's system, due to nearly a century of British and Christian presences in Burma. Nearly all schools are government-operated, but there has been a recent increase in privately funded English language schools. Schooling is compulsory until the end of elementary school, probably about 9 years old, while the compulsory schooling age is 15 or 16 at international level.

There are 101 universities, 12 institutes, 9 degree colleges and 24 colleges in Burma, a total of 146 higher education institutions. ^[171]

There are 10 Technical Training Schools, 23 nursing training schools, 1 sport academy and 20 midwifery schools.

There are 2047 Basic Education High Schools, 2605 Basic Education Middle Schools, 29944 Basic Education Primary Schools and 5952 Post Primary Schools. 1692 multimedia classrooms exist within this system.

One international school is acknowledged by WASC and College Board, it's Yangon International Educare Center(YIEC) in Yangon. The Yangon International Educare Center YIEC is a High School in Yangon, Myanmar. The Yangon International Educare Center YIEC is a High School in Yangon, Myanmar.

Media

Main article: Media of Burma

Due to Burma's political climate, there are not many media companies in relation to the country's population, although a certain number exists. The constitution provides for Freedom of speech and the press; however the government prohibits the exercise of these rights in practice Some are privately owned, but all have to go through the censorship board.

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Burma. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved on 2007-01-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 532 - Nika riots in Constantinople. 888 - Odo Count of Paris becomes King of the Franks ,
^ Encyclopædia Britannica, CD 2000 Deluxe Edition.
^ ^a ^b ^c Myint-U, Thant (2001). The Making of Modern Burma. ISBN 0-521-79914-7.
^ "How to Say: Myanmar", BBC News Magazine Monitor, 26 September 2007. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar dedicates a Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Retrieved on 2007-10-01. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela.
^ Dictionary Search. onelook. com. Retrieved on 2007-10-01. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela.
^ The CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. Carnegie Mellon University. Retrieved on 2007-10-01. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela.
^ Mental culture in Burmese crisis politics: Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (ILCAA Study of Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa Monograph Series) (1999) by Gustaaf Houtman, pp 43–47, ISBN 978-4872977486.
^ ^a ^b ^c Steinberg, David L. (February 2002). Burma: The State of Myanmar. Georgetown University Press. Georgetown University is a Jesuit Private university located in Georgetown Washington D ISBN.
^ ^a ^b Smith, Martin (1991). Burma -Insurgency and the Politics of Ethnicity. London and New Jersey: Zed Books, 42-43.
^ <The Burma Road from the Union of Burma to Myanmar, Mya Maung, Asian Survey, Vol. 30, No. 6, June 1990, p 602>
^ Should it be Burma or Myanmar?, BBC News
^ Burma and Divestiture. External relations. The Dominion (November 2005). Retrieved on 2007-10-01. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela.
^ The EU's relations with Burma / Myanmar. External relations. European Union (November 2006). Retrieved on 2007-01-11. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1055 - Theodora is crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Background Note: Burma. Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. In the United States Government the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (originally the Office of Chinese Affairs) is part of the U U.S. Department of State (August 2005). Retrieved on 2006-07-07. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death
^ Country Profile: Burma. Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, commonly called the Foreign Office or the FCO, is the British government department responsible for promoting Retrieved on 2006-07-07. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death
^ ^a ^b ^c Thein, Myat (2005). Economic Development of Myanmar. ISBN 9-8123-0211-5.
^ (2000) in Dr. Patrick Hesp et al. : Geographica's World Reference. Random House Australia, 738, 741.
^ ^a ^b Than, Mya (2005). Myanmar in ASEAN: Regional Co-operation Experience. ISBN 9-8123-0210-7.
^ Myanmar's Forest Law and Rules. BurmaLibrary. org. Retrieved on 2006-07-15. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Christian soldiers take the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after the final
^ "Flora and Fauna" at Myanmars.net
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Myint-U, Thant (2006). The River of Lost Footsteps. ISBN 0-374-16342-1.
^ Profile: Union of Burma. US Department of State.
^ George Aaron Broadwell. Mon history. Dept. of Anthropology; University at Albany, Albany, NY. Retrieved on 2006-07-11. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 911 - Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy.
^ An Account of An Embassy to the Kingdom of Ava by Michael Symes,1795.
^ Collis, Maurice (1945). Trials in Burma.
^ Bechert, Heinz (1984). The World of Buddhism-Buddhist Monks and Nuns in Society and Culture. ISBN 978-0871969828.
^ ^a ^b Houtman, Gustaaf (1999). Mental Culture in Burmese Crisis Politics: Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy. ISBN 4-87297-748-3.
^ The Constitution of the Union of Burma. DVB (1947). Retrieved on 2006-07-07. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death
^ ^a ^b Aung Zaw. Can Another Asian Fill U Thant's Shoes?. The Irrawaddy September 2006. This article is about a newsmagazine For other uses of the term please see Irrawaddy. Retrieved on 2006-09-12. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1213 - Albigensian Crusade: Simon de Montfort 5th Earl of Leicester, defeats Peter II of Aragon at the
^ ^a ^b Fink, Christina (2001). Living Silence:Burma under Military Rule. ISBN 1-8564-9926-X.
^ PYITHU HLUTTAW ELECTION LAW. State Law and Order Restoration Council. iBiblio. org (1989-05-31). Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Events 1279 BC - Rameses II (The Great (19th dynasty becomes pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Retrieved on 2006-07-11. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 911 - Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy.
^ Khin Kyaw Han (2003-02-01). Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen 1990 MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY GENERAL ELECTIONS. National League for Democracy. iBiblio. org. Retrieved on 2006-07-11. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 911 - Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy.
^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named natcon
^ "Burma's new capital stages parade", BBC News, 2006-03-27. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 196 BC - Ptolemy V ascends to the throne of Egypt. 1309 - Pope Clement V excommunicates Retrieved on 2006-06-24. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place
^ "ILO seeks to charge Myanmar junta with atrocities", Reuters, 2006-11-16. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 534 - A second and final revision of the Codex Justinianus is published Retrieved on 2006-11-17. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers
^ ILO cracks the whip at Yangon
^ "Burma activist 'dies in custody'", BBC News, 2007-10-11. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed Retrieved on 2007-10-11. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed
^ "Monks march for democracy in Myanmar", ITN, 2007-09-19. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 335 - Dalmatius is raised to the rank of Caesar by his uncle Constantine I. Retrieved on 2007-09-19. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 335 - Dalmatius is raised to the rank of Caesar by his uncle Constantine I.
^ "Accounts from inside Burma", BBC News, 2007-09-24. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 622 - Prophet Muhammad completes his hegira from Mecca to Medina. Retrieved on 2007-09-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt.
^ "Internet access cut off in Burma", Guardian Unlimited, 2007-09-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt. Retrieved on 2007-09-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt.
^ "Don't cover protests, Military told Media", Indiainteracts, 2007-09-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt. Retrieved on 2007-09-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt.
^ Military junta forces villagers to march – CNN.com
^ "Burma List 'shames' UK companies", BBC. Retrieved on 2007-09-26. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar dedicates a
^ "Burma party rejects junta's terms", BBC News, 2007-10-09. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 768 - Carloman I and Charlemagne are crowned Kings of The Franks. Retrieved on 2007-10-09. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 768 - Carloman I and Charlemagne are crowned Kings of The Franks.
^ U.S. envoy: Myanmar deaths may top 100,000 - CNN.com
^ Aid arrives in Myanmar as death toll passes 22,000, but worst-hit area still cut off - International Herald Tribune
^ FOXNews.com - Aid Shipments to Burma to Resume; More Rain on the Way - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News
^ U.S. envoy: Myanmar deaths may top 100,000 - CNN.com
^ The Associated Press: AP Top News at 4:25 p.m. EDT
^ The Associated Press: Official: UN plane lands in Myanmar with aid after cyclone
^ The Associated Press: Official: UN plane lands in Myanmar with aid after cyclone
^ "Finally, US Aid Touches Down in Burma", The Age, 2008-05-12. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1191 - Richard I of England marries Berengaria of Navarre. Retrieved on 2008-05-12. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1191 - Richard I of England marries Berengaria of Navarre.
^ "Burma snubs foreign aid workers", The Guardian, 2008-05-09. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1457 BC - Battle of Megiddo (15th century BC between Thutmose III and a large Canaanite coalition under the King of Retrieved on 2008-05-09. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1457 BC - Battle of Megiddo (15th century BC between Thutmose III and a large Canaanite coalition under the King of
^ Andy, Newman. "U.N. Pressures Myanmar to Allow Aid", New York Times, 2008-05-09. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1457 BC - Battle of Megiddo (15th century BC between Thutmose III and a large Canaanite coalition under the King of Retrieved on 2008-05-09. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1457 BC - Battle of Megiddo (15th century BC between Thutmose III and a large Canaanite coalition under the King of
^ http://www.nola.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/international-27/1210422249176120.xml&storylist=mcyclone&thispage=3
^ http://www.nola.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/international-27/1210422249176120.xml&storylist=mcyclone&thispage=3
^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080511/ap_on_re_as/myanmar
^ Donors press Myanmar on promise to allow aid workers - International Herald Tribune
^ Myanmar junta unmoved and extends Suu Kyi arrest - International Herald Tribune
^ Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments: Burma. Central Intelligence Agency (2006-06-02). Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 455 - The Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks Retrieved on 2006-07-11. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 911 - Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy.
^ The Birth Of The NCGUB. National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma. Retrieved on 2006-07-19. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 711 - Muslim forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad defeat the Visigoths led by their king Roderic.
^ McCain, John (2003-05-11). Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 330 - Byzantium is renamed ''Nova Roma'' during a dedication ceremony but is more popularly referred to as Constantinople Crisis in Rangoon. National Review Online. Retrieved on 2006-07-14. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1223 - Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father Philip II of France.
^ Brad Adams. Statement to the EU Development Committee. Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Watch is a United States -based international Non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on Human rights. Retrieved on 2006-07-11. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 911 - Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy.
^ Satellite Images Verify Myanmar Forced Relocations, Mounting Military Presence. ScienceMode. Retrieved on 2007-10-01. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela.
^ "Internet Filtering in Burma in 2005: A Country Study", OpenNet Initiative.
^ "Burma bans Google and gmail", BurmaNet News, 2006-06-27. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden Retrieved on 2006-06-28. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1098 - Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul.
^ Myanmar: 10th anniversary of military repression. Amnesty International (1998-08-07). Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is a Western based international Non-governmental organization which defines its mission as "to Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Events 322 BC - Battle of Crannon between Athens and Macedon following the death of Alexander the Great. Retrieved on 2006-07-14. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1223 - Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father Philip II of France.
^ State of Terror report (PDF). Women's League of Burma (2007-02-01). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Retrieved on 2007-05-21. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily.
^ The Irrawaddy. This article is about a newsmagazine For other uses of the term please see Irrawaddy. "Suu Kyi's Detention Extended, Supporters likely to Protest", The Irrawaddy, 2006-05-27. This article is about a newsmagazine For other uses of the term please see Irrawaddy. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 927 - Simeon the Great, Tsar of Bulgaria, dies 1120 - Richard III of Capua is anointed Retrieved on 2006-05-27. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 927 - Simeon the Great, Tsar of Bulgaria, dies 1120 - Richard III of Capua is anointed
^ The Irrawaddy. This article is about a newsmagazine For other uses of the term please see Irrawaddy. "Opposition Condemns Extension of Suu Kyi's Detention", The Irrawaddy, 2006-05-27. This article is about a newsmagazine For other uses of the term please see Irrawaddy. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 927 - Simeon the Great, Tsar of Bulgaria, dies 1120 - Richard III of Capua is anointed Retrieved on 2006-05-27. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 927 - Simeon the Great, Tsar of Bulgaria, dies 1120 - Richard III of Capua is anointed
^ Gamel, Kim. "UN Security Council Puts Burma on Agenda", The Irrawaddy, 2006-09-16. This article is about a newsmagazine For other uses of the term please see Irrawaddy. Retrieved on 2006-10-11. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed
^ ^a ^b "Myanmar frees political prisoners", CNN, 2007-01-11. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1055 - Theodora is crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire. Retrieved on 2007-01-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 532 - Nika riots in Constantinople. 888 - Odo Count of Paris becomes King of the Franks
^ "Ban Ki-moon calls on Myanmar to release all political prisoners", UN News Centre, United Nations, 2007-01-08. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army Retrieved on 2007-01-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 532 - Nika riots in Constantinople. 888 - Odo Count of Paris becomes King of the Franks
^ About Us. ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus. Retrieved on 2006-07-09. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 455 - Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
^ Poon, Khim Shee (2002). The Political Economy of China-Myanmar Relations: Strategic and Economic Dimensions (PDF). Ritsumeikan University. is a Private university in Kyoto, Japan. With the Kinugasa Campus the university also has a satellite campus called Biwako-Kusatsu Campus (BKC in Retrieved on 2006-07-14. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1223 - Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father Philip II of France.
^ Selth, Andrew (Spring 2002). Burma and Superpower Rivalries in the Asia-Pacific. Naval War College Review. Retrieved on 2006-07-16. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 622 - The beginning of the Islamic calendar. 1054 - Three Roman legates fractured relations between the Western and
^ Conde, Carlos H. . "Southeast Asians Agree to Trade Zone", New York Times, 2007-01-14. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1129 - Formal approval of the Order of the Templar at the Council of Troyes. Retrieved on 2007-01-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 532 - Nika riots in Constantinople. 888 - Odo Count of Paris becomes King of the Franks
^ ^a ^b Tarrant, Bill. "ASEAN leaders weigh charter, wrangle over Myanmar", Reuters, 2007-01-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 532 - Nika riots in Constantinople. 888 - Odo Count of Paris becomes King of the Franks Retrieved on 2007-01-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 532 - Nika riots in Constantinople. 888 - Odo Count of Paris becomes King of the Franks
^ Reuters, Cyclone-hit Myanmar says 92 percent back charter
^ www.gmanews.tv, Myanmar OKs charter amid cyclone disaster
^ Administrative divisions. The World Factbook. The World Factbook ( ISSN; also known as the CIA World Factbook) is an annual publication of the Central Intelligence Agency of the Central Intelligence Agency (2006-06-29). near as long as it used to be several months ago It has been actively summarized and split into sub-articles and there is a dynamic talk page discussion of all Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 512 - A Solar eclipse is recorded by a monastic chronicler in Ireland. Retrieved on 2006-07-09. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 455 - Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
^ List of Districts, Townships, Cities/Towns, Wards, Village Groups and Villages in Union of Myanmar published by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Union of Myanmar on December 31, 2001
^ Burma Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. United States Library of Congress (2003-06-04). Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China. Retrieved on 2007-02-04. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 211 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus dies leaving the Roman Empire in the hands of his two quarrelsome sons
^ The EU's relations with Burma / Myanmar. European Union. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in Retrieved on 2006-07-13. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to
^ "Dilemma of dealing with Burma", BBC News, 2004-10-20. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 1740 - Maria Theresa takes the throne of Austria. France, Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony Retrieved on 2004-11-02. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 1570 - A Tidal wave in the North Sea devastates the coast from Holland to Jutland, killing more than 1000
^ "How Best to Rid the World of Monsters", Washington Post, 2003-06-23. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1180 - First Battle of Uji, starting the Genpei War in Japan 1305 - The Flemish Retrieved on 2006-05-24. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned
^ "Reuters Belgian group seeks Total boycott over Myanmar", Ibiblio, Reuters, 1999-05-10. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England. Retrieved on 2006-06-24. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place
^ Starck, Peter (2005-06-07). Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1099 - The First Crusade: The Siege of Jerusalem begins World Military Spending Topped US$1 trillion in 2004. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been Reuters. Common Dreams NewsCenter. Retrieved on 2006-07-19. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 711 - Muslim forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad defeat the Visigoths led by their king Roderic.
^ "Asean Will Not Defend Myanmar at International Fora – Ahmad Shabery", Bernama, 2007-04-19. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer Retrieved on 2007-04-23. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at
^ citation needed
^ WorldNetDaily: Afghan war lifts Burma's opium trade
^ Opium in the Golden Triangle
^ Opium Cultivation Blossoms in Burma
^ ^a ^b United Nations General Assembly Verbotim Report meeting 83 session 54 page 30, The President on 17 December 1999 at 10:00 (retrieved 2007-09-25)
^ United Nations General Assembly Verbotim Report meeting 81 session 55 page 22, The President on 4 December 2000 at 15:00 (retrieved 2007-09-25)
^ United Nations General Assembly Verbotim Report meeting 92 session 56 page 7 on 24 December 2001 at 11:00 (retrieved 2007-09-25)
^ United Nations General Assembly Verbotim Report meeting 69 session 60 page 19, The President on 23 December 2005 at 10:00 (retrieved 2007-09-25)
^ United Nations General Assembly Verbotim Report meeting 84 session 61 page 14 on 22 December 2006 at 10:00 (retrieved 2007-09-25)
^ United Nations Security Council Document 14 S-2007-14 on 12 January 2007 (retrieved 2007-09-25)
^ United Nations Security Council Verbotim Report meeting 5619 page 3, Mr. Membership For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly see General Assembly members Events 546 - Gothic War (535–554: The Ostrogoths of King Totila Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Membership For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly see General Assembly members "December 4th" redirects here For the song by Jay-Z, see December 4th (song. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Membership For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly see General Assembly members Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Membership For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly see General Assembly members Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Membership For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly see General Assembly members Events 1790 - The Turkish fortress of Izmail is stormed and captured by Suvorov and his Russian armies Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Kumalo South Africa on 12 January 2007 at 16:00 (retrieved 2007-09-25)
^ "UN Security Council to include Burma in its agenda", BBC News, 18 September 2006. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved on 2006-11-17. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers
^ United Nations Security Council Verbotim Report meeting 5526 page 3, Mr. Bolton United States on 15 September 2006 at 13:35 (retrieved 2007-09-25)
^ "Ban Ki-moon dispatches Myanmar envoy to region as situation worsens", United Nations, 26 September 2007. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 668 - Eastern Roman Emperor Constans II is assassinated in his bath at Syracuse Italy. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar dedicates a Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
^ United Nations Security Council Verbotim Report meeting 5753 page 3, Mr. Gambari Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on 5 October 2007 at 10:00 (retrieved 2007-10-09)
^ United Nations Security Council Verbotim Report meeting 5753 page 17, Mr. A Special Envoy of the Secretary-General (SESG is a senior United Nations official appinted by the United Nations Secretary-General to deal with a specific issues Events 869 - The Fourth Council of Constantinople is convened to decide about what to do about Patriarch Photius of Constantinople Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Swe Myanmar on 5 October 2007 at 10:00 (retrieved 2007-10-09)
^ United Nations Security Council Verbatim Report meeting 5757 on 11 October 2007 (retrieved 2007-10-15)
^ United Nations Security Council Verbotim Report meeting 5777 page 2, Mr. Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar ( pjìdàunzṵ mjàmmà nàinŋàndɔ̀ is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia. Events 869 - The Fourth Council of Constantinople is convened to decide about what to do about Patriarch Photius of Constantinople Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Gambari on 13 November 2007 (retrieved 2007-11-15)
^ "Myanmar: UN to resume delivering food in Mandalay District", United Nations, 30 September 2007. Events 1002 - English king Ethelred orders the killing of all Danes in England, known today as the St Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1399 - Henry IV is proclaimed King of England. 1744 - France and Spain defeat the Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
^ U.N. Involvement in Burma "Essential," State Department Says – US Department of State
^ U.N. Involvement in Burma "Essential," State Department Says – US Department of State
^ American Radio Works – Blood and Oil in Burma
^ Burma oil campaign
^ Burma's 'slow genocide' is revealed through the eyes of its child victims – Anton La Guardia, Telegraph, 24 June 2005
^ New evidence backs claims of genocide in Burma – Mike Thomson, Telegraph, 4 March 2006
^ Watkins, Thayer. Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 51 - Nero, later to become Roman Emperor, is given the title Princeps iuventutis (head of the youth Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Political and Economic History of Myanmar (Burma) Economics. San José State University. Retrieved on 2006-07-08. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 939 - The Major Occultation or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi 1099 - First Crusade: 15000
^ Stephen Codrington (2005). Planet geography. Solid Star Press, 559.
^ List of Least Developed Countries. UN-OHRLLS (2005).
^ Fullbrook, David. "So long US, hello China, India", Asia Times, 2004-11-04. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 1333 - Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani Retrieved on 2006-07-14. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1223 - Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father Philip II of France.
^ ^a ^b Challenges to Democratization in Burma (PDF). International IDEA (November 2001). Retrieved on 2006-07-12. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre.
^ Myanmar Country Profile (PDF). Office on Drugs and Crime 5-6. United Nations (December 2005). Retrieved on 2006-07-09. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 455 - Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
^ Myanmar and IRRIPDF (21. 2 KiB), Facts About Cooperation, International Rice Research Institute. A kibibyte (a contraction of ki lo bi nary byte) is a unit of Information or Computer storage, established by the International Retrieved on 2007-09-25. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 303 - On a voyage preaching the Gospel, Saint Fermin of Pamplona is beheaded in Amiens, France
^ Brown, Ian (2005). A Colonial Economy In Crisis. Routledge. ISBN 0-4153-0580-2.
^ "High Inflation Impeding Burma's Economy, Says NLD", The Irrawaddy, 2007-04-30. This article is about a newsmagazine For other uses of the term please see Irrawaddy. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 313 - Roman emperor Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule Retrieved on 2007-04-30. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 313 - Roman emperor Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule
^ 2007 CPI http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2007
^ Gems of Burma and their Environmental Impact
^ Henderson, Joan C. . The Politics of Tourism in Myanmar (PDF). Nanyang Technological University. Nanyang Technological University ( Abbreviation: NTU) is a major research University in Singapore. Retrieved on 2006-07-08. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 939 - The Major Occultation or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi 1099 - First Crusade: 15000
^ Voices For Burma's tourism policy http://www.voicesforburma.org/
^ "Eight demonstrators detained for rare protest in military-ruled Myanmar", International Herald Tribune, 2007-04-22. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1500 - Portuguese Navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral becomes the first European to sight Brazil. Retrieved on 2007-04-23. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at
^ Irrawaddy: Burma's junta vows to crack down on human rights activists-Yeni BurmaNet News, 2007-04-23, accessed 2007-04-23
^ Afp.google.com, 30,000 rally as Myanmar monks' protest gathers steam
^ "Tens of Thousands Said to March in Myanmar's Main City", THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 2007-09-24. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 622 - Prophet Muhammad completes his hegira from Mecca to Medina. Retrieved on 2007-09-24. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 622 - Prophet Muhammad completes his hegira from Mecca to Medina.
^ Troops sent in as Burmese protesters defy junta's threats | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited
^ "Soldater dræber ni i Myanmar", Politiken, 2007-09-27. This article is about the Danish paper Politiken For the Swedish paper Politiken see Folkets Dagblad Politiken. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 489 - Odoacer attacks Theodoric at the Battle of Verona and is defeated again Retrieved on 2007-09-27. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 489 - Odoacer attacks Theodoric at the Battle of Verona and is defeated again
^ "Japansk fotograf dræbt i Myanmar", TV2 (Denmark), 2007-09-27. TV 2 is a Danish government-owned Television station broadcasting from Odense on Funen. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 489 - Odoacer attacks Theodoric at the Battle of Verona and is defeated again Retrieved on 2007-09-27. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 489 - Odoacer attacks Theodoric at the Battle of Verona and is defeated again
^ "ミャンマーで邦人カメラマン死亡...デモ取材中の長井健司さん", Sankei Sports, 2007-09-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt. Retrieved on 2007-09-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt.
^ SMH.com.au – Burma cuts web access
^ Two Shot in Clash with Troops; People with Cameras Singled Out The Irrawaddy September 28, 2007
^ Breaking News – Gambari meets Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Mizzima News September 30, 2007. Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1399 - Henry IV is proclaimed King of England. 1744 - France and Spain defeat the Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
^ Army barricades lifted around key Myanmar temple Reuters, India October 1, 2007. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
^ http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article3018349.ece] Independent (London) 2 October 2007. Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
^ Audio file describing atrocities committed by the military regime, in Burmese with English translation U.S. Campaign for Burma website, September 29, 2007. The United States Campaign for Burma (USCB is a US-based membership organization dedicated to empowering Grassroots Activists around the world to bring about an Events 522 BC - Darius I of Persia kills the Magian usurper Gaumâta securing his hold as king of the Persian Empire. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
^ http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20071031/tpl-uk-myanmar-monks-43a8d4f_4.html
^ BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | Monks return to streets of Burma
^ http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-myanmar-monastery.html
^ POPULATION AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION SECTION (PSIS). UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
^ Conflict and Displacement in Karenni: The Need for Considered Responses (PDF). Burma Ethnic Research Group (May 2000). Retrieved on 2006-07-13. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to
^ Thailand: The Plight of Burmese Migrant Workers. Amnesty International (2006-06-08). Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 68 - The Roman Senate accepts emperor Galba. 536 - St Silverius becomes Pope (probable Retrieved on 2006-07-13. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to
^ Myanmar Refugees in South East Asia (PDF). UNHCR (April 2006). Retrieved on 2006-07-13. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to
^ Gordon, Raymond G. , Jr. (2005). Languages of Myanmar. SIL International. Retrieved on 2006-07-14. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1223 - Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father Philip II of France.
^ ^a ^b Gordon, Raymond G. , Jr. (2005). Language Family Trees: Sino-Tibetan. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. SIL International. Retrieved on 2006-07-09. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 455 - Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
^ Adult (15+) Literacy Rates and Illiterate Population by Region and Gender for (XLS). UNESCO Institute of Statistics (April 2006). Retrieved on 2006-07-13. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to
^ (1998) in Robert I Rotberg: Burma: Prospects for a Democratic Future.
^ Gordon, Raymond G. , Jr. (2005). Languages of Myanmar. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. SIL International. Retrieved on 2007-01-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 532 - Nika riots in Constantinople. 888 - Odo Count of Paris becomes King of the Franks
^ Mya Than (1997). in Leo Suryadinata: Ethnic Chinese As Southeast Asians. ISBN.
^ Ramayana in Myanmar's heart. Goldenland Pages (2003-09-13). Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 509 BC - The Temple of Jupiter on Rome 's Capitoline Hill is dedicated on the ides of September Retrieved on 2006-07-13. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to
^ Temple, R. C. (1906). The Thirty-seven Nats-A Phase of Spirit-Worship prevailing in Burma.
^ The Worshipping of Nats – The Special Festival of Mount Popa.
^ ^a ^b Khin Myo Chit (1980). Khin Myo Chit (ခင်မျိုးချစ် kʰìn mjóʊ tʃʰiʔ 1 May 1915 &ndash 2 January 1999) was a Burmese author Flowers and Festivals Round the Burmese Year.
^ ^a ^b Tsaya (1886). Myam-ma, the home of the Burman. Calcutta: Thacker, Spink and Co. , 36-37.
^ Shway Yoe (1882). The Burman – His Life and Notions. New York: Norton Library 1963, 211-216,317-319.
^ Martin, Steven. "Burma maintains bygone buildings", BBC News, March 2004. Retrieved on 2006-07-09. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 455 - Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
^ Scott O'Connor, V. C. (1904). The Silken East – A Record of Life and Travel in Burma. Scotland 1993: Kiscadale, 32.
^ Proposal for encoding characters for Myanmar minority languages in the UCS (PDF). International Organization for Standardization (2006-04-02). Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 68 - Galba, Governor of Hispania, names himself legatus senatus populique Romani, breaking the line of Retrieved on 2006-07-09. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 455 - Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
^ "Ethnic and Religious Diversity: Myanmar's Unfolding Nemesis", Matthews, Bruce, Institute of South East Asian Studies, Visiting Researcher Series, Volume 2001, No. 3. 2001.
^ Thailand Burma Border Consortium (2007). Internal Displacement in Eastern Burma 2006 Survey. Retrieved on 2007-02-04. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 211 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus dies leaving the Roman Empire in the hands of his two quarrelsome sons
^ Priestly, Harry. "The Outsiders", The Irrawaddy, 2006-01-17. This article is about a newsmagazine For other uses of the term please see Irrawaddy. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 38 BC - Octavian marries Livia Drusilla. 1287 - King Alfonso III of Aragon invades Minorca Retrieved on 2006-07-07. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death
^ Samuel Ngun Ling (2003). The Encounter of Missionary Christianity and Resurgent Buddhism in Post-colonial Myanmar (PDF). Payap University. Retrieved on 2006-07-14. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1223 - Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father Philip II of France.
^ CIA Factbook – Burma
^ International Religious Freedom Report 2007 – Burma
^ Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs – Background Note: Burma
^ Chronicle of National Development Comparison Between Period Preceding 1988 and after (up to 31. 12. 2006)

External links

http://my.wikipedia.org/ Myanma Wikipedia Official Site ( Myanmarian Language )
http://www.burmadisaster.com/ Burma news including eyewitness accounts and pictures of the Burma cyclone disaster.
myanmar.gov.mm

Social organizations and NGOs

http://www.burmaitcantwait.org/burmaitcantwait/ forUS CAMPAIGN FOR BURMA
http://www.foundationburma.org for Foundation for the People of Burma – administered by volunteers for direct humanitarian aid
http://www.actionagainsthunger.org Ending Hunger - creating sustainable livelihoods
http://www.usda.org.mm for Union Solidarity and Development Association
http://www.mwaf.org.mm for Burmese Women's Affairs Federation
http://www.ccdac.gov.mm for The Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control
http://www.mcf.org.mm Burmese Computer Federation
http://www.mcpa.org.mm Burmese Computer Professionals Association
http://www.mcia.org.mm Burmese Computer Industry Association
http://www.mosamyanmar.org Burmese Overseas Seafarers Association
http://www.umfcci.com.mm Burmese Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry
http://www.mmcwa.org Burmese Maternal and Child Welfare Association
http://www.gchope.org Giving Children Hope emergency disaster relief

The Open Directory Project ( ODP) also known as dmoz (from directory Wikitravel is a Web -based project "to create a free, complete up-to-date and reliable worldwide travel guide. Pankaj Mishra (born 1969 in North India) is an Indian Essayist and Novelist. The New York Review of Books (or NYREV or NYRB) is a semimonthly Magazine on Literature, Culture, and current The Union Solidarity and Development Association ( abbreviated USDA) is a Burmese organisation formed by Myanmar's ruling Military junta, the The Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (MMCWA is a Non governmental organization in Burma which aims to protects mothers and their children in the Giving Children Hope (GCH founded in 1993 by John Ditty and his wife is a faith-based non-profit organization that works to alleviate poverty both domestically and internationally

Dictionary

-proper noun

Traditional name (formerly the official name, and still preferred by some) of Myanmar—a country in Southeast Asia.

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