Myanmar
Basic Information
| Official name | The Union of Myanmar |
| Other names in use | Myanmar, Burma |
| Area (1) | Total: 677,000 sq.km HKH part: 317,640 sq.km (47%) |
| Population (mid 2007) (2) | Total: 55.4 million HKH part: 11.01 million (20%) |
| Capital city | Nay Pyin Taw |
| Major cities | Bagan, Kachin, Mandalay, Shan, Yangon |
| Nationality | Myanmar |
| Currency | Kyats |
| Official languages | Myanmar |
| National day | 4th January |
| Major holidays | Thingyan (Water Festival) in April |
| International dialling code | 95 |
Sources: (1) Banskota, M., Sharma, P., 1994, Development of Poor Mountain Areas, ICIMOD; (2) Estimated based on data and information from Population Reference Bureau, 2007 World Population Data Sheet and Banskota, m. 2004. The Hindu Kush-Himalayas: Searching for Viable Socioeconomic and Environmental Options, pp. 57-105, In: Banskota et al. (eds.) “Growth, Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable Resource Management in the Mountain Areas of South Asia, ICIMOD, Nepal.
Major Mountain peaks
- Hkakabo Razi (5,881 m)
- Saramati (3,826 m)
- Hkaru Bum (3,677 m)
- Bumhpa Bum (3,411 m)
- Mol Len (3,088 m)
Selected international agreements and conventions related to climate and environment
| Agreement/Convention | Status - Date |
| Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (Vienna Convention) -1988 | Accession - 24 November 1993 |
| Convention on Biological Diversity | Signed - 11 June 1992 Ratified - 25 November 1994 |
| The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety | Signed - 11 May 2001 Ratified - 13 February 2008 |
| Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) | Accession - 13 June 1997 Entry into force - 11 September 1997 |
| Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention) | Entry into force - 17 March 2005 |
| Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa - 1994 | Accession - 02 January 1997 Entry into force - 02 April 1997 |
| International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture -2001 | Accession - 04 December 2002 |
| International Plant Protection Convention - 1952 | Adherence - 26 May 2006 |
| International Tropical Timber Agreement - 1994 | Signed - 06 July 1995 Approval - 31 January 1996 |
| Plant Protection Agreement for the Asia and the Pacific Region-1956 | Adherence - 04 November 1959 |
| United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea | Signed - 10 December 1982 Ratified - 21 May 1996 |
| United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) | Signed - 11 June 1992 Ratified - 25 November 1994 Entry into force - 23 February 1995 |
| Kyoto Protocol | Accession - 13 August 2003 Entry into force - 16 February 2005 |
Economy
| GDP per capita | US $ 1,027 (2007) |
Major agricultural products
Paddy, maize, groundnut, sesamum, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, rubber
Major Industries
Agricultural processing; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; cement, construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; natural gas; garments, jade and gems
Geography / Geopolitics
Altitude range
Lowest point: 0 m (Andaman Sea)
Highest point: 5,881 m (Hkakabo Razi)
Climate
The climate of Myanmar is roughly divided into three seasons: summer, rainy season and cold season. Summer is from March to mid-May; the rain falls from mid-May to the end of October; and the cold season starts in November and ends at the end of February. Generally, Myanmar enjoys a tropical monsoon climate. However, climatic conditions differ widely from place to place due to widely differing topographical situations. For instance, Central Myanmar has an annual rainfall of less than 1016 mm while the Rakhine coast gets about 5080 mm. Besides, the average highest temperature in Central Myanmar during the summer months March and April is above 430C while in Northern Myanmar, it is about 36.10C and on the Shan Plateau between 290C and 350C. Temperature of towns vary according to their location and elevation.
Natural hazards
Destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic drought
Major environmental issues
Deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease
Culture
Major ethnic groups
Bamar 69%, Shan 8.5%, Kayin 6.2%, Rakhine 4.5%, Mon 2.4%, Chin 2.2%, Kachin 1.4%, Kayah 0.4%
Major religions
Buddhism (89.40%), Christianity (4.9%), Islam (3.9 %), Animism (1.2%), Hinduism (0.5%)
Focal Ministry/Institution
Ministry of ForestryBuilding No. 28, Nay Pyin Taw
The Union of Myanmar.
Dr Nyi Nyi Kyaw
Deputy Director-General
Forest Department