Introduction Myanmar

Myanmar (former name Burma) is referred to among the nations of the world as “the Golden Land”, “the Land of Pagodas” and “the country with the most beautiful spot in this world”. The presence of many golden pagodas, some of them dating back to ancient times has prompted these accolades. Myanmar is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia with a land area of 261, 218 sq. miles (67,655 sq. km). Myanmar is bordered by Bangladesh and India in the north – west, China in the north and the northeast, Laos in the east, Thailand in the Southeast and the south, and the long coastline on the Indian Ocean from the Bay of Bengal to the Andaman Sea forms the national boundary to the south west.

The interior of the country comprises of a series of river valleys – those of Ayeyawady, Chindwin, Sittaung, and the Thanlwin River running from north to south and divided one another by the tribes of Myanmar. Of which the largest groups are Myanmar, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine & Shan nationalities. And there are also about 135 ethnic Groups.
 

Ayeyawady is the main artery of Myanmar – Kipling’s Road to Mandalay and the entrance to the north of Myanmar, originating at the northern most frontiers on the border of Tibet it flows south through Kachin State, and is joined by its major tributary the Chindwin, southwest of Mandalay. The Ayeyarwady is navigable from Yangon to Bhamo which is 155 miles (250 km) from Myitkyina, while its tributary the Chindwin is navigable for some 400 miles (640 km). Rail and road traffic used to be landlocked and one river bridge existed spanning the Ayeyawady near Mandalay. Now, no less than two hundred major long bridges have been newly built throughout the country greatly improving travel and communications everywhere.

Myanmar proper is subdivided into a Dry Zone which is Upper and Central Myanmar, the fertile plain and delta of Lower Myanmar forms the principle rice growing area.
 

The climate in Myanmar is predominantly tropical with the annual rainfall varying from as much as 200 inches in the Dry Zone, and the average of 100 inches in the plain. The climatic conditions differ from place to place according to the location and topography of each area. Seasonal changes in the monsoon wind direction create summer, rainy and cool seasons.

Administratively, Myanmar consists of seven States (Chin, Kayin, Kayah, Mon, Rakhine and Shan State) and seven Divisions (Ayeyawady, Magway, Mandalay, Bago, Yangon, Sagging and Tanintharyi Division).

MYANMAR FOOD

The basic Myanmar food is mainly rice and curry. Mohinga, rice noodles with fish grapery; and Ohn- no-Khaukswe, noodle with coconut and chicken curry are popular Myanmar dishes for breakfast and light meals.

There are a variety of desserts like San Nwin Makhin (Myanmar sweet cake) and Kyaukkyaw (Sea weed jelly) jiggery and laphat (the pickled tea leaves)
Myanmar is also a country of seafood. Crabs, prawns, lobsters and other shellfish are among the popular dishes available at most Myanmar and Chinese restaurants in Yangon and in other parts of the country.

Typical Myanmar Restaurants serve both meat and vegetable dishes. Most Restaurants in Myanmar serves Chinese and Indian food. Other Asian food includes Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean and Singapore- style. Europe food is served mostly at the hotels and there are a couple of restaurants in Yangon serving Italian and French cuisine. There are several fast food centers and snack bars in Yangon and Mandalay.

Myanmar Seasonal Fruits

Myanmar has a variety of vegetables and fruits, both tropical and citrus, all year round or seasonally. The most common ones are avocado, banana, durian, jackfruit, grapefruit, grapes, mango, mangos teen, orange, papaya, pomelo, pineapple and watermelon.