Myanmar (Burma) is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest and the Bay of Bengal to the southwest. It is one of the largest countries in Southeast Asia, as large as Texas State. The population is approximately 55 millions. There are not fewer than 165 ethnic groups and over a hundred of them have not had any written language.
Myanmar is rich in natural resources such as gas, jade, gem, pearl, ruby and gold. It also produces teak, timber, beans and rice, etc. It was a British Colony until independence was granted on January 4, 1948. However, generally speaking, the regime (military junta) stepped up in 1962 and ever since it has become one of the poorest countries in the world.
The country’s religion has been Theravada Buddhism for centuries. Some 87 % of the population is Buddhist, 4% Islam, 5% Animist and others, and 4% Christian (over 3% professing Christians plus less than 1% Bible Bilieving Christians).
Myanmar (“The Land of Pagodas”) is decorated with pagodas. There are pagodas present everywhere, in cities, in towns, in villages, and even in forests. It’s quite interesting to see 582,257 Buddha images only in the area of a city called Monywa. Even though you close your eyes, you may still see a pagoda or Buddha image in the Land.
