Geography

Physical geography

Myanmar covers an area of 676,577 square kilometres (slightly less than New South Wales at 800,642 square kilometres). It is divided into five main regions: the northern mountains, the western mountains, the Shan Plateau in the east, the central lowlands, and the coastal area. The highest peak is Hkakabo Razi (5,967 metres) in the northern mountains.

Myanmar has two major rivers: the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) that drains the central three-fifths of the country, and the Salween (Thanlwin) that drains the eastern Shan Plateau.

Climate

Myanmar's tropical climate is influenced greatly by the monsoons of southern Asia. There are three seasons, a cool dry period from late October to mid-February, a hot dry period from mid-February to mid-May, and the monsoon season from late May to late October.

The annual rainfall decreases inland from 5,000 millimetres in the coastal plains to 900 millimetres in the central basin around Mandalay. Most of the rain falls during the monsoons. Average daily maximum temperatures range between 23˚C and 32˚C in the highlands of the Shan Plateau and 29˚C and 36˚C in Yangon in the south.

Environment

Almost half of Myanmar is covered by forests that support a wide variety of birds, mammals and snakes. Extensive logging contributes to erosion, floods and landslides. It is also threatening some of the last habitats on Earth for endangered animals such as the clouded leopard, gaur, silvered leaf monkey, tapir, tiger, Asian elephant and Asian rhinoceros.

Population

The population of Myanmar is estimated to be over 53 million. About one-third of the people live in urban areas, with the three major cities being the capital, Nay Pyi Taw 1.06 million, and the former capitals, Yangon with 4.457 million people and Mandalay with 1.063 million people.

People

Culture and identity

Most people are ethnic Burmans (Tibeto–Chinese extraction) but there are 135 ethnic groups: the Shan from the eastern plateau; the Karen in the delta region, the Pegu Yama range and the lower basin of the Salween River; and the Rakhine from the west are major groups. Chinese and Indians are the major migrant groups.

All traditional forms of art, painting, wood carving and sculpture have been strongly influenced by Buddhism. The popular pwe involves dramatisations of Buddhist legends or comedies and may include dance or giant puppets accompanied by group singing or percussion instruments. Young people and minority groups are slowly becoming stronger voices in community.

Health

Life expectancy is 66 years (68 females, 64 males) and the infant mortality rate is 45 per 1,000 live births. Tuberculosis and malaria occur widely and the HIV/AIDS infection rate is 0.6%. About 86% of people have access to clean water and 77% have access to sanitation facilities.

Religion and beliefs

The majority of Myanmar people are Theravada Buddhist. There are also small Muslim and Christian communities, animists and other ethnic religions.

Food and shelter

Food in Myanmar is hot and spicy. Fish and vegetables are cooked with onions, ginger, garlic and chillies. People drink strong, sweet and milky tea. Sugarcane juice is a very popular street-side drink. Alcoholic drinks include orange brandy and lychee wine.

With about two-thirds of the population of Myanmar living in rural areas, many construct their own homes using local materials. The homes are built on a wooden platform with woven bamboo walls and a roof of thatched leaves. Houses in cities tend to be concrete block constructions.

Economy

Wealth and poverty

Over one-third of the population lives below the poverty line and it is estimated that the richest 10% share 32% of the total income.

Education and work

The official literacy rate is 92%, but limited government spending on education and low rates of secondary school attendance mean that the functional literacy rate is likely to be much lower. 
About 70% of the population work in subsistence agriculture. Industry is limited and employs only about 7% of people, while 23% work in service areas.

Industries and products

Myanmar's main agricultural products are rice, pulses, beans, sesame, peanuts and sugarcane. Agricultural processing and the production of wood and wood products, copper, tin, tungsten, iron, cement, construction materials, pharmaceuticals, fertiliser, oil and natural gas, clothing, jade and gems are the main industries.

Trade

Myanmar's official exports consist of gas, wood products, pulses, beans, fish and rice. In 2012, the main countries of export were Thailand (41%), India (15%) and China (14%). Myanmar imports fabric, petroleum products, fertiliser, plastics, machinery, transport equipment, cement, construction materials, crude oil, food products and edible oil from China (37%), Thailand (20%), and Singapore (9%).

Government

A military regime, in some form, has ruled Myanmar for nearly 50 years. Elections were held in 1990 but the ruling junta refused to hand over power to the winning National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi. In 2011, a new civil government, under the leadership of President Thein Sein was established, including two houses of parliament and 14 regional governments and assemblies.

The political situation in Myanmar has evolved further since then with the liberation of political prisoners including Suu Kyi, the liberalisation of the media, and constitutional changes to allow the registration of political parties and the introduction of significant reforms to encourage foreign investment. 

Achievements and challenges

Myanmar is prone to earthquakes and cyclones. In May 2008, cyclone Nargis caused extensive destruction to homes, businesses and services. An estimated 140,000 people were killed and up to 2.4 million were severely affected. Flooding and landslides are common during the rainy season, but when the monsoons fail this leads to drought. Deforestation is a major issue as the country struggles for export income.

Myanmar is a resource-rich country but poor economic management and social development have led to widespread poverty. Strong government controls have lead to international isolation and sanction and limited individual's freedom within Myanmar. Recent reforms have led to an easing of international restrictions. There is a large informal economy that includes smuggling illegal timber, and people and drug trafficking.

Myanmar has made progress towards most of the Millennium Development Goals but it will struggle to meet any of the goals by 2015.

Links with Australia

Independence from Britain in 1948 and the military takeover in 1962 led to about 7,000 Anglo-Burmese (people of mixed British and Burmese descent) migrating to Australia between 1948 and 1972. Unrest during the 1990s led to the intake of Burmese under the Migration Refugee Special Humanitarian Program. The 2011 Census recorded 21,760 Myanmar-born people in Australia living mainly in Western Australia (7456), Victoria (5607), New South Wales (5159) and Queensland (1897).

The trade and investment relationship between the two countries is limited. Australian imports of seafood, clothing and vegetables from Myanmar and exports of wheat, paints and food to Myanmar.

Australia has expanded its aid program in recent years. It targets critical needs in health (especially for mothers and children), basic education, livelihoods and food security.

Australia also provides assistance through regional programs to address significant transboundary development issues such as people trafficking, emerging infectious diseases and HIV/AIDS.
Assistance is also provided to Burmese refugees living in and outside of Myanmar.