Myanmar

ASEAN Member Country since July 1997

Capital: Nay Pyi Taw
Head of State: Senior General Than Shwe
Head of Government: Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Soe Win
Languages: Myanmar
Area (sq. km): 676,577
Population: 56,002,600
GDP (USD): 9.6 billion (2006 estimate)

The westernmost and largest Southeast Asian nation, Burma is a premiere source of fine red rubies and deep Burmese blue sapphires. Its relative isolation and slow economic growth has contributed to the preservation of much of its environment and ecosystems, as well as the diverse range of indigenous cultures. The rich biodiversity supports wildlife that roam free in the jungles of the nation. Meanwhile, the Irrawaddy river courses serenely through the lush mountain forests, interrupted only by floating villages and markets, which hawk teakwood carvings and brightly colored tapestries.

While the towering Schwedagon Pagoda marks the nation’s holiest site in the capital city of Yangon, glittering, gold-plated pagodas and massive, yet intricately-carved Buddhist temples dot the entire landscape of the country. These are interspersed with the ancient ruins of monasteries and citadels, reflecting the cornerstones of Burma – Buddhism and the military. Despite the ethnic diversity, the elderly and Buddhist monks are the two most highly venerated populations amongst the Burmese people on the whole. An elegant art form since the 1400s, Burmese marionette theater features complex wood-carved puppets clothed in shimmering outfits. Today, tourists and locals alike are treated to a splendid source of escape, through popular stories that are vividly recounted by masterful puppeteers.