Myanmar Overview
GENERAL
Official name of the state
Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Capital
Naypyidaw.
Geography
As a country located in Asia according to hyperrestaurant, Myanmar borders China, Laos and Thailand to the east and Bangladesh, India and the Indian Ocean (Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea) to the west. The Irrawaddy River flows through the center of the country and forms a delta on the south coast. The capital of the country Naypyidaw is located about 300 km north of the largest city of Yangon. Rangoon is located on one of the numerous estuaries. To the north of the delta lie the Irrawaddy Basin and central Myanmar, which is protected by a horseshoe-shaped mountain range. It reaches an altitude of 3000 m and has a climatic effect on the area. To the west are the Arakan, Chin and Naga mountains and the Patkai hills, and to the north are the Kachin hills. The Shan Plateau in the east extends to the Irrawaddy Basin. In the center of the country there is intensive agriculture, the fields are artificially irrigated.
Government
Form of government: Presidential republic. Union of Myanmar from 1988 to 2011. Socialist republic from 1974 to 1988. New constitution from 2008. Military regime from 1962 to 2011. Parliament with 664 members (last elected in 2010). Independent since 1948 (formerly part of British India); until 1989 Burma or Burma.
Head of state
Htin Kyaw, since March 2016.
Electricity
220/230 V, 50 Hz. Adapter recommended.
Time zone
Myanmar Time: CET +7: 30
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Light suits or sundresses are appropriate for business meetings. High-level conversations require more conservative attire. The business language is i. general English. Business trips are best placed in the months of October to February.
Business hours: Mo-Fr 9.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m.
Economy
Trade department of the Embassy of the Union Myanmar
Thielallee 19, D-14195 Berlin
Tel: (030) 206 15 70.
Internet: www.botschaft-myanmar.de
Trade department of the Consulate General of the Union Myanmar
47 Avenue Blanc, CH-1202 Genève
Tel: (022) 906 98 80.
There are over 20 state-owned companies that can help with any business issue. The trade departments of the embassies can provide more information.
Business contacts
Trade department of the Embassy of the Union Myanmar
Thielallee 19, D-14195 Berlin
Tel: (030) 206 15 70.
Internet: www.botschaft-myanmar.de
Trade department of the Consulate General of the Union Myanmar
47 Avenue Blanc, CH-1202 Genève
Tel: (022) 906 98 80.
There are over 20 state-owned companies that can help with any business issue. The trade departments of the embassies can provide more information.
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Direct dial-up service to the main cities. Telephone connections do not exist between all cities, however. The internal telephone network is limited and often defective or overloaded.
Some hotels have direct international dialing.
International phone calls can be made at the Central Telephone and Telegraph Office (CTT) in Rangoon, on the corner of Pansodan and Mahabandoola Street. The office is open Mon-Fri from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends and public holidays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cellphone
GSM 900. Network operator is MPT GSM Network, a subsidiary of Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications. Fees are high.
There are no roaming contracts with European network operators. There is no point in bringing your cellphone with you to Myanmar. Prior approval from the Myanmar Post & Telecommunications Department is required for the import of telecommunications equipment (including modems, cell phones, satellite telephones and fax machines). According to the law, mobile phones for which there is no import permit actually have to be deposited with customs until they leave the country. In practice, however, this law is seldom followed.
There is no cellular reception outside of larger cities.
Internet
The Internet provider is the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication (Internet: www.mpt.net.mm). Internet connection fees are very high. The Internet is censored by the government and its use is closely monitored.
There are internet cafes in larger cities. Some hotels also offer Internet access. However, the usage costs are high. Downloads don’t take quite as long at night as they do during the day.
Post Office
Airmail to Europe takes around 10-14 days. There is no guarantee that the mail will arrive. It is advisable to post letters personally and to ask for a certificate (small fee). Post offices are open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Jewelry and precious stones (rubies) should only be bought in officially authorized shops.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
Occasionally, events take place in Yangon’s three theaters. Cinemas are popular, with seven of Yangon’s 50 cinemas regularly showing films in English.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
There are around 1000 hotel rooms in Yangon. You should make reservations in advance at the Hotel and Tourist Corporation (same address as Myanmar Travels and Tours, see addresses).
There are also hotels in the resorts of Sandoway, Taunggyi and Pagan. Book early from November to March.
Categories: Luxury, First and Tourist Class.
CULTURE
Religion
Buddhism (89%); Islam (4%), Christianity (4%), followers of natural religions (1%) and others.
Social rules of conduct
Polite behavior and respect for tradition and religion are expected. Shoes and stockings must be removed before entering religious buildings. When sitting, the soles of the feet should not be visible, this is taken as an insult. Shorts and mini skirts should not be worn. Tipping: Taxi drivers do not expect tips. In hotels and restaurants you give between 5% and 10%.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
There are three seasons in Myanmar – the hottest season is between March and May with little rainfall. The monsoon season lasts from June to September. From October to February there is dry, cooler weather.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +95 Area (sqkm) 676 578 Population 56320206 Population density (per sqkm) 83 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 192
