- Country name : Myanmar
- Official name : Union of Myanmar
- System of government :
- National anthem :

Geography
- Area : 678 500 km ²
- Capital : Rangoon.
- Border countries : China, Laos, Thailand, Bangladesh, India.
People
- Population : 42,5 millions (2003)
- Language(s) : Burmese (official), English, local dialects.
- Religions : Buddhists, Christians, Muslims.
Economy
>Essentially agricultural, Myanmar always counted among the first world producers of rice.
>Forest resources supply important incomes to the country, which also has mining resources (precious stones, copper) and an important hydroelectric potential.
>The branch of industry is not very developed and is widely nationalized.
>Since the middle of the 90s, the government develops an opening policy to increase the investments in the tourist sector and to attract foreign currencies.
>Since the end of the 90s, the country faces an economic crisis due to the combined effects of the American penalties and the crisis which affected South-East Asia.
History
>The first Burmese realm was unified in the 11th century AC under the authority of king Anawrahta, which got together the various populations of the region (Pyu, Môns).
>13th century : Mongolian invasion of the country.
>During 1600s and 1700s, establishement of commercial ventures on the coast by Portuguese, English, French and Dutch.
>1755: Alaungpaya founds the last Burmese dynasty, Konbaung with Rangoon as capital.
>19th century : three wars against Great Britain, at the conclusion of which the country is annexed to the colonial Empire of India.
>1942: Japanese invasion of the country.
>1945: the British resume the country by means of the national movement of liberation which got organized under Aung San. Aung San gains the elections intended to set up a constituent assembly in 1947 but is murdered some months later.
>1948: the country reaches independence with U Nu (Aung San successor). In the 1950s, it becomes a founding member of the Movement of the Non-Aligned countries.
>1962: a military coup d'état inaugurates the "Burmese way of socialism".
>1989: Burma becomes the Union of Myanmar and the capital Rangoon is reappointed.
>1990: The results of the general election gained by the opposition led by Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi (Aung San daughter), are not validated by the army.
>During the 90s, the country undertakes a policy of economic opening.