Contents
- Geography
- Climate
- Language
- Currency
- Exchange
- Credit Cards
- Traveler Chaques
- Religion
- Electricity
- Time
- Business Hour
- Public Holidays |
Geography
Myanmar is
situated between longitudes 92 10 E and 101 11E and latitudes 09 32 N and 28
31 N, large country in South East Asia Mainland. About
the size of France and the United Kingdom combined, the
total area 676577 sq km occupied. In the north east touch with China border,
on the south east touch with Laos, and Thailand; on the south by the Andaman
Sea and the Bay of Bengal, on the west by the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh,
and India. The total international border is 5858 Km. North to south of the
country is 2090Km long and east to west is 925Km long. The coastal line have
2832Km.
In the north
have the higher mountain ranges, Hkakaborazi,(5881meters), with snow-capped peaks. Begin from Himalaya mountain range, three parallel chains mountain
ranges, western Yoma or Arakan Yoma; Bago Yoma and Shan Plateau run from
north to south. 2740meters peaks Arakan Yoma is barrier between India,
Myamar and Shan Plateau lies between southwestern Thailand and southwestern
lower Myanmar. Three mountain chains divide by three river Ayarwaddy,
(2170Km long and economically significant, the delta area about 46620sq Km),
Chindwin, 960Km and Thanlwin river. Half area of country is forest and rich
with springs, rivers, streams and wildlife.
Climate
Tropical monsoon climate
with three seasons, Hot seasons from mid February to mid May, Rainy season
from mid May to mid October and Cold Season from mid October to mid
February. Annual rain falls vary from 500cm to 75cm in coastal regions and
less in central dry zone. Temperature range is from 19°C to 40°C. Mean
temperature is about 32°C. Humidity from 82.8% to 66%. Generally, lower in
mountain area and high in the central dry zone.
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Language:
Burmese, also Karen, Chin, Shan and Kachin dialects
Currency
1 Kyat (Kt) = 100 pyas. Ks. 100,000 is known as a lakh.
Currency notes come in the following denominations: Ks 1,000, Ks
500, Ks 200, Ks 100, Ks 90, Ks 50, Ks 45, Ks 20, Ks 15, Ks 10,
Ks 5, K 1 and coins Ks 100, Ks 50, Ks 10, Ks 5, K 1 and
pyas
50
Exchange
On arrival at Yangon
International airport, individual tourists are required to exchange a
minimum of US$200 into 200 FECs (Foreign Exchange Certificates). Any unused
certificates from this amount cannot be refunded. Visitors booked on an
inclusive group tour package are not subject to this requirement, but if
they wish, they can also purchase FECs with US Dollars or Sterling. FECs are
Myanmar's second legal tender and are issued by the Bank of Myanmar
specifically for visiting tourists. They come in denominations equivalent to
US$20, 10, 5 and 1. Payment for FECs is only accepted in US Dollars or
Sterling, in cash or travellers cheques. (credit cards sometimes accepted)
One US Dollar equals one FEC (the Pound Sterling equivalent fluctuates
according to the Pound-Dollar variance). FECs can be spent anywhere in the
country, or exchanged into kyats at bureaux de change, hotels and Myanmar
Travel and Tour offices. Cash payments can also be made in US Dollars, but
only at establishments (eg, hotels, railway stations, and airlines) that
have an official license allowing them to accept dollars.
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Credit Cards
Airlines, major hotels
and supermarkets accept Visa, Diners Club, American Express. Check with
your credit card company for details for merchant acceptability and other
services that may be available.
Traveler Cheques
To avoid additional
exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques in US
Dollars or Sterling only.
Religion:
87% Theravada Buddhist, 5% Christian, 4% Muslim, 3% animist
Electricity:
230V, 50 Hz (when it's working)
Time
Myanmar Standard
time(MST) is 6:30 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time(GMT).
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