Myanmar as a Country

Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is bordered by China, India, Bangladesh, Laos, Thailand and the Indian Ocean. Myanmar is a multi-religious and multicultural country and be considered great ethnological museum. It is a “Land of pagodas, Buddhist religious monuments and sacred objects.”  It is known as the “golden land” due to the magnificence of huge paddy field, the collage monks and the glittering pagodas. The “plurality of religions and cultures” is a sign of blessedness. Pagoda, monasteries, convents, churches, mosques, spirit shrines, religious houses, pilgrim sites and meditation venues are not merely the religious sacred places but also the social and cultural centers. “Myanmar is a country divided ethnically, religiously, and politically.” Myanmar is composed of seven states and seven regions. “It is made up of 135 national races. The main national races are Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon, Rakhine, and Shan. The population of the country is estimated at 52.4 million (July 2014) and population growth rate is 1.84 percent.” Physical attributes, language, history, clothing, food, dance, and other traditions differentiate with various ethnic groups within Myanmar.  There are not only the differences but also common elements among these ethnic groups.