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THE GOLDEN LAND

Diversity is a key word in describing Myanmar, which stretches from the Himalaya mountain chain in the north to the tropical archipelago 1,200 miles to the south. The 50 million people come from 150 different ethnic groups, which vary in size from the 30 million Buddhist Bamar to the small and despised Moken (Sea Gypsies) in the south, and the Naga in the isolated western mountains with their many sub-groups.

Myanmar (formerly Burma) is wedged between the Asian giants of China and India, and is about the size of Texas, or over twice the size of the UK. While Myanmar is still mainly rural, big cities are beginning to emerge, foremost the capital Yangon (formerly Rangoon) with 5 million people and Mandalay with 1 million.

The country has suffered much conflict and political turbulence in its history. Since gaining independence from Great Britain in 1948, there have been ongoing ethnic conflicts which are only now being resolved.

Most people in the country are Theravada Buddhists (believing in endless cycles of reincarnation before reaching Nirvana), but there are several ethnic groups with a Christian majority. Buddhism has been the dominant religion and continues to exert a strong influence on all aspects of life in the country. While Myanmar's constitution allows freedom of religion, minorities have experienced persecution.