FACTS

Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand

Area (only Total) total: 678,500 sq km

Climate: tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April)

Terrain: central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands

Population: 47,758,180

Main Language (only first): Burmese

Government type: military junta

Capital (Name): Rangoon (Yangon)

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+6.5

Independence: 4 January 1948 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947)