Myanmar or Burma, republic in South East Asia, bordered on the north by China; on the east by China, Laos, and Thailand; on the south by the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal; and on the west by the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh, and India. The nation was known as Burma until June 19, 1989, when the military government changed its official name to the Union of Myanmar (Myanma Naingngandaw); this name is recognized by the UN, but not by all governments and in this article Myanmar will be used for post-June-1989 references. The coastal region is known as Lower Myanmar, while the interior region is known as Upper Myanmar. The total area of the nation is 676,552 sq km (261,218 sq mi). Rangoon (Yangon) is the capital and largest city of Myanmar.

        Official Name   - Union of Myanmar
   
        Capital         - Rangoon 2,513,023 (1983)
   
        Population      - 45,570,500 (1996)      

        Life Expectancy - 55 years for men 58 years for women   
 
        Area            - 676,552 sq km (261,218 sq mi)  

        Largest Cities  - Mandalay 532,949 Moulmein 219,961 Sittwe 107,621

        Languages       - Myanmar; Shan; Karen; English; Chinese
     
        Religions       - Buddhism; Hinduism; Islam; Christianity
    
        Currency        - Kyat   

        Government      - Military dictatorship