Area: 676,577 sq.km.
Capital: Yangon
Population: 48.08 million
Language: Myanmar (0fficial) English
Religion: Buddhism
Climate:
Myanmar has three seasons; the monsoon or rainy season
from May to October; the cool season from November to
February and the hot season from March to May. The average
temperature ranges from 32°C in central and lower areas
to 21°C in the northern highlands.
Local Time:
GMT +6 1/2
Currency:
Kyat (Kt) = 100 pyas. Kt. 100,000 is known as a lakh,
and Kt 10 million as a crore. Kyat is pronounced like
the English word 'chat'.
Kyat, made up of 100 pyas. Currency notes come in the
following denominations: K 1,000, K 500, K 200, K 100,K
90, K 50, K 45, K 20, K 15, K 10, K 5, K 1 and coins
K 100, K 50, K 10, K 5, K 1 and Pya 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 officially
authorised banks, 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. The FEC system
(and the possibility to pay in US Dollars at numerous
establishments) largely eliminates the necessity to exchange
national currencies into Kyat. It is advisable to carry
small denominations, as large notes may be difficult to
change.
Credit cards:
Airlines, major hotels and supermarkets accept Visa, Diners
Club, American Express. Check with your credit card company
for details to merchant acceptability and other services
that may be available.
Travellers cheques:
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers
are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or
Sterling only.
Business hours:
Government Offices 09:30 - 16:30 hrs (closed on Saturdays
and Sundays)
Banks 09:30 hrs - 15:00 hrs (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Private Companies 09:00 hrs - 17:00 hrs (closed on Sundays)
Post Office 09:30 hrs - 16:30 hrs (closed on Saturdays
and Sundays)
Shops 09:30 hrs - 21:00 hrs
Electricity supply:
230V, 50Hz
Tipping:
Widely practised in addition to hotel and restaurant service
charges shown on bills.
Nightlife:
Limited to large hotels
Photography:
Photography in airports, railway stations and near any
military installation is forbidden. Please use discretion
when photographing people. For close-up shots always ask
first. Bring adequate film, as locally available supplies
are not always reliable.
Public Holidays (2001):
January 4: Independence Day
February 12: Union Day
March 2: Peasants' Day
March 10: Dry Season Celebration
March 27: Tatmadaw Day (Armed Forces Day)
April 13: Myanmar New Year Day
May 1: Labor Day
July 19: Martyrs' Day
December 12: National Day
December 25: Christmas Day
Note: Information on this page supplied
by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, Myanmar.
