Geography	:	Myanmar Covers Area 675,000 sq-km
Capital	:	Yangon
Border	:	Myanmar borders with China (2,186 km), Laos (236 km), Thailand (1,080 km), Bangladesh (193 km) and India (1,463 km).
Coast Line	:	Myanmar has 1,930 km of coastline and is surrounded by the Andaman Sea the Bay of Bengal.
Currency	:	Kyat. i.e, 100 = 100 Kyats
Climate	:	Three season, summer, monsoon and winter Climates. The Climate conditions vary due to topography and attitude(which influence the weather).

Summer season lasts from mid February to mid May. Monsoon season lasts from mid May to mid October. Winter season lasts from mid October to mid February. Each season has its appeal. During the rainy season, its rains mainly in the Coastal and the Delta region, even through there are many clear days with blue skies, and the landscapes are green and lush. During this period, Central and Upper Myanmar (including Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake) are relatively free from rain.

Mountains and Rivers

The highest mountain in Myanmar is the snow-capped Hkakabo Razi, which in 5,881 meters high , followed by Gam long Razi, which is 5,835 meters high. The longest and largest rivers is the Ayeyarwaddy River with its tributaries Chindwin, Sittaung and Thanlwin.
 

People and Languages

The population of Myanmar is over 53 million people(with an annual growth rate 1.61 %).Major Races in Myanmar are: Bamar, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine and Shan.Myanmar is a Union of over 100 nationalities.
 

Languages

Myanmar is the Official language. The major races also have their own languages and dialects.Since Myanmar( Burma )was once an English colony,English is widely spoken and understand.

Literacy

The total literacy rate in Myanmar is 83.1% ( 88.7% male,77.7% female).

Religious

89% Theravadas Buddhist, 4% Christian, 4% Muslim, 1% Hindu, 1% Animist

International Flights

Yangon has direct air links with Bangkok, Singapore, Doha, Vienna, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Calcutta, Chaing Mai, Dacca, Delhi, Kumming and Taipai.There are some international airlines that fly to Yangon : Myanmar Airways International (8M), Air China (CA), Air Mandalay (GT), Bangkok Airways (PG), Bimen Bangladesh Airlines (BG) Qatar Airways, China Eastern Airlines (MU), Druk Airlines (KB),Indian Airlines limited (IC), Lauda (OS), Malaysia Airlines (MH), Mandarin Airlines (AE), Myanmar Airways Int'l (8M), PB Air (9R), Phuket Air (9R), Silk Air (M1), Thai Airways Int'l (TG).

Domestic Air Lines

There are domestic air lines in myanmar such as Air Bagan, Air Mandalay (6T), Myanmar Air ways (UB), Yangon Airways (HK).

Visa Requirements

A valid passport with an entry visa is required for all visitors to Myanmar.

Entry Visas : Tourists and business visas are valid for 28 days. Two extension are permitted for 14 days each, for an additional 28 days. All visitors, including children above 7 years old, require a visa in order to enter into the country.

Visa-on-arrival : They can be granted with prior arrangements made at least a minimum of 7 days ahead by Golden Arrowhead Travels & Tour Co., Ltd. Passport details as such as Full Name , Passport No., Nationality and Profession are needed in advance. Two passport photos are necessary upon arrival in Yangon.

Customs

All foreign currencies (above USD 2,000), jewelry, electrical goods and cameras must be declared to the customs at the Airport. The export of antiques is to tally prohibited. Only gems and jewelry purchased at licensed dealers is can be exported. Visitors may bring in duty free 200 cigarettes, one quart of liquor and one pint of perfume.

Health

No vaccinations are officially required when visiting Myanmar.A vaccinations against Malaria Prophylaxis is strongly recommended, as well as vaccinations against Polio, Tetanus and Hepatitis.

Food

Burmese, Chinese, Thai, Indian and European restaurants are prevalent in major cities in Myanmar;however, European and Chinese restaurants are mostly found in major hotels.Golden Arrowhead Travels & Tours always carefully selects restaurant for hygiene as well as for quality and ambiance.
 

Electricity

Main electricity supply is 230 V 50 HzHz.

Airport Tax

At Yangon International Airport there is a current charge of USD 15 per person for international flight.

Airport Transfer

Private car rental service and taxis are available from the Yangon International Airport.

Domestic Travel

By Air: The private airlines are Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways and Air Bagan Flying between Yangon, and Bagan (Naung U), Mandalay (Thada U), Heho (Inle/ Taunggyi), Tachilik, Kyaing Tong, Thandwe (Ngapali) and Sittwe (Mrauk U) and other famous tourist sites.

By Train: Many of Myanmar's railways destinations are available to foreign tourists. The Yangon - Mandalay express train trip is the most popular. Some popular Express Coach trains are the private air conditioned express coach from Yangon to Bagan, Meikhtila, Pyay, Mandalay and Taunggyi, Kyaik Hti Yo, and other famous tourist sites.

By Express Boat: You can travel form Mandalay to Bagan are plying by double-decker express boats on a day-trip. A slower Luxury boats takes 2 days and 1 night.

Post & Telecommunications

The Central Post Office is located at the corner of Bo Aung Kyaw Street and Strand Road in Yangon. The hours of operation are from 9:30 Am to 4:30 Pm. It is available to make international calls,and send telexes and faxes in the nearly all of the major tour sites and hotels.

Office Hours

The Myanmar government and business are open from 9:30 Am to 4:30 Pm. Monday through Saturday.

Dress

Cotton clothing and a light coat for are recommended in the evenings during the cool season. Please avoid wearing shorts, tank tops or sleeveless blouses when visiting pagodas and temples. Footwear is strictly prohibited in all pagodas and monasteries. Please, at all the times, dress modestly.

Time

Myanmar Standard time (MST) is 6:30 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT / UTC).

Season and Temperature

Myanmar has three distinct seasons; winter, summer and the monsoon season.
 

The best buys include lacquer-wares, silver, wood and stone carvings, hand-woven silks and cottons, gems, traditional puppets and handicrafts. All gems and jewelry purchases should be made through government-authorized dealers who must issue an official receipt, which is required for taking such items out of the country. Bargaining is essential when shopping in markets.

Local Currency

The Myanmar currency is known as the "kyat" (pronounced chatt). Visitors may now change their dollars into FEC and then change their FEC legally into local currency at the market rate. Major hotels and some (very few) restaurants will accept major credit cards (please note that Visa is accepted and Master Card is not in Mynamar). The easiest way is to bring cash (USD) if possible.

Business / Social Tips

Appointments should be made in advance. Punctuality is expected . For Business meetings, men should wear a
light-weight suit and tie. Women should wear modest clothing.It is customary to shake hands when meeting someone and when leaving. Business Cards are traditionally exchanged after introduction. Many executives speak English. Visitors should be receptive to local customs and conventions in Myanmar.During social occasions, e.g. invitation to restaurants,it is appreciated to be punctual and dress as for business meeting unless otherwise indicated.

International tourists and foreigners coming in through the border check points with valid visa are allowed to travel to the areas mentioned bellow:
 

Northern Shan State

Travelling in Myanmar

The quickest and most comfortable way to travel domestically is by Air Mandalay and Yangon Airways, the two private domestic air carriers. Railways, ferryboats and buses may also be used for some Golden Arrowhead tours . All car and buses used are new and fully air-conditioned vehicles. Passport should be carried when traveling outside of Yangon.

Foreign Mission in Myanmar

The following countries maintain embassies or consulates in Yangon: Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sir Lanka, Russia, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam.