3. Burma, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmaris a country in Southeast Asia. The country is bordered by
People's Republic of China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west,
India on the northwest and the Bay of Bengal to the southwest with the Andaman Sea defining its southern
periphery. One-third of Burma's total perimeter, 1,930 kilometers (1,199 mi), forms an uninterrupted coastline. It
is the second largest country by geographical area in Southeast Asia.
The country's culture, heavily influenced by neighbors, is based on Theravada Buddhism intertwined with local
elements. Burma's diverse population has played a major role in defining its politics, history and demographics in
modern times, and the country continues to struggle to mend its ethnic tensions. The military has dominated
government since General Ne Win led a coup in 1962 that toppled the civilian government of U Nu. Burma
remains under the tight control of the military-led State Peace and Development Council.
Burma, which has a total area of 678,500 square kilometres (262,000 sq mi), is the second largest country in
mainland Southeast Asia, and the 40th-largest in the world.
It is bordered to the northwest by Chittagong Division of Bangladesh and Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and
Arunachal Pradesh of India to the northwest. Its north and northeast border straddles the Tibet and Yunnan regions
of China for a Sino-Burman border total of 2,185 kilometres (1,358 mi). It is bounded by Laos and Thailand to the
southeast. Burma has 1,930 kilometres (1,200 mi) of contiguous coastline along the Bay of Bengal and Andaman
Sea to the southwest and the south, which forms one quarter of its total perimeter.
In the north, the Hengduan Shan mountains form the border with China. Hkakabo Razi, located in Kachin State, at
an elevation of 5,881 metres (19,295 ft), is the highest point in Burma. Three mountain ranges, namely the
Rakhine Yoma, the Bago Yoma, and the Shan Plateau exist within Burma, all of which run north-to-south from
the Himalayas. The mountain chains divide Burma's three river systems, which are the Ayeyarwady, Salween
(Thanlwin), and the Sittaung rivers.[24] The Ayeyarwady River, Burma's longest river, nearly 2,170 kilometres
(1,348 mi) long, flows into the Gulf of Martaban. Fertile plains exist in the valleys between the mountain chains.
The majority of Burma's population lives in the Ayeyarwady valley, which is situated between the Rakhine Yoma
and the Shan Plateau.
Myanmar (Burma)
17. Amarapura - one of the most amazing places in Myanmar, there is no equipment, no cars, no noise - only people living in harmony with nature.
The bridge was built by Mr. Bain, the king Bodavpaya of teak planks, when the capital was moved to Amarapura. The bridge stood two centuries,
so it's pretty shaky, and between some planks large gaps. Bridge over 1 km in length, for it is constantly walking children to and from school,
traders jadeite necklace of seeds and watercolors, monks, women with heavy baskets and cyclists, although they were not allowed to cross the
bridge. Picture taken February 13, 2008.
35. Temple Tatbini 61 meters in height - the highest in Bagan.
It was built in the mid 12 th century during the reign of
King Araungsithu
36. Ananda Temple was built in 1105 AD during the reign
of the dynasty Kyanzitta Pagan. This impressive
temple is also called the "Westminster Abbey of Burma »
37. In the temple Pop Taungkalat lives 37 Mahagiri Nats, or spirits. Statues spirits are at the base of the temple. Climbing up the 777 steps,
you'll be forced to remove socks and shoes. You will also encounter hungry monkey, so you better take anything and keep an eye on things,
or were missing something at the end of the tour.
39. Aung San Suu Kyi - Burmese woman politician. Over the past 20 years she
spent in 1914 under house arrest. In 1991 she was awarded the Nobel Prize for peace.
74. The Padaung is one of the eight ethnic Karen communities (in Myanmar,
the Karen is known as Kayah) living in the Kayah state in southwest
Myanmar. In fact, the name Padaung is a derogatory term (sounding
similar to "toilet post"), and they prefer to be known as the Kayan people.
Due to ethnic conflict with the govenment of Myanmar, many Padaung
people seek refuge in Thailand, living with uncertain legal status along
the border area.
The Padaung are best known for the unusual practise that the Padaung
women develop, of wearing brass rings around their necks, arms and legs.
As a result, the Padaung women are often called the long-neck women of
Myanmar. The brass coils are first applied when the girls are about five
years old, and as the girl grows older, longer coils are added. The weight
of the brass pushes down the collar bone and compresses the rib cage,
giving the appearance of a very long neck.
There are different beliefs connected to this unusual tradition. In one of
them, a wandering king of ancient Burma arrived in Loikaw, the capital
of Kayah state, and fell in love with a Padaung woman. When he left, he
made her wear brass rings to elongate her neck, making her less attractive
to other men. After he died, the local men continued the practise with
their wives, for the same purpose.
According to another belife, the Padaung women wear the rings to protect
them from being attacked by tigers, while another reason is placed that
the rings protect the women against the slave trade. Yet another reason
given is that the rings make the neck resemble that of the dragon. Still,
the true origin of the tradition is not known. Most of the Padaung women,
when asked, said they wear it for beauty purposes, or because their
mother wore the rings, or simply because they are carrying on the
tradition as a Padaung.
Contrary to belief, the women can remove the rings without risking
breaking their necks. Also, contrary to belief, the women will not
suffocate if the rings are removed. Many Padaung women living in
Myanmar do remove the coils, because the Myanmar government frowns
on the practise of wearing neck coils. However, many Padaung women
who have worn the rings for a long time prefer to keep them on, to ride
the marks on their necks and collarbones made by long wearing of the
coils, and also because, after wearing them for so long, they feel more
comfortable having them on.
101. A presentation by Nubia
Nubia_group@yahoo.fr
http://nubiagroup-powerpoint-collection.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nubia_group/
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