History: Myanmar was known as Burma until 1989; the English version of the country's name was changed by the military government that took over in 1988. Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon) is the capital and largest city.

The country has known little peace since the Japanese invasion of World War II, in 1942. Independent from Britain in 1948 as a Federal Union of seven districts and seven ethnic minority states. Insensitivity of the central government to the aspirations of ethnic minorities provoked unrest and bitter ethnic wars in nine areas. Popular demands for democratic rule opened the way for elections in 1990. The opposition party won 85% of the seats, but the military regime refused to hand over power.

Statistics:
Capital: Yangon
Population: 41,994,678
Languages: Burmese, other
Currency: kyat (MMK)
GDP per capita: $1,500