3 GeoFroggy

Country Name

Conventional long form: Union of Burma

Conventional short form: Burma

Local long form: Pyidaungzu Thammada Myanma Naingngandaw (translated as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar)

Local short form: Myanma Naingngandaw

Former: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma, Union of Myanmar

Note: since 1989 the military authorities in Burma and the current parliamentary government have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; the US Government has not adopted the name

Etymology: both Burma and Myanmar derive from the name of the majority Burmese Bamar ethnic group

Administrative Divisions

7 regions (taing-myar, singular - taing), 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne), 1 union territory

Independence

4 January 1948 (from the UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947)

Constitution

Previous 1947, 1974 (suspended until 2008); latest approved by referendum 29 May 2008 (2015)

Legal System

mixed legal system of English common law (as introduced in codifications designed for colonial India) and customary law

International Law Organization Participation

Has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Citizenship

Citizenship by birth: no

Citizenship by descent only: both parents must be citizens of Burma

Dual citizenship recognized: no

Residency requirement for naturalization: none

Note: an applicant for naturalization must be the child or spouse of a citizen

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive Branch

Chief of state: President THEIN SEIN (since 4 February 2011); Vice Presidents SAI MAUK KHAM (since 3 February 2011), NYAN TUN (since 15 August 2012); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

Head of government: President THEIN SEIN (since 4 February 2011)

Cabinet: Cabinet appointments shared by the president and the commander-in-chief

Elections:

Election results: president (pending); Presidential Electoral College vote NA

Legislative Branch

Description: bicameral Assembly of the Union or Pyidaungsu consists of an Upper House, called the House of Nationalities or Amyotha Hluttaw, (224 seats; 168 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed and 56 appointed by the military; members serve 5-year terms) and a Lower House, called the House of Representatives or Pyithu Hluttaw, (440 seats; 330 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 110 appointed by the military; members serve 5-year terms)

Elections: last held on 8 November 2015 (next to be held in 2020)

Election results: Upper House - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NLD 135, USDP 11, ANP 10, SNLD 3, ZCD 2, TNP 2, independent 2, other 3, military appointees 56; Lower House - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NLD 255, USDP 30, ANP 12, SNLD 12, PNO 3, TNP 3, ZCD 2, LNDP 2, independent 1, other 3, canceled due to insurgence 7, military appointees 110

Judicial Branch

Highest court(s): Supreme Court of the Union (consists of the chief justice and 7-11 judges)

Judge selection and term of office: chief justice and judges nominated by the president, with approval of the Lower House, and appointed by the president; judges normally serve until mandatory retirement at age 70

Subordinate courts: High Courts of the Region; High Courts of the State; Court of the Self-Administered Division; Court of the Self-Administered Zone; district and township courts; special courts (for juvenile, municipal, and traffic offenses); courts martial

Political Parties and Leaders

Numerous smaller parties

Political Pressure Groups and Leaders

Several other Chin, Karen, Mon, and Shan factions

Flag Description

Design consists of three equal horizontal stripes of yellow (top), green, and red; centered on the green band is a large white five-pointed star that partially overlaps onto the adjacent colored stripes; the design revives the triband colors used by Burma from 1943-45, during the Japanese occupation

National Symbols

Chinthe (mythical lion); national colors: yellow, green, red, white

National Anthem

Lyrics:

Note: adopted 1948; Burma is among a handful of non-European nations that have anthems rooted in indigenous traditions; the beginning portion of the anthem is a traditional Burmese anthem before transitioning into a Western-style orchestrated work

: undefined

Year

Government Type

  • Parliamentary government took power in March 2011

Capital

  • Name
    Rangoon (Yangon); note - Nay Pyi Taw is the administrative capital
  • Geographic Coordinates
    16 48 N, 96 09 E
  • Time Difference
    UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Diplomatic Representation in the US

  • Chief Of Mission
    Ambassador KYAW MYO HTUT (since 3 December 2013)
  • Chancery
    2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
  • Telephone
    [1] (202) 332-3344
  • FAX
    [1] (202) 332-4351
  • Consulate(s) General
    Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic Representation from the US

  • Chief Of Mission
    Ambassador Derek J. MITCHELL (since 11 July 2012)
  • Embassy
    110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon
  • Mailing Address
    Box B, APO AP 96546
  • Telephone
    [95] (1) 536-509, 535-756, 538-038
  • FAX
    [95] (1) 511-069

International Organization Participation

  • ADB
  • ARF
  • ASEAN
  • BIMSTEC
  • CP
  • EAS
  • EITI (candidate country)
  • FAO
  • G-77
  • IAEA
  • IBRD
  • ICAO
  • ICRM
  • IDA
  • IFAD
  • IFC
  • IFRCS
  • IHO
  • ILO
  • IMF
  • IMO
  • Interpol
  • IOC
  • IOM
  • IPU
  • ISO (correspondent)
  • ITU
  • ITUC (NGOs)
  • NAM
  • OPCW (signatory)
  • SAARC (observer)
  • UN
  • UNCTAD
  • UNESCO
  • UNIDO
  • UNWTO
  • UPU
  • WCO
  • WHO
  • WIPO
  • WMO
  • WTO