Burma: the Basics
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Transcript of Burma: the Basics
BURMA: a beautiful but little-known country in south-east Asia
5,000 miles from Britain, it has borders with five countries and the Indian Ocean
Burma’s cities – including the capital Rangoon (Yangon) – lie on the great plains; these are
surrounded by mountains and jungle
TeenagersThe streets of the capital are as busy
and diverse as any country
Music - KaraokeMany people from Burma love Karaoke
River - IrawaddyThe huge Irawaddy river runs
through Burma from north to south
Rice is the staple food; curry is
eaten daily
Food in Burma is cooked fresh and fast
Cafes Burma has a strong culture of tea shops and cafes.
The people of Burma are massively
diverse in terms of ethnicity and language. Many minority groups
live in the mountainous
areas above the plains.
In religious terms, most people in
Burma are Buddhist, some are Christian or Muslim
Weather – kids & monsoonsThe monsoon season brings with it torrential
rains and flooding everywhere.
Burma is poor
Most people in Burma are poor; the World Food Program estimates over a third of
children don’t get the food they need
History: colonial rule by BritainFrom the late 1800s to 1948
Burma used to be one of Britain’s colonies
The military have governed Burma since 1962 when they took over to bring stability
to the country after independence.
FreedomsThe military sees itself as the saviour
and friend of the people of Burma
Aung San Suu Kyi was elected leader of Burma in 1990 but was never allowed to govern.
She has been under house arrest for 15 of the last 20 years.
Recently she was released again.
A bookseller in Burma. Books critical of the government or supportive of democracy are banned.
Education in Burma is very basic. There
are a few universities, which are sometimes shut down because of student activity.
People who record footage of dissent risk arrest by the military
Some of those who provided footage for the film‘Burma VJ’ are now in prison
Amnesty International and the Burma Campaign UK estimate 2,200 people remain in Burma’s prisons
because of their beliefs.
Independence – Ne WinMany of the minority ethnic groups in
Burma have been forced to flee as refugees
Many now live in refugee camps on Burma’s borders
Monks In 2007 Burmese monks led protests against
the Military, which brought worldwide attention.
heatThe protests were
stopped by the Military.
Some ‘western’ countries still invest in Burma,
though many
companies have pulled out due to pressure
from campaign
groups
Travel & Tourism
Many celebrities have taken up the cause of the people of Burma
Burma in numbers...