Republic of the Union of Myanmar aka Burma Quiz

Answer: Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea

Myanmar's coastline is nearly 2,000 km long, with the northern portion bordering the Bay of Bengal, and the southern portion on the Andaman Sea. Both of these are subdivisions of the Indian Ocean. This was one of the regions devastated by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, triggered by Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, off the coast of Indonesia, and south of Myanmar.

Answer: Mandalay

Naypyidaw is the current (2017) capital, Yangon (formerly Rangoon) was the former capital, and Mandalay was the last royal capital of what was then known as Burma. Located on the banks of the Irrawaddy river, Mandalay has a population of over a million, and is the economic centre of Upper Burma. Mandalay is considered the cultural centre of the Burmese people, but Chinese immigrants are increasingly making the city's culture more diverse.

Answer: Thailand

Myanmar's neighbours, in order from the longest border to the shortest, are Thailand (2416 km), China (2129 km), India (1468 km), Bangladesh (271 km) and Laos (238 km). Pakistan is on the other side of India, and has no border with Myanmar. Despite lengthy periods of sanctions imposed on Myanmar by North American and European countries, its Asian neighbours have generally been on cordial terms with Myanmar, and have made useful economic investments in the country.

Answer: Union of the country

The yellow band symbolises solidarity, the green band peace and tranquility, and the red one courage and determination. The single large star crosses all three horizontal bands, providing a unifying theme. The former flag was red, with 14 white stars (representing the 14 states of the Union) in a circle around a gear (standing for industry) and a rice plant (emblem for agriculture).

Answer: True

In fact, they are nearly extinct full stop, not just in Myanmar. Myanmar's slow economic growth has contributed to its ability to retain far more of its land available for native animals than is the case in some of its neighbours, but tigers do not feature prominently in the animals to be seen in the protected areas. You can, however, see clouded leopards, elephants, a range of monkeys, and over 800 different species of birds, along with less attractive specimens such as cobras and crocodiles.

Answer: Unfinished Stupa

A stupa is a hemispherical structure used as a Buddhist place of meditation. Near the end of the 18th century King Bodawpaya started to build what was planned to be the biggest stupa in the world, located at Mingun (about 10 km from Mandalay). They ran into construction problems, and the project was abandoned. Reasons for the decision are given variously as cracks appearing that were considered to be an ill omen, predictions that the king would die when it was completed, and a prophecy that its completion would mark the country's downfall.

Answer: True

Myanmar's rubies are prized for their clarity and rich red colour. However, many US and European jewellery companies refuse to buy them, due to the poor working conditions in the mines, so most of the exports are to Thailand and other Asian countries. The Mogok region, where the best rubies are found, also produces high quality sapphires.

Answer: Rice

Rice accounts for around 90% of Myanmar's agricultural production by weight, and nearly two-thirds of the country is devoted to its production. Rice is produced from plants of one of two species: Oryza sativa (Asian rice) or Oryza glaberrima, each of which has many subspecies developed for specific purposes. Most of the rice paddies in Myanmar depend on the seasonal monsoon, rather than flooding of rivers, for their moisture.

While rice is the country's main crop, production of beans (and other pulses), sesame, groundnuts and sugar cane are also significant.

Answer: Atlantic salmon

While the endemic species (found only in this lake) are not of particular economic importance compared to some of the other fish found in Lake Inle, they are considered significant, and environmentalists are concerned at some of the threats being posed by the importation of non-local fish, such as the grass carp, for better commercial fish production.

As well as nine species of fish, Lake Inle has twenty species of endemic snails. The lake is a popular tourist destination, both for the fishing and other activities, such as birdwatching.

The residents of the four villages that border the lake are known for their weaving skills, producing a distinctive silk weave called Inle longyi, as well as a fabric from lotus plants which is used to weave robes for Buddha images.

Answer: As a cosmetic

The ground bark of any of a selection of trees found in central Myanmar, mixed with water, produces a cream-coloured paste which Myanmar women (and also, but not as commonly, men) apply to their face and arms. It is usually applied in designs, often circles or stripes, and is appreciated for its scent (which resembles sandalwood) and for the cooling sensation provided by its application.

It also acts as a sunscreen, and has anti-fungal properties, and is believed to promote a clear complexion and prevent acne in adolescents.