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| Facts at a Glance |
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Area
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676,577 sq.km
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Capital City
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Yangon
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Population
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51 million
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Language
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Myanmar (0fficial) English
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Religion
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Buddhism
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Climate
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Myanmar has three seasons; the monsoon or rainy season from
May to October; the cool season from November to February
and the hot season from March to May. The average temperature
ranges from 32?C in central and lower areas to 21?C in the
northern highlands.
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Local Time
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GMT +6 1/2
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Currency
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Kyat (Kt) = 100 pyas. Kt. 100,000 is known as a lakh, and
Kt 10 million as a crore. Kyat is pronounced like the English
word 'chat'.
Kyat, made up of 100 pyas. Currency notes come in the following
denominations: K 1,000, K 500, K 200, K 100,K 90, K 50, K
45, K 20, K 15, K 10, K 5, K 1 and coins K 100, K 50, K 10,
K 5, K 1 and Pya 50.
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Exchange
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On arrival at Yangon International airport, individual tourists
are required to exchange a minimum of US$200 into 200 FECs
(Foreign Exchange Certificates). Any unused certificates from
this amount cannot be refunded. Visitors booked on an inclusive
group tour package are not subject to this requirement, but
if they wish, they can also purchase FECs with US Dollars
or Sterling. FECs are Myanmar's second legal tender and are
issued by the Bank of Myanmar specifically for visiting tourists.
They come in denominations equivalent to US$20, 10, 5 and
1. Payment for FECs is only accepted in US Dollars or Sterling,
in cash or travellers cheques. (credit cards sometimes accepted)
One US Dollar equals one FEC (the Pound Sterling equivalent
fluctuates according to the Pound-Dollar variance). FECs can
be spent anywhere in the country, or exchanged into kyats
at officially authorised banks, bureaux de change, hotels
and Myanmar Travel and Tour offices. Cash payments can also
be made in US Dollars, but only at establishments (eg, hotels,
railway stations, and airlines) that have an official license
allowing them to accept dollars. The FEC system (and the possibility
to pay in US Dollars at numerous establishments) largely eliminates
the necessity to exchange national currencies into Kyat. It
is advisable to carry small denominations, as large notes
may be difficult to change.
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Credit Cards
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Airlines, major hotels and supermarkets accept Visa, Diners
Club, American Express. Check with your credit card company
for details to merchant acceptability and other services that
may be available.
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Travellers cheques
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To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are
advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Sterling
only.
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Business Hours
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Government Offices 09:30 - 15:00 hrs (closed on Saturdays
and Sundays)
Banks 09:30 hrs – 16.30 hrs (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Private Companies 09:00 hrs - 17:00 hrs (closed on Sundays)
Post Office 09:30 hrs - 16:30 hrs (closed on Saturdays and
Sundays)
Shops 09:30 hrs - 21:00 hrs
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Tipping
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Widely practised in addition to hotel and restaurant service
charges shown on bills
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Nightlife
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Limited to large hotels
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Electricity supply
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230V, 50Hz
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Photography
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Photography in airports, railway stations and near any military
installation is forbidden. Please use discretion when photographing
people. For close-up shots always ask first. Bring adequate
film, as locally available supplies are not always reliable.
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