The country achieved independence from the United Kingdom on 4 January 1948, as the “Union of Burma.” It became the “Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma” on 4 January 1974, before reverting to the “Union of Burma” on 23 September 1988. On 18 June 1989, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) adopted the name “Union of Myanmar”. This controversial name change was not recognized by SPDC opposition groups and many English-speaking nations. Read the rest of this entry »
Yangon (also known as Rangoon) is the largest city and former capital of Burma (Myanmar). Although the military government has officially relocated the capital to Naypyidaw since March 2006, Yangon with a population of 6 million continues to be the country’s largest city and the most important commercial center. Read the rest of this entry »