Official name: Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Population: 54 million.
Size: 262,000 square miles; three times the size of the UK.
Capital: Nay Pyi Taw.
Largest city: Rangoon.
Politics:
1948: Gained independence from Britain.
1962 to 2011: Military junta.
1990: Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won landslide victory in election but was not allowed to govern.
2010: NLD boycotted first General Election in 20 years amid alleged fraud.
2011: Nominally civilian government led by President Thein Sein, who served as general and then prime minister under junta, installed.
2012: 45 by-elections held; NLD won 43.
Ethnic groups: 135; largest is Bamar at 70%.
Major religions: Buddhism (90%), Christianity, Islam.
Life expectancy: 64 years for men, 68 for women.
Monetary unit: The kyat.
Economy: Agriculture accounts for 56% of GDP, services 35% and industry 8%.
GDP per capita: £800 (UK's is £15,000).
Main exports: Teak, jade, pearls, rubies, beans, prawns, fish, rice, oil and gas. Second-largest producer of opium after Afghanistan.
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