Myanmar

Why in news?

• Army has taken control of Myanmar in a coup and has put Aung San Suki under house arrest.

About Myanmar:

• Myanmar is a country in Southeast Asia bordered by Bangladesh and India to its northwest, China to its northeast, Laos and Thailand to its east and southeast, and the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal to its south and southwest.
• Myanmar is the largest country in Mainland Southeast Asia (largest being Indonesia) and the 10th largest in Asia by area.
• As of 2017, the population was about 54 million.
• Its capital city is Naypyidaw, and its largest city is Yangon (Rangoon).
• Myanmar is a member of the East Asia Summit, Non-Aligned Movement, ASEAN, and BIMSTEC.
• Notably, although a former British Colony, Myanmar  is not a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
• As of 2020, according to the Human Development Index, Myanmar ranks 147 out of 189 countries in human development.

Geography and Economy:

• Myanmar has three major river systems, which are the Irrawaddy, Salween (Thanlwin), and the Sittaung rivers.
• The river systems are separated by mountain ranges, such as the Rakhine Yoma, the Bago Yoma, the Shan Hills and the Tenasserim Hills, all of which run north-to-south from the Himalayas.
• Myanmar is one of the most highly vulnerable countries to climate change; this poses a number of social, political, economic and foreign policy challenges to the country.
• Myanmar's economy is one of the fastest growing economy in the world with a nominal GDP of USD $76.09 billion in 2019 and an estimated purchasing power adjusted GDP of USD $327.629 billion in 2017 according to World Bank.
• Myanmar produces precious stones such as rubies, sapphires, pearls, and jade. Rubies are the biggest earner; 90% of the world's rubies come from the country.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding Myanmar:
1.It is a member of United Nations and Commonwealth.
2.Mekong river flows through Myanmar.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to Prelims Question