Burma

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Burma (now called Myanmar by its current rulers) is a Theravada Buddhist country run by a military government, best known at present for its house arrest of freedom advocate and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.  However, Burma has a long history comprising a number of kingdoms, the most glorious being the Bagan dynasty, which ruled from the 11th to the 13th centuries before being destroyed by Mongol invaders.  This kingdom was responsible for establishing Theravada Buddhism as the religion of Burma. Burma’s recent history, since independence from Britain was achieved in 1948, has been one of isolation, lack of economic development, and military repression.  For more details on Burma, please click on the above buttons.