MYANMAR

Union of Myanmar Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw CAPITAL: Yangon (formerly Rangoon) FLAG: The national flag is red with a blue canton, within which 14 white stars encircle a rice stalk and an industrial wheel. ANTHEM: Kaba Makye (Our Free Homeland). MONETARY UNIT: The kyat (K) is a paper currency of 100 pyas. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 pyas and 1 kyat, and notes of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 100 kyats. K1 = $0.00125 (or $1 = K800) as of May 2003. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: Both British and metric weights and measures are in general use, but local units also are employed. HOLIDAYS: Independence Day, 4 January; Union Day, 12 February; Peasants’ Day, 2 March; Defense Services Day, 27 March; Burmese New Year, 17 April; World Workers’ Day, 1 May; Martyrs’ Day, 19 July; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Full Moon of Tabaung, February or March; Thingyan (Water Festival), April; Full Moon of Kason, April or May; Waso (Beginning of Buddhist Lent), June or July; Thadingyut (End of Buddhist Lent), October; and Tazaungdaing, November. TIME: 6:30 PM = noon GMT.