Myanmar is a sovereign nation in Southeast Asia surrounded by Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, and Thailand. It is the 40th largest country in the world and the second largest in Southeast Asia. Myanmar, originally called Burma, has seen centuries of fighting and changes in control. The earliest known cultures were the Tibetan-Burman speaking Pyu in the north and the Mon in lower Burma. Myanmar has a population of over 60 million people, making it the 24th most populous country in the world. Outside of the scattered resident tribes, the first known civilization and colonization of this country dates back to the 9th century AD. The Burmese from the Kingdom of Nanzhao entered the upper Irrawaddy valley, founding the Pagan Empire around the year 1050 AD The popular domination of this land established a solid community belonging to the Burmese. The Pagan Empire dominated this area until the Mongol invasions of 1277-1301. The dominant religion of this country until the Mongol invasions was Theravada Buddhism. Burma became a devastated collection of warring societies after the invasions, with no real dominant culture having influence over the area. In the second half of the 16th century, the country was unified under the Taungoo dynasty. During this period, the country became the largest empire in Southeast Asia. During the 19th century, the Konbaung dynasty gained control of Burma. The country saw a brief period of success until the invasion of British soldiers, which led to the Anglo-Burmese Wars. The British eventually conquered Burma and it became a colony of the British Empire until its independence in 1948. Burma initially adopted a constitution and became a democratic nation until a military coup in 1962, in which… middle of paper . .....strongly undefined or underdefined. Despite being a nominally democratic society, Myanmar still sees most of its control in the hands of the military, which holds the highest positions in the newly elected government. These individuals appear to be the most immediate route to creating economic and military ties. Ensuring our support goes to the right people is crucial. With recent international relations under strain, it is clear that a light-hearted approach to this country and much research remains before a full commitment. Though new in design, a nation has only begun and all aspects are subject to destruction and the voids within its borders are increasingly evident. possible. There are several areas of concern that conflict with our ideals and Burma lives with these as facts and solutions. Myanmar has an important role to play in international relations with many countries, both local and international.