The Burma Story 
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RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
Burma has been in a state of war for over half a century. The country is under the iron fisted rule of the military junta that euphemistically calls itself the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) previously know by the goblinesque title of SLORC (The State Law and Order Restoration Council) Despite their tremendous power, one person openly defies the military - Aung San Suu Kyi, known as "The Lady". She is the light of hope in this heart of darkness. Also putting their lives on the line in the fight for freedom are the Karen of Eastern Burma. The Karen people, peaceful jungle dwellers and simple farmers, are fighting for survival against Burma's version of ethnic cleansing. The Karen leader, General Bo Mya has vowed never to surrender to the SPDC. The goal of the Karen is to establish an autonomous region, called Kawthoolei, within a federation where the government respects the rights of the over 100 ethnic minorities that populate Burma. As a result of 50 years of mismanagent by the military junta, what could have been one of the richest countries in Asia has been turned into one of the poorest countries in the world - #8 from the bottom of the list according to the UN. A tragedy. The Land of Jade; Is a mystical land that has enchanted all those who have traveled here including great authors like Rudyard Kipling and George Orwell who wrote the classic "Burmese Days" MAP of BURMA
Area: Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: Climate: tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April) Terrain: central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands Elevation extremes: Natural resources: petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower Land use: Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease Geography - note: strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes MORE MAPS CLICK the images below for a larger image.
Maps of Karen area Click for larger images
Suggested Reading Among Insurgents : Walking Through Burma by Shelby Tucker Burma : Insurgency and the Politics of Ethnicity by Martin J. Smith Land of Jade ..by Bertil Linter Both by Aung San Suu Kyi Burma's Revolution of the Spirit by Alan Clements and Leslie Kean Burmese Looking Glass : A Human Rights Adventure and a Jungle Revolution by Edith T. Mirante Burmese Days by George Orwell Click here for Amazon.com's complete list of books on Burma
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