Myanmar

State · 1948–present

Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia with a population of about 55 million; its capital is Naypyidaw and its largest city is Yangon. The British East India Company seized control after three Anglo-Burmese Wars in the 19th century, making it a British colony, and in 1948 Myanmar declared independence under the Burma Independence Act 1947. A 1962 coup resulted in a military dictatorship; the junta refused to cede power after the 1988 uprising until it was officially dissolved following the 2010 general election, when a nominally civilian government was installed though the military retained power over key government operations. The 2015 general election transitioned power to the National League for Democracy under Aung San Suu Kyi.