Myanmar (also known as Burma) is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia, with a population of about 55 million, bordered by India, China, Laos, and Thailand, and featuring the capital Naypyidaw and the largest city Yangon. Its rich history spans ancient kingdoms like the Pagan Kingdom (1050s) and the Taungoo dynasty, before it was colonized by the British in the 19th century and gained independence in 1948. The post-independence era has been marked by military rule, beginning with a 1962 coup, the 8888 Uprising in 1988, and a junta that held power until 2011, with a brief democratic transition under Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy after the 2015 election. However, the military (Tatmadaw) seized power again in a 2021 coup, triggering widespread protests and an ongoing civil war that has created a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 1.3 million refugees and 3.5 million internally displaced people. Despite being rich in natural resources like jade, gems, and natural gas, the country suffers from deep political instability, corruption, and one of the world's widest income gaps, and it remains classified as a least developed nation. Additionally, Myanmar is plagued by long-running ethnic conflicts, including the internationally condemned Rohingya genocide, and is a member of ASEAN and the Non-Aligned Movement.