Myanmar :: Government
Country name: Myanmar
Myanmar consists seven divisions (predominantly Bamar) and seven states (home to particular ethnic minorities).Official name: Union of Myanmar
The seven states are Chin State, Kachin State, Kayah State, Kayin (Karen) State, Mon State, Rakhine State and Shan State.
Former names: Burma, Union of Burma
Capital: Yangon (former name, Rangoon)
Administrative Capital: Naypyidaw
Year of independence: 4 January 1948 (from UK)
National holiday:
• Independence Day, 4 January (1948);
• Union Day, 12 February (1947)
Head of state: Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992)
Head of government: Acting Prime Minister, Gen THEIN SEIN (since 18 May 2007)
Type of government: military junta
Legislature: unicameral People's Assembly
National flag: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 14, white, five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk of rice;