Q 01/05

What was Myanmar's official English name until 1989?

A) Burma

B) Siam

C) Pegu

D) Arakan

Answer · why

A) Burma

The military government romanised many place names that year; the change is still contested.

Q 02/05

What is the capital city of Myanmar?

A) Yangon

B) Mandalay

C) Bagan

D) Naypyidaw

Answer · why

D) Naypyidaw

The junta moved the capital there from the old one in November 2005.

Q 03/05

What is Myanmar's largest city?

A) Naypyidaw

B) Mandalay

C) Yangon

D) Mawlamyine

Answer · why

C) Yangon

Its name was romanised differently in the colonial era.

Q 04/05

What does the name of Myanmar's purpose-built capital mean?

A) Golden land

B) City of the kings

C) New capital

D) Place of peace

Answer · why

B) City of the kings

The name was announced on Armed Forces Day, 27 March 2006.

Q 05/05

Myanmar holds what distinction among the countries of mainland Southeast Asia?

A) Most populous

B) Largest by area

C) Richest per capita

D) Longest coastline

Answer · why

B) Largest by area

Its population is about 55 million.