Myanmar, or Burma as it is still more commonly known in the west, is a country of magnificent, ancient Buddhist temples, broad fast flowing rivers, lush mountain forests, interesting cities and vastly contrasting countryside. 

Southern Myanmar consists largely of the western slopes of the Bilauktaung Range, which constitutes the northern base of the Malay Peninsula. Northern Myanmar, comprises the bulk of the country's area and consists largely of the broad Ayeyarwady River valley. 

The Ayeyarwady valley is surrounded by a great horseshoe of mountain ranges, which rise in the east to the highlands of the Shan Plateau.