According to petwithsupplies, Yangon is the largest city in Myanmar and the former capital of the country. Located in the Irrawaddy Delta region, Yangon is home to a population of more than 5 million people, making it one of the most populous cities in Southeast Asia. The city is divided into two parts; downtown Yangon which consists of old colonial buildings, while new developments are being built in the outer areas. The city is a major economic hub and port for Myanmar, with a bustling market scene and many businesses located here. It also serves as an important cultural center, with numerous temples and pagodas as well as art galleries and music venues scattered throughout the city. As such, it’s no surprise that Yangon attracts many tourists from around the world each year. Mandalay is another large city in Myanmar located in central part of the country. It was once an ancient royal capital before being conquered by British forces during colonial times. Today, Mandalay has a population estimated at over 1 million people and has become an important industrial center for Myanmar due to its location near major roads and railways connecting other parts of the country. The city also serves as a major tourist destination due to its rich cultural heritage including numerous ancient Buddhist temples such as Kuthodaw Pagoda or Mahamuni Pagoda which attract visitors from all over the world each year. Mandalay also offers plenty of outdoor activities such as trekking or boat rides on nearby Inle Lake which are popular among both locals and tourists alike. Naypyidaw is another large city located in central Myanmar which serves as its current de facto capital since 2005 when it replaced Yangon as such. Home to roughly 1 million people, Naypyidaw boasts some impressive architectural structures like Uppatasanti Pagoda or Zeyathiri Market along with several government offices, embassies, universities and international organizations based here. The city also offers plenty of attractions for visitors such as wildlife reserves or water parks while its expansive shopping malls are popular amongst tourists looking for souvenirs or local handicrafts to take home with them after their visit to Naypyidaw. In 2008, Myanmar was a country in transition. After decades of military rule, the country had only recently begun to move towards a more democratic system. In November 2005, the Burmese military junta had transferred the capital from Yangon to Naypyidaw, signaling a shift in the government’s political direction. The military regime was still in power and maintained tight control over political activity in the country. All political parties were banned and any form of dissent was harshly suppressed. The National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi remained the only legal opposition party but was largely powerless due to restrictions placed on it by the junta. In August 2007, large-scale protests broke out across Myanmar in response to increases in fuel prices. The protests were quickly put down by government forces and hundreds of protesters were arrested or killed. The incident highlighted the lack of freedom of expression and assembly under military rule and served as a catalyst for further unrest throughout 2008. In May 2008, Cyclone Nargis devastated much of southern Myanmar leaving over 130,000 dead or missing and millions more displaced or homeless. In response, the government imposed an internet blackout and restricted access to international aid organizations attempting to provide relief efforts. This caused widespread international condemnation from countries such as the United States who called for immediate action from Myanmar’s government to address its humanitarian crisis. Throughout 2008, there were numerous calls from both within Myanmar and abroad for greater democratic reforms including an end to censorship laws, freedom of expression, increased media access and most importantly free elections for all citizens. In November 2008, Aung San Suu Kyi was released after spending nearly two decades under house arrest but it would take many more years before real change would be seen in Myanmar’s political landscape. Check payhelpcenter for Myanmar in 2008.