Myanmar

The people of Myanmar are called Burmese. The population is comprised of a number of ethnic groups. The Burman, related to the Tibetans, make up almost 70 percent of Myanmar's total population. Other ethnic groups remain distinct, and have sought to preserve their independence, sometimes by violent means. These groups include the Shans, making up about 7 percent of the population; the Karens, representing about 6 percent of the population; and other smaller groups, representing less than 5 percent of the population each.