Raja Laut

Charming, chaotic, controversial and serene, Myanmar (formerly Burma) remains to the visitor an intriguing culture. Already one of the world's least Western influenced countries, Myanmar was virtually sealed off from the outside world in 1962 when a dictatorial regime took control of the government. The country has been under close international scrutiny ever since but tourism, an important source of revenue for the people of Myanmar, has been steadily building since the early 1990's.

In the mid-1990's foreign yachts were allowed to visit Myanmar for the first time, and with the discovery of the Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar has been recognized as a world-class cruising and diving destination.

The Mergui Archipelago, sited in the southernmost region of Myanmar (Burma), consists of over 800 beautiful islands. Due to its virtual seclusion, the islands and surrounding seas are animated with an amazing diversity of flora and fauna and very beautiful underwater sightings and marine life.

Myanmar, which has a total area of 678,500 square kilometres (262,000 sq mi), is the largest country in mainland Southeat Asia, and the 40th-largest in the world. Myanmar has a largely tropical climate with three seasons. Much of the country lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator. As a whole, the location and topography of the country generate a diversity of climate conditions. Seasonal changes in the monsoon wind directions crate summer, rainy and winter seasons.