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Myanmar's
(Burma) population is estimated at over 47 million, with the
population density being 70 persons per sq km. Roughly three
quarters of the population are rural inhabitants, with the
remaining population living in urban Yangon, Mandalay and
Moulmein. About two thirds of Myanmar's population are Burman
(ethnically close to Tibetans and Chinese) with other minorities
making up the other third.
Of the
minorities, the Karen and the Shan groups which together make
up less than ten percent of Myanmar's population are considered
to be the two most important ones. With the British occupation,
most of the ethnic minorities were kept separate within their
borderlands, thus enabling them to maintain their traditions.
Since Burman rule, these minorities, especially the Karen
with occasional help from Shan political groups and the Kachin
have rebelled by using arms.
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