Geography Quiz Arcade

Capital of Myanmar: Naypyidaw — Facts & 5-Question Quiz

The capital of Myanmar is Naypyidaw. Myanmar sits in Asia, has a population of 54,179,306, and uses the MMK. Official languages include Burmese.

Quick facts

  • Capital: Naypyidaw
  • Continent: Asia
  • Population: ~54,179,306
  • Area: 676,578 km²
  • Population density: 80.1 people per km²
  • Official language: Burmese
  • Currency: MMK
  • ISO code: MM

How big is Myanmar?

By population, Myanmar ranks 26th in the world, holding roughly 0.68% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 39th.

Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Myanmar has 80.1 people per square kilometre, which is somewhat above the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.

Within Asia, Myanmar is the 12th most populous country of 48.

Countries of a similar size

The two countries closest to Myanmar in population are Kenya (54,027,487) and Colombia (51,874,024).

By land area, its closest counterparts are Afghanistan (652,230 km²) and South Sudan (644,329 km²).

Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.

Language and currency

Burmese is listed as an official language of Myanmar alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.

Myanmar uses the MMK, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.

How to remember Myanmar

Naypyidaw means 'royal capital' or 'abode of kings'. It replaced Yangon as the capital in 2005-2006, so if a quiz offers Yangon (or Rangoon), that is the old answer. For the flag, a big white star on yellow-green-red, like a star over a field at sunset.

The flag of Myanmar: yellow, green and red, with a white star

🇲🇲 The flag is three horizontal stripes of yellow, green and red with a large white five-pointed star in the centre. Yellow stands for unity and happiness, green for peace and a green, fertile land, red for bravery and decisiveness, and the white star for purity, honesty and compassion.

Region and neighbours

Myanmar is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia, on the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. It shares land borders with 5 countries: Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand.

Three facts about Myanmar

  1. The country was called Burma in English until 1989, and both names are still used.
  2. Yangon, the former capital, is still the largest city and home to the gold-covered Shwedagon Pagoda.
  3. Bagan, an ancient city with thousands of Buddhist temples on the plains beside the Irrawaddy River, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sources: Wikipedia: Myanmar, Wikipedia: Flag of Myanmar, Wikipedia: Naypyidaw, CIA World Factbook.

Quiz yourself on Myanmar

Myanmar capital quiz

  1. What is the capital of Myanmar 🇲🇲?

    • Astana
    • Naypyidaw
    • Hanoi
    • Baku
    Show answer

    Naypyidaw

  2. What is the capital of South Korea 🇰🇷?

    • Taipei
    • Tbilisi
    • Seoul
    • Jakarta
    Show answer

    Seoul

  3. What is the capital of Iraq 🇮🇶?

    • Doha
    • Baghdad
    • Tokyo
    • Bandar Seri Begawan
    Show answer

    Baghdad

  4. What is the capital of Afghanistan 🇦🇫?

    • Jerusalem
    • Kabul
    • Malé
    • Ulaanbaatar
    Show answer

    Kabul

  5. What is the capital of Thailand 🇹🇭?

    • Islamabad
    • Kuwait City
    • Bangkok
    • Muscat
    Show answer

    Bangkok

Myanmar is also in the Southeast Asia capitals quiz.

Myanmar in Asia

The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.

If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Myanmar belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.

Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Myanmar.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Myanmar?

The capital of Myanmar is Naypyidaw.

What is the population of Myanmar?

About 54,179,306, making it the 26th most populous country in the world.

How big is Myanmar?

676,578 square kilometres, ranking 39th by land area, at a density of 80.1 people per square kilometre.

What currency does Myanmar use?

The MMK, which no other country uses.

What are the colours of the Myanmar flag?

The flag of Myanmar is three horizontal stripes of yellow, green and red with a large white five-pointed star in the centre. Yellow stands for unity and happiness, green for peace and a green, fertile land, red for bravery and decisiveness, and the white star for purity, honesty and compassion.

Which countries border Myanmar?

Myanmar shares land borders with Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand.

How can I remember the capital of Myanmar?

Naypyidaw means 'royal capital' or 'abode of kings'. It replaced Yangon as the capital in 2005-2006, so if a quiz offers Yangon (or Rangoon), that is the old answer. For the flag, a big white star on yellow-green-red, like a star over a field at sunset.

More capitals to learn

Get the free Mind Skills Arcade app

Brain games for memory, logic, math and focus, free and offline: Get it on Google Play · Download on the App Store