Myanmar in 1982 Through Fascinating Photos

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is a country in Southeast Asia. It is the largest country in Mainland Southeast Asia. Myanmar is bordered by Bangladesh and India to its northwest, China to its northeast, Laos and Thailand to its east and southeast, and the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal to its south and southwest. The country’s capital city is Naypyidaw, and its largest city is Yangon (Rangoon).

Myanmar in 1982

For most of its independent years, the country has been engulfed in rampant ethnic strife and its myriad ethnic groups have been involved in one of the world’s longest-running ongoing civil wars.

Myanmar is very rich in natural resources, such as jade, gems, oil, natural gas, teak and other minerals, as well as also endowed with renewable energy, having the highest solar power potential compared to other countries of the Great Mekong Subregion. However, Myanmar has long suffered from instability, factional violence, corruption, poor infrastructure, as well as a long history of colonial exploitation with little regard to human development.

These fascinating photos were taken by Yves Galland that documented everyday life of Myanmar, mostly in Mandalay and Yangon in 1982.

Mandalay, Myanmar, 1982

Mandalay, Myanmar, 1982

Mandalay, Myanmar, 1982

Mandalay, Myanmar, 1982

Mandalay, Myanmar, 1982

Mandalay, Myanmar, 1982

Mandalay, Myanmar, 1982

Mandalay, Myanmar, 1982

Mandalay, Myanmar, 1982

Mandalay, Myanmar, 1982

Mandalay, Myanmar, 1982

Mandalay, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

Yangon, Myanmar, 1982

(Photo © Yves Galland)