The name "Burma" is derived from the Burmese word "Bamar", which in turn is the colloquial form of Myanmar, both of which historically referred to the majority Burmans  (or the Bamar). Depending on the register used the pronunciation would be "Bama" or "Myanmah". The name "Burma" has been in use in English since the time of British colonial rule.

Burma, which has a total area of 678,500 square kilometres (262,000 sq mi), is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia, and the 40th-largest in the world.