Photos

Infrared film helps accentuate plant growth and sediment accumulations in this near-vertical photograph of the numerous mouths of the Irrawaddy River in western Burma. The Irrawaddy Delta, one of the world's great rice-producing regions, consists of fertile river mud and sand deposited during the last 2 million years. The deep reds and violets at the southern end of the multichanneled delta (top of photo) reflect large mangrove forests. The light blues show the sediment plumes within the stream channels extending southward into the Andaman Sea. Image courtesy of NASA.

The ancient city of Bagan is located in Mandalay Division and is home to over 2,000 pagodas and temples. The majority of the buildings were built during the 11th to 13th centuries when Bagan was the capital of the Burmese Empire.

Htilominlo Temple in Bagan was completed around A.D. 1218 during the reign of King Nantaungmya; it is reputed to be the location where this king was chosen as crown prince. The three-story temple rises to 46 m (150 ft) and is built of red brick.

Ananda Temple is one of the four main temples remaining in Bagan. It is said to have been built around A.D. 1105 by King Kyanzittha and showcases traditional Mon architecture.

A golden Buddha statue sits in one of Bagan's many pagodas.

The Shwenandaw Kyaung Temple was originally part of the royal palace in Amarapura but was moved to nearby Mandalay where is remains today. King Mindo died in the building in 1878 and it was later converted into a monastery dedicated to his memory. The building is made of teak and has intricate wood carvings located throughout the structure.

Mount Popa, an extinct volcano, is located southeast of Bagan. It has become the site of religious and mystical interests, notably "nats" or the spirits of ancient ancestors. A monastery sits atop the volcano and houses several monkeys.

Inle Lake is located in Shan State is is mostly known for local fishermen practicing a distinct rowing style stroking an oar with one leg. Inle Lake is also home to a strong weaving industry and floating gardens.

The Irrawaddy Delta is a lowlying region in southern Burma that plays a dominant role in the fishing and rice cultivation industry. The region was devastated in May 2008 by Cyclone Nargis that by official estimates left 84,500 dead and 53,800 missing.