Burma: Geography

Geography

Burma

Location:	Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand
Geographic coordinates:	22 00 N, 98 00 E
Map references:	Southeast Asia
Area:	total: 678,500 sq km land: 657,740 sq km water: 20,760 sq km
Area - comparative:	slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:	total: 5,876 km border countries: Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km, Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km
Coastline:	1,930 km
Maritime claims:	contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:	tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April)
Terrain:	central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands
Elevation extremes:	lowest point: Andaman Sea 0 m highest point: Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m
Natural resources:	petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower
Land use:	arable land: 14.53% permanent crops: 0.9% other: 84.57% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:	15,920 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:	destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:	deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease
Environment - international agreements:	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:	strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes