Geography of Burma

Burma (Officially The Union of Myanmar) is a country located on the mainland of southeast Asia, and would be the northwestern most entity of the region.

Maritime claims

contiguous zone: 24 nautical miles
continental shelf: 200 nautical miles (370 km) or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles (370 km)
territorial sea: 12 nautical miles (22 km)

Climate

Tropical monsoon in the lowlands below 2,000m; 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). Climate varies in the highlands depending on elevation; subtropical temperate climate at around 2,500m, temperate at 3,000m, cool, alpine at 3,500m and above the alpine zone, cold, harsh tundra and Arctic climate. The higher elevations are subject to heavy snowfall and bad weather.

Terrain

Central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands, with the country's highest point at the 5881m Hkakabo Razi.

Ayeyarwady River, Salween, Mekong

Natural resources

petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower

Land use

arable land: 15%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 1%
forests and woodland: 49%
other: 34% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:
10,680 km² (1993 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

It is strategically located near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes.

List of islands of Burma

The following is a list of islands of Burma:

• Cheduba Island
• Coco Islands
• Mergui Archipelago
• Ramree

See also

• List of islands
• Subdivisions of Burma