Burma Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Burma?

Overview

Burma (also known as Myanmar), with an area of 262,000 square miles, is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia. Rangoon (also called Yangon), the capital (population of about 5.5 million), is Burma’s largest city. Mandalay (population 700,000) is second. Burma’s population is about 49 million.

Rangoon is Burma’s most important port for both domestic and foreign trade. Located on the Yangon River, 30 miles north of the Gulf of Martaban, it serves not only oceangoing freighters and tankers but also river steamers and country craft that ply Rangoon’s major waterways. The city is built on flat lowland bounded on three sides by the Pazundaung Creek and the Yangon and Hlaing Rivers. The surrounding countryside consists of rice paddies, patches of brush, and occasional rubber plantations.

Geography - note

Strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes

Burma Use of Natural Resources

Geographic Location Southeast Asia
Total Area 261,227 Square Miles
676,578 Square Kilometers
Land Area 252,319 Square Miles
653,508 Square Kilometers
Water Area 8,907 Square Miles
23,070 Square Kilometers
Land Boundaries 3,651 Miles
5,876 Kilometers
Irrigated Land 8,147 Square Miles
21,100 Square Kilometers
Border Countries Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km, Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km
Coastline 1,199 Miles
1,930 Kilometers
Geographic Coordinates 22 00 N, 98 00 E
Terrain Central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands
Highest Point 5,881 Meters
Highest Point Location Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m
Lowest Point Location Andaman Sea 0 m
Natural Resources Petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower
Time Zone UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
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