GeoFroggy

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Background

Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence outside of the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as president, and later as political kingmaker. Despite multiparty elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party winning a decisive victory, the ruling military junta refused to hand over power. Key opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, under house arrest from 1989 to 1995, was again placed under house detention from September 2000 to May 2002 and again in May 2003; her supporters are routinely harassed or jailed.

Location

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand

Area Comparative

Slightly smaller than Texas

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)

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

Year	2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Map Reference

Southeast Asia

Irrigated Land 1998

15,920 sq km

Area 2003

Total

678,500 sq km
Land

657,740 sq km
Water

20,760 sq km

Coastline

1,930 km

Geographical Coordinates

22 00 N, 98 00 E

Land use 2003

Arable Land
14.53%
Permanent Crops
0.9%
Other
84.57%

Terrain

Central lowlands ringed by steep
Rugged highlands

Elevation

Lowest Point: Andaman Sea 0 m
Highest Point: Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m

Land Boundaries

Total
5,876 km
Bangladesh
193 km
China
2,185 km
India
1,463 km
Laos
235 km
Thailand
1,800 km

Natural Resources

Petroleum
Timber
Tin
Antimony
Zinc
Copper
Tungsten

Lead
Coal
Some marble
Limestone
Precious stones
Natural gas
Hydropower

Burma