Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is in southeast
Asia. To the north and northeast is China, to the east are Laos and Thailand,
to the west are Bangladesh and India. The Bay of Bengal and the Andaman
Sea lie to the south. The Tropic of Cancer crosses the country.
Myanmar can be divided into five geographic regions: the northern mountains, the western highlands, the eastern plateau, the central basin and the coastal areas. |
|
||||
The snow-capped Kumon mountains, part of the Himalayan
mountain range, rise in the north. The highest peak is Hkakabo Razi, in
the far north. At 5,889 metres, it is the highest mountain in southeast
Asia. The valleys have subtropical vegetation and terraced rice fields.
The western highlands form the border with India.
In the east, where the Thanlwin (Salween) river flows between deep gorges, is the Shan plateau. The climate is suitable for growing citrus fruits, vegetables and timber. Tea, coffee, rice, cotton and opium are also grown in this area. The central basin is a semi-arid area, where cacti and acacia trees grow. The cities of Mandalay and Pakokku are situated in the central basin. |
|||||
The coastal areas include the fertile delta of
the Irrawaddy River. The river rises in the Himalayas and crosses the country
from north to south before emptying into the Andaman Sea. Many varieties
of fish and shrimp are found in the river. It is also used for irrigation
and transportation. Myanmar's capital, Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon),
is east of the delta. The Tenasserim coast to the southwest and the Arakan
coast to the northwest are rocky. More than a thousand islands lie off
the coast.
Myanmar has three seasons. The dry season is from March to May. The monsoon season begins in May or June and lasts for several months. The weather is hot and humid, especially in the coastal and delta regions. Between November and February, the weather is cooler and very pleasant. |
|||||
Tigers inhabit Myanmar's forested areas.
Elephants are commonly seen in logging and agricultural areas. Both tigers
and elephants are endangered species. Snakes include poisonous kraits and
vipers. Although Myanmar has three national parks and seventeen wildlife
sanctuaries, wildlife protection laws are not very strict. Tigers are hunted
and killed for the Chinese pharmaceutical industry. Tiger parts are illegally
exported because they are believed to impart strength and power.
|
|