GEOGRAPHY
Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 236,800 sq km
land area: 230,800 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Utah
Land boundaries: total 5,083 km, Burma 235 km, Cambodia
541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none; landlocked
International disputes: boundary dispute with Thailand
Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November);
dry season (December to April)
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and
plateaus
Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin,
gold, gemstones
Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 3%
forest and woodland: 58%
other: 35%
Irrigated land: 1,554 sq km (1992 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; a majority
of the population does not have access to potable water
natural hazards: floods, droughts, and blight
international agreements: party to - Climate Change,
Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not
ratified - Law of the Sea
Note: landlocked
