Physical Features

Length: Approximately the distance from the northern coast of Scotland to Majorca off the coast of Spain.

Breadth: Approximately the distance from London to Dresden.

Mountain Ranges: Forest-covered, densely clustered mountains rise in the north to a height of 6,000 meters with two major ranges running southward, cutting the country lengthwise into two coastal strips, a central river valley, and a high plateau.

Major Waterways: The Chindwinn River flows from the mountainous regions in the northwest, the Mali Hka and Mai Hka from the mountains in the northeast to feed the Ayeyarwady which flows southward, and opens into the delta between Pathein and Yangon before entering the Andaman Sea. In the east the Thanlwin River runs parallel to the Ayeyarwady through the mountains in the north to the south, entering the Andaman Sea at Mawlamyine.

Central Plain: Slightly less than 1,000 kilometers long, 160 wide, largely arable with rainfall and temperatures ideal for agricultural production.