Myanmar (Burma): Location, Borders & Strategic Geography

Myanmar (officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; formerly Burma) occupies a pivotal position in Southeast Asia.

Geographic Coordinates

~10°–28°N, 92°–101°E. Area: 676,578 km² (25th largest). Coastline: 1,930 km (Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea).

International Borders (5 Neighbors)

• India (northwest): 1,463 km — Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh
• Bangladesh (west): 271 km — Chittagong Hill Tracts
• China (northeast): 2,185 km — Yunnan, Tibet (high Himalaya)
• Laos (east): 235 km — Mekong River forms boundary
• Thailand (southeast): 1,800 km — Moei, Salween, Mekong rivers

Strategic Significance

• Land bridge: Only overland route between South Asia and Southeast Asia (India–Myanmar–Thailand corridor).
• Blue economy: Andaman Sea ports (Sittwe, Kyaukpyu) — China's "String of Pearls" access to Indian Ocean.
• Resource corridor: Oil/gas pipelines (China-Myanmar), hydropower potential (Salween), minerals (jade, rare earths).
• Biodiversity hotspot: Northern forests (Himalayan foothills) + coral reefs (Myeik Archipelago).

Internal Geography

• Central Dry Zone: Irrawaddy Valley — historic core, agriculture, Bagan temples.
• Shan Plateau: East; ethnic diversity, opium history, tea, gems.
• Coastal strips: Rakhine (west), Tanintharyi (south) — distinct ecologies, conflicts.
• Himalayan north: Hkakabo Razi (5,881 m) — SEA's highest peak.

Name Note

"Myanmar" (1989 military government change) vs. "Burma" — both used; UN/UK use Myanmar; US uses both; opposition groups often prefer Burma. Language: Burmese (official); 135 recognized ethnic groups.