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