Federated Shan States Government
Shan States Gazette - Volume 03/2009 1 Information Department of Shan Government, Federated Shan States 2 Shan States Gazette - Volume 03/2009 Country Profile Size: Lies between 19 and 24 degrees latitude North, and Stretches from 96 to 101 degrees longitude East, covering approximately 64,000 square mile; shares boundaries with Burma, China, Laos, Thailand and the Karenni. Topography and Drainage: Bisected north to south by the Salween, one of the longest rivers in Asia. It lies at an average of 2,000 feet above sea-level, and the highest point, Mount Loilaeng, is 8,777 feet. It is composed of broad valleys, thickly wooded mountain ranges and rolling hills forming scenic landscapes. Jong- ang, the biggest waterfall (972 feet) can be found near the town of Kengtong in Mongnai State. Climate There are three seasons: Raing (May to October), cold (November to January) and Warm (February to April). Annual rainfalls average between 40-60 inches. The overall temperature is agreeable: not too cold and not too hot. Information Department of Shan Government, Federated Shan States Shan States Gazette - Volume 03/2009 3 Vegetation Pine and evergreen forests can be found in abundance. Teak and various kinds of hardwood cover over 47,210 square miles. Minerals The bulk of the so-called Burmese natural resources are in the Shan State: silver, lead, gold, copper, iron, tin, wolfram, tungsten, manganese, nickel, coal, mica, antimony, fluorite, marble, gemstones and even uranium. Mines well known are: the Mogok (Mognkut in Shan) and Mongsu ruby mines, and the Namtu Bawdwin silver mines discovered by the Chinese traders and renovated in 1904 by none other than Herbert Clerk Hoover (1874-1964) who became the 31st President of the United State.
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