Geography of Vietnam: Difference between revisions
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{{for|historical geography of Vietnam|History of Vietnam}} |
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[[Image:VietnamOMC.png|thumb|right|400px|Vietnam's cities and towns]] |
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{{Infobox country geography |
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[[Image:VietnameseRegions.png|thumb|regions]] |
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| name = Vietnam |
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[[Image:Vietnam Topography.png|thumb|Topograhic map of Vietnam.]] |
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| map = VietnamOMC.png |
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| continent = Asia |
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| region = [[Southeast Asia]] |
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| coordinates = 16°00′N 108°00′E |
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| area ranking = 66th |
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| km area = 331,212 |
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| percent land = 93.62 |
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| km coastline = 3,444 |
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|exclusive economic zone = {{convert|417,663|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} |
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| borders = {{convert|4,639|km|mi|abbr=on}} |
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| geographic center = |
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| highest point = [[Fansipan]] <br> {{convert|3,144|m}} |
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| lowest point = [[South China Sea]] <br> {{convert|0|m}} |
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| longest river = [[Đồng Nai river]] (longest inland river) <br> {{convert|586|km}} |
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| largest lake = [[Ba Bể Lake]] {{convert|6.5|km2}} |
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}} |
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[[Image:VietnameseRegions.svg|thumb|Regions of Vietnam]] |
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[[Image:Vietnam Topography.png|thumb|Topographic map of Vietnam]] |
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'''[[ |
'''[[Vietnam]]''' is located on the eastern margin of the [[Indochina|Indochinese peninsula]] and occupies about {{convert|331211.6|km2}}, of which about 25% was under cultivation in 1987. It borders the [[Gulf of Tonkin]], [[Gulf of Thailand]], and Pacific Ocean, along with China, [[Laos]], and [[Cambodia]]. The elongated roughly ''S'' shaped country has a north-to-south distance of {{convert|1650|km|abbr=on}} and is about {{convert|50|km|abbr=on}} wide at the narrowest point. With a coastline of {{convert|3260|km|abbr=on}}, excluding [[List of islands of Vietnam|islands]], Vietnam claims {{convert|12|nmi|km mi|1}} as the limit of its territorial waters, an additional {{convert|12|nmi|km mi|1}} as a contiguous customs and security zone. It has an [[Exclusive economic zone of Vietnam|exclusive economic zone]] of {{convert|417,663|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} with {{convert|200|nmi|km mi|1}}. |
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The boundary with Laos |
The boundary with Laos was settled on both an ethnic and geographical basis between the rulers of Vietnam and Laos in the mid-seventeenth century. The [[Annamite Range]] as a reference, was formally defined by a [[delimitation]] treaty signed in 1977 and ratified in 1986. The frontier with Cambodia, defined at the time of French annexation of the western part of the [[Mekong Delta]] in 1867, remained essentially unchanged, according to [[Hanoi]], until some unresolved border issues were finally settled in the 1982–85 period. The land and sea boundary with China, delineated under the France-China treaties of 1887 and 1895, is "the frontier line" accepted by Hanoi. China agreed in 1957–1958 to respect that border line. However, in February 1979, following the [[Sino-Vietnamese War]], Hanoi complained that from 1957 onward China had provoked numerous border incidents as part of its anti-Vietnam policy and [[expansionism|expansionist]] designs in [[Southeast Asia]]. Among the territorial infringements cited was the Chinese occupation in January 1974 of the [[Paracel Islands]], claimed by both countries in a dispute left unresolved in the 1980s. |
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{{coord|16|00|N|108|00|E|display=title}} |
{{coord|16|00|N|108|00|E|display=title}} |
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==Physiography== |
==Physiography== |
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The country is divided into the highlands and the [[Hong River Delta]] in the north, the [[Annamite Range]] along with the coastal lowlands in the centre, and the [[Mekong Delta]] in the south. |
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==Terrain== |
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The spectacular [[Ban Gioc Waterfall]] is 272 km north of Hanoi and few tourists are seen there. |
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Vietnam is a country of subtropical and tropical lowlands, hills, and densely forested highlands, with level land covering less than 20% of the area. |
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<ref>{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.smile.com.vn/vietnam_destinations/vietnam_destinations_travel_tours_cao_bang_ban_gioc.htm |
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|title=Vietnam Destinations: Ban Gioc (Cao Bang) |
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|publisher= |
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|accessdate=2007-02-12 |
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}}</ref> |
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{{ |
{{See also|Provinces of Vietnam}} |
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===Red River Delta=== |
===Red River Delta=== |
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The delta of the Red River (also known as the ''Sông Hồng''), is a flat, triangular region of 15,000 square kilometers<ref>[http://xttm.agroviet.gov.vn/en/newsletter/2005/September.asp Agroviet Newsletter September 2005]</ref>, is smaller but more intensely developed and more densely populated than the [[Mekong River Delta]]. Once an inlet of the [[Gulf of Tonkin]], it has been filled in by the enormous [[alluvial fan|alluvial deposits]] of the rivers over a period of millennia, and it advances one hundred meters into the Gulf annually. The ancestral home of the ethnic Vietnamese, the delta accounted for almost 70 % of the agriculture and 80 % of the industry of North Vietnam before 1975. |
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The joined Delta of [[Hong River]] (Red River) and [[Thái Bình River]] is a flat, triangular region of {{convert|15,000|km2}}.<ref>[http://xttm.agroviet.gov.vn/en/newsletter/2005/September.asp Agroviet Newsletter September 2005] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221184058/http://xttm.agroviet.gov.vn/en/newsletter/2005/September.asp |date=2008-02-21 }}</ref> The [[Hong River Delta]] is smaller but more intensely developed and more densely populated than the [[Mekong Delta]]. Once an inlet of the [[Gulf of Tonkin]], it has been filled in by the enormous [[alluvial fan|alluvial deposits]] of the rivers over a period of millennia, and it advances one hundred meters into the Gulf annually.<ref>{{cite book |title=Origin of the Tai People 6―Northern Tai-Speaking People of the Red River Delta and Their Habitat Today |page=19 |isbn=9781641531832 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G35eDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA19 |last1=Schliesinger |first1=Joachim |date=2 June 2018 }}</ref> The ancestral home of the ethnic Vietnamese, the delta accounted for almost 70% of the agriculture and 80% of the industry of North Vietnam before 1975. |
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The Red River, rising in China's [[Yunnan|Yunnan province]], is about 1,200 kilometers long. Its two main tributaries, the Sông Lô (also called the Lo River, the Riviere Claire, or the Clear River) and the [[Black River (Vietnam)|Sông Da]] (also called the Black River or Riviere Noire), contribute to its high water volume, which averages 4,300 cubic meters per second.<ref>{{cite web |
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| url = http://www.wepa-db.net/policies/state/vietnam/surface.htm |
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| title = State of water: Vietnam. |
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| accessdate = 2008-03-26 |
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| publisher = Water Environment Partnership in Asia}}</ref> |
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The entire delta region, backed by the steep rises of the forested highlands, is no more than three meters above sea level, and much of it is one meter or less. The area is subject to frequent flooding; at some places the high-water mark of floods is fourteen meters above the surrounding countryside. For centuries flood control has been an integral part of the delta's culture and economy. An extensive system of [[dike (construction)|dikes]] and [[canals]] has been built to contain the Red River and to irrigate the rich rice-growing delta. Modeled on that of China's, this ancient system has sustained a highly concentrated population and has made [[double-cropping]] wet-rice cultivation possible throughout about half the region. |
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The Red River, rising in China's [[Yunnan]] province, is about {{convert|1200|km}} long. Its two main tributaries, the Sông Lô (also called the Lo River, the Riviere Claire, or the Clear River) and the [[Black River (Asia)|Sông Đà]] (also called the Black River or Riviere Noire), contribute to its high water volume, which averages {{convert|4300|m3}} per second.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wepa-db.net/policies/state/vietnam/surface.htm | title = State of water: Vietnam. | access-date = 2008-03-26 | publisher = Water Environment Partnership in Asia}}</ref> |
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===Highlands=== |
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The entire delta region, backed by the steep rises of the forested highlands, is no more than three meters above sea level, and much of it is one meter or less. The area is subject to frequent flooding; at some places the high-water mark of floods is fourteen meters above the surrounding countryside. For centuries flood control has been an integral part of the delta's culture and economy. An extensive system of [[dike (construction)|dikes]] and [[canal]]s has been built to contain the Red River and to irrigate the rich rice-growing delta. Modeled on that of China's, this ancient system has sustained a highly concentrated population and has made [[double-cropping]] wet-rice cultivation possible throughout about half the region. |
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===Mountainous=== |
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{{See also|Zomia (geography)}} |
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[[Image:Vietnamese valley.JPG|thumb|left|150px|A valley in the north.]] |
[[Image:Vietnamese valley.JPG|thumb|left|150px|A valley in the north.]] |
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The |
The mountain plateaus in the north and northwest are inhabited mainly by tribal minority groups. The Dãy Trường Sơn ([[Annamite Range]]) originates in the [[Tibet]]an and Yunnan regions of southwest China and forms Vietnam's border with Laos. It terminates in the Mekong River Delta north of [[Ho Chi Minh City|Hồ Chí Minh City]] (formerly Saigon). |
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These central mountains, which have several high [[plateau]]s, are irregular in elevation and form. The northern section is narrow and very rugged; the country's highest peak, [[Fansipan|Fan Si Pan]], rises to 3,142 meters in the extreme northwest. The southern portion has numerous spurs that divide the narrow coastal strip into a series of compartments. For centuries these topographical features not only rendered north–south communication difficult, but also formed an effective natural barrier for the containment of the people living in the Mekong basin. |
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{{Further|Nhồi Mountain}} |
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These central mountains, which have several high [[plateaus]], are irregular in elevation and form. The northern section is narrow and very rugged; the country's highest peak, [[Fan Si Pan]], rises to 3,142 meters in the extreme northwest. The southern portion has numerous spurs that divide the narrow coastal strip into a series of compartments. For centuries these topographical features not only rendered north-south communication difficult but also formed an effective natural barrier for the containment of the people living in the Mekong basin. |
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===Central Highlands=== |
===Central Highlands=== |
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Within the southern portion of Vietnam is a plateau known as the Central Highlands ( |
Within the southern portion of Vietnam is a plateau known as the [[Central Highlands (Vietnam)|Central Highlands]] (Tây Nguyên), approximately 51,800 square kilometers of rugged mountain peaks, extensive forests, and rich soil. Comprising five relatively flat plateaus of [[basalt]] soil spread over the provinces of [[Đắk Lắk province|Đắk Lắk]] (or "Dac Lac"), [[Gia Lai province|Gia Lai]], and [[Kon Tum province|Kon Tum]], the highlands account for 16% of the country's [[arable land]] and 22% of its total forested land. Before 1975, [[North Vietnam]] had maintained that the Central Highlands and the Day Truong Son were strategic areas of paramount importance, essential to the domination not only of South Vietnam but also of the southern part of Indochina. Since 1975, the highlands have provided an area in which to relocate people from the densely populated lowlands. |
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===Coastal lowlands=== |
===Coastal lowlands=== |
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[[Image:Điện_Gió_Bình_Thuận_-_panoramio_(1).jpg|thumb|left|200px|Wind turbines in [[Tuy Phong District]], [[Bình Thuận province]], [[South Central Coast]], one of the most driest area in Vietnam, with average precipitation of {{convert|272|mm|in|abbr=on}} per year.]] |
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The narrow, flat coastal lowlands extend from south of the Red River Delta to the Mekong River basin. On the landward side, the Giai Truong Son rises precipitously above the coast, its spurs jutting into the sea at several places. Generally the coastal strip is fertile and rice is cultivated intensively. |
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The narrow, flat coastal lowlands extend from south of the Red River Delta to the Mekong River basin. On the landward side, the Dãy Trường Sơn rises precipitously above the coast, its spurs jutting into the sea at several places. Generally the coastal strip is fertile and rice is cultivated intensively. |
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A recent global remote sensing analysis suggested that there were 3,069 km<sup>2</sup> of tidal flats in Vietnam, making it the 10th ranking country in terms of how much tidal flat occurs there.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Murray |first1=N.J. |last2=Phinn |first2=S.R. |last3=DeWitt |first3=M. |last4=Ferrari |first4=R. |last5=Johnston |first5=R. |last6=Lyons |first6=M.B. |last7=Clinton |first7=N. |last8=Thau |first8=D. |last9=Fuller |first9=R.A. |title=The global distribution and trajectory of tidal flats |journal=Nature |date=2019 |volume=565 |pages=222–225 |doi=10.1038/s41586-018-0805-8 |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0805-8}}</ref> |
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===Mekong River Delta=== |
===Mekong River Delta=== |
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{{See also|Mekong Delta}} |
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The Mekong delta, covering about 40,000 square kilometers, is a low-level plain not more than three meters above sea level at any point and criss-crossed by a maze of canals and rivers. So much sediment is carried by the Mekong's various branches and tributaries that the delta advances sixty to eighty meters into the sea every year. An official Vietnamese source estimates the amount of sediment deposited annually to be about 1 billion cubic meters, or nearly 13 times the amount deposited by the Red River. About 10,000 square kilometers of the delta are under rice cultivation, making the area one of the major rice-growing regions of the world. The southern tip, known as the [[Ca Mau Province|Cà Mau Peninsula]], or Mui Bai Bung, is covered by dense jungle and [[mangrove]] swamps. |
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The Mekong Delta, covering about 40,000 square kilometers, is a low-level plain not more than three meters above sea level at any point and criss-crossed by a maze of canals and rivers. So much sediment is carried by the Mekong's various branches and tributaries that the delta advances sixty to eighty meters into the sea every year. An official Vietnamese source estimates the amount of sediment deposited annually to be about 1 billion cubic meters, or nearly thirteen times the amount deposited by the Red River. About 10,000 square kilometers of the delta are under rice cultivation, making the area one of the major rice-growing regions of the world. The southern tip, known as the [[Cà Mau province|Cà Mau Peninsula]] is covered by dense jungle and [[mangrove]] swamps. |
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The Mekong, which is 4,220 kilometers long, is one of the 12 great rivers of the world. From its source in the [[Tibetan |
The [[Mekong River|Mekong]], which is 4,220 kilometers long, is one of the 12 great rivers of the world. From its source in the [[Tibetan Plateau]], it flows through the Tibetan and Yunnan regions of China, forms the boundary between Laos and [[Myanmar]] as well as between Laos and Thailand. At [[Phnom Penh]] it merges with the [[Tonlé Sap]] and divides into two branches – the Sông Hậu Giang (Hậu Giang river) (known as the [[Bassac River]] on the Cambodian side) and the Sông Tiền Giang (Tiền Giang river) – and continues through Cambodia and the Mekong basin before draining into the [[South China Sea]] through nine mouths known as the ''Cửu Long'' (nine dragons). The river is heavily silted and is navigable by seagoing craft of shallow draft as far as [[Kampong Cham (city)|Kompong Cham]] in Cambodia. A tributary entering the river at Phnom Penh drains the [[Tonlé Sap]], a shallow [[freshwater]] lake that acts as a natural reservoir to stabilize the flow of water through the lower Mekong. When the river is in flood stage, its [[silt]]ed delta outlets are unable to carry off the high volume of water. Floodwaters back up into the Tonlé Sap, causing the lake to inundate as much as 10,000 square kilometers. As the flood subsides, the flow of water reverses and proceeds from the lake to the sea. The effect is to reduce significantly the danger of devastating floods in the Mekong delta, where the river floods the surrounding fields each year to a level of one to two meters. |
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==Climate== |
==Climate== |
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{{main|Climate of Vietnam}} |
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[[Image:Typhoon Lingling, Vietnam, 2001.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[2001 Pacific typhoon season#Typhoon Lingling (Nanang)|Typhoon Lingling]] off the coast of Vietnam, 2001]] |
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[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map v2 VNM 1991–2020.svg|thumb|300x300px|Vietnam map of Köppen climate classification]] |
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{{climate chart |
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[[Image:Fires in Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.jpg|thumb|Hundreds of active fires burning across the hills and valleys of [[Myanmar]], [[Thailand]], [[Laos]], and Vietnam (labelled with red dots).]] |
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|Vietnam |
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|12|20|19 |
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|13|21|27 |
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|18|24|39 |
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|21|29|80 |
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|22|32|198 |
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|25|33|240 |
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|26|32|322 |
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|25|32|345 |
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|24|31|250 |
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|23|28|99 |
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|19|25|44 |
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|16|21|21 |
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|source=[http://www.vietnamembassy.org.uk/climate.html] |
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|float=right}} |
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Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate, with [[humidity]] averaging 84 % throughout the year. However, because of differences in [[latitude]] and the marked variety of topographical relief, the climate tends to vary considerably from place to place. During the winter or dry season, extending roughly from November to April, the monsoon winds usually blow from the northeast along the China coast and across the Gulf of Tonkin, picking up considerable moisture; consequently the winter season in most parts of the country is dry only by comparison with the rainy or summer season. During the southwesterly summer monsoon, occurring from May to October, the heated air of the [[Gobi Desert]] rises, far to the north, inducing moist air to flow inland from the sea and deposit heavy rainfall. |
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Vietnam's climate, being located in the tropics and strongly influenced by the [[South China Sea]] has a monsoon-influenced climate typical of that of [[mainland Southeast Asia]].<ref name=vietnamUNEP>{{cite web |url=http://www.unep.org/pdf/dtie/VTN_ASS_REP_CC.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113054646/http://www.roap.unep.org/pub/VTN_ASS_REP_CC.pdf |archive-date=13 January 2011 |title=Viet Nam Assessment Report on Climate Change (VARCC) |publisher=Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment |page=31 |access-date=9 November 2018}}</ref>{{rp|25}} In the north, the climate is [[humid subtropical]] and monsoonal and with four distinct seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter) while in the central and south, the climate is [[Tropical monsoon climate|tropical monsoon]] with two seasons (rainy and dry).<ref name=vietnamkhihau>{{cite web |url=http://www.chinhphu.vn/portal/page/portal/chinhphu/NuocCHXHCNVietNam/ThongTinTongHop/dialy |title=MỘT SỐ THÔNG TIN VỀ ĐỊA LÝ VIỆT NAM |publisher=Viet Nam Government Portal |language=vi |access-date=9 November 2018}}</ref><ref name=vietnamiaea2012>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109190416/https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/CNPP2012_CD/countryprofiles/Vietnam/Vietnam.htm |archive-date=9 November 2018 |url=https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/CNPP2012_CD/countryprofiles/Vietnam/Vietnam.htm |title=Vietnam |work=Country Nuclear Power Profiles: 2012 Edition |publisher=International Atomic Energy Agency |access-date=9 November 2018}}</ref><ref name=VNATclimate>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109203934/http://www.vietnamtourism.com/en/index.php/about/items/1752 |archive-date=9 November 2018 |url=http://www.vietnamtourism.com/en/index.php/about/items/1752 |title=Climate |publisher=Vietnam National Administration of Tourism |access-date=9 November 2018}}</ref> In addition, [[temperate climate]] exists in mountainous areas, which are found in [[Sa Pa (town)|Sa Pa]] and [[Da Lat]], while a more [[continental climate]] exists in [[Lai Châu province]] and [[Sơn La province]].<ref name=vietnamkhihau/> The diverse topography, wide range of latitudes (Vietnam spans over 15° of latitude), and influences from the South China Sea lead to climatic conditions varying significantly between regions.<ref name=vietnamNC2>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109185653/https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/vnmnc02.pdf |archive-date=9 November 2018 |url=https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/vnmnc02.pdf |title=Viet Nam's Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change |publisher=Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment |access-date=9 November 2018}}</ref>{{rp|24}} |
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Annual rainfall is substantial in all regions and torrential in some, ranging from 120 centimeters to 300 centimeters. Nearly 90 % of the precipitation occurs during the summer. The average annual temperature is generally higher in the plains than in the mountains and plateaus. Temperatures range from a low of 5 °C in December and January, the coolest months, to more than 37 °C in April, the hottest month. Seasonal divisions are more clearly marked in the northern half than in the southern half of the country, where, except in some of the highlands, seasonal temperatures vary only a few degrees, usually in the 21 °C-28 °C range. |
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Based on geographic and climatic conditions, there are seven different climatic regions in Vietnam:<ref name=vietnamUNEP>{{cite web |url=http://www.unep.org/pdf/dtie/VTN_ASS_REP_CC.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113054646/http://www.roap.unep.org/pub/VTN_ASS_REP_CC.pdf |archive-date=13 January 2011 |title=Viet Nam Assessment Report on Climate Change (VARCC) |publisher=Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment |page=31 |access-date=9 November 2018}}</ref>{{rp|26}}<ref name=vietnamFAO>{{cite web |last1=Nguyen |first1=Mui |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109202700/https://ees.kuleuven.be/klimos/toolkit/documents/661_Vietnam.pdf |archive-date=9 November 2018 |url=https://ees.kuleuven.be/klimos/toolkit/documents/661_Vietnam.pdf |title=Viet Nam |work=Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profiles |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization |year=2006 |pages=9–12 |access-date=9 November 2018}}</ref> Northwest, Northeast, North Delta (Red River Delta), North Central (North Central Coast), South Central (South Central Coast), Central Highlands, and the South.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|26}} The South is subdivided into the [[Southeast (Vietnam)|Southeast]] for the southeastern provinces and the [[Mekong Delta]] for the southwestern provinces.<ref name=vietnamFAO/> Generally, these seven different climatic regions are grouped into two main types: The North (includes Northwest, Northeast, North Delta (Red River Delta), North Central (North Central Coast)) which includes all areas north of the Hải Vân Pass and the South (South Central Coast, Central Highlands and the extreme south) which includes all areas south of the Hải Vân Pass.<ref name=vietnamkhihau/><ref name=vietnamiaea2012/><ref name=VNATclimate/><ref name=Ho2011>{{cite journal |author1=Thi-Minh-Ha Ho |author2=Van-Tan Phan |author3=Nhu-Quan Le |author4=Quang-Trung Nguyen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110181926/https://www.int-res.com/articles/cr2012/49/c049p087.pdf |archive-date=10 November 2018 |url=https://www.int-res.com/articles/cr2012/49/c049p087.pdf |title=Extreme climatic events over Vietnam from observational data and RegCM3 projections |journal=Climate Research |volume=49 |pages=87–100 |year=2011 |issue=2 |doi=10.3354/cr01021 |access-date=10 November 2018|doi-access=free }}</ref> These climatic regions are based on time of rainy season and other climatic elements such as insolation, sunshine, temperature, precipitation, and humidity.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|38–39}} |
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During winter, polar air originating from the Siberian High penetrate deeply into the low latitudes, facilitated by the eastern [[Tibetan Plateau]] that funnels the air southwards in a northeast direction (the cool air is a wind coming from the northeast).<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|27}} Many cold fronts can penetrate into Vietnam during winter of which there are three to four occurrences every month in northern Vietnam.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|27}} This leads to cold temperatures where temperatures drop by {{convert|4|to|5|C-change|0}}.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|27}} Cold weather, occasionally extreme cold can persist for a long time, being characterized by a long stretch of cloudless or partly cloudy days in the first half of winter or a long stretch of cloudy and drizzly conditions in the latter half of winter.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|27}} Cold weather occurs more frequently in the north than in the south due to cold fronts penetrate the north more frequently.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|27}} |
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In summer, the general wind pattern are southwesterly winds in the southern parts of Vietnam and southeasterly winds in northern Vietnam.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|28}} The predominantly [[Block (meteorology)|air blocks]] in Vietnam are the equatorial and tropical blocks that originate from high pressure systems in the Southern Hemisphere, and a maritime tropical block originating from the subtropical high pressure system in the Pacific Ocean (Pacific subtropical high pressure).<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|28}} In addition, during summer, Vietnam is influenced by tropical air from the [[Bay of Bengal]] which occurs when a continental low pressure originating from South Asia (South Asian continental low) moves eastwards towards Vietnam, covering almost all of Vietnam and southern China; this causes hot, dry weather in the North Central Coast as westerly winds descend and warm [[adiabatically]] on the eastern slopes of the [[Annamite Range]] (Truong Son Range).<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|28}} On average, eleven storms and tropical low pressures develop in the South China sea during summer of which half are [[tropical cyclone]]s that originate from the western Pacific.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|28}} These storms and cyclones then move westwards towards Vietnam.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|28}} On average, Vietnam is affected by six to eight [[typhoons]] or tropical cyclones per year.<ref name=vietnamNC2/>{{rp|25}} |
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Spring and Fall are transitional seasons.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|27}} The atmospheric circulation in these seasons represent a transition between winter–summer and summer–winter respectively.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|28}} |
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Mean annual temperatures in the country, based on meteorological data from weather stations range from {{convert|12.8|to|27.7|C|F|0}} in [[Hoang Lien Son]].<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|30}}<ref name=vietnamNC2/>{{rp|24}} At the highest altitudes in the Hoang Lien Son range, mean annual temperatures is only {{convert|8|C|F|0}}.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|30}} As temperatures vary by altitude, temperatures decrease by {{convert|0.5|C-change|0}} for every {{convert|100|m|ft|0}} increase in altitude.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|30}} The lowest mean annual temperatures are found in the mountainous areas where the altitude is higher and in northern areas due to their higher latitudes.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|30}} Many mountainous areas in the north have experienced subzero conditions.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|31}} In contrast, temperatures in the Spratly Islands never falls below {{convert|21|C|F|0}}.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|31}} Because Vietnam is strongly influenced by the monsoon, the mean temperatures in Vietnam are lower than other countries located at the same latitude in Asia.<ref name=vietnamkhihau/><ref name=VNATclimate/> The highest temperatures normally occurs in March–May in the south and May–July in the north.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|31}} Temperatures in summer are relatively equal among the northern and southern parts of the country with differences being mostly due to altitude (the decrease in temperature is predominantly due to altitude).<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|30}} |
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Mean annual rainfall in the country ranges from {{convert|700|to|5,000|mm|in|abbr=on}} although most places in Vietnam receive between {{convert|1,400|to|2,400|mm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|33}} The majority of rainfall occurs during the rainy season, which is responsible for 80%–90% of the annual precipitation.<ref name=vietnamNC2/>{{rp|24}} Generally, northern parts of the country receive more rainfall than southern parts of the country.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|33}} Drizzle is a weather phenomenon that is characteristic of the weather in winter in the north and north central coast.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|36}} Depending on the region, the onset of the rainy season (defined as when the monthly average precipitation exceeds {{convert|100|mm|in|abbr=on}}) differs.<ref name=vietnamUNEP/>{{rp|35}} |
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==Area and boundaries== |
==Area and boundaries== |
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;Area: |
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:*Total: {{convert|331,210|km2|abbr=on}} |
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:total: 329 560 km² |
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:**country rank in the world: ''66th'' |
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:land: 325 360 km² |
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:*Land: {{convert|310,070|km2|abbr=on}} |
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:water: 4 200 km² |
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:*Water: {{convert|21,140|km2|abbr=on}} |
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;Area – comparative: |
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:*Australia comparative: approximately {{sfrac|4|9}} larger than [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] |
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:slightly larger than the state of [[New Mexico]] in the [[United States]]. |
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:*Canada comparative: approximately half the size of [[Alberta]] |
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:slightly smaller than [[Newfoundland and Labrador]], [[Canada]]. |
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:*United States comparative: slightly larger than [[New Mexico]] |
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:somewhat less than half as big as [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]]. |
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: |
:*United Kingdom comparative: approximately {{sfrac|1|1|3}} times the size of the United Kingdom |
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:*EU comparative: slightly larger than [[Poland]] |
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;Land boundaries: |
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: |
:*Total: {{convert|4,639|km}} |
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: |
:*Border countries: Cambodia {{convert|1,228|km|abbr=on}}, China {{convert|1,281|km|abbr=on}}, Laos {{convert|2,130|km|abbr=on}} |
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;Coastline: {{convert|3,444|km|abbr=on}} (excludes [[List of islands of Vietnam|islands]]) |
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;Maritime Claims: |
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:*Contiguous zone: {{convert|24|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on|lk=in}} |
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:contiguous zone: 24 [[nautical mile]]s (44 km) |
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: |
:*Continental shelf: {{convert|200|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on}} or to the edge of the continental margin |
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:*[[Exclusive economic zone]]: {{convert|417,663|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}, {{convert|200|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on}} |
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:exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles (370 km) |
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:(Territorial sea: {{convert|12|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on}} |
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:territorial sea: 12 nautical miles (22 km) |
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;Elevation extremes: |
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: |
:*Lowest point: South China Sea 0 m |
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: |
:*Highest point: [[Fansipan]] {{convert|3,144|m|abbr=on}} |
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;Rivers: |
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==Resources and land use== |
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:*Longest river: [[Đồng Nai river]] (longest inland river) {{convert|586|km}} |
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'''Natural resources''': [[phosphates]], [[coal]], [[manganese]], [[bauxite]], [[chromate]], offshore [[Petroleum|oil]] and [[gas]] deposits, [[forest]]s, [[hydropower]] |
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;Lakes: |
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[[Image:Land use in Vietnam.JPG|thumb|300px|Aerial view of land use in Vietnam.]] |
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:*Biggest lake: [[Ba Bể Lake]] {{convert|6.5|km2}} |
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==Resources and land use== |
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'''Natural resources''': [[phosphates]], [[coal]], [[manganese]], rare earth elements, [[bauxite]], offshore [[Petroleum|oil]] and [[Natural gas|gas]] deposits, [[timber]], [[hydropower]] |
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'''Land use''': |
'''Land use''': |
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: |
:Arable land: 19.64% |
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: |
:Permanent crops: 11.18% |
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:Other: 69.18% (2011) |
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:permanent pastures: 1% |
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:forests and woodland: 30% |
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:other: 48% (1993 est.) |
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'''Irrigated land''': |
'''Irrigated land''': 45,850 km<sup>2</sup> (2005) |
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'''Total renewable water resources:''' 864.1 km<sup>3</sup> (2011) |
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==Environmental concerns== |
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'''Natural hazards''': occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive [[flood]]ing |
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'''Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)''': |
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'''Environment''' - current issues: |
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:total: 82.03 km<sup>3</sup>/yr (1%/4%/95%) |
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:per capita: 965 m<sup>3</sup>/yr (2005) |
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==Environmental concerns== |
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[[Logging]] and [[slash-and-burn agricultural]] practices contribute to [[deforestation]] and [[soil degradation]]; [[water pollution]] and [[overfishing]] threaten [[marine life]] populations; [[groundwater contamination]] limits [[Drinking water|potable water]] supply; growing [[urban industrialization]] and [[population migration]] are rapidly degrading [[environment (biophysical)|environment]] in Hanoi and Hồ Chí Minh City |
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{{main|Environmental issues in Vietnam}} |
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'''Natural hazards''': occasional [[typhoon]]s (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong Delta. |
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'''Environment''' |
'''Environment''' – current issues: |
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[[Logging]] and [[slash-and-burn]] agricultural practices contribute to [[deforestation]] and [[soil degradation]]; [[water pollution]] and [[overfishing]] threaten [[marine life]] populations; [[groundwater contamination]] limits [[Drinking water|potable water]] supply; growing [[urbanization]] and [[human migration]] are rapidly degrading [[environment (biophysical)|environment]] in Hanoi and Hồ Chí Minh City |
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'''Environment''' – international agreements: |
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party to: [[Biodiversity]], [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|Climate Change]], [[Desertification]], [[Endangered Species]], [[Environmental Modification]], [[Hazardous Wastes]], [[Law of the Sea]], [[Ozone Layer Protection]], Ship Pollution ([[MARPOL 73/78]]), [[Wetlands]], [[Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol]], [[Nuclear Test Ban]] |
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party to: [[Biodiversity]], [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|Climate Change]], [[Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol]], [[Desertification]], [[Endangered Species]], [[Environmental Modification]], [[Hazardous Wastes]], [[Law of the Sea]], [[Ozone Layer Protection]], Ship Pollution ([[MARPOL 73/78]]), [[Wetlands]] |
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=== Climate change === |
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{{Excerpt|Climate change in Vietnam}} |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[Vietnam]] |
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*[[Exclusive economic zone of Vietnam]] |
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*[[Halong Bay]] |
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*[[List of endangered species in Vietnam]] |
*[[List of endangered species in Vietnam]] |
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*[[Zomia (geography)]] |
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*[[History of Vietnam]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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*{{loc}} |
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==Sources== |
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*{{country study|country=Vietnam|abbr=vn}} |
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*{{CIA World Factbook}} |
*{{CIA World Factbook}} |
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{{Vietnam topics}} |
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{{Geography of Asia}} |
{{Geography of Asia}} |
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{{Asia topic|Climate of}} |
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[[Category:Geography of Vietnam| ]] |
[[Category:Geography of Vietnam| ]] |
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[[bn:ভিয়েতনামের ভূগোল]] |
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[[bg:География на Виетнам]] |
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[[de:Geographie Vietnams]] |
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[[fr:Géographie du Viêt Nam]] |
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[[pt:Geografia do Vietname]] |
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[[ru:География Вьетнама]] |
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[[sr:Географија Вијетнама]] |
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[[vi:Địa lý Việt Nam]] |
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[[zh:越南地理]] |
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Latest revision as of 03:18, 24 October 2024
 | |
| Continent | Asia |
|---|---|
| Region | Southeast Asia |
| Coordinates | 16°00′N 108°00′E |
| Area | Ranked 66th |
| • Total | 331,212 km2 (127,882 sq mi) |
| • Land | 93.62% |
| • Water | 6.38% |
| Coastline | 3,444 km (2,140 mi) |
| Borders | 4,639 km (2,883 mi) |
| Highest point | Fansipan 3,144 metres (10,315 ft) |
| Lowest point | South China Sea 0 metres (0 ft) |
| Longest river | Đồng Nai river (longest inland river) 586 kilometres (364 mi) |
| Largest lake | Ba Bể Lake 6.5 square kilometres (2.5 sq mi) |
| Exclusive economic zone | 417,663 km2 (161,261 sq mi) |
Vietnam is located on the eastern margin of the Indochinese peninsula and occupies about 331,211.6 square kilometres (127,881.5 sq mi), of which about 25% was under cultivation in 1987. It borders the Gulf of Tonkin, Gulf of Thailand, and Pacific Ocean, along with China, Laos, and Cambodia. The elongated roughly S shaped country has a north-to-south distance of 1,650 km (1,030 mi) and is about 50 km (31 mi) wide at the narrowest point. With a coastline of 3,260 km (2,030 mi), excluding islands, Vietnam claims 12 nautical miles (22.2 km; 13.8 mi) as the limit of its territorial waters, an additional 12 nautical miles (22.2 km; 13.8 mi) as a contiguous customs and security zone. It has an exclusive economic zone of 417,663 km2 (161,261 sq mi) with 200 nautical miles (370.4 km; 230.2 mi).
The boundary with Laos was settled on both an ethnic and geographical basis between the rulers of Vietnam and Laos in the mid-seventeenth century. The Annamite Range as a reference, was formally defined by a delimitation treaty signed in 1977 and ratified in 1986. The frontier with Cambodia, defined at the time of French annexation of the western part of the Mekong Delta in 1867, remained essentially unchanged, according to Hanoi, until some unresolved border issues were finally settled in the 1982–85 period. The land and sea boundary with China, delineated under the France-China treaties of 1887 and 1895, is "the frontier line" accepted by Hanoi. China agreed in 1957–1958 to respect that border line. However, in February 1979, following the Sino-Vietnamese War, Hanoi complained that from 1957 onward China had provoked numerous border incidents as part of its anti-Vietnam policy and expansionist designs in Southeast Asia. Among the territorial infringements cited was the Chinese occupation in January 1974 of the Paracel Islands, claimed by both countries in a dispute left unresolved in the 1980s.
16°00′N 108°00′E / 16.000°N 108.000°E
Physiography
[edit]The country is divided into the highlands and the Hong River Delta in the north, the Annamite Range along with the coastal lowlands in the centre, and the Mekong Delta in the south.
Terrain
[edit]Vietnam is a country of subtropical and tropical lowlands, hills, and densely forested highlands, with level land covering less than 20% of the area.
Red River Delta
[edit]The joined Delta of Hong River (Red River) and Thái Bình River is a flat, triangular region of 15,000 square kilometres (5,800 sq mi).[1] The Hong River Delta is smaller but more intensely developed and more densely populated than the Mekong Delta. Once an inlet of the Gulf of Tonkin, it has been filled in by the enormous alluvial deposits of the rivers over a period of millennia, and it advances one hundred meters into the Gulf annually.[2] The ancestral home of the ethnic Vietnamese, the delta accounted for almost 70% of the agriculture and 80% of the industry of North Vietnam before 1975.
The Red River, rising in China's Yunnan province, is about 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) long. Its two main tributaries, the Sông Lô (also called the Lo River, the Riviere Claire, or the Clear River) and the Sông Đà (also called the Black River or Riviere Noire), contribute to its high water volume, which averages 4,300 cubic metres (150,000 cu ft) per second.[3]
The entire delta region, backed by the steep rises of the forested highlands, is no more than three meters above sea level, and much of it is one meter or less. The area is subject to frequent flooding; at some places the high-water mark of floods is fourteen meters above the surrounding countryside. For centuries flood control has been an integral part of the delta's culture and economy. An extensive system of dikes and canals has been built to contain the Red River and to irrigate the rich rice-growing delta. Modeled on that of China's, this ancient system has sustained a highly concentrated population and has made double-cropping wet-rice cultivation possible throughout about half the region.
Mountainous
[edit]
The mountain plateaus in the north and northwest are inhabited mainly by tribal minority groups. The Dãy Trường Sơn (Annamite Range) originates in the Tibetan and Yunnan regions of southwest China and forms Vietnam's border with Laos. It terminates in the Mekong River Delta north of Hồ Chí Minh City (formerly Saigon).
These central mountains, which have several high plateaus, are irregular in elevation and form. The northern section is narrow and very rugged; the country's highest peak, Fan Si Pan, rises to 3,142 meters in the extreme northwest. The southern portion has numerous spurs that divide the narrow coastal strip into a series of compartments. For centuries these topographical features not only rendered north–south communication difficult, but also formed an effective natural barrier for the containment of the people living in the Mekong basin.
Central Highlands
[edit]Within the southern portion of Vietnam is a plateau known as the Central Highlands (Tây Nguyên), approximately 51,800 square kilometers of rugged mountain peaks, extensive forests, and rich soil. Comprising five relatively flat plateaus of basalt soil spread over the provinces of Đắk Lắk (or "Dac Lac"), Gia Lai, and Kon Tum, the highlands account for 16% of the country's arable land and 22% of its total forested land. Before 1975, North Vietnam had maintained that the Central Highlands and the Day Truong Son were strategic areas of paramount importance, essential to the domination not only of South Vietnam but also of the southern part of Indochina. Since 1975, the highlands have provided an area in which to relocate people from the densely populated lowlands.
Coastal lowlands
[edit].jpg)
The narrow, flat coastal lowlands extend from south of the Red River Delta to the Mekong River basin. On the landward side, the Dãy Trường Sơn rises precipitously above the coast, its spurs jutting into the sea at several places. Generally the coastal strip is fertile and rice is cultivated intensively.
A recent global remote sensing analysis suggested that there were 3,069 km2 of tidal flats in Vietnam, making it the 10th ranking country in terms of how much tidal flat occurs there.[4]
Mekong River Delta
[edit]The Mekong Delta, covering about 40,000 square kilometers, is a low-level plain not more than three meters above sea level at any point and criss-crossed by a maze of canals and rivers. So much sediment is carried by the Mekong's various branches and tributaries that the delta advances sixty to eighty meters into the sea every year. An official Vietnamese source estimates the amount of sediment deposited annually to be about 1 billion cubic meters, or nearly thirteen times the amount deposited by the Red River. About 10,000 square kilometers of the delta are under rice cultivation, making the area one of the major rice-growing regions of the world. The southern tip, known as the Cà Mau Peninsula is covered by dense jungle and mangrove swamps.
The Mekong, which is 4,220 kilometers long, is one of the 12 great rivers of the world. From its source in the Tibetan Plateau, it flows through the Tibetan and Yunnan regions of China, forms the boundary between Laos and Myanmar as well as between Laos and Thailand. At Phnom Penh it merges with the Tonlé Sap and divides into two branches – the Sông Hậu Giang (Hậu Giang river) (known as the Bassac River on the Cambodian side) and the Sông Tiền Giang (Tiền Giang river) – and continues through Cambodia and the Mekong basin before draining into the South China Sea through nine mouths known as the Cửu Long (nine dragons). The river is heavily silted and is navigable by seagoing craft of shallow draft as far as Kompong Cham in Cambodia. A tributary entering the river at Phnom Penh drains the Tonlé Sap, a shallow freshwater lake that acts as a natural reservoir to stabilize the flow of water through the lower Mekong. When the river is in flood stage, its silted delta outlets are unable to carry off the high volume of water. Floodwaters back up into the Tonlé Sap, causing the lake to inundate as much as 10,000 square kilometers. As the flood subsides, the flow of water reverses and proceeds from the lake to the sea. The effect is to reduce significantly the danger of devastating floods in the Mekong delta, where the river floods the surrounding fields each year to a level of one to two meters.
Climate
[edit]
Vietnam's climate, being located in the tropics and strongly influenced by the South China Sea has a monsoon-influenced climate typical of that of mainland Southeast Asia.[5]: 25 In the north, the climate is humid subtropical and monsoonal and with four distinct seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter) while in the central and south, the climate is tropical monsoon with two seasons (rainy and dry).[6][7][8] In addition, temperate climate exists in mountainous areas, which are found in Sa Pa and Da Lat, while a more continental climate exists in Lai Châu province and Sơn La province.[6] The diverse topography, wide range of latitudes (Vietnam spans over 15° of latitude), and influences from the South China Sea lead to climatic conditions varying significantly between regions.[9]: 24
Based on geographic and climatic conditions, there are seven different climatic regions in Vietnam:[5]: 26 [10] Northwest, Northeast, North Delta (Red River Delta), North Central (North Central Coast), South Central (South Central Coast), Central Highlands, and the South.[5]: 26 The South is subdivided into the Southeast for the southeastern provinces and the Mekong Delta for the southwestern provinces.[10] Generally, these seven different climatic regions are grouped into two main types: The North (includes Northwest, Northeast, North Delta (Red River Delta), North Central (North Central Coast)) which includes all areas north of the Hải Vân Pass and the South (South Central Coast, Central Highlands and the extreme south) which includes all areas south of the Hải Vân Pass.[6][7][8][11] These climatic regions are based on time of rainy season and other climatic elements such as insolation, sunshine, temperature, precipitation, and humidity.[5]: 38–39
During winter, polar air originating from the Siberian High penetrate deeply into the low latitudes, facilitated by the eastern Tibetan Plateau that funnels the air southwards in a northeast direction (the cool air is a wind coming from the northeast).[5]: 27 Many cold fronts can penetrate into Vietnam during winter of which there are three to four occurrences every month in northern Vietnam.[5]: 27 This leads to cold temperatures where temperatures drop by 4 to 5 °C (7 to 9 °F).[5]: 27 Cold weather, occasionally extreme cold can persist for a long time, being characterized by a long stretch of cloudless or partly cloudy days in the first half of winter or a long stretch of cloudy and drizzly conditions in the latter half of winter.[5]: 27 Cold weather occurs more frequently in the north than in the south due to cold fronts penetrate the north more frequently.[5]: 27
In summer, the general wind pattern are southwesterly winds in the southern parts of Vietnam and southeasterly winds in northern Vietnam.[5]: 28 The predominantly air blocks in Vietnam are the equatorial and tropical blocks that originate from high pressure systems in the Southern Hemisphere, and a maritime tropical block originating from the subtropical high pressure system in the Pacific Ocean (Pacific subtropical high pressure).[5]: 28 In addition, during summer, Vietnam is influenced by tropical air from the Bay of Bengal which occurs when a continental low pressure originating from South Asia (South Asian continental low) moves eastwards towards Vietnam, covering almost all of Vietnam and southern China; this causes hot, dry weather in the North Central Coast as westerly winds descend and warm adiabatically on the eastern slopes of the Annamite Range (Truong Son Range).[5]: 28 On average, eleven storms and tropical low pressures develop in the South China sea during summer of which half are tropical cyclones that originate from the western Pacific.[5]: 28 These storms and cyclones then move westwards towards Vietnam.[5]: 28 On average, Vietnam is affected by six to eight typhoons or tropical cyclones per year.[9]: 25
Spring and Fall are transitional seasons.[5]: 27 The atmospheric circulation in these seasons represent a transition between winter–summer and summer–winter respectively.[5]: 28
Mean annual temperatures in the country, based on meteorological data from weather stations range from 12.8 to 27.7 °C (55 to 82 °F) in Hoang Lien Son.[5]: 30 [9]: 24 At the highest altitudes in the Hoang Lien Son range, mean annual temperatures is only 8 °C (46 °F).[5]: 30 As temperatures vary by altitude, temperatures decrease by 0.5 °C (1 °F) for every 100 metres (328 ft) increase in altitude.[5]: 30 The lowest mean annual temperatures are found in the mountainous areas where the altitude is higher and in northern areas due to their higher latitudes.[5]: 30 Many mountainous areas in the north have experienced subzero conditions.[5]: 31 In contrast, temperatures in the Spratly Islands never falls below 21 °C (70 °F).[5]: 31 Because Vietnam is strongly influenced by the monsoon, the mean temperatures in Vietnam are lower than other countries located at the same latitude in Asia.[6][8] The highest temperatures normally occurs in March–May in the south and May–July in the north.[5]: 31 Temperatures in summer are relatively equal among the northern and southern parts of the country with differences being mostly due to altitude (the decrease in temperature is predominantly due to altitude).[5]: 30
Mean annual rainfall in the country ranges from 700 to 5,000 mm (28 to 197 in) although most places in Vietnam receive between 1,400 to 2,400 mm (55 to 94 in).[5]: 33 The majority of rainfall occurs during the rainy season, which is responsible for 80%–90% of the annual precipitation.[9]: 24 Generally, northern parts of the country receive more rainfall than southern parts of the country.[5]: 33 Drizzle is a weather phenomenon that is characteristic of the weather in winter in the north and north central coast.[5]: 36 Depending on the region, the onset of the rainy season (defined as when the monthly average precipitation exceeds 100 mm (3.9 in)) differs.[5]: 35
Area and boundaries
[edit]- Area
-
- Total: 331,210 km2 (127,880 sq mi)
- country rank in the world: 66th
- Land: 310,070 km2 (119,720 sq mi)
- Water: 21,140 km2 (8,160 sq mi)
- Total: 331,210 km2 (127,880 sq mi)
- Area – comparative
-
- Australia comparative: approximately 4/9 larger than Victoria
- Canada comparative: approximately half the size of Alberta
- United States comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico
- United Kingdom comparative: approximately 1+1/3 times the size of the United Kingdom
- EU comparative: slightly larger than Poland
- Land boundaries
-
- Total: 4,639 kilometres (2,883 mi)
- Border countries: Cambodia 1,228 km (763 mi), China 1,281 km (796 mi), Laos 2,130 km (1,320 mi)
- Coastline
- 3,444 km (2,140 mi) (excludes islands)
- Maritime Claims
-
- Contiguous zone: 24 nmi (44.4 km; 27.6 mi)
- Continental shelf: 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi) or to the edge of the continental margin
- Exclusive economic zone: 417,663 km2 (161,261 sq mi), 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi)
- (Territorial sea: 12 nmi (22.2 km; 13.8 mi)
- Elevation extremes
-
- Lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
- Highest point: Fansipan 3,144 m (10,315 ft)
- Rivers
-
- Longest river: Đồng Nai river (longest inland river) 586 kilometres (364 mi)
- Lakes
-
- Biggest lake: Ba Bể Lake 6.5 square kilometres (2.5 sq mi)
Resources and land use
[edit]Natural resources: phosphates, coal, manganese, rare earth elements, bauxite, offshore oil and gas deposits, timber, hydropower
Land use:
- Arable land: 19.64%
- Permanent crops: 11.18%
- Other: 69.18% (2011)
Irrigated land: 45,850 km2 (2005)
Total renewable water resources: 864.1 km3 (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
- total: 82.03 km3/yr (1%/4%/95%)
- per capita: 965 m3/yr (2005)
Environmental concerns
[edit]Natural hazards: occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong Delta.
Environment – current issues: Logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices contribute to deforestation and soil degradation; water pollution and overfishing threaten marine life populations; groundwater contamination limits potable water supply; growing urbanization and human migration are rapidly degrading environment in Hanoi and Hồ Chí Minh City
Environment – international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution (MARPOL 73/78), Wetlands
Climate change
[edit].jpg)
Vietnam is among the most affected countries by global climate change.[12] A large number of studies show that Vietnam is experiencing climate change and will be severely negatively affected in coming decades. These negative effects include sea level rise, salinity intrusion and other hydrological problems like floods, river mouth evolution and sedimentation. Natural hazards such as cold waves, storm surges will increase in frequency, with negative effects on the country's development, infrastructure and economy.
Some issues, such as land subsidence (caused by excessive groundwater extraction) further worsen some of the effects climate change will bring (sea level rise) especially in areas such as the Mekong Delta.[13] The government, NGOs, and citizens have taken various measures to mitigate and adapt to the impact.[14]See also
[edit]- Exclusive economic zone of Vietnam
- List of endangered species in Vietnam
- Zomia (geography)
- History of Vietnam
References
[edit]- ^ Agroviet Newsletter September 2005 Archived 2008-02-21 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Schliesinger, Joachim (2 June 2018). Origin of the Tai People 6―Northern Tai-Speaking People of the Red River Delta and Their Habitat Today. p. 19. ISBN 9781641531832.
- ^ "State of water: Vietnam". Water Environment Partnership in Asia. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
- ^ Murray, N.J.; Phinn, S.R.; DeWitt, M.; Ferrari, R.; Johnston, R.; Lyons, M.B.; Clinton, N.; Thau, D.; Fuller, R.A. (2019). "The global distribution and trajectory of tidal flats". Nature. 565: 222–225. doi:10.1038/s41586-018-0805-8.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab "Viet Nam Assessment Report on Climate Change (VARCC)" (PDF). Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment. p. 31. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 January 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ a b c d "MỘT SỐ THÔNG TIN VỀ ĐỊA LÝ VIỆT NAM" (in Vietnamese). Viet Nam Government Portal. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ a b "Vietnam". Country Nuclear Power Profiles: 2012 Edition. International Atomic Energy Agency. Archived from the original on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ a b c "Climate". Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. Archived from the original on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Viet Nam's Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change" (PDF). Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ a b Nguyen, Mui (2006). "Viet Nam" (PDF). Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profiles. Food and Agriculture Organization. pp. 9–12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ Thi-Minh-Ha Ho; Van-Tan Phan; Nhu-Quan Le; Quang-Trung Nguyen (2011). "Extreme climatic events over Vietnam from observational data and RegCM3 projections" (PDF). Climate Research. 49 (2): 87–100. doi:10.3354/cr01021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ Sustainable Development Department, Vietnam Country Office, "The World Bank: Climate-Resilient Development in Vietnam: Strategic Directions for the World Bank", January 2011.
- ^ Groundwater extraction, land subsidence, and sea-level rise in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
- ^ Do, Thang Nam; Burke, Paul J. (2021-09-26). "Carbon pricing in Vietnam: Options for adoption". Energy and Climate Change. 2: 100058. doi:10.1016/j.egycc.2021.100058. hdl:1885/250449. ISSN 2666-2787.
Sources
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This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Vietnam: A Country Study. Federal Research Division.- This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.
