Zomia is a geographical term coined in 2002 by historian Willem van Schendel of the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to refer to the huge, massif of mainland Southeast Asia that have historically been beyond the control of governments.
The exact boundaries of Zomia differ among scholars: all would include the highlands of north Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Burma, and the southern mountains of China, others extend the region as far West as Tibet, north India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
These areas share a common elevated, rugged terrain, and have been the home of ethnic minorities that have preserved their local cultures by residing far from state control and influence.
The Boston Globe has a fascinating story on the mystery of Zomia.
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