World Regional Geography People, Places and Globalization Chapter 11 Southeast Asia

Chapter 11 Southeast Asia Identifying the Boundaries The region between China , India , Australia , and the Pacific Ocean is known as Southeast Asia . Southeast Asia includes countries with political boundaries creating many shapes and sizes . The political borders were created through a combination of factors , including natural features , traditional tribal distinctions , colonial claims , and political agreements . The realm also has the populous country in the world , Indonesia . Southeast Asia is a region of and islands . The only landlocked country is the rural and remote country of , which borders China , Vietnam , and Thailand . The physical geography of Southeast Asia includes beaches , bays , inlets , and gulfs . The thousands of islands and remote places allow refuge for a wide variety of cultural groups and provide havens for rebellious insurgents , pirates , and local inhabitants . Southeast Asia can be divided into two geographic regions . The mainland portion , which is connected to India and China , extends south into what has been called the Peninsula or , a name given to the region by France . This mainland region consists of the countries of Vietnam , Thailand , and ( Burma ) This region has been influenced historically by India and China . The islands or insular region consisting of the islands of Southeast , East Timor , Indonesia , Malaysia , Philippines , and Singapore . to the south and east consist of nations surrounded by water . The countries in this region include Malaysia , Singapore , Indonesia , East Timor , and the Philippines . 891

Chapter 11 Southeast Asia 892 Figure Southeast Asia The Mainland Region and the Insular Region ( the Islands ) Philippine Sea . lndian Ocean AUSTRALIA Updated from map courtesy of University of Texas Libraries .

Introducing the Realm Learning Objectives . Understand the geographical differences between the mainland region and the insular region . Summarize how the region was colonized . Learn how colonial activities influence each country cultural situation . Realize how the physical geography has been influenced by tectonic activity . Outline the main ethnic and religious affiliations of Southeast Asia and explain why they are so diverse . Comprehend the impact and influence of the overseas Chinese in the region . Physical Geography The islands and the mainland of Southeast Asia include a wide array of physical and cultural landscapes . The entire realm is located in the tropics except the northernmost region of Burma ( which extends north of the Tropic of Cancer . A tropical Type A climate dominates the region and rainfall is generally abundant . The tropical waters of the region help moderate the climate . Southeast Asia is located between the Indian Ocean on the west and the Pacific Ocean on the east . Bordering the many islands and are various seas , bays , straits , and gulfs that help create the complex maritime boundaries of the realm . The South China Sea is a major body of water that acts as a separator between the mainland and the insular region . The thousands of islands that make up the various countries or lie along their coastal waters create a matrix of passageways and unique physical geography . The three longest rivers of the realm , Red , and , are located on the mainland and have their headwaters in the high elevations of Himalayan ranges of China . The River makes its way from the high in China and helps form the political borders of and Thailand on its way through to Vietnam where it creates a giant delta near Ho Chi City ( Saigon ) The Red River flows out of China and 893

Introducing the Realm 894 through to the Red River delta on the Gulf of Tonkin . The River flows through the length of Burma providing for the core area of the country . Another major river of the mainland is the Chao of Thailand . With its many tributaries , the Chao creates a favorable core area that is home to the largest population of the country . Many other rivers can be found on both the mainland and the insular region . The rivers transport water and sediments from the interior to the coasts , often creating large deltas with rich soils that are major agricultural areas . Multiple crops of rice and food products can be grown in the fertile river valleys and deltas . The agricultural abundance is needed to support the populations of the realm . Tectonic plate activity has been responsible for the existence of the many islands and has created the mountainous terrain of the various countries . High mountain ranges can have peaks that reach elevations of over fifteen thousand feet . The ranges of New Guinea , which are along the equator , actually have glaciers , ice , and snow that remain . The island of , in the center of the insular region , is actually a segment of ancient rock that has been pushed upward by tectonic forces to form a mountainous land mass . The mountains on have been worn down over time by erosion . Mountains and highlands stretch across the northern border of the realm along the borders with India and China . The interior nature of this border makes it less accessible . Similar dynamics can be found in the interior of the islands of the insular region , where the isolation and remoteness have helped create the environmental conditions for unique flora and fauna . In the highland areas the human cultural landscape can be diverse . Time and isolation have worked together to form the traditions and cultural ways that give local groups their identity and heritage . Tectonic activity makes the region vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions . The volcanic peak of . in the Philippines , erupted in 1991 , spewing ash and smoke into the atmosphere and impacting much of the planet . An earthquake of magnitude occurred off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra in 2004 and caused widespread disaster throughout the wider region of the Indian Ocean . As many as one hundred fifty thousand deaths were reported , mainly from flooding . A wall of water from the tsunami devastated many coastal areas from Thailand to India . Impact of Colonialism Southeast Asia has not escaped the impact of globalization , both colonial and corporate . As Europeans expanded their colonial activities , they made their way into Southeast Asia . Southeast Asia was heavily influenced by European colonialism . The only area of the region that was not colonized by the Europeans was Thailand , which was called during the colonial era . It remained an independent kingdom throughout the colonial period

895 World Regional Geography and was a buffer state between French and British . The Japanese colonial empire controlled much of Southeast Asia before World War II . Some of the countries and regions of Southeast Asia became known by their colonial connection . Indonesia was once referred to as the Dutch East Indies , which was in the labeling of the Caribbean as the West Indies . French is a legitimized for historical references to the French claims in Southeast Asia . and British each had its own currency based on a dollar unit that was legal tender for the regions of the Federation of , Singapore , North , and . Independence from the European powers and freedom from Japanese imperialism by the end of World War II provided a new identification for the various countries of the realm . Cultural and economic ties remain between many colonies and their European counterparts . Figure Colonialism South Asia British Dutch French Spanish Portuguese Asia was by Europeans and later by Japan .

Introducing the Realm 896 East Timor , a former Portuguese colony south of Indonesia , has been the most recent colony to gain independence . Timor is an island just north of Australia . The western portion is claimed by Indonesia . The whole island was annexed to Indonesia in 1975 . As a result of separatist movements that entailed conflict and violence , the eastern portion was finally granted independence in 2002 . Since then , East Timor has been working to establish itself as a country and is now negotiating its offshore boundary to include important oil and gas reserves . Cultural Introduction Southeast Asia has a population of more than six hundred million people more than half the population lives on the many islands of Indonesia and the Philippines . The small island of Java in Indonesia is one of the most densely populated places on Earth . More than half of the two hundred million people who live in Indonesia live on the island of Java . The island of in the Philippines is also one of the more densely populated areas of the insular region . The Philippines has over one hundred million people , Vietnam has more than ninety million , and Thailand has about million . Local areas with high capacity are also high population centers , which would include deltas , river Valleys , and fertile plains . The ethnic mosaic of Southeast Asia is a result of the emergence of local differences between people that have evolved into identifiable cultural or ethnic groups . Though there are a multitude of specific ethnic groups , a number of the larger ones stand out with recognizable populations . On the mainland the Burmese , Thai , and Vietnamese are the largest groups , coinciding with the physical countries from Burma to Vietnam . A similar situation can be found in the insular region . Many distinct groups can exist on the many islands of the region . The island of New Guinea , for example , has hundreds of local groups with their own languages and traditions . The large number of ethnic groups is dominated by Indonesians , and Filipinos , coinciding with the countries of Indonesia , Malaysia , and the Philippines . Each of these main groups has many that hold to their own cultural heritage in the areas where they exist . The many islands of Indonesia and the Philippines create the opportunity for diversity to continue to thrive , in spite of the globalization process that increased the interaction and communication opportunities between groups . Indonesia is also home to the largest Muslim population in the world . All major religions can be found here . The Philippine population is predominantly Christian , but there is a minority Muslim community , including rebel insurgents . Most of people in Malaysia follow Islam . About 95 percent of the people in Thailand and more than 60 percent of the people in are Buddhist . is present in the Indonesian island of Bali and in

897 World Regional Geography various other locations in the region . Animism and local religions can be found in rural and remote areas . Clearly , Southeast Asia is a mix of many ethnic groups , each with its own history , culture , and religious preference . Overseas Chinese Southeast Asia is also home to over thirty million overseas Chinese who live outside of China . The Chinese exodus to the realm was the greatest during the last Chinese dynasties and during the colonial era . European colonial powers enhanced this migration pattern by leveraging the use of people with Chinese heritage in their governing over the local populations in the realm . Life has often been difficult for overseas Chinese . The Japanese occupation of the realm during World War II was a time of harsh discrimination against Chinese . Japanese occupation and colonialism diminished with the end of World War II . The overseas Chinese minority retained an economic advantage because of their former colonial status and their economic connections . emerged in many of the major cities of Southeast Asia . The discrimination against the Chinese , fueled by religious or socioeconomic differences , often continued after World War II by the local ethnic majorities . Nevertheless , overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia have been instrumental in promoting the global business arrangements that have established the Pacific Rim as a major player in the international economy . Key Ta Southeast Asia can be studied by dividing up the realm into two geographic regions the mainland and the insular region . The mainland borders China and India and has extensive river systems . The insular region is made up of islands and between Asia and Australia , often with mountainous interiors . France and Britain colonized the mainland region of Southeast Asia . Burma was a British colony and the rest was under French colonial rule . The Japanese took control of the region before World War II ended in 1945 . was the only area not colonized . became the country of Thailand . The physical geography of the mainland and the insular region is dominated by a tropical type A climate . Cooler temperatures may be found in the mountainous regions and more even temperatures ranges can be found along the coasts . Tectonic plate activity is responsible for the many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that occur in the realm . Southeast Asia is ethnically , religiously , and linguistically diverse . A number of major ethnic groups dominate in the mainland and insular region but are only examples of the multitude of smaller groups that exist in the realm . One minority group is the overseas Chinese , who immigrated to the realm during the colonial era .

10 Introducing the Realm 898 Discussion and Study Questions countries of Southeast Asia are in the mainland region ?

Which countries are in the insular region ?

Wiat are the four main rivers of the mainland region and how do they contribute to each region economic activities ?

How has tectonic plate activity been evident in Southeast Asia ?

How has the rest of the world been by tectonic activity in the realm ?

European countries have been the main and which countries did each colonize ?

How has the colonial experience influenced the realm ?

are the main population centers ?

Why are these locations favorable to such large populations ?

Which countries are the most populous ?

Wiat are the main ethnic groups on the mainland and in the insular region ?

Why are there so many ethnic groups in this realm ?

How has physical geography contributed to the diversity ?

Wiat are the main religious affiliations of the realm ?

Which countries have the largest Buddhist , Muslim , and Christian populations ?

How do you think this diversity of religious beliefs could create difficulties in the workplace ?

Wiat is the newest country to declare independence in the realm ?

Which European country colonized the area ?

Why didn this country gain its independence many decades ago ?

How have the overseas Chinese influenced the realm of Southeast Asia ?

Why have the overseas Chinese been so in the economic situation of the Pacific Rim ?

Wiat other region of the world has similar dynamics in physical geography and colonial activities to the insular region of Southeast Asia ?

Geography Exercise Identify the following key places on a map Chao River Gulf of Tonkin Ho Chi City Insular Region River Mainland Region River Red River Saigon The Mainland Countries Learning Objectives Summarize the main economic activities of each country . Understand how Vietnam was divided by civil war and the impact the war had on the country . Realize how the country of is addressing its rural landlocked economic situation . Describe the radical conditions that led to the creation of Democratic . Outline the physical geography of Thailand and how this country has developed its economy . Comprehend the conditions in Burma . Learn why the Burmese people would be opposing the government . Vietnam The elongated state of Vietnam is slightly larger than Italy and about three times the size of the US state of Kentucky . In 2010 it was estimated to have a population of about ninety million people . Sixty percent of the population is under age . This indicates that the population was only about half its current size at the end of the Vietnam War . Vietnam has two main urban core areas Ho Chi City ( Saigon ) in the south and the capital , in the north . The middle region of Vietnam is narrow , with higher elevation . Each core area is located along a major river delta . The Red River delta is located east of in the north , and the mighty River delta is located next to Saigon in the south . These river deltas deposit silt from upstream and provide excellent farmland for growing multiple crops of rice and food grains per year . Vietnam has a tropical Type A climate with a long coastline . Fishing provides protein to balance out nutritional needs . More than 55 percent of the population works in agriculture . Family size has dropped dramatically because of population growth and a trend toward urbanization . shift has caused the two main urban core cities to grow rapidly . Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam and has a port that can accommodate 899

The Mainland Countries 900 Vessels . the capital , is not a port city and is located inland from the nearest port of on the coast of the Gulf of Tonkin . Political Geography An understanding of Vietnam is not complete without understanding the changes in political control the country of Vietnam has experienced . Different Chinese dynasties controlled Vietnam at different times . When France colonized Vietnam , it imposed the French language as the franca and Christianity as the main religion . Both changes met resistance , but the religious persecution of Buddhism by the French created harsh adversarial conditions within the culture . The French domination started in 1858 . The Japanese replaced it in 1940 this lasted until the end of World War II . With the defeat of Japan in 1945 , the French desired to regain control of Vietnam . The French aggressively pushed into the country , but met serious resistance and were finally defeated in 1954 with their loss at the battle of Bien Phu . Figure Southeast Asia and Vietnam

901 World Regional Geography an hong Gulf of Tonkin South China Sea Nha If of Thailand The two main of Vietnam are both located next In large rivers . The Capital , in the north is on the Red River . Ho Chi City ( Saigon ) to the south is next to the delta of the River . Updated from map Courtesy of Commons public domain . In the , the Vietnamese began asserting their request for an independent country . The dynamics were similar to that of Korea . After 1954 , Vietnam needed to establish a government for their independent country . They were not unified . The northern section rallied around and was aligned with a Communist ideology . The southern region organized around Saigon and aligned itself with capitalism and democratic . During the Cold War , the United States opposed Communism wherever it emerged . Vietnam was one such case . Supporting South Vietnam against the Communists in the north started not long after the defeat of France . By 1960 , US advisors were working to bolster South Vietnam military power . After the assassination of John .

The Mainland Countries 902 Kennedy , President Lyndon Johnson had to make a choice to either pull out of Vietnam or push the US military to fully engage the Communists in North Vietnam . Not wishing Vietnam and its neighbors to go Communist through a domino if one country fell to Communism its neighbors would Johnson decided to escalate the war in Vietnam . By 1965 , more than one half million US soldiers were on the ground in Vietnam . History has recorded the result . Just as Vietnam was divided by political and economic ideology , the Vietnam War also divided the US population . Protests were common on college campuses and public support for the war was often met with public opposition . Figure Portrait of Ho Chi , the Communist Leader of North Vietnam during the Cold War

903 World Regional Geography Commons public domain . The US government , under President Richard Nixon , finally decided to pull all US troops out from Vietnam after a was agreed upon in a Paris peace conference in 1973 . More than thousand US soldiers had died in the Vietnam War . Two years later , in 1975 , the North Vietnamese Communists invaded South Vietnam and took control of the entire country . Vietnam was unified under a Communist regime . More than two million people from South Vietnam escaped as refugees and to Hong Kong , the United States , or wherever they could go . Thousands were accepted by the United States , which caused ethnic rifts in US communities . The United States placed an embargo on Vietnam and refused to trade with them . The United States did not open diplomatic relations with Vietnam again until 1996 . The Vietnam War devastated the infrastructure and economy of the country . Roads , bridges , and Valuable distribution systems were destroyed . Vietnam could only turn to what it does best growing rice and food for its people .

The Mainland Countries 904 Figure Man Hauling Cut Wood on a Bicycle Cart ( Pedicab ) by the Perfume River Near the City of Hue , Vietnam Vietnam full 04 BY . Modern Vietnam For the past three decades , Vietnam has been recovering and slowly integrating itself with the outside world . Its population has doubled most of the population was born after the Vietnam War . Their main goal is to seek out opportunities and advantages to provide for themselves and their families . Vietnam has been a rural agrarian society , The two main core cities , however , are now waking up to the outside world , and the outside world is discovering them . Looking for cheap labor and economic profits , economic tigers such as are turning to Saigon to set up light manufacturing operations . People from the rural areas are migrating to the cities looking for employment . Saigon has more than million people and has a special economic zone ( SEZ ) located nearby . shift is kicking in . After 1975 , the city of Saigon was renamed Ho Chi City after the victorious Communist leader , Ho Chi . Many of the people who live there and who live in the United States still refer to it as Saigon .

905 World Regional Geography Any country that experiences rapid urbanization or economic change suffers from serious growing pains . Conflicts usually erupt over control of resources and land ownership , ethnic groups usually vie for power , and environmental damage is usually extensive . All these issues are evident in Vietnam . The dogmatic Communist government has acted to moderate both the problems and the economic growth . The future of Vietnam may be similar to most of Southeast Asia as it balances out the strong adhesive forces of local culture and the demands of a competitive global economy . The growing population will add to the demand for resources and employment opportunities . Vietnam has been a relatively poor country but it still has been able to export rice and other agricultural products . In recent years , the Communist government has implemented a series of reforms moving toward a market economy , which has encouraged economic development and international trade . Globalization has prompted a strong shift within Vietnam . The rural countryside is still steeped in its agrarian heritage based on growing rice and food crops , but the urban centers have been energized by modern technology and outside economic interest . Vietnam has enormous growth potential . The country urban centers are shifting from stage of the index of economic development into stage , where the urbanization rates are the strongest . The rapid rise of the global economy that is connected to Vietnam major cities has provided jobs and opportunities that are highly sought after by the growing population . The city streets are filled with a sea of motorbikes and bicycle traffic . Cars are becoming more plentiful . Saigon has been a major destination for the export textile industry and other industries seeking a cheap labor base . Cell phones and Internet services have connected a country with the rest of the world . The geography of centers on the River basin and rugged mountain terrain . is landlocked . Vietnam shields from the South China Sea to the east and to the south . It doesn have a port city to the outside world . The mountains reach up to feet . The Type A climate provides a rainy season and a dry season . The rains usually fall between May and November , followed by a dry season for the remainder of the year . The River flows through the land and provides fresh water , irrigation , and transportation . The country capital and largest city , is located on the River . is about the same size in area as the US state of Utah .

The Mainland Countries 906 Figure Woman in Province , Cooking Midmorning Snacks for Schoolchildren These snacks are a shipped in from the United States and sponsored by the us Act . Food is provided in schools in rural encourage attendance and enrollment in school . Thousands of children from this program . Prince Roy BY . The Lao Kingdom coalesced in the and was eventually absorbed by the Kingdom of , which thrived during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries . France muscled in during the colonial era and created a French . received independence from France in 1949 . is a rural country with about 80 percent of the population working in agriculture . Globalization has not yet been established in this country and infrastructure is less developed . Electricity is not available on a consistent basis and transportation systems are quite basic . There aren any railroads and there are few paved roads . Clean water for human consumption is not always available . The economy is based on agriculture , with some outside investments in mining and natural resources . of the people in are Buddhists . Animist traditions and spirit worship have the next highest percentage of followers . Muslims and Christians make up a small percentage of the population . Lao make up the largest ethnic group and 70 percent of the population . Other ethnicities include the Hmong and mountain tribal groups , which can be found in various remote regions of the country . The remoteness and rural heritage of the many tribal people have started to attract tourism . Tourism has increased in recent years , partially due to the Chinese government allowing its citizens to travel outside their borders from China into . has two World Heritage Sites the historic town of , and the southern site of Wat ( Vat Phu ) which is an ancient Hindu temple complex . is a poor country . It has fewer employment opportunities for its citizens than other developing countries have . The Communist political system of the Cold War has been control and working to encourage entrepreneurial activities . Foreign investments are increasing in the areas of mining , hydroelectric

907 World Regional Geography production , and major construction projects . The World Bank and other agencies have supported efforts to improve infrastructure and provide opportunities for the people of . China has been partnering with the Laotian government to help build rail transport in the country . These efforts have assisted in reducing poverty and increasing the economic and physical health of the country . A Notorious History is about the same size in area as the US state of Missouri . The population in 2008 was estimated at million . The created the Empire , which reached its peak between the tenth and thirteenth centuries . Preceding the colonial period , the Empire entered into a long era of decline . France took control of the region in the latter part of the seventeenth century . Japan took control of the region before World War II and then relinquished it when they surrendered to end World War 11 . France regained control of after the Japanese army was defeated . finally received independence from France in 1953 . To understand , one has to understand its recent history . This country has undergone some of the most extreme social transitions in modern times . The Rouge , under the leadership of Pol Pot , turned society upside down , giving the country a legacy that it will carry forward as integration continues into the world community . Between 1969 and 1973 , while the United States was fighting the Vietnam War , US forces bombed and invaded in an effort to disrupt the North Vietnamese military operations and oppose the Rouge .

The Mainland Countries 908 Millions of Cambodians were made refugees by the war , and many ended up in . The number of casualties from the US bombing missions in is unknown . The US war in Vietnam thus had spilled over into and and advanced the opportunities for the Rouge regime to gain power . Pol Pot Communist forces of the Rouge finally captured capital of in 1975 . The Rouge evacuated all cities and towns and forced the people to move to the rural areas . The country name was changed to Democratic . China Great Cultural Revolution and the Great Leap Forward disaster were influential for Pol Pot radical experiment . Since Vietnam was supported by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ( USSR ) the Rouge looked to China for arms and support . Pol Pot was creating an agricultural model for a new country based on ideals . People in urban areas were forcibly marched off into the countryside for labor in agriculture . Anyone who resisted or even hinted at dissent was killed . All traces of Westernized ideas , technology , medical practice , religion , or books were destroyed . Thousands of people were systematically killed in an attempt to bring into being a rural agrarian utopian society . The thousands upon thousands who were systematically eliminated gave rise to the term Killing Fields , meaning fields where massive groups of people were forced to dig their own graves and then were killed . The mass killings were reminiscent of those carried out by Hitler , Stalin , and Mao . Pol Pot regime also targeted ethnic minority groups . Muslims and Chinese suffered serious purges . Professional , educated people , such as doctors , lawyers , and teachers , were also targeted for execution . According to some reports , the very act of wearing eyeglasses was a death sentence as it was a symbol of intellectualism . In a country of eight million in 1970 , more than two million people were executed or died as a result of Pol Pot policies . The total number will never be known . Hundreds of thousands became refugees in neighboring countries . Figure Skulls of the Victims from the Killing Fields of Pol Pot and the Rouge in from the 19705

909 World Regional Geography Commons public domain . By 1978 , the Rouge was isolated in the countryside . Vietnamese forces controlled the urban areas . A decade of civil war and unrest followed . Paris peace talks , United elections and coalition governments have since helped provide political stability . Pol Pot died under unclear circumstances in 1998 while being held under house arrest . As of 1999 , the Rouge elements that were still in existence had surrendered or were arrested . Many of the Rouge leaders were charged with crimes against humanity by United tribunals . Modern is working to become a democratic and open country with established trade relationships with global markets . The people have struggled to create a stable society that can rebound from their legacy of turmoil and . The country population is relatively young . More than half the population is under age

The Mainland Countries 910 third is under fifteen . The rural areas and the generations who remain there continue to lack the basic amenities of modern society . Education , electricity , and modern infrastructure are lacking . More than half the population works in agriculture . Since less than 25 percent of the population lives in cities , is likely to experience a high shift in its future . People are returning to religious practices that were banned during the Pol Pot era . Buddhism is the dominant religion of about 95 percent of the population . Small percentages of the population also practice Christianity , Islam , or tribal beliefs . There are at least twenty distinct hill tribes that hold to their own traditions and cultural ways . The country has historically been with food , but the rapid population growth , political instability , and lack of infrastructure are challenging the future of the country . Agriculture has been the main economic activity , though textiles ( clothing manufacturing ) have increased in recent years because of the low cost of labor combined with an abundant workforce . The international business sector has sought to exploit this opportunity , but multinational corporations are hesitant to invest in a country that suffers from political instability or a high level of corruption within the public and private sector . Figure A Small Section of the Wat Temple Complex in Northwest

911 World Regional Geography Wat is said tu be the largest religious structure in the world . Hindu in , it was to a Buddhist site during the early years . Paul temple Wat 2011 BY . has been attempting to build a sustainable economy . The textile industry is the number one source of national wealth Sweatshops and manufacturing have begun to take root in the expanding capital city of . Tourism is another sector that has experienced rapid growth , Though nonexistent in earlier decades , tourism has taken off . Cambodian tourism provides travelers with an experience that is more pristine and less commercialized . Tourism has been rated as the sector of the economy . One of the main sites that attract many visitors is the extraordinary ancient site of Wat ( means city and Wat temple ) This site is one of the showcases of architecture from its early empire years , Wat is being developed as a major tourist attraction , The complex was first a Hindu site dedicated to Vishnu , and then it was converted to a Buddhist site . Wat has become an international tourist destination . It is one of the largest temple complexes in existence in the world and is a World Heritage Site . The city of has been estimated to have been the largest city in the world at its peak . As many as a thousand other temples and ancient structures have been recovered in the same area in recent years . has pressing environmental problems . The country has the notorious designation by the UN as the nation with the number of land mines on Earth . Since 1970 , more than sixty thousand people have been killed , and many more injured or maimed because of unexploded land mines in rural areas , The growing population , attempting to recover from decades of devastation , has cut down the rainforest at one of the highest rates in the world . In 1970 , rainforests covered about 70 percent of the country . Today there is only about percent of the rainforest left . A rise in the need for resources , along with illegal timber activities , has devastated the forests , resulting in a high level of soil erosion and loss of habitat for indigenous species . The loss of natural resources is likely to hinder the country economic growth .

The Mainland Countries 912 Thailand Thailand is larger than and combined but smaller than Burma . The physical regions that make up Thailand include the mountainous north , where peaks reach up to feet the large southeastern plateau bordering the River and the mainly flat valley that dominates the center of the country . The southern part of the country includes the narrow isthmus that broadens out to create the Peninsula . The tropical Type A climate has dry and rainy seasons similar to . The weather pattern in the main part of Thailand , north of the Peninsula , has three seasons . The main rainy season lasts between June and October , when the southwest monsoon arrives with heavy rain clouds from over the Indian Ocean . After the rainy season , the land cools off and starts to receive the northeast monsoon , which is a cool dry wind that blows from November to February . Considered the dry season , its characteristics are lower humidity and cooler temperatures . From March to May , the temperatures rise and the land heats up . Then the cycle starts over again with the introduction of the rainy season . The weather pattern in the southern part of Thailand in the Peninsula receives more rain throughout the year , with two rainy seasons that peak from April through May and then again from October through December . Thailand was formerly known as the Kingdom of . In 1932 , a constitutional monarchy was established after a bloodless revolution erupted in the country . The name was officially changed to Thailand in 1939 . The ruling monarch remains head of state but a prime minister is head of the government . was never colonized by either the Europeans or the Japanese . The leaders of played France and Britain against each other and remained independent of colonial domination . During World War II , the Japanese did extend influence in the region . Thailand briefly engaged the Japanese military in World War II but worked out an armistice that used the Japanese military to regain territories lost to Britain or France . At the same time , Thailand was working to support Allied efforts in the region . About of the population is ethnically Thai . There is a noticeable Chinese population and a small percentage of people who are ethnically . There are various minority groups and hill tribes . The country official language is Thai . Buddhism is adhered to by about 95 percent of the population . The ruling monarch is considered the defender of the Buddhist faith . Southern Buddhism is fervently practiced here . Thailand does not use the Western Gregorian calendar . Thailand uses an official calendar based on an Eastern translation of the Buddhist era , which essentially adds 543 years to the Gregorian calendar . For example , when it was 2010 AD in the West , it was 2553 BE in Thailand . There have been clashes between Thailand small Muslim minority groups in the south , which have been increasing since . Islamic influences have been increasing near the border with Malaysia , which is about 60 percent Muslim . The Buddhist government of Thailand has sought to keep extremist groups like from operating within its borders . A series of bombings in recent years have increased social tensions and brought more attention to the religious division in the south .

913 World Regional Geography Figure Modem City of Bangkok with Office Buildings and Business District Bangkok Skyline . Thailand has an excellent record of economic growth and has been one of Southeast Asia best in the past couple of decades . Thailand is developing its infrastructure and has established measures to attract foreign investments and support economic activities . The recent slowdown in the global economy and internal political problems have caused a sharp downturn in Thailand economic growth . Nevertheless , Thailand remains a strong economic force and one of the best economies in the region . The positive indicators include a strong focus on infrastructure , industrial exports , and tourism . Urbanization rates are increasing at least of the population lives in cities . Family size has fallen to lower than two children per family , while education rates have increased . The country has also tapped into its natural resources for export profits as the world exporter of tin and the exporter of tungsten . Light manufacturing has taken off and become a major component of the economy , accounting for about 45 percent of the gross domestic product ( The country is a major manufacturer of textiles , footwear , jewelry , auto parts , and electrical components . Thailand has been the major exporter of rice in the world and has a strong agricultural base . Thailand is a newly industrialized country and has all its bases covered to build national wealth a balance of agriculture , extractive activities , manufacturing , and activities ( tourism ) Thailand is considered the manufacturer of motor vehicles in Asia , after Japan and Korea . Vehicle producers from the United States and Asia are manufacturing large numbers of cars and trucks in Thailand . dominates the market in both truck and auto production . Truck production is augmented by , Chevrolet , Ford , and . Honda , from Japan , and the Tata Motor Corporation , from India , are expanding their operations in Thailand . Thailand is in a good position to advance its economy and shift the whole country into the next stage of development to become a major participant in the global economic marketplace . The tourism industry has grown immensely in Thailand over the past few decades . Green and lush tropical mountain landscapes , the exquisite architecture of ancient Buddhist temples , and beautiful golden beaches along warm tropical coastlines make for an excellent tourism market . Some of the best tropical beach resorts are located along the sandy and sunny shores of Thailand . The country is open to outsiders and has welcomed tourism as part of its economic equation . The relatively stable country provides a safe and exciting tourism agenda that has a global clientele . The downside of the thriving tourism industry is the sex trade . Relaxed

The Mainland Countries 914 laws on sexual activity have made Thailand a destination for people from around the world seeking sex tours and erotic experiences . Not surprisingly , a sharp increase in the number of individuals infected with sexually transmitted diseases has been documented . Approximately one million people in Thailand tested HIV positive in the . The sex industry has been big business for Thailand and at the same time has created an unfortunate negative stereotype for the overall tourism situation . There is much more to the tourism industry in Thailand than the sex trade . The country of Thailand has the potential to recover from the global economic downturn and once again claim its role as an economic tiger of Southeast Asia . If political stability serves to enhance economic investments , the country will continue to experience economic growth . The low population growth is a model for other countries in the region . Thailand provides a good example of the theory that as a country and , family size will usually go down . Thailand is also moving forward in the index of economic development . It is in stage , where there is a strong shift in the population . The capital city of Bangkok has stage development patterns and is an economic core area for the country and the region . As large as New York City , Bangkok has developed into the political , cultural , and economic center of Southeast Asia . Often referred to as the Venice of the East because of its city canals , Bangkok has become a global city with a population of more than eight million people officially and more than fifteen million unofficially . or Burma The Union of ( Union of Burma ) is the official name for Burma . Since 1989 , the military authorities in Burma have promoted the name as a conventional name for their state . The US government and many other governments have not recognized or accepted the name change . Some groups within Burma do not accept the name because the translation of is also the name of an ethnic minority in Burma . The use of the name Burma or is split around the world and within the country . Burma is the largest country on the Southeast Asian mainland in terms of physical area . It is about the same size in area as Texas and had a population in 2010 of about million . The country has a central mass with a southern protrusion that borders Thailand toward the Peninsula . The northern border area between India and China has high mountains that are part of the , with towering peaks extending to feet . The River cuts through the center of the country from north to south , creating a delta in the largest city , Most of the country population lives along this river valley .

915 World Regional Geography Figure Burma ( The River and the Layout THAILAND CIA World public .

The Mainland Countries 916 There are differences in physical landscape between the north and south . The northernmost area is mountainous with evergreen forests . Cool temperatures are found in the north and warmer annual temperatures are found in the south . To the west of the River and north of the land cover is mainly deciduous forests . The eastern region from to the border is scrub forests and grasslands . This area is considered the dry zone , with an annual rainfall of about forty inches . The more tropical south and coastal areas can receive higher levels of precipitation . The area around the core city of was a major focus of agricultural development before British colonialism . crops were most common . During the colonial era , the British looked to the rich farmlands of the southern delta and emphasized as the center of their . Wetland rice is a major crop of the southern basin . The southwest and the southern protrusion are mainly tropical evergreen forests . There has been oil exploration along the coastal regions of the Bay of Bengal and along the Sea . The country was colonized by the British and was once a part of Great Britain empire in South Asia as a province of India . Burma was one of the most prosperous colonies of Britain until World War II , when the Japanese invaded and war devastated the region . Democratic rule existed from 1948 until 1962 , when an authoritarian military dictatorship took over the country . A revolutionary council ruled the country between 1962 and 1974 . This government nationalized most of the businesses , factories , and media outlets . The overall operating principle of the council was a concept called the Burmese Way of Socialism . This concept was based on central planning and Communist principles mixed with Buddhist beliefs . Between 1974 and 1988 , the sole political party of the country was the Burma Socialist Program Party , which was controlled by the same military general and his comrades who had been in control for decades . During this time , the rest of the world was advancing in technology and economic development and moving forward with advancements in health care and education . Burma remained an impoverished and isolated nation . A number of countries , including the United States , have trade restrictions with Burma . For decades , the authoritarian regime in Burma has been accused of serious human rights violations , which have largely been ignored by the outside world . Protests against the military rule have always existed in Burma but have been suppressed by the armed forces and the authoritarian government . In 1962 , the government cracked down on demonstrations at University , resulting in fifteen students being killed and many others in need of medical attention . The military government has taken serious action against any antigovernment protest activities . By 1988 , the people of Burma were taking to the streets with widespread demonstrations and protests against the government over claims of oppression , mismanagement , and lack of democratic reforms . A total crackdown on the people was implemented , with thousands of protesters killed . A new council led by a military general created the State Law and Order Restoration Council a year later . Martial law was imposed and even harsher policies were imposed on anyone opposing the government . This is when the name of was first used for the country . The name change and the military rule have not been universally accepted . The United States still refers to the capital city as , not as . In 2006 , military rulers moved the capital north to the city of . The purpose of the move was to establish a forward capital and shift development and political energy more toward the center of the country , rather than along the coast . World nations are divided on the issues of how to deal with the changes and the military regime in Burma . The governments of some countries believe more sanctions should be implemented to force the leadership into compliance . Other countries believe sanctions are not effective

917 World Regional Geography against the government that is , sanctions harm the people and do not affect the military leadership , Countries on this side of the equation believe that open trade is the best policy . Figure Demonstrators Marching to Express Discontent with the ot ( 2007 The banner , written in Burmese , refers a movement to . A Buddhist monk is in Lhe , and Lhe Pagoda is in the background . Commons BY . Antigovernment protests erupted in 2007 when the government allowed prices on fuel and energy to double and triple in price . Protesters were quickly and violently dealt with and many were arrested and jailed , Later that year , thousands of Buddhist monks led a peaceful protest to gain the government attention to make democratic changes . The demonstration ended in a renewed government crackdown . Another voice in the demonstrations has been that of opposition leader San , a UN worker in the early

The Mainland Countries 918 and a Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1991 . Her opposition to the military rule has led to imprisonment and house arrest for decades . She has been a symbol of the opposition and hope for democratic reforms . In 2010 , San was at long last released from house arrest and allowed more freedom of movement under government restrictions . Burma has been placed in the same category as North Korea and in terms of authoritarian rule , lack of human rights , and stagnant economy . Economic conditions are poor . The military rulers have gained control of the main enterprises in the country , including the lucrative drug trade from the prime opium growing region of the northern Golden Triangle , where Burma borders and Thailand . All factors seem to indicate an increase in opium production in recent years . Precious gemstones such as rubies , sapphires , and jade are abundant in Burma . Rubies bring the highest incomes . Burma produces about 90 percent of the world supply , with superb quality . The Valley of Rubies in the north is noted for quality gem production of both rubies and sapphires . Most of the gems are sold to buyers in Thailand . All the profits go to military rulers in the government , and since there is a high level of corruption and mismanagement within the government and business , the income from the gems produces limited economic development for the main population and discourages foreign investment in the country . Burma has become one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia . China has emerged as the main trading partner with Burma and has been propping up the dictatorial military regime . China supplies the regime with arms , constructs many of the infrastructure projects , and supplies natural gas to the country . Burma is ethnically diverse . Though it is difficult to verify , the government of Burma recognizes one hundred distinct ethnic groups within its borders . It is estimated that there are over a hundred different groups in Burma . About 90 percent of the population is Buddhist . This high level of diversity can allow for strong centrifugal forces that are not generally conducive to unity and nationalism . The heavy emphasis on the national military is one of the only centripetal forces within the population , even though the military leadership is also looked at with distain by those desiring more openness and democratic conditions . Key Ta France and Britain colonized the mainland region of Southeast Asia . Burma was a British colony and the rest was under French colonial rule . The Japanese took control of the region before World War II ended in 1945 . was the only area not colonized . became the country of Thailand . Vietnam was divided by a Communist north and a capitalist south during the Cold War . Vietnam is emerging from decades of isolation to provide the global economy with a large labor pool that has been attracting foreign investments by multinational corporations . The rural and landlocked nation of has strong Buddhist traditions and an agrarian society . was impacted by the Vietnam War and then by the devastation of Pol Pot Rouge radical experiment in agrarian socialism , which killed as many as million people . Recovery has been slow , but the textile industry and tourism have contributed to economic growth . The Buddhist country of Thailand has been experiencing major economic development in recent decades and has established itself as a major economic power in the region . The modern capital city of Bangkok is a major center of manufacturing and cultural activities . The people of Burma ( continue to suffer under an authoritarian regime that offers few civil rights or democratic processes to its people . Poor , isolated , and militarily controlled , Burma has been at the center

919 World Regional Geography of many human rights violations in recent decades with little response from the international community . 10 Discussion and Study Questions What are the main physical features and qualities of the mainland region of Southeast Asia ?

What are the two main core areas of Vietnam ?

Which river is associated with each city ?

What prompted the United States to enter into the conflict in Vietnam ?

Did Vietnam attack the United States ?

What river through parts of ?

What is the main economic activity in ?

What geographic aspect isolates the country of and restricts its globalization efforts ?

Who was Pol Pot ?

What type of society did he attempt to create ?

What were some of his methods ?

What were the Killing Fields ?

What people were targeted to be eliminated ?

Why were these people killed ?

What attracts tourism to , or Thailand ?

Why aren more tourists going to Burma ?

What is the main religion in Southeast Asia ?

Who is considered the defender of this faith ?

Who is San ?

How is she a reflection of conditions in her country ?

Geography Exercise Identify the following key places on a map Sea Golden Triangle Peninsula The Insular Region ( Islands of Southeast Asia ) Learning Objectives Summarize the economic development of each of the countries in this section . Understand that Malaysia is divided between the Peninsula and the island of . Outline how the structured island nation of Singapore became an economic tiger . Describe the physical geography of Indonesia and the population dynamics of the island of Java . Summarize the cultural characteristics of the Philippines . Learn why this country is a popular destination for business process outsourcing ( The insular region of Southeast Asia includes the countries of Malaysia , Singapore , East Timor , Indonesia , and the Philippines . Of the Southeast Asian countries , East Timor most recently gained its independence , as was mentioned in the previous lesson . In comparing these island nations , extensive diversity in all aspects will be found . There are major differences in cultural , economic , and political dynamics , and in the ethnic groups that make up the dominant majorities in each . There is also a high level of linguistic and religious diversity . The physical geography varies from island to island some have high mountain relief and others are and relatively flat . Active tectonic plate action in the region causes earthquakes and volcanic activity , resulting in destruction of infrastructure and loss of life both acutely impact human activities . Economic forces continue to prompt the countries of Southeast Asia to enter into trade relationships that integrate them with global networks based on dependency and reliance . The old colonial powers may no longer control them politically but may affect them economically . The new dynamics of corporate colonialism , with their economic power located in the core economic regions , still seek to exploit the countries of Southeast Asia for their labor and resources . These Asian nations are working to develop their own economies and use their own labor and resources to gain national wealth and increase the standard of living for their people . Each country has to contend with globalization forces within the international network of economic relationships . 920

921 World Regional Geography Malaysia Malaysia is a country made up of Various British colonies that came together as a federation and then became an independent country . Britain started establishing colonies in the region in the late . The two main areas include the western colonies on the Peninsula and the eastern colonies on the island of . The western settlements were part of the Peninsula , which included the colonies of Pinang and Singapore . Eventually , the British took control of the eastern colonies of , and on the island of . In 1957 , the western colonies on the mainland peninsula broke from their British and became an independent country called the Federation of . In 1963 , the British colonies of and joined the Federation of to form the current country , which is called Malaysia . In 1965 , Singapore broke off from Malaysia and became an independent country . which was still a British protectorate , became independent in 1984 . Malaysia has two main land areas separated by the South China Sea . The regions of and , on the island of , are called East Malaysia the mainland on the Peninsula is called West Malaysia . These regions have similar physical landscapes , which include coastal plains with nearby densely forested foothills and mountains . The highest mountains , rising feet , are in East Malaysia on the island of . Located near the equator , Malaysia has a tropical Type A climate with monsoons regularly occurring from October to February . Figure Provinces in East and West Malaysia Thailand I , an Vi ' waft . Malaysia , i , Si I , Island of , A ' Island of a we . Indonesia

The Insular Region ( Islands of Southeast Asia ) 922 Diversity of Culture and Ethnicity in Malaysia Malaysia culture is diverse in that several major religions are practiced within its borders . Islam is considered the official religion and is supported by at least 60 percent of the population . About 20 percent of the people are Buddhists , 10 percent Christians , and percent Hindu . The remaining percentages of the population include traditional Chinese religions and local tribal beliefs . In this Islamic country , there are concerns that Muslims get preferential treatment by government programs and policies . There are even special judicial legal courts for Muslims only to work out issues regarding marriage , custody , inheritance , or other conflicting Islamic issues regarding faith and obligation . This court only hears Islamic issues and no other legal matters . There have been movements by minority extremist groups that would like to see Malaysia shift toward a true Islamic state , complete with the Sharia Criminal Code as the law of the land . The movement , however , has been cracked down on by the government . Since the incident in the United States , there has been more concern about extremist religious views . People of ethnic background make up more than 50 percent of the population . People of Chinese descent are the group at about 24 percent . An additional 11 percent of the population is made up of indigenous groups . During British colonialism , a number of people from South Asia were brought to Malaysia . For example , were brought from India to work the plantations . Their Hindu beliefs were infused into the culture and some also converted to Christianity . were brought from South Asia to help Britain run the country as police , soldiers , or security officers . The who came brought their religion with them , which added to the dynamics of the country . Figure The Road of Kota City in Malaysia during a Time of Slow Traffic

923 World Regional Geography Notice that the cars are driving on the same side of the mad as they would be in Great Britain , Malaysia former . Bus Roads of Kola Ci BY . Malaysia diverse ethnic and cultural mix often results in strong centrifugal forces that push and pull on the societal dynamics of the country . China has been active in the business community and has established strong economic ties with regional countries that have Chinese populations . The single largest minority group in the province of on is Chinese . As a minority group , Chinese citizens of Malaysia have felt discrimination . Since the official language is and the official religion is Islam , there have been concerns about discrimination against all minority groups . Working through the cultural and ethnic diversity has been a major challenge for the country . Each minority religious or ethnic group desires to celebrate its own special holidays . For example , there is the usual New Year celebration on January , and then there is the traditional Chinese New Year celebration celebrated at a different time of the year . celebrate the New Year . Buddhists celebrate a holiday in honor of the life and enlightenment of Buddha . Christians celebrate Christmas and Easter . Many other holidays of significance are respected or honored by various minority groups .

The Insular Region ( Islands of Southeast Asia ) 924 Economic Development in Malaysia Malaysia has rapidly advanced its economy in recent decades and is modernizing its , bridges , highways , and urban facilities . In the capital city , Malaysia built a modern central business district with a twin office building claimed to be the world tallest at the time of construction . Before the global economic downturn that started in 2007 , Malaysia had developed a economy and was at a rapid rate . Malaysia has taken advantage of its location on a major shipping lane and has shifted to manufacturing as an important sector of its economy . The country has been a leader in the export of natural resources such as tin , rubber , and palm oil and has developed its agricultural and extractive sectors to gain income . The 19805 and 19905 were prosperous times for the country and it matured its manufacturing base from light textiles into electronics and heavy industries . One aspect of the country that is looming on the horizon and may cause problems is the high population growth rate . In 2010 , Malaysia population was estimated at more than million , with a doubling time of about forty years . Though the country is 70 percent urban , family size ( fertility rate ) is still at about , which indicates an increasing population growth pattern . of the population is under the age of fifteen . Malaysia is one case where the general principle that if a country and the family size will go down has not taken place fast enough . The fertility rate has dropped from to , but it needs to get below a rate of about if the country is going to successfully stabilize its population growth . Unless the country addresses this population growth , the demand for resources might outstrip economic progress in the future . Singapore Under British colonial rule , the island of Singapore was included in the Malaysian federation . It broke away and became independent in 1965 . It is a small island measuring about thirty miles long at its widest point . Singapore is about two hundred forty square miles in area . Singapore most valuable resource is its relative location . Singapore is similar to Hong Kong in its development . With a good port , Singapore is a hub for ships sailing between Europe and China . It serves Southeast Asia as an , or point , where goods are from large ships and transported to smaller Vessels for distribution to the Southeast Asian community .

925 World Regional Geography Figure Singapore and Neighboring Countries International Airport Administrative I I ( Island Reclamation tra of Project . Singapore Singapore has made good strategic utilization of its geographic location by serving as a distribution center for goods and materials processed in the region . Crude oil from Indonesia is unloaded and refined here . Raw materials are shipped in , manufactured into finished products , and then shipped out to global markets . Since Singapore is small , it has had to concentrate on manufacturing goods that provide for optimal profits . As an economic tiger , Singapore has transitioned through the same stages as , South Korea , and Hong Kong to become an economic power in Southeast Asia . To keep labor costs low , initial manufactured products were textiles , clothing , and cheap goods . As incomes and labor skills rose , so did the complexity of the manufactured goods . The government of Singapore has targeted certain types of products to ensure a high profit margin and a global market need . This has included automation equipment , biotechnology , and information technologies . Singapore doesn manufacture automobiles but it does manufacture automation robotic components that most modern auto manufactures will purchase and use . Medical technology is expensive and is in high demand the world over . Singapore is targeting this market . The information age has spawned new technologies that are evolving rapidly and , once again , Singapore has been at the center of this industry . Singapore has been a center for the production of computer disc drives for a multitude of global corporations .

The Insular Region ( Islands of Southeast Asia ) 926 Singapore Island is a swampy place with no natural resources . All production components , food goods , construction materials , and energy must be imported . Importing everything has raised the cost of living . To compete with the other Asian economic tigers in the global marketplace , Singapore has implemented severe control measures on its operations . There are harsh penalties for criminal activities and for even misdemeanor offenses . Singapore is a safe place to live because of its strict state rules . It has an authoritarian government , which strives to create an attractive place for international corporations to operate . One of the objectives is to eliminate corruption and establish a environment . Figure Singapore Modern Development Modem buildings fill the business district of Singapore . The district can be seen in the foreground complete with British colonial architecture , established when Singapore was a . Brian Evans Singapore . The government of Singapore has entered into trade agreements with two of its neighbors to provide raw materials and cheap labor . A trade triangle has been established between Singapore , Malaysia , and Indonesia . Malaysia and Indonesia provide Singapore with raw materials and cheap labor Singapore provides its neighbors with

927 World Regional Geography technical and financial support . Everyone benefits . Singapore is an excellent example of the upper end of the economic spectrum in Southeast Asia . Countries like or Vietnam would be at the opposite end , since they have a largely rural population based on agriculture that is just beginning to shift to the cities with industrialization . Singapore is already 100 percent urban with high incomes based on manufacturing and processing of raw materials . Singapore is an economic hub for Southeast Asia , complete with global airline connections and is located on a major shipping lane . Singapore port is one of the busiest in Asia . The rest of Southeast Asia is somewhere in between these two ends of the spectrum as far as economic development is concerned . Indonesia The country of Indonesia is the world largest archipelago state , consisting of more than islands , about of which are inhabited . Indonesia is the country in the world by area . The combined area of all the islands and regions of Indonesia would equal about the size of the country of Mexico . The country shares land borders with the side of Malaysia , the western half of the island of Timor , and the western portion of the island of New Guinea , which is shared with the country of New Guinea . The country location on both sides of the equator provides a tropical Type A climate , complete with a monsoon season . Average rainfall can vary from seventy to two hundred forty inches per year . The highest mountain is in West and rises to about feet . Indonesia is located on the Pacific Rim , where tectonic plate activity produces earthquakes and volcanic activity . The country is home to over one hundred fifty active volcanoes , including two of the most famous ones , and . Both had devastating eruptions in the past two centuries . One of the most violent volcanic explosions ever recorded in human history came from , which is located between the islands of Java and Sumatra . A series of eruptions in 1883 were heard as far away as the coast of Africa . Shockwaves reverberated around the globe seven times . Ash erupted into the atmosphere to a height of about fifty miles . The official death toll was , but estimates from local sources place it as high as . Global temperatures fell by about , and weather patterns were disrupted for the next five years . remains active . Over the past few decades , the volcanic peak has been growing at the average rate of about five inches per week .

The Insular Region ( Islands of Southeast Asia ) 928 Figure Major Islands and the Thirty Three National Provinces of Indonesia I I a ' Java Mend , Bali I gas , use , was , I Miss I Lesser Islands Commons . The tropical climate and the archipelago nature of the country provide for enormous biodiversity within the environment . Second only to Brazil in its biodiversity , Indonesia is host to an enormous number of unique plants and animals . The habitats of many of these creatures are being encroached upon by human activity . The remote islands have more of a chance of escaping habitat devastation and remaining intact , but agricultural and extractive economic activities have converted much of the natural environment into a cultural landscape that is not conducive to environmental sustainability . Animals such as orangutans are losing their natural forests and may become extinct if current trends continue . The timber industry has brought about deforestation . Slash and burn agriculture has destroyed forest habitat , and human development patterns such as roads and urbanization have altered the ecosystems of the region . According to recent reports , Indonesia is one of the largest emitters of carbon dioxide in the world because of the high number of forest fires set each year . In 2009 , the United States brokered a deal with Indonesia to forgive thirty million dollars of its debt if the country would work to protect forests on the island of Sumatra , which is home to endangered indigenous animals such as tigers , elephants , rhinos , and orangutans . In 2010 , the estimated population of Indonesia was about 245 million . Indonesia has the population of any country in the world , after the United States , India , and China . Indonesia also has more Muslims than any other country in the world . More than half the population of Indonesia lives on Java , the island where , the capital city , is located . Java is the most populous island in the world , and has a population density of more than people per square mile . Java is the size in area of the US state of Louisiana . Java has 135 million people , whereas Louisiana has million people . is a city that is larger than New York City and encompasses a large metropolitan area , complete with many manufacturing centers , business complexes , and housing districts . The many islands of Indonesia are home to a large number of diverse ethnic and religious groups that vary as widely as any Southeast Asian nation . There may be as many as three hundred different and distinct ethnic groups in Indonesia . Many of the ethnic groups are further divided by islands or distance . More than two hundred fifty separate languages and hundreds of additional dialects are spoken . There are an estimated seven hundred fifty languages spoken on the island of New Guinea itself , with hundreds of them spoken on the Indonesian side of the island , in a population of less than three million . The most prevalent language group in the country as a whole

929 World Regional Geography is Javanese , which is spoken by about 42 percent of the population . Javanese includes the official language of Indonesian , which is taught in schools and used in business and politics as the lingua franca of the country , Many people speak more than one language or even a number of languages to communicate throughout the country . Islam was diffused to Indonesia in the thirteenth century and by the sixteenth century had become the dominant religion . The Indonesian constitution allows for religious freedom , although more than 85 percent of the population follows Islam . There are at least four other religions that are officially recognized Christianity ( both Protestantism and Roman Catholicism ) Buddhism , and , Since Islam is followed by such a large percentage of the population , the other religions do not carry the same influence . Regional and ethnic differences play a role in the varied religious dynamics . The island of Bali , for example , is home to a majority Hindu population , Most of the Buddhists are ethnically Chinese , and they only make up a small percentage of the population , Christians and Muslims have had conflicts on the island of , It is common to find the practice of these religions less than orthodox in the more rural communities of the country . Figure Skyline , the Capital of Indonesia has a population of about ten million and is located on the island of Java . Java has more than 135 million people and has ahout the same physical area as Lhe us state of Louisiana , which has about million people . Java has mote people any other island in the world . Global Panorama Indonesia . In spite of the diversity within the population , the country of Indonesia has established a substantial degree of

The Insular Region ( Islands of Southeast Asia ) 930 nationalism as a centripetal force that holds the country together . There is a relatively high degree of stability in spite of the surface tensions or ethnic and religious that may erupt . An example of the social tensions is demonstrated in the case of Chinese citizens of Indonesia , who only make up about percent of the population but impart a substantial influence over the privately owned business sector of the economy . This seemingly inequitable relationship has resulted in considerable resentment by other portions of the population , often with violent results . The many islands have become natural divisions between cultural groups . Some of the portions of attempted to break away in a devolutionary manner and become independent countries . Just as East Timor became independent , the most western province of on the island of Sumatra had a similar movement toward independence . West on the island of New Guinea has also had an independence movement . The situation was negotiated out while the West movement has been suppressed by military and political force . Many of the islands possess large amounts of natural resources , so the country of Indonesia does not want to lose these national assets that could prove valuable in gaining wealth for the future . It is not easy to create national unity with such a diverse population scattered throughout such a large archipelago . Agriculture has been the historic base of the Indonesian economy . In 2010 , it accounted for about 13 percent of the nation gross domestic product ( Agriculture is the largest employment 42 percent of the workforce . This equates to more than half of the population being rural . Many of the agricultural methods in rural areas are traditional for example , farmers use water buffalo or oxen for tilling the land . The tropical climate and adequate rainfall provide for multiple crops of rice per year in many areas . Spices , coffee , tea , palm oil , and rubber are also produced in substantial quantities . Industries are an important building block for how a country gains wealth . In the case of Indonesia , industry accounts for about 40 percent of its and employs about 20 percent of its workforce . Major industries include oil , natural gas , mining , and textiles or clothing manufacturing . Indonesia economy has been affected by global markets , but in 2005 still managed to run a trade surplus . Japan has been its main trading partner , and China has also been a major supplier of imported goods . Indonesia has been taking advantage of the trade triangle it has with its neighbors , Singapore and Malaysia , to increase its import and export trade activities . The political background of Indonesia is similar in dynamics to many of its neighbors . Colonized by Europeans , Indonesia was previously called the Dutch East Indies , which explains why the islands of the Caribbean were called the West Indies . The Dutch colonized Indonesia in the early seventeenth century but had to relinquish possession of the archipelago to the Japanese in World War II . In 1945 , after the Japanese surrendered , Indonesia declared its independence , which was finally granted in 1949 after much negotiation . The country government quickly moved toward authoritarian rule . During a time period , there were only two authoritarian leaders ( and ( Near the end of rule , there were violent conflicts between military and the Communist Party of Indonesia , which resulted in more than five hundred thousand deaths . regime was credited for substantial economic growth but was also accused of serious corruption and the repression of opposition political voices . Since 1999 , Indonesia has conducted free parliamentary elections and is now considered the democracy , after India and the United States .

931 World Regional Geography There are noticeable similarities between the of the Persian Gulf region in the Middle East and the small sultanate of on the northern coast of . Bordered by , the sultanate is actually two small separate regions along the coast of the South China Sea . The former British protectorate of is today a major oil and natural gas exporter . It provides a high standard of living for its small population . The compact country is about the size of the US state of Delaware . The country population for 2009 was listed at about . is attracting immigrants seeking opportunities and advantages . It is called a sultanate because the kingdom has been ruled by sultans ( rulers ) from the same family for the past six centuries . Figure

The Insular Region ( Islands of Southeast Asia ) 932 BANDAR , I ' A , A Pagan MALAYSIA 10 20 CIA World public domain . The main ethnic groups in are , at 66 percent , and Chinese , at 11 percent . is an Islamic State with Islam as its state religion . About of the population is Muslim . Buddhism is the popular religion . The ruling sultan is not only head of state but also prime minister of the government and leader of the Islamic faith . Similar to states in the Middle East where Islam is the official religion , alcohol is banned and the public consumption or sale of it is illegal . Prohibition against alcohol has eliminated the establishments of pubs and nightclubs . and visitors to the country can legally hold small quantities of alcohol for personal consumption . The people of have a high standard of living , with the availability of modern amenities . The government has been concerned about integrating the country into the global economy . Natural gas and crude oil bring in about 90 percent of exports and just over half of the . Education and medical care is free . Food , housing , and rice farming are subsidized by the state . The state has been working to expand the economy beyond natural gas and oil . Agricultural production has been increased and unemployment has been a major focus . The wealthy emirate has also been developing its tourism sector and the financial and banking industry . may have to take a lesson from the United Arab Emirates ( is , to work to develop a free trade zone to attract international the country wants to continue to gain wealth once the oil and natural gas run

933 World Regional Geography out . It has an excellent location on the South China Sea but would have to compete with the established economic tigers of Singapore and Hong Kong as well as the other rising urban centers in the region , such as or Bangkok . The Philippines Located on the eastern side of the Southeast Asian community is the archipelago state of the Philippines . With more than islands , many volcanic peaks , and an expanse of coastal waterways , the Philippines is home to more than ninety million people in a combined land area about the size of Arizona . The Philippines were a Spanish colony . The name is taken from Spain King Philip 11 . Spain relinquished its claim on the Philippines to the United States in 1898 after its defeat in the War . The people of the Philippines wanted independence at that time and fought a bitter war with the United States in which more than a million people died . The United States allowed the Philippines to become a commonwealth in 1935 . The independence movement was placed on hold while the Japanese invaded and controlled the Philippines during World War 11 . After the war was over , the United States granted the Philippines their independence in 1946 . Environmental Forces The islands of the Philippines are of volcanic origin . They are mainly mountainous and covered in tropical rainforest . The highest mountain , at feet , is . Apo , which is located on the southern island of . The Philippines has a number of active Volcanoes . The northern island of is home to the Volcano , and . The Pacific tectonic plate reaches the southern edge of the Philippine plate where it

The Insular Region ( Islands of Southeast Asia ) 934 meets up with the Eurasian Plate . The juncture of tectonic plates creates a similar situation to that of Tokyo , which is at the opposite end of the Philippine plate . Active seismic forces result in many earthquakes . As many as twenty earthquakes a day can be registered here , though many are too weak to be noticed . In 1990 , an earthquake on the island of registered at a magnitude of and killed more than people , causing extensive damage . Figure Ash Plume from . during 1991 Eruption The island of in the Philippines has a number uf active . Ash from . caused so much damage that it resulted in the permanent Closure of major US military bases in the Philippines . public domain . volcano has been active in recent years . Before 1991 , the mountain attracted little attention , was heavily forested , and was home to tribal indigenous people . The volcano had a colossal eruption in 1991 that was recorded as the second largest in a century , after Alaska 1912 eruption . began giving signs of an eruption , which were heeded by the government . Thousands of people were evacuated from the area , which saved many lives . The eruption caused billions of dollars in damage . More than eight hundred people

935 World Regional Geography were killed , and more than two million were directly impacted . The eruption destroyed more than eight thousand homes and the overall effects of the volcano were felt around the world . eruption forced billions of tons of magma , ash , sulfur dioxide , minerals , and particulates into the atmosphere and onto the earth surface . The sun was blocked out , temperatures dropped , and ash piled up in nearby areas , causing extensive damage to roofs , roadways , and agricultural lands . The damage from the eruption was amplified by the fact that a typhoon hit the country on the same date , bringing torrential rainfall and wind that mixed with the ash in the air to create extremely dangerous environmental conditions . The damage had a massive impact on the entire economy of the Philippines . The eruption severely damaged civilian infrastructure and US military bases in the region . The Bay Naval Base was fifty miles to the southwest of . summit , while Clark Air Base was less than sixteen miles to the east . Enormous clouds of ash covered everything . As a result of the damage to the operations at the bases , the United States Air Force evacuated and moved all air base personnel and military assets to bases in , or Hawaii . The United States ultimately abandoned Clark Air Base , while Bay reverted to the Philippines . There are volcanoes in the Philippines , of which eighteen are still active . is the most active volcano at the present time . It has had eruptions in recorded history . The eruption in 1993 killed people and caused the evacuation of sixty thousand more . Earthquakes and volcanoes are not the only serious natural concerns of the Philippine Islands they are also directly in the center of the Western Pacific major typhoon belt . As many as twenty typhoons occur yearly in the area of the islands , and as many as half hit the islands directly . The 1991 typhoon killed as many as eight thousand people . The 1911 typhoon dumped over inches of rain in a period . Flooding is usually the main problem with typhoons and is the number one killer related to typhoon deaths . For more information , see Chapter Middle America , Section Tropical Cyclones ( Hurricanes ) Typhoon activity also brings precipitation to the islands and the region . The Philippines are in the major path of typhoons in the Pacific and will continue to combat the effects of these powerful forces of nature . Political Geography The Philippines can be divided into three main geopolitical regions , and . The northern island of is home to the nation national capital region with , the largest city , and Manila , the capital . Both cities are a part of metropolitan Manila , which has a population of more than twenty million . The northern island of is home to half the population of the country . The central Philippines consists of the

The Insular Region ( Islands of Southeast Asia ) 936 Island group , including the islands between the Sulu Sea and the Philippine Sea . The southern region of the Country is anchored by the large island of . Figure The Three Main Regions of the Philippines

937 World Regional Geography ' 124 I La CIA World public .

The Insular Region ( Islands of Southeast Asia ) 938 The government of the Philippines is a constitutional republic with an elected president . With independence in 1946 came various leaders who have shaped the political landscape of the Philippines . After recovering from the devastation of World War II , the country prospered during the and showed positive economic gains . The political scene entered a difficult political era with the election of President Ferdinand in 1965 , which turned into an authoritative dictatorship . During his time in power , the economy became sluggish and social unrest began to arise in opposition to his leadership . Barred by law from being elected for a third time , Ferdinand declared martial law in 1972 under the premise that there was too much political conflict with Communist elements and Islamic . ruled with his wife until 1986 , when conditions worsened and the two were implicated in the assassination of opposition leader . Corruption , Vote rigging , and the dictatorial actions of President caught up with him through mass protests , which eventually led to his removal from office . He left the Philippines for his exile in Hawaii . It was later alleged that during his twenty years in office , Ferdinand and had embezzled billions of dollars of public funds and moved them to bank accounts in Switzerland , the United States , other countries , and into fictitious corporations . Ferdinand died of illness in 1989 in Honolulu . returned to the Philippines to run for public office and even attempted a failed run for the presidency . was known for her thousands of shoes , which she had acquired while in power . Many of them are in a shoe museum in the Philippines . She was also known for her extravagant spending trips around the world . Several different political leaders have come to power since the Ferdinand era . Political stability has been difficult to achieve . The national leadership has faced Islamic , attempted coups , corruption in the government , and a high national debt . These issues continue today but a modest level of stability has encouraged economic growth . Cultural Geography The Philippines is a diverse country with hundreds of ethnic groups . Many tribal groups as well as a large number of immigrants from Asia , Spain , and the United States have made the Philippines home . Together with Spanish influence , mixed ethnic groups have been created . They are an example of the confluence of cultures that make up the country . The Philippines is the only country in Asia where Roman Catholicism , other than recently independent East Timor .

939 World Regional Geography Figure Ferdinand brought Christianity to the Philippines and convened members of the tribe to Catholicism in 1521 . de Santa Clara . Christians make up about 90 percent of the population . All but 10 percent identify themselves as Roman Catholic . A modest Muslim population is prominent in the southern island of and neighboring islands . Islamic fundamentalism has increased the insurgency in the region , causing political and economic turmoil and . People of Chinese heritage often follow Buddhism , or Chinese folk religions . Various tribal groups still follow their cultural animist beliefs and have traditional shaman religious leaders . The Philippines is home to more than one hundred eighty native languages and dialects . English and Filipino were declared the official languages of the Philippines in 1987 . is the main language spoken . Filipino is a version of that is used in many of the urban areas . English and are used in different parts of the country . The population growth rate is considerable . The Philippines will soon push past the one hundred million mark , at which point it will become a country in which 35 percent of its citizens are under the age of fifteen . Average family size is more than , which will continue to the economic situation of the country .

The Insular Region ( Islands of Southeast Asia ) 940 The Global Economy and Outsourcing The modest level of political stability has caused the Philippines to become an attractive destination for global corporations who seek to outsource their information and technology service jobs . Any work that can be conducted over the Internet or telephone can be outsourced to anywhere in the world with communication links . Countries that are attractive to business process outsourcing ( are countries where the English language is prominent , where employment costs are low , and where there is an adequate labor base of skilled or educated workers that can be trained in the services required . All three of these requirements are met by the labor force of the Philippines . The historical influence of the United States has provided a base of English language speakers . The country also has an adequate population base with the education or professional skills necessary to meet these demands . Corporate colonialism has the Philippines in its business focus and is finding a good source of available labor . In 2005 , information technology and amounted to about billion dollars globally . Since 2005 , that amount has increased dramatically , doubling and tripling in some countries by 2009 . India has been a major destination for , but the Philippines is gaining ground and increasing its infrastructure in an attempt to gain a larger share of the market . Other countries around the world are a part of this outsourcing market . This type of business activity shifts jobs from one country to another . A country might lose these types of jobs , but its corporations can remain competitive in the global marketplace if they can cut costs of operation by outsourcing their service work to a country . Figure Street Scene in Manila with on the Left and a Bicycle Card Front and Center

941 World Regional Geography The greater region of Manila has more than twenty million . The city of Manila itself is of the must densely large cities in the . Stefan Manila BY . The term is derived from the use of early US army jeeps left over from World War II that were used as base Vehicles transformed into a type of taxi . These transformed vehicles took on a cultural identity as with their colors and extended seating . are now produced for this purpose and are the most widely used public transportation mode in the Philippines . An electric version of the is being developed for a number of Asian countries . US corporate giants like America Online , Texas Instruments , Packard , Chase , and the Company ( US newspaper company ) have been shifting call centers and other functions to the Philippines . Other European companies like Germany global Corporation ,

The Insular Region ( Islands of Southeast Asia ) 942 Royal Dutch Shell , Swedish Telecom provider Telecommunications , and Danish shipping giant are examples of corporations that have established outsourcing centers in the Philippines . The economic savings can be considerable . wages in the Philippines are of the wages paid for the same jobs in the United States . Those same wages are double the national average wages for Philippine employees . A rise in the number of outsourced jobs is welcome news for the Philippines , whose economy is in need of a boost . East Timor ( Timor is an island of southern Indonesia not far from Australia . The island is divided by its colonial history . The eastern half was a Portuguese colony beginning in the sixteenth century . Portuguese introduced Christianity in the form of Roman Catholicism . The western half was associated with Indonesia , which was a Dutch colony during the colonial era . The Japanese occupied the Dutch colony during World War II but had to give it up after they surrendered in 1945 . Indonesia received its independence in 1949 and laid claim to the whole island of Timor . East Timor made a declaration of independence in 1975 but was occupied by Indonesia . A bitter civil war erupted . A year later , Indonesia declared it its province . The civil war resulted in the deaths of as many as two hundred fifty thousand people . It wasn until 1999 that Indonesia finally ceded its political control over East Timor . The Australian military has been instrumental in securing East Timor for independence , and has been serving as a peacekeeping force for internal security for the past decade . The United Nations ( UN ) recognized East Timor as a sovereign independent country in 2002 . The official name of the country is listed as . has a population of about million . About 98 percent of the population is Roman Catholic . The only other predominant Catholic country in Asia is the Philippines . About 90 percent of the population still works in agriculture . The country has had a difficult time establishing a stable government and reducing conflict . Almost all its infrastructure was damaged in the civil war and rebuilding has been slow . Poor and impoverished due to the civil war over independence , the country does have some opportunity derived from the large natural gas field in the vicinity . East Timor has been working to gain control of its maritime boundaries to benefit from the offshore natural resources .

943 World Regional Geography Key Takeaways Malaysia was a former British colony made up of various regions from both the Peninsula and the island of . Modern Malaysia has diverse cultural dynamics and is modernizing its economy to compete with the core economic areas of the world . Singapore is an economic tiger that doesn have natural resources but makes good use of an excellent location . manufacturing has been Singapore main method of gaining wealth . Indonesia is made up of thousands of islands and hundreds of ethnic groups . Indonesia is the populous country in the world and has the world largest Muslim population . More than half the population lives on the island of Java . The Philippines has more than ninety million people on thousands of islands . The country was colonized by Spain and was then a possession of the United States before it gained independence . Roman Catholicism and the English language are common in the Philippines , both of which augment a large outsourcing industry . is a small Muslim emirate with high incomes because of oil revenues . East Timor is half of a small island north of Australia . It is a former Portuguese colony and just gained its independence in 2002 . Discussion St Questions Which European country colonized each of the Southeast Asian nations discussed in this lesson ?

What is the dominant religion in each country ?

Name the two Roman Catholic countries in Asia . What cultural and ethnic issues does Malaysia need to address ?

What type of economic activity has Singapore engaged in to gain wealth ?

How does the growth triangle that Singapore is engaged in work ?

How does each partner benefit ?

How does an entrepot fit into the spatial relationship in Southeast Asia ?

What environmental problems exist in Indonesia and the Philippines ?

Which are natural phenomena ?

Where are devolutionary forces active in Indonesia ?

How could the government address them ?

What are the three main regions of the Philippines ?

Which region has the largest population ?

What qualities or conditions are for ?

Geography Exercise Identify the following key places on a map Bali East Malaysia The Insular Region ( Islands of Southeast Asia ) 944 Java Pinang West Material Chapter Summary . Southeast Asia consists of two main geographic regions the mainland portion that borders China and the insular region that consists of islands or portions of them between Asia and Australia . The large island of is split between the three countries of , Malaysia , and Indonesia . The only region of Southeast Asia that was not colonized by European countries was the Kingdom of , which is part of the current country of Thailand . This region has been often referred to as French . Britain , Holland , Portugal , and Spain were also primary of the realm . Southeast Asia is diverse in both its human and its physical landscapes . Tropical climates dominate the realm with mountains and coastal areas covering the main land surfaces . This realm has a high rate of seismic activity with many active volcanoes and is susceptible to earthquake activity . All the main world religions can be found here . Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world . East Timor and the Philippines are the only two predominantly Christian countries in Asia . Buddhism is the dominant religion of the mainland region . Both Malaysia and Singapore have sizeable Hindu minority groups . Economic activities vary in Southeast Asia , with Singapore being an economic tiger and being an emirate . Thailand is becoming a major manufacturing center and the Philippines has been a destination for outsourced information jobs . Landlocked and isolated Burma ( have weak economies . Vietnam and are recovering from political isolation . Indonesia has the population in the world . Half of its people live on the island of Java . The Indonesian island of Bali has a Hindu majority and is a notable tourist destination . The island of Timor is divided between an Indonesian western half and the independent eastern half of East Timor , which is a former Portuguese colony . 945