Chapter 24 – Southeast Asia

Section NotesPhysical GeographyHistory and CultureMainland Southeast

Asia TodayIsland Southeast Asia Today

VideoImpact of Biodiversity

ImagesTsunami DiagramAngkor WatFocus on Culture: Thai Teenage

Buddhist MonksEthnic Groups in Indonesia, 2005

Quick FactsChapter 24 Visual Summary

MapsSoutheast Asia: PoliticalSoutheast Asia: PhysicalSoutheast Asia: ClimateIndian Ocean TsunamiSoutheast Asia: Colonial Possessions,

1914Southeast Asia: Land Use and ResourcesSoutheast Asia World Almanac

Per Capita GDP in Island Southeast Asia and the United States

Close-upA Bangkok Canal

Physical Geography

The Big Idea

Southeast Asia is a tropical region of peninsulas, islands, and waterways with diverse plants, animals, and resources.

Main Ideas

Southeast Asia’s physical features include peninsulas, islands, rivers, and many seas, straits, and gulfs.

The tropical climate of Southeast Asia supports a wide range of plants and animals.

Southeast Asia is rich in natural resources such as wood, rubber, and fossil fuels.

Mainland Southeast Asia

Island Southeast Asia

• Two peninsulas that extend from the Asian mainland

• Indochina Peninsula

• Malay Peninsula

• Two island groups

• Philippines

• Malay Archipelago

• An archipelago—a large group of islands

Main Idea 1:Southeast Asia’s physical features include peninsulas, islands, rivers, and many seas,

straits, and gulfs.

Landforms

Mainland Southeast Asia

• Rugged mountains across Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam

• Low plateaus

• River floodplains

Island Southeast Asia

• More than 20,000 islands

• New Guinea—Earth’s second largest island

• Borneo—Earth’s third largest island

• High mountains on the larger islands

• Part of the Ring of Fire

– Earthquakes

– Volcanic eruptions

– Tsunamis

Bodies of Water

• Seas—Andaman Sea, South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Celebes Sea, and Java Sea

• Gulfs—Gulf of Thailand and Gulf of Tonkin

• Oceans—Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean

• Strait of Malacca

• River—Mekong River

Background

A tsunami is a series of giant sea waves.

Tsunamis occur when an earthquake, volcanic eruption, or other event causes seawater to move in huge waves.

Warning systems can help alert people to tsunamis.

Indian Ocean Catastrophe

On December 26, 2004, a massive earthquake launched a monster tsunami.

The waves wiped out costal communities in a dozen countries and some 300,000 people died.

The Indian Ocean did not have a tsunami warning system because tsunamis are rare in that part of the world.

Tsumani

What it Means

No one can prevent tsunamis.

The United Nations is now working to create a global tsunami warning system.

Individual communities are also taking actions that help mitigate the danger of these fierce waves.

Main Idea 2:The tropical climate of Southeast Asia supports a wide range of plants and

animals.

Tropical savanna climate

• Much of the mainland• Temperatures are warm to

hot all year-round, but cooler in the north and in the mountains.

• Seasonal monsoons bring heavy rain in the summer.

• Savannas—areas of tall grasses and scattered trees and shrubs

Humid tropical climate

• Islands and Malay Peninsula

• Hot, muggy, and rainy all year

• Typhoons can bring heavy rains and powerful winds.

• Supports tropical rain forests

Lush tropical rain forests are home to a large number of different plants and animals.

• Elephants, monkeys, tigers, and many types of birds

• Some species are not found anywhere else in the world

– Orangutans

– Komodo dragons

Plants• 40,000 kinds of flowering plants in

Indonesia alone

Animals

• Loss of habitatChallenges

Main Idea 3:Southeast Asia is rich in natural resources

such as wood, rubber, and fossil fuels.

• The hot, wet climate and rich soils make farming highly productive.

– Major crop - rice– Other crops - coconuts, coffee, sugarcane, palm oil,

and spices– Indonesia and Malaysia have large rubber tree

plantations.• The seas provide fisheries.• The tropical rain forests provide valuable hardwoods and

medicines.• Many minerals and fossil fuels

– Minerals - tin and iron ore– Fossil fuels - natural gas and oil

History and Culture

The Big Idea

People, ideas, and traditions from China, India, Europe, and elsewhere have shaped Southeast Asia’s history and

culture.

Main Ideas

Southeast Asia’s early history includes empires, colonial rule, and independence.

The modern history of Southeast Asia involves struggles with war and communism.

Southeast Asia’s culture reflects its Chinese, Indian, and European heritage.

Main Idea 1:Southeast Asia’s early history includes

empires, colonial rule, and independence.

• China and India have played a big role in Southeast Asia’s history.

• Early civilizations introduced new people and ideas to Southeast Asia.

• European powers started colonizing Southeast Asia in the 1500s.

• People in the region began to fight for independence after World War II.

Early Civilization

• The most advanced early civilization was the Khmer.

The Khmer built Angkor Wat—a huge Hindu temple.

In the 1200s the Thai settled in the Khmer area.

• Buddhism began replacing Hinduism in the region.

Colonial Rule

Europeans came to the region.

Spain claimed the Philippines.

The Dutch gained control of Indonesia.

• The British and French set up colonies.

The United States took the Philippines.

• Only Thailand was never colonized.

Japan occupied most of Southeast Asia during World War II.

Southeast Asia’s History

Independence After World War II

the United States granted the Philippines independence.

Soon others in the region began to fight for their independence.

By 1970 most of Southeast Asia had thrown off colonial rule.

Main Idea 2:The modern history of Southeast Asia

involves struggles with war and communism.

The move toward independence for the countries of Southeast Asia was not easy, and several countries were torn apart by civil wars.

• Vietnam• Cambodia• Laos

Other countries got involved in these civil wars to either halt or encourage the spread of communism.

The United States based its decision to get involved on the domino theory—if one country fell to communism, other countries nearby would follow like falling dominoes.

People and Languages

• Many ethnic groups

Most countries have one main ethnic group plus many smaller ethnic groups.

Many different languages are spoken in Southeast Asia, including native languages and dialects, Chinese, and European languages.

Religions

Buddhism—the main faith on the mainland, many wats

Christianity—most people are Roman Catholic in the Philippines

• Hinduism—in Indian communities and on the island of Bali

• Islam—main religion in Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia

Main Idea 3:Southeast Asia’s culture reflects its Chinese,

Indian, and European heritage.

Customs People celebrate

many religious festivals.

Some people continue to practice traditional customs, such as dance and music.

Many people wear traditional clothing, such as sarongs.

Mainland Southeast Asia Today

The Big Idea

Many of the farming countries in Mainland Southeast Asia are poor but are working to improve their economies.

Main Ideas

The area today is largely rural and agricultural, but cities are growing rapidly.

• Myanmar is poor with a harsh military government, while Thailand is a democracy with a strong economy.

The countries of Indochina are poor and struggling to rebuild after years of war.

Main Idea 1:The area today is largely rural and

agricultural, but cities are growing rapidly.

• Mainland Southeast Asia includes Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

• War, harsh governments, and other problems have slowed progress in most of Mainland Southeast Asia.

• The area’s countries have rich resources.

• They are working to improve their futures.

Mainland Southeast Asia

Rural Life

• Mainland Southeast Asia is largely rural.

• Most people are farmers and live in small villages.

• The wet, tropical climate enables farmers to grow two to three crops each year.

• Most rural people live in the area’s fertile river valleys and deltas.

• Some people live in remote villages in the mountains. They belong to small ethnic groups known as hill peoples.

Urban Life

• Mainland Southeast Asia has several large cities.

• The rapid growth of these cities has led to overcrowding and pollution problems.

Myanmar

Thailand

Located to the south of China on the Bay of Bengal

Also known as Burma

Located to the southwest of Malaysia

Once known as Siam

Main Idea 2:Myanmar is poor with a harsh military

government, while Thailand is a democracy with a strong economy.

Myanmar

• Most of the people are Burmese.

• Buddhism is the main religion.

• Harsh military government that abuses human rights—rights that all people deserve, such as rights to equality and justice

• Aung San Suu Kyi continues to lead a movement for more democracy.

• Poor economy – Some countries refuse to trade with Myanmar.– Rich in natural resources—oil, timber, metals, jade, and gems– Most of its people are poor.

Thailand

• Capital and largest city is Bangkok, a city famous for its klongs, or canals.

• Constitutional monarchy, prime minister and elected legislature hold the real power.

• Good government and rich resources help Thailand’s economy.– Industry—computers, textiles, and electronics– Farming—rice, pineapples, and rubber– Fishing– Mining– Tourism—magnificent Buddhist wats and unspoiled beaches

Cambodia Capital is Phnom

Penh. Some 20 years of

war, terror, and devastation ended in the early 1990s.

Has a stable, elected government

Farming has improved, little industry

Problem with land mines

Laos

Landlocked country with rugged mountains

Poor and undeveloped, with few roads, no railroads, and limited electricity

Communist government

The area’s poorest economy

Most people are subsistence farmers.

Main Idea 3:The countries of Indochina are poor and struggling to rebuild after years of war.

Vietnam Capital city is Hanoi;

largest city is Ho Chi Minh City.

Communist government

More economic freedom; private businesses have helped the economy

Most people farm. Industry and services

growing Fishing and mining

important

Island Southeast Asia Today

The Big Idea

The countries of Island Southeast Asia range from wealthy and urban to poor and rural.

Main Ideas

• The area today has rich resources and growing cities but faces challenges.

• Malaysia and its neighbors have strong economies but differ in many ways.

• Indonesia is big and diverse with a growing economy, and East Timor is small and poor.

The Philippines has less ethnic diversity, and its economy is improving.

Main Idea 1:The area today has rich resources and growing cities but faces challenges.

• Island Southeast Asia is made up of six countries: Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, East Timor, and the Philippines.

• Economy– High potential for wealth and good standards of living– Rich resources– Large, skilled labor force– Growing economies

• Challenges– Violent ethnic conflicts– Many people live in poverty.– Many environmental problems (example—pollution)

Rural and Urban Life of Island Southeast Asia

Rural Life

• Many people live in rural areas.

• Farm or fish– Rice—main crop

– Other crops—coffee, spices, sugarcane, tea, and tropical fruit

– Rubber—Indonesia and Malaysia are the world’s largest producer

– Seafood—main source of protein

• Many rural people are leaving for the cities.

Urban Life

• Largest cities (major capitals) are modern and crowded.

• Common problems include smog, traffic, and slums.

• Many people live in kampongs—a village or city district with traditional houses built on stilts.

Main Idea 2:Malaysia and its neighbors have strong

economies but differ in many ways.

MALAYSIA• Consists of two parts: southern end of the Malay Peninsula and

northern Borneo• Most Malaysians live on the peninsula.• Capital is Kuala Lumpur.• Ethnically diverse

– Malays—main ethnic group– Chinese and other groups also live there.– Many languages (Bahasa Malay) and religions (Islam and Buddhist)

• Constitutional monarchy—prime minister and elected legislature hold the real power

• One of the strongest economies in the area– Well-educated workers– Rich resources– Exports natural rubber, palm oil, electronics, oil, and timber

Singapore and Brunei

Singapore A tiny island at the tip of

the Malay Peninsula One of the world’s busiest

free ports—ports that place few if any taxes on goods

Industrial center Modern, wealthy, orderly,

and clean country Extremely strict laws Government strictly

controls politics and the media.

Brunei Located on the island of

Borneo Governed by a sultan, the

supreme ruler of a Muslim country

Wealthy from large oil and gas deposits

Main Idea 3:Indonesia is big and diverse with a growing economy, and East Timor is small and poor.

INDONESIA• Largest of the island countries and world’s largest archipelago • Fourth-largest population of any country (largest Muslim

population)• More than 300 ethnic groups who speak more than 250

languages• Java is the main island; capital is Jakarta (located on Java).• Growing economy

– Rich resources including rubber, oil and gas, and timber– Good farmland for rice and other crops– Factories make clothing and electronics

• Challenges for Indonesia– Poor people– High unemployment– Ethnic and religious conflicts

East Timor

• One of the area’s smallest countries

• Located on the island of Timor

• Declared independence from Indonesia in 1999

• One of the region’s poorest countries

• Most people farm; coffee is the major export.

Land and People

Includes more than 7,000 islands

Luzon—largest and most populated island

Capital is Manila

Almost all Filipinos are ethnic Malays.

Resources

• Rich in resources

• Natural resources—copper and other metals, oil, and tropical wood

• Farmland—coconuts, sugarcane, rice, and corn

• Factories—clothing and electronics

Main Idea 4:The Philippines has less ethnic diversity,

and its economy is improving.

Challenges

• Large gap between the rich and the poor

• Religious conflicts

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