Southeast Asia Unit 8: Chapters 21 & 22

Physical Geography (21.1.1) Mainland Countries – Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam & Laos (Laos is landlocked) – More mountainous in the North & East – Most people live in small villages in Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam & Laos – Bangkok is the largest and most most developed city in the region Rich soil deposited by the Chao Phraya River makes the central plain great for farming (rice) Tropical climate; Typhoons from May to September; remainder of year is dry Island Countries – Indonesia & Philippines used to be connected by a land bridge – Located in the Ring of Fire – Undersea earthquakes can cause tsunamis 2004, a giant tsunami near Sumatra resulted in 225,000 deaths

Parallel Rivers (21.1.2) 3 Parallel rivers run through Southeast Asia – Mekong, Chao Phraya & Irrawaddy All have fertile river deltas that are great for agriculture Mekong: 2,600 miles long, covers nearly 25,000 mi2, forms borders of Myanmar, Laos & Thailand, empties in South China Sea in Vietnam Chao Phraya: Most important river in Thailand, irrigation for rice crops, Important for transportation, Goes through Bangkok Irrawaddy: 1,300 miles long, irrigation for rice, transportation, delta grows by 165 ft/yr, river can rise 30 ft during rainy season Countries must work to conserve valuable fishing resources

The Malay Peninsula (21.1.3) Long & narrow (200 miles across); Malaysia, Thailand & Myanmar Mountains run the length of the peninsula; tin & bauxite are a valuable resources mined there (shrinking resources) Rainforest covers 40% of the peninsula (biodiversity home to elephants, rhinos, tigers & deer) Rainforest is home to many valuable trees ; there has been extensive deforestation (resulted in a deadly mudslide in 1989) – to create rubber and palm oil farms Governments are starting to make conservation efforts

Island Nations (21.1.4) Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, East Timor, & Philippines In a continuously changing zone (4 plates converge) – islands were formed by these plates crashing together Most volcanoes are dormant, but can suddenly erupt (2010 Mount Sinabung, Sumatra) Volcanoes can destroy villages, but also leave behind nutrient rich soil (together with climate they have year round agriculture) Indonesia is the largest of these countries in population & land area (made up of thousands of islands – 5 large ones) – 240 million people – Jakarta is capital and largest city Philippines is the next largest country – Manila is capital and has a population of 10 million – Known for fishing and rice industries

Trade & Colonialism (21.2.2) European influence began in the 1500’s as merchants hoped to establish a spice trade monopoly (cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper) – Dutch East India company dominated the region By the 1850’s only Thailand & the Philippines were independent Until the 20 th Century colonialism dominated the region Dutch East India Co. Flag

Indonesia & the Philippines (21.2.3) Indonesia – Indonesia may have been home to the first species of humans (fossils) – Indonesia became an intersection of European attraction for spices – During the 17 th Century it was under control of the Netherlands – The Japanese gained control of Indonesia during WWII – Got its independence in 1949 Philippines – In the 1500’s Spain gained control – Trade with China led many Chinese to settle in the Philippines – Emilio Aguinaldo fought along the U.S. to help defeat the Spanish in the Spanish American War – The U.S. kept the island as its own colony after the war – During WWII Japan took control of the island – U.S. took control back after WWII – Gained independence in 1946

Governing Fragmented Countries (22.2.1) Indonesia, Malaysia & the Philippines face changes in forming unified countries (geographic & ethnic divisions) Indonesia: 17,000 islands, 3,200 miles long, 300 ethnic groups, 700 languages – Country Motto = “Diversity in Unity” – Government has attempted to improve standard of living Malaysia: mainland and island parts, division between Malay people and people of Chinese descent The Philippines: Thousands of Islands, wide variety of ethnicities – Large numbers of Filipinos have left their country because of lack of jobs – Government has made Filipino language to unify the various groups

Migrations Within Indonesia (22.2.2) Indonesia has the 4 th largest population in the world Majority of the people life a small percentage of the land (mainly on islands of Java, Madura & Bali – inner islands) In the 1800’s the government began a relocation program to move people to the outer islands There has been a clash between traditional farming techniques and modern styles of farming (environmental damage has been done) Many relocated families have abandoned their new land and moved back to the inner islands

Singapore’s Growth (22.2.3) The British established the port at Singapore in the early 1800’s to compete with the Dutch for spices Perfect location on the tip of the Malay Peninsula (busiest port in the world) Gained independence from Britain and Malaysia in 1965 Government strictly controls life in Singapore – streets are clean and there is very little crime Between economic output grew to $24,150/person – twice that of Malaysia Government invests in infrastructure Large part of the workforce is highly educated and trained in the newest technology