The Rest of Asia and the Pacific Rim
Malaysia British colony until 1957 Slightly larger than NM Population- 25.2 million 60% Muslim, 19% Buddhist; 9% Christian Capital Kuala Lumpur Const. Monarchy- Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidi Tourism, manufacturing
Singapore British colony; then part of Malaysia until 1963 One of world’s most prosperous econ Int’l trade- one of world’s busiest ports 3 ½ times the size of DC Capital Singapore Democracy Population 4.6 million
Indonesia Dutch colony until 1949 World’s largest Muslim population Almost 3xs size of TX Population 237.5 million Democracy Capital – Jakarta Petroleum, natural gas, textiles, clothing, shoes, tourism
Thailand Unified Thai kingdom est 1238; known as Siam until 1939 Only SE Asia country never colonized 65.5 million 94% Buddhist Capital – Bangkok Const. Monarchy- King Phumiphon Prosperous econ- tourism, textiles, clothing, jewelry, furniture, etc (3rd lgst tin producer)
Vietnam French colony 1858-1954 1954 Communists led by Ho Chi Minh took over War until 1973 Today is Communist- beginning to open economy Population- 86.1 million Little religion Capital Hanoi
Burma (Myanmar) British Colony until 1948 Almost size of TX Population- 47.7 million Military junta Capital- Rangoon Gov’t controlled economy
Laos Communists took control in 1975 Population 6.6 million Language- Lao Communist state Capital- Vientiane High poverty Mostly agricultural
Cambodia French colony until 1953 1978- Communist Khmer Rouge took over, led by dictator Pol Pot 1.5 million died from execution, forced labor, or starvation Lots of fighting until 1999 Shaky democracy Population 14.2 million Speak Khmer Capital Phnom Penh
Philippines Spanish Colony 1500s- 1898; then became US colony until 1946 Population 92.6 million 87% Christian (80% Catholic) Official languages Filipino and English Democracy Capital- Manila President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo Electronics, clothing, pharmaceuticals, fishing
Brunei Slightly smaller than DE Population 381, 371 Official religion is Muslim Malay is official language Constitutional sultanate Sultan Sir Hassanl Bolkiah- one of richest men in world Oil and natural gas
Australia Smallest continent; 6th largest country 20.6 million 67% Christian Democracy- PM Kevin Rudd Strong economy Capital – Canberra Independence from GB in 1901- Queen Elizabeth II is still chief of state
New Zealand Population 4.1 million 50% Christian Official languages- English and Maori Democracy- PM Helen Clark Independence from GB in 1907- Queen still chief of state Capital- Wellington Sheep, cattle, fish, tourism, mining