Intro 1

Chapter Objectives Describe traditional and modern economic activities in Southeast Asia. Explain the kinds of human–environmental interactions that occur in Southeast Asia, and the challenges that the region faces.

Living in South Asia Section 3

Objectives Explain why rice farming is the most important agricultural activity in Southeast Asia. Examine why the countries in the region are industrializing at different rates. Discuss how the economies of Southeast Asia are becoming more interdependent.

Terms to Know Paddy sickle subsistence crop cash crop lode Interdependent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) free port

A Geographic View

Geographic Literacy Before 1940, Myanmar–then British-ruled Burma–benefited from rice exports. Freedom came in 1948, followed by the military’s seizure of power in the 1960s. The military’s policy of a government-run economy proved disastrous by the 1990s, and market activities were allowed to resume. Harsh treatment of pro-democracy groups, however, has kept foreign investment low, and Myanmar today remains economically poor.

Agriculture Rice Cultivation Rice is the region’s chief crop and a major food source and export. Farmers grow rice on more than half of the region’s arable land. Growing rice on terraced farms takes advantage of as much of the limited land as possible. Flooded rivers and abundant rain provide a climate in which rice thrives. Many farmers plant and harvest rice by hand.

Agriculture

Agriculture Other Crops Yams, corn, bananas, and other food crops are popular in areas too dry for rice farming. Some Indonesians raise cassava, an edible root easier to grow than rice. Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia lead the world in natural rubber production. The Philippines is a major producer of coconuts and sugarcane These cash crops are grown on large plantations.

Forests and Mines The forestry industry is vital to the economies of several Southeast Asian countries. Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand export hard woods from their forests. Problems resulting from excessive logging and the deforestation present a challenge in the region. Mineral Wealth Southeast Asia’s rich deposits of tin, iron, manganese, and tungsten are a major source of export income. Indonesia and Brunei produce oil, natural gas, and petroleum products. Indonesia is one of the top 10 producers in OPEC.

Forest and Mines

Forest Mines Papua’s Resources Indonesia’s Papua region is a source of timber, gold, natural gas, oil, and minerals. The Indonesian government allows many international countries to exploit these resources. Pro-independence groups claim, however, that the government has invested little in improving health, education, and public services.

Industry Industrial growth rates vary widely in Southeast Asia. Although Laos and Cambodia are mainly agricultural, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines are major industrializing countries. Manufacturing industries include textiles, clothing, and automobiles. Southeast Asia enjoyed an economic boom during the 1980s and early 1990s. In the late 1990s, debt, political corruption, and financial mismanagement led to an economic crisis. Since the crisis, some countries have had to balance industrial growth with investment in such traditional economic activities as agriculture and fish farming.

Industry

Industry Singapore and Malaysia Singapore has the region’s most developed economy. Its location and harbors make it a major port and manufacturing center. Singapore’s government has followed policies favoring economic growth. Singapore has invested in education so that industries will profit from having skilled and educated workers. Malaysia, long known for its production of natural rubber and palm oil, has begun to diversify its exports with products such as electronics and electrical products, chemicals, cement, and processed foods. Malaysia has also developed heavy industry that produces steel and automobiles. The country is the world’s largest exporter of microchips.

Industry Less Industrialized Countries Indonesia is an exporter of raw materials and an importer of manufactured goods. Recent political instability and population increases have slowed Indonesia’s economic growth. Its labor force currently lacks the technical skills and knowledge required for industrialization. Therefore, Indonesia depends on foreign aid and investment to develop its industry. The economies of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar have grown slowly because of wars and geographic and political isolation. The lack of a trained work force, up-to-date equipment, and adequate transportation also have hindered economic development in these lands.

Interdependence Southeast Asian countries are beginning to work together more closely for their common good. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) provides loans to member countries to develop their economies. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an economic and political alliance that promotes economic growth and cultural exchanges.

Interdependence

Transportation Southeast Asia’s landforms, islands, long coastlines, and many rivers make water transportation the most common way to move people and goods in the region. As the crossroads of major ocean trade routes, Southeast Asia has major ports such as Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia, the city of Singapore, and Manila in the Philippines.

Transportation

Communication Communications systems depend on a country’s level of industrialization. In general, people in urbanized or developed areas have access to good communication systems, but people in rural or less developed areas have little access. Internet and wireless communications have helped Southeast Asian economies. Governments in the region own radio and television stations. Most people own radios, but television sets are less common.

Communications

People and their Environment Section 2

Objectives Identify dangers posed by volcanoes, floods, and typhoons in Southeast Asia. Describe how economic progress has increased environmental pollution in the region. Discuss the efforts underway to protect the environment in Southeast Asia

Terms to Know Cyclone Typhoon Shifting Cultivation

Geographic View

Geographic Literacy Along coastal regions of northern Java in Indonesia, villagers have created ponds in the salty tidal waters of mangrove forests. In recent years, these ponds–used for farming fish and prawns–have been expanded into nearby inland paddies. There mechanical pumps mix seawater and freshwater that help fish and prawns produce in abundance.

Nature’s Might Much of Southeast Asia is part of the Ring of Fire and is subject to earthquakes and volcanic activity. Flash floods and typhoons occur periodically. Natural disasters and their effects are part of everyday life in many parts of Southeast Asia. Volcanoes Volcanic eruptions are common throughout the region. The Mayon Volcano in the Philippines erupted in 1993 and again in 2000. Mount Pinatubo, also in the Philippines, erupted in 1991, killing about 800 people. Gunung Agung, a towering volcano on the Indonesian island of Bali, last erupted in 1963, killing more than 1,500 people.

Nature’s Might Floods and Typhoons Flash floods in Southeast Asia kill hundreds of people and devastate 10 million acres (4 million ha) of crops every year. Deforestation has made flooding more severe. The rivers of mainland Southeast Asia flood every year with the change of the seasons. Some sections of Bangkok, which is built on unstable land, sink more than 25 inches (64 cm) each year during the floods. Cyclones and typhoons often smash through Southeast Asia, causing serious damage. Thailand is beginning to build dams to prevent typhoon-related flooding.

Nature’s Might

Environmental Problems Cities Economic growth in Southeast Asia stresses environmental resources. As industrial output increases, the standard of living has risen, but industrial pollution also has affected many areas. Growing populations and crowded urban conditions raise concerns about adequate housing, water supplies, sanitation, and traffic control. In Singapore, strictly enforced environmental laws keep the city extremely clean, making it an exception in Southeast Asia.

Environmental Pollution

Environmental Pollution Rural Areas In some parts of Southeast Asia, pollution extends into the countryside, including national parks. Volcanic eruptions and forest fires cause pollution in rural areas, sometimes affecting cities as well.

Logging Farming, and Mining Deforestation Deforestation is a major concern throughout Southeast Asia. Commercial logging provides the timber that is a chief export in the region; it also leaves soil exposed to erosion. Slash-and-burn agriculture and the clearing of land for large plantations have also damaged forests. Mining The mining of valuable minerals and metals has led to environmental abuses, such as the dumping of rock waste in rivers and forests.

Environmental Protection Some Southeast Asian countries have limited certain timber exports and have begun reforestation programs. Malaysia has a long history of preserving and managing its rain forests. The country still has half of its rain forest cover. Some countries in the region have begun planned migration or resettlement programs.

Environmental Protection

Environmental Protection The Laotian government has tried to resettle highlands people in fertile areas to avoid the problems of shifting farming. Indonesia is planning to move people from crowded islands to less-populated Papua. Scientists are discussing ways to combat the warming of Bangkok, including the establishment of green zones in the city and the banning of skyscrapers near the sea, allowing winds to blow farther into the city and provide more ventilation.

Environmental Protection

Section 1 - Summary Agriculture is the leading economic activity in Southeast Asia. The countries of the region are industrializing at different rates, which causes great variation in economies, occupations, transportation, and communications. Through ASEAN and other organizations that were formed to promote regional development and trade, the countries of Southeast Asia are becoming more interdependent.

Section 2 – Summary Volcanic eruptions, flash floods, and typhoons have serious effects on Southeast Asians’ lives. Industrialization and economic development in Southeast Asia often result in the pollution of air, land, and water. The region’s countries are taking steps to protect the environment.