Asian Studies Cultural Geography and Regional Examinations

ASIA  3 parts of Asia-South Asia (India), SE Asia (Vietnam, Thailand), East Asia (Japan, China)  Most people live in urban areas, river valleys and on coastal plains  The population is not evenly distributed  Farming-main job for people

South Asia  Because of the Western Ghats Mts. block the monsoon winds, the interior of the subcontinent of India has a hot and dry climate  Heavy rains in S. Asia are due to the monsoons that pick up moisture in the warm Indian Ocean  Many south Asians move to cities because of lack of farm land  Challenge for South Asia-growing enough food for their people

India/Pakistan  India- 2 nd most populated country in the world, largest democracy  Britain controlled until 1947: they pulled out and it was divided, Pakistan came from this (Muslims moved to Pakistan, Hindus-India) {Kashmir: Arms Race}  1971-War with Pakistan resulted in the creation of Bangladesh  Recent Issues include terrorism, religion and foreign affairs  Poverty and illiteracy are still major issues  Power outages and poor public services

India’s Progress  Life expectancy has grown (pro?)fertility tare dropped  Social mobility and opportunity  Computer tech center (outsourcing)  Economic growth

More on India/Pakistan  Hinduism and Islam have the most followers in the area  Hinduism- polytheistic & belief in reincarnation  Caste System- social classes in Hindu India, broken down into 4 classes, only way to move up is to die

China  The world’s most populous country (1 billion)  Most people live in the East China  main energy source- coal  Three Gorges Dam in China on Yangtze River controls flooding and supplies power (world’s biggest dam)  1 Of 4 Communist countries in Asia (N. Korea, Vietnam, Laos)  3 major products in China-rice, tea, silk

Japan  Asia’s major economic leader  Mostly one ethnic group  Isolated for most of its history, Japan became an imperial power in the early 20 th century  Shintoism-main religion in Japan  Only 13% of Japan’s land is suitable for farming because of steep mountains (they don’t have a lot of resources)

Korea  Korea is separated by a DMZ (demilitarized zone- it divides Communist North & Non- Communist South)  Korea is also mostly one ethnic group  South Korea is highly industrialized; North Korea is not  North Korea is in the process, again, of possible nuclear missile tests, against UN policy

South Korea  Strong capitalist economy, ally to US  Manufacturing and services  Rely heavily on overseas borrowing- danger of global crisis

East Asia  Singapore & Taiwan- newly industrialized island countries off of the coast of Asia (China still thinks that Taiwan is theirs)  Asia’s hope for the future- untapped energy resources  Terracing-stair step farming  basic food-rice, loess-yellow soil  Fishing- job of many who live near water

Some Asian Religious Facts  Homeland for Buddhists- Tibet  Dalai Lama-spiritual leader for Buddhists  Ganges- holy river for Hindus  Philippines-mostly Christian  Pakistan, Indonesia, and Bangladesh- Mostly Muslim

Final Facts  Sri Lanka- island nation off of the coast of India (Tsunami hit the hardest there)  Ring of Fire- chain of volcanoes that line the Pacific Rim (Mt. Fuji in Japan is one)  Many people in SE Asia purchase food at floating markets  Myanmar, Vietnam & Cambodia have oil reserves  Two more facts about China- Beijing is the capital & the Great Wall was built to keep out invaders

Religion in Asia A. Buddhism B. Hinduism C. Confucianism D. Taoism E. Shintoism F. Islam G. Christianity

Hinduism  One of the oldest religions, traced back to B.C. or earlier.  Hinduism is an ethnic religion because it appeals mainly to people in India, most Hindus live in India.  Does not have one founder, based on teachings of holy men and revealed truths over a long period of time.

Hinduism (Basic Beliefs) A. Brahman (supreme spirit) can take many forms. Hinduism is considered by some to be polytheistic. B. Atman - The soul of a person. C. Karma D. Reincarnation E. Moksha - The ultimate goal of life is the union of atman and Brahman.

Hinduism (Basic Beliefs)  The caste system, social structure in India connected with Hinduism. Basically you are born into a certain ‘level’ of society. The castes are: A. Brahmins - Teachers/Priests B. Kshastriyas - Soldiers C. Vaishyas - Skilled Workers D. Shudras - Manual Workers E. Dalits - People outside the caste system; “untouchables”

Hinduism: Caste System  Led to discrimination in India  Has been outlawed, but some people still believe in and practice it.

Buddhism  Buddhism, shares many of the basic beliefs as Hinduism, similar to the relationship between Christianity and Judaism.  Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha, born around B.C. in Nepal.  Quickly spread to other parts of Asia

Buddhism (Basic Beliefs)  The four noble truths: A. Life is suffering B. Suffering is caused by want or desire C. There is a way to end suffering D. The way to end suffering is the eightfold path  Buddhists believe in karma and reincarnation

Buddhism  Buddhism is a major religion in Southeast Asia and is practiced in China, Korea, and Japan. Countries that are predominantly Buddhist are: A. Thailand B. Laos C. Cambodia D. Myanmar

Spread of Buddhism into Southeast Asia

Taosim  Taosim is a religion or philosophy that began in China around B.C.  Tradition says that Taoism is based on the teachings of Laozi.  The Tao Te Ching is a collection of Laozi’s teachings.

Taoism The Tao, called “the Great Mother”  is empty yet inexhaustible, giving birth to infinite worlds. It is always present within you. You can use it any way you want. Yin Yang Symbol

Confuciansim  A philosophy that began in China around B.C.  Based on the teachings of Confucius.  Emphasizes respect for elders and education.

Shintoism  A native religion of Japan.  Shintos worship kami (spirits).  Sometimes kami live in specific places such as rivers, mountains, and lakes  Sometimes they are major natural objects, sun or moon.

Small Shinto Shrine

Torii

Tanuki - A Japanese Racoon Spirit

Tanuki Road Sign

Islam  Started in Saudi Arabia around 600 A.D.  Spread into parts of South, Southeast, and East Asia.  Countries predominantly Muslim: A. Pakistan B. Bangladesh C. Indonesia

Christianity  Brought to Asia by Europeans colonizers  The Philippines is predominantly Roman Catholic, many Catholics in Vietnam and East Timor.

Some Conflicts  India and Pakistan both claim a region called the Kashmir. Part of the problem is based on religion. Pakistan is a Muslim country and India is Hindu.  East Timor is a small country in Southeast Asia, created in It was part of Indonesia but most people in East Timor are Catholic. This conflict is based on cultural differences.

SOUTHEAST ASIA E. J. PALKA

MAJOR GEOGRAPHIC QUALITIES  A FRAGMENTED REALM OF NUMEROUS ISLAND COUNTRIES AND PENINSULAS  PHYSIOGRAPHY DOMINATED BY HIGH RELIEF, CRUSTAL INSTABILITY, AND TROPICAL CLIMATES  POLITICAL INSTABILITY AND CONFLICT  CLUSTERED POPULATION PATTERNS  CULTURAL FRAGMENTATION (COMPLEX ETHNIC, LINGUISTIC, AND RELIGIOUS PATTERNS)

SOUTHEAST ASIA

ETHNICITY

COLONIAL SPHERES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY  STATE TERRITORIAL MORPHOLOGY –COMPACT- CAMBODIA –PROTRUDED (EXTENDED)- THAILAND –ELONGATED (ATTENUATED)- VIETNAM –FRAGMENTED- PHILIPPINES –PERFORATED- SOUTH AFRICA

SHAPES OF STATES

REGIONS OF THE REALM  Mainland Region –Vietnam (previously North & South Vietnam) –Cambodia (previously French Indo-China) –Laos (previously French Indo-China) –Thailand (previously Siam) –Myanmar (previously Burma)

VIETNAM  French colony with 83.5 mill pop  Not a homogenous colony  Divided into three units  Issues/Concerns –Population (83.5 million) has doubled since the end of war in 1975 –New strategy- retain communist political system but pursue market economics

KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA  Population of 13.7 million  Phnom Penh (1.3 million) capital  A victim of wars and insurgencies  Culturally homogenous (85%)  Khmer Rouge (communist)  Drove people from urban to rural areas  Vietnam invaded in 1978  UN sponsored elections 1993

LAOS  A former French colony, Independence 1949  Lao People’s Democratic Republic (1975) Communist government  Landlocked, Rural-based pop.  Little infrastructure and industry  The realm’s poorest country  Population of 6.1 million, 19% urbanized  Undeveloped with no railroads, little industry, and few roads

KINGDOM OF THAILAND  Only country in the realm that was not colonized.  Self-Westernized. (See movie, “Anna and the King”, based on a true story)  Economic growth –Although some of it stifled by mismanagement  Bangkok (Venice of Asia)  Problems –Influx of refugees –Drugs

THAILAND  Population of 64.7 million, slowest growth rate in the realm  Per capita GNI (GDP-taxes) is higher than Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar combined  Bangkok- capital city of 6.8 million  Economic success

E. J. PALKA THAILAND

MYANMAR (BURMA)  One of world’s poorest countries  Independence: 1948  Military government (1962)  Ethnic diversity –Burman 55% –Karen 10% –Shan 7%

MYANMAR  A former British colony - Burma, became independent in 1948  Population of 51.5 million, 84 % literate, and culturally diverse  Agricultural potential is good; varied soil and environmental conditions; self-sufficient in rice  World’s leading producer of opium poppies

INSULAR SOUTHEAST ASIA  A sub-realm of peninsulas and islands  Southeast Asia’s southern and eastern periphery  Comprised of 6 States, all have colonial histories –Malaysia –Indonesia –Philippines –Singapore –Brunei –East Timor

MALAYSIA

 Former British colony  Malaysia came into being in 1963  Population of 26.7 million with strong adherence to Islam  Rapidly growing economy, with the 3 rd highest GNI in the realm

SINGAPORE  A city-state  Seceded from Malaysia in 1965  Population of 4.3 million (77% are Chinese, 14% Malay, 8% South Asian)  Per capita GNI: $24,180 (very high!)

INDONESIA

 Fragmented state, more than 17,000 islands  Dutch colonial creation  Population of million  Largest Muslim population in the world

EAST TIMOR  Former Portuguese colony  Annexed by Indonesia in 1976  Became an independent state in 2002  Population of 800,000  Oil and gas reserves

BRUNEI

Brunei  An anomaly in Southeast Asia - an oil exporting Islamic Sultanate –Gained independence from Britain in 1984  410,000 people  Oil discovered in 1929, natural gas in 1965

PHILIPPINES Republic of the Philippines (1946) Insurgencies

PHILIPPINES  >7,000 islands, most are < 1 sq mile  Former Spanish colony for 300+ years; U.S. possession ( )  87.1 million people; 81% catholic  Agricultural economy  Manila: Capital city

E. J. PALKA PHILIPPINES