Southeast Asia Land, Economy, and People

Landforms Many of the islands in SE Asia are made up of archipelago’s. Many of the islands in SE Asia are made up of archipelago’s. Indonesia is made up of 13,000 islands and the Philippines are made up of 7,000 islands. Indonesia is made up of 13,000 islands and the Philippines are made up of 7,000 islands. The islands of SE Asia were formed by volcanoes and earthquakes making it the “Ring of Fire.” The islands of SE Asia were formed by volcanoes and earthquakes making it the “Ring of Fire.” Tsunamis are common in SE Asia. Tsunamis are common in SE Asia. Mainland SE Asia is south of China. Mainland SE Asia is south of China.

Climate Most of SE Asia has a Tropical Rainforest or Tropical Savanna climate. Most of SE Asia has a Tropical Rainforest or Tropical Savanna climate. The northern part of mainland SE Asia has a humid subtropical climate. The northern part of mainland SE Asia has a humid subtropical climate. SE Asia receives summer and winter monsoons. Some areas receive multiple monsoons. SE Asia receives summer and winter monsoons. Some areas receive multiple monsoons. SE Asia has the 2 nd largest rainforest region in the world. SE Asia has the 2 nd largest rainforest region in the world. There are typhoons in SE Asia. There are typhoons in SE Asia.

Which direction do the summer monsoons go? Describe what the winter monsoons are like.

Monsoons

Typhoons

Rainforests Rainforest in Vietnam

Natural Resources

Farming Almost half of SE Asia’s people do commercial or subsistence farming. Almost half of SE Asia’s people do commercial or subsistence farming. Many people produce cash crops such as coffee, tea, sugarcane, fruits, or rice. Many people produce cash crops such as coffee, tea, sugarcane, fruits, or rice. Rice grows best when planted in water, which is called a paddy. Rice grows best when planted in water, which is called a paddy. People grow rice on terraced fields. People grow rice on terraced fields.

Religion Most of the mainland SE Asia is Buddhist. Most of the mainland SE Asia is Buddhist. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world. Most people in the Philippines are Christian. Most people in the Philippines are Christian.

Culture Vietnam and Laos are communist countries. Vietnam and Laos are communist countries. The biggest challenge in this region was the Vietnam War in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The biggest challenge in this region was the Vietnam War in the 1960’s and 1970’s. During the Vietnam War North Vietnam tried to take over South Vietnam. During the Vietnam War North Vietnam tried to take over South Vietnam. Today Vietnam is one communist country. Today Vietnam is one communist country. Singapore is the most densely populated country in the world. Singapore is the most densely populated country in the world.