Other Southeast Asian
Myanmar
South of China on Bay of Bengal Also known as Burma Gained independence from GB in 1948 Capital is Yangon or Rangoon Buddhism Many small farming villages Harsh military rule
Poor human rights record Country is isolated, economy is hurting Natural resources: oil, timber, metals, jade gems
Thailand
Once known as Siam Southwest of Malaysia Capital Bangkok (Near a river, crowded, & modern)
Cambodia
Capital Phnom Penh Located in Mekong River Valley 20 years of war, terror, devastation Today with help from UN stable, elected government Farming has improved Still many hidden land mines
Collectivization drive – rounding up people who are believed to have been in collusion with the former regime Government instituted executions, forced labor, famine combined to kill 3 million people during Pol Pot’s reign
Pg. 185 black global studies book
Pg. 175 in black global book
Laos
Landlocked with mountains Poor & underdeveloped Few roads, no railroads, & limited electricity Government increasing economic freedoms Farming (mainly subsistence)
Malaysia
Rubber Most people live on Peninsula Capital Kuala Lumpur Ethnically diverse Bahasa Malay main language Islam & Buddhism main religions Constitutional monarchy
King’s duties are largely ceremonial & local rulers take turns being king Prime minister & elected legislature hold real power Palm oil, electronics, oil & timber
Singapore
Tiny island On a major shipping route Rich, industrial center, foreign banks, high tech firms Crime rates low, orderly, clean, modern Government controls politics & media (movies are banned & satellite dishes)
Brunei
Island shares with Malaysia & Indonesia Ruled by sultan Wealthy from oil & gas deposits Citizens do not pay taxes & get free health care By 2020 oil will run out so government is trying to diversify
Indonesia
Rubber Capital Jakarta World’s largest archipelago (with 13,500 islands) Largest Muslim population Main island is Java Government has been moving people to less populated areas
Rubber, oil, gas, timber, rice, clothing, electronic Tourism High unemployment Some fighting & terrorism
MYTHS Pg. 163 black global studies book
East Timor
On small island of Timor 1999 declared independence from Indonesia UN had to send in troops to restore peace Coffee is exported
Philippines
7,000 islands Largest populated island is Luzon – capital Manila Almost all Filipinos are ethnic Malays Copper, metals, oil, tropical wood Coconuts, sugarcane, rice, corn Clothing & electronics Roman Catholic with some Muslims