GEOGRAPHY Southeast Asia is located along strategic waterways which encourages trade with other nations. Traditional farming methods rely on the monsoon cycle which determines which type of agricultural products they grow.

CULTURE Southeast Asia has been influenced by cultural diffusion. The cultures of India & China have had a great influence on the religion & philosophy of SE Asia There are many diverse cultures in Southeast Asia.

CULTURE Religious beliefs have both unified & divided the people of Southeast Asia. The Buddhist, Hindu & Islam religions are practiced throughout the region.

IMPERIALISM European countries, along with the U.S., imperialized Southeast Asia to obtain resources & markets for their industries. They were able to achieve this because they had more advanced technology. In the 17th & 18th centuries, the Dutch were interested in SE Asia to obtain & expand its spice trade.

ECONOMY SE Asia depends on foreign capital for economic development. Since the end of the Korean War, major industrial development has occurred in South Korea. A major problem faced by SE Asia today is that economic growth has not kept pace with the population growth.

VIETNAM WAR In the 1960’s & 70’s nationalism influenced all of SE Asia to combat threat of imperialism. Struggles in Vietnam & Cambodia resulted in foreign intervention. The primary reason the United States became involved in Vietnam was to stop the spread of communism throughout SE Asia (stop the domino theory). North & South Vietnam were politically reunited as a result of the Vietnam war.

20TH CENTURY Southeast Asia is tolerant of ethnic minorities. A characteristic of many SE Asian countries is in their attempt achieve political stability, internal struggles for power develop. Southeast Asia is tolerant of ethnic minorities.