1. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Mainland Southeast Asia Preview Section 1: Natural EnvironmentsNatural Environments Section 2: History and CultureHistory and Culture Section 3: The Region TodayThe Region Today Chapter Wrap-Up

2. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Read to Discover What are mainland Southeast Asia’s major landforms and rivers? Which climate and vegetation types are found in the region, and what animals live there? What are some of mainland Southeast Asia’s main resources? Section 1: Natural Environments

3. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Question What are the three landform regions of mainland Southeast Asia? Section 1: Natural Environments

4. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Mountains Located in northern Southeast Asia Rugged landscapes Fan out from Himalayas and Plateau of Tibet through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam Plains and Plateaus Found in central Southeast Asia Cover much of Thailand and Cambodia Include Thailand’s Khorat Plateau River Valleys and Deltas Irrawaddy, Chao Phraya, Hong (Red), and Mekong Rivers Fertile alluvial soils, heavy farming Dense populations, most of the region’s cities Rivers used for local transportation Section 1: Natural Environments

5. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Region has tropical or subtropical climates, greatly influenced by monsoons Coastal areas—Mainly tropical humid with heavy rainfall Interior—Tropical wet and dry North—Humid subtropical Climates support a wide variety of plants and animals Section 1: Natural Environments Climates, Plants, and Animals

6. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Hardwoods—Mahogany, teak, ebony Minerals—Iron, manganese, tin, tungsten, gems Energy—Natural gas (Thailand), oil (Myanmar), coal (Vietnam), hydropower potential Section 1: Natural Environments Main Resources

7. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Read to Discover What are some major events in mainland Southeast Asia’s history? What are the main cultural features of the region? Section 2: History and Culture

8. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Important early center of plant domestication Khmer civilization—arose in A.D. 800s Thais entered from China; Buddhism spread 1500s—Europeans arrived Colonization—British and French set up plantations; Chinese and Indians arrived Section 2: History and Culture Key Historical Events

9. World Geography TodayChapter 29 World War II—Japanese occupation Independence—Burma (Myanmar); French Indochina split up (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) Vietnam War Section 2: History and Culture Key Historical Events (continued)

10. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Question What are the cultural elements of each country in Southeast Asia? Section 2: History and Culture

11. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Mainland Southeast Asia’s Cultures Tai language (Thai) Mostly Buddhist, but Hindu Brahmins lead ceremonies Curries common in diet Thailand Austro-Asiatic language (Khmer) Mostly Buddhist Cambodia Tai language (Laotian) Some animists Laos Sino-Tibetan language (Burmese) Many ethnic groups Mostly Buddhists, some animists Myanmar Austro-Asiatic language (Vietnamese) Many ethnic groups Mix of Confucianism, Buddhism, some animists Varied food tradition Vietnam Section 2: History and Culture

12. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Each country has one main cultural group, but various minorities. Three main language families—Sino-Tibetan, Tai, Austro-Asiatic In mountain areas, minority groups maintain traditions. Most major cities have large Chinese populations. Section 2: History and Culture Cultural Features

13. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Buddhism is the dominant faith, but also Confucianism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam. Rice is the staple food; great variety of dishes, many spicy. Buddhist thought and customs have great influence. Section 2: History and Culture Cultural Features (continued)

14. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Read to Discover What are the economies and politics of mainland Southeast Asia like? What types of agriculture are practiced in the region? What issues and challenges do the region’s countries face? Section 3: The Region Today

15. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Thailand has a dynamic market economy and constitutional monarchy. Laos is a very poor communist country that is trying to achieve gradual market reforms. Cambodia is also very poor, but with an elected government. Myanmar has resources but a very closed political system and poor economy. Vietnam has a communist system with some capitalist features, but is still poor. Section 3: The Region Today Economic and Political Features

16. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Paddy farming—Intensive rice production where water is plentiful Shifting subsistence farming—In poor-soil areas, farmers shift fields after a few years Plantations—Large farms growing export crops Opium growing in rugged northern mountains Section 3: The Region Today Types of Agriculture

17. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Question What crops are produced in each agricultural system in Southeast Asia? Section 3: The Region Today

18. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Agriculture of Southeast Asia Paddy Agriculture Rice Plantation Agriculture Natural rubber, sugarcane, pineapples Subsistence Agriculture Rice, cassava, yams, bananas, pineapples, beans, sugarcane Section 3: The Region Today

19. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Cambodia is trying to recover from the terrifying period of Khmer Rouge rule. Myanmar is a harsh military dictatorship with a poor human rights record. Vietnam and Laos are both poor countries trying to enact economic reforms. Thailand’s once-booming economy has slowed; economic reforms are underway. Section 3: The Region Today Issues and Challenges

20. World Geography TodayChapter 29 Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas 1. What are the major climates in mainland Southeast Asia, and where are they found? 2. What type of soils have made the region’s river valleys rich farming areas? 3. Which of the region’s countries was never a European colony? What two European countries had colonies in the region? 4. What three major language families are found in the region? Who are some of the primary speakers of the languages in each group? 5. In what areas do most of the region’s people live? What are the large cities of the region like?