Chapter 28 – Southeast Asia
Section Notes
Video
Physical Geography
History and Culture
Mainland Southeast
Asia Today
Island Southeast Asia Today
Impact of Biodiversity
Close-up
A Bangkok Canal
World Almanac
Per Capita GDP in Island
Southeast Asia and the
United States
Quick Facts
Chapter 28 Visual Summary
Maps
Southeast Asia: Political
Southeast Asia: Physical
Southeast Asia: Climate
Indian Ocean Tsunami
Southeast Asia: Colonial Possessions,
1914
Southeast Asia: Land Use and Resources
Southeast Asia
Images
Tsunami Diagram
Angkor Wat
Focus on Culture: Thai Teenage
Buddhist Monks
Ethnic Groups in Indonesia, 2005
Physical Geography
The Big Idea
Southeast Asia is a tropical region of peninsulas, islands, and
waterways with diverse plants, animals, and resources.
Main Ideas
 Southeast Asia’s physical features include peninsulas,
islands, rivers, and many seas, straits, and gulfs.
 The tropical climate of Southeast Asia supports a wide
range of plants and animals.
 Southeast Asia is rich in natural resources such as wood,
rubber, and fossil fuels.
Main Idea 1:
Southeast Asia’s physical features include
peninsulas, islands, rivers, and many seas,
straits, and gulfs.
Mainland Southeast Asia
• Two peninsulas that extend from the Asian mainland
• Indochina Peninsula
• Malay Peninsula
Island Southeast Asia
• Two island groups
• Philippines
• Malay Archipelago
• An archipelago—a large group of islands
Landforms
Mainland Southeast Asia
• Rugged mountains across
Myanmar, Thailand, Laos,
and Vietnam
• Low plateaus
• River floodplains
Island Southeast Asia
• More than 20,000 islands
• New Guinea—Earth’s
second largest island
• Borneo—Earth’s third
largest island
• High mountains on the
larger islands
• Part of the Ring of Fire
– Earthquakes
– Volcanic eruptions
– Tsunamis
Bodies of Water
•
Seas—Andaman Sea, South China Sea,
Philippine Sea, Celebes Sea, and Java Sea
•
Gulfs—Gulf of Thailand and Gulf of Tonkin
•
Oceans—Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean
•
Strait of Malacca
•
River—Mekong River
Tsumani
Background
 A tsunami is a
series of giant sea
waves.
 Tsunamis occur
when an
earthquake,
volcanic eruption,
or other event
causes seawater to
move in huge
waves.
 Warning systems
can help alert
people to
tsunamis.
Indian Ocean
Catastrophe
What it Means
 On December 26,
2004, a massive
earthquake launched
a monster tsunami.
 No one can prevent
tsunamis.
 The waves wiped out
costal communities
in a dozen countries
and some 300,000
people died.
 The Indian Ocean
did not have a
tsunami warning
system because
tsunamis are rare in
that part of the
world.
 The United Nations
is now working to
create a global
tsunami warning
system.
 Individual
communities are
also taking actions
that help mitigate
the danger of these
fierce waves.
Main Idea 2:
The tropical climate of Southeast Asia
supports a wide range of plants and animals.
Tropical savanna climate
Humid tropical climate
• Much of the mainland
• Temperatures are warm to
hot all year-round, but
cooler in the north and in
the mountains.
• Seasonal monsoons bring
heavy rain in the summer.
• Savannas—areas of tall
grasses and scattered
trees and shrubs
• Islands and Malay
Peninsula
• Hot, muggy, and rainy all
year
• Typhoons can bring heavy
rains and powerful winds.
• Supports tropical rain
forests
Lush tropical rain forests are home to a large
number of different plants and animals.
Plants
• 40,000 kinds of flowering plants in
Indonesia alone
• Elephants, monkeys, tigers, and many types
of birds
Animals
• Some species are not found anywhere else in
the world
– Orangutans
– Komodo dragons
Challenges
• Loss of habitat
Main Idea 3:
Southeast Asia is rich in natural resources
such as wood, rubber, and fossil fuels.
•
The hot, wet climate and rich soils make farming highly
productive.
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Major crop - rice
Other crops - coconuts, coffee, sugarcane, palm oil,
and spices
Indonesia and Malaysia have large rubber tree
plantations.
The seas provide fisheries.
The tropical rain forests provide valuable hardwoods and
medicines.
Many minerals and fossil fuels
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Minerals - tin and iron ore
Fossil fuels - natural gas and oil
History and Culture
The Big Idea
People, ideas, and traditions from China, India, Europe, and
elsewhere have shaped Southeast Asia’s history and
culture.
Main Ideas
 Southeast Asia’s early history includes empires, colonial
rule, and independence.
 The modern history of Southeast Asia involves struggles
with war and communism.
 Southeast Asia’s culture reflects its Chinese, Indian, and
European heritage.
Main Idea 1:
Southeast Asia’s early history includes
empires, colonial rule, and independence.
• China and India have played a big role in Southeast Asia’s
history.
• Early civilizations introduced new people and ideas to
Southeast Asia.
• European powers started colonizing Southeast Asia in the
1500s.
• People in the region began to fight for independence after
World War II.
Southeast Asia’s History
Early Civilization
• The most advanced
early civilization
was the Khmer.
 The Khmer built
Angkor Wat—a
huge Hindu temple.
 In the 1200s the
Thai settled in the
Khmer area.
• Buddhism began
replacing Hinduism
in the region.
Colonial Rule
 Europeans came to
the region.
 Spain claimed the
Philippines.
 The Dutch gained
control of Indonesia.
• The British and
French set up
colonies.
 The United States
took the Philippines.
• Only Thailand was
never colonized.
 Japan occupied most
of Southeast Asia
during World War II.
Independence
 After World War II
the United States
granted the
Philippines
independence.
 Soon others in the
region began to
fight for their
independence.
 By 1970 most of
Southeast Asia had
thrown off colonial
rule.
Main Idea 2:
The modern history of Southeast Asia
involves struggles with war and communism.
The move toward independence for the countries of Southeast Asia was
not easy, and several countries were torn apart by civil wars.
• Vietnam
• Cambodia
• Laos
Other countries got involved in these civil wars to either halt or
encourage the spread of communism.
The United States based its decision to get involved on the domino
theory—if one country fell to communism, other countries nearby
would follow like falling dominoes.
Main Idea 3:
Southeast Asia’s culture reflects its Chinese,
Indian, and European heritage.
People and
Languages
• Many ethnic groups
 Most countries have
one main ethnic group
plus many smaller
ethnic groups.
 Many different
languages are spoken
in Southeast Asia,
including native
languages and
dialects, Chinese, and
European languages.
Religions
 Buddhism—the main
faith on the
mainland, many
wats
Customs
 People celebrate
many religious
festivals.
 Christianity—most
people are Roman
Catholic in the
Philippines
 Some people
continue to practice
traditional
customs, such as
dance and music.
• Hinduism—in Indian
communities and on
the island of Bali
 Many people wear
traditional clothing,
such as sarongs.
• Islam—main religion
in Malaysia, Brunei,
and Indonesia
Mainland Southeast Asia Today
The Big Idea
Many of the farming countries in Mainland Southeast Asia are
poor but are working to improve their economies.
Main Ideas
 The area today is largely rural and agricultural, but cities
are growing rapidly.
• Myanmar is poor with a harsh military government, while
Thailand is a democracy with a strong economy.
 The countries of Indochina are poor and struggling to
rebuild after years of war.
Main Idea 1:
The area today is largely rural and
agricultural, but cities are growing rapidly.
• Mainland Southeast Asia includes Myanmar, Thailand,
Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
• War, harsh governments, and other problems have slowed
progress in most of Mainland Southeast Asia.
• The area’s countries have rich resources.
• They are working to improve their futures.
Mainland Southeast Asia
Rural Life
Urban Life
• Mainland Southeast Asia is
largely rural.
• Mainland Southeast Asia has
several large cities.
• Most people are farmers and
live in small villages.
• The rapid growth of these
cities has led to
overcrowding and pollution
problems.
• The wet, tropical climate
enables farmers to grow two
to three crops each year.
• Most rural people live in the
area’s fertile river valleys and
deltas.
• Some people live in remote
villages in the mountains.
They belong to small ethnic
groups known as hill peoples.
Main Idea 2:
Myanmar is poor with a harsh military
government, while Thailand is a democracy
with a strong economy.
Myanmar
 Located to the south of China on the Bay of Bengal
 Also known as Burma
Thailand
 Located to the southwest of Malaysia
 Once known as Siam
Myanmar
• Most of the people are Burmese.
• Buddhism is the main religion.
• Harsh military government that abuses human rights—
rights that all people deserve, such as rights to equality
and justice
• Aung San Suu Kyi continues to lead a movement for more
democracy.
• Poor economy
– Some countries refuse to trade with Myanmar.
– Rich in natural resources—oil, timber, metals, jade, and gems
– Most of its people are poor.
Thailand
• Capital and largest city is Bangkok, a city famous for its
klongs, or canals.
• Constitutional monarchy, prime minister and elected
legislature hold the real power.
• Good government and rich resources help Thailand’s
economy.
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Industry—computers, textiles, and electronics
Farming—rice, pineapples, and rubber
Fishing
Mining
Tourism—magnificent Buddhist wats and unspoiled beaches
Main Idea 3:
The countries of Indochina are poor and
struggling to rebuild after years of war.
Cambodia
 Capital is Phnom
Penh.
 Some 20 years of
war, terror, and
devastation ended in
the early 1990s.
 Has a stable, elected
government
 Farming has
improved, little
industry
 Problem with land
mines
Laos
Vietnam
 Landlocked country
with rugged
mountains
 Capital city is Hanoi;
largest city is Ho Chi
Minh City.
 Poor and
undeveloped, with
few roads, no
railroads, and limited
electricity
 Communist
government
 Communist
government
 The area’s poorest
economy
 Most people are
subsistence farmers.
 More economic
freedom; private
businesses have
helped the economy
 Most people farm.
 Industry and
services growing
 Fishing and mining
important
Island Southeast Asia Today
The Big Idea
The countries of Island Southeast Asia range from wealthy
and urban to poor and rural.
Main Ideas
• The area today has rich resources and growing cities but
faces challenges.
• Malaysia and its neighbors have strong economies but
differ in many ways.
• Indonesia is big and diverse with a growing economy, and
East Timor is small and poor.
 The Philippines has less ethnic diversity, and its economy
is improving.
Main Idea 1:
The area today has rich resources and
growing cities but faces challenges.
•
Island Southeast Asia is made up of six countries:
Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, East Timor, and
the Philippines.
•
Economy
•
Challenges
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High potential for wealth and good standards of living
Rich resources
Large, skilled labor force
Growing economies
Violent ethnic conflicts
Many people live in poverty.
Many environmental problems (example—pollution)
Rural and Urban Life of Island Southeast Asia
Rural Life
• Many people live in rural
areas.
• Farm or fish
– Rice—main crop
– Other crops—coffee,
spices, sugarcane, tea,
and tropical fruit
– Rubber—Indonesia and
Malaysia are the world’s
largest producer
– Seafood—main source of
protein
• Many rural people are
leaving for the cities.
Urban Life
• Largest cities (major
capitals) are modern and
crowded.
• Common problems include
smog, traffic, and slums.
• Many people live in
kampongs—a village or
city district with traditional
houses built on stilts.
Main Idea 2:
Malaysia and its neighbors have strong
economies but differ in many ways.
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MALAYSIA
Consists of two parts: southern end of the Malay Peninsula and
northern Borneo
Most Malaysians live on the peninsula.
Capital is Kuala Lumpur.
Ethnically diverse
– Malays—main ethnic group
– Chinese and other groups also live there.
– Many languages (Bahasa Malay) and religions (Islam and Buddhist)
• Constitutional monarchy—prime minister and elected legislature
hold the real power
• One of the strongest economies in the area
– Well-educated workers
– Rich resources
– Exports natural rubber, palm oil, electronics, oil, and timber
Singapore and Brunei
Singapore
Brunei
 A tiny island at the tip of
the Malay Peninsula
 Located on the island of
Borneo
 One of the world’s busiest
free ports—ports that
place few if any taxes on
goods
 Governed by a sultan, the
supreme ruler of a Muslim
country
 Industrial center
 Modern, wealthy, orderly,
and clean country
 Extremely strict laws
 Government strictly
controls politics and the
media.
 Wealthy from large oil and
gas deposits
Main Idea 3:
Indonesia is big and diverse with a growing
economy, and East Timor is small and poor.
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INDONESIA
Largest of the island countries and world’s largest archipelago
Fourth-largest population of any country (largest Muslim
population)
More than 300 ethnic groups who speak more than 250
languages
Java is the main island; capital is Jakarta (located on Java).
Growing economy
– Rich resources including rubber, oil and gas, and timber
– Good farmland for rice and other crops
– Factories make clothing and electronics
• Challenges for Indonesia
– Poor people
– High unemployment
– Ethnic and religious conflicts
East Timor
• One of the area’s smallest countries
• Located on the island of Timor
• Declared independence from Indonesia in 1999
• One of the region’s poorest countries
• Most people farm; coffee is the major export.
Main Idea 4:
The Philippines has less ethnic diversity, and
its economy is improving.
Land and People
 Includes more
than 7,000
islands
 Luzon—largest
and most
populated island
 Capital is Manila
 Almost all
Filipinos are
ethnic Malays.
Resources
• Rich in resources
• Natural resources—
copper and other
metals, oil, and
tropical wood
• Farmland—
coconuts,
sugarcane, rice,
and corn
• Factories—clothing
and electronics
Challenges
• Large gap
between the rich
and the poor
• Religious
conflicts
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