Exploring Geography
Southeast Asia
- maps-thailand.com
Number of Countries within Region: 11
Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam
Physical Features
Mount Toba
Mount Toba is responsible for one of the worst volcanic eruptions in history. It brought one of the worst disasters the human race has ever experienced. The entire world was impacted by the atmospheric ash, resulting in a six year nuclear winter and a 1,000 year ice age. Nearly 74,000 years ago, Mount Toba blew over ten billion tons of ash and left a massive hole in the earth now known as “Lake Toba.” The lake is approximately 55 miles long and 20 miles wide, with depths of over 1600 feet.
Mount Toba is responsible for one of the worst volcanic eruptions in history. It brought one of the worst disasters the human race has ever experienced. The entire world was impacted by the atmospheric ash, resulting in a six year nuclear winter and a 1,000 year ice age. Nearly 74,000 years ago, Mount Toba blew over ten billion tons of ash and left a massive hole in the earth now known as “Lake Toba.” The lake is approximately 55 miles long and 20 miles wide, with depths of over 1600 feet.
Arial View of Mount Toba - medanku.com
Mekong River
The Mekong River is a major river in Southeast Asia. The river is the longest river in the region spreading 2,610 miles over the land. The flow of the river runs southeast through China, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam and eventually it flows into the South China Sea. The population along the river is nearly 60 million. The river is used for irrigation, fishing, power generation, transportation, and industrial and domestic water supply.
The Mekong River is a major river in Southeast Asia. The river is the longest river in the region spreading 2,610 miles over the land. The flow of the river runs southeast through China, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam and eventually it flows into the South China Sea. The population along the river is nearly 60 million. The river is used for irrigation, fishing, power generation, transportation, and industrial and domestic water supply.
- mekongcruisetrip.com
Barisan Mountains
The Barisan Mountains are in south Sumatra and Indonesia. The mountains are covered in forests and lowlands. The Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park is located in the southern most portion of the Mountain range and covers approximately 1,150 sq. miles. This is home the endangered Sumatran tiger, the Sumatran rhinoceros, Asian elephant, sum bears, bearded pigs, tapirs, gibbons and leaf monkeys. There are more than 300 bird species that live in this area as well, including the endangered Sumatran ground-cuckoo.
The Barisan Mountains are in south Sumatra and Indonesia. The mountains are covered in forests and lowlands. The Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park is located in the southern most portion of the Mountain range and covers approximately 1,150 sq. miles. This is home the endangered Sumatran tiger, the Sumatran rhinoceros, Asian elephant, sum bears, bearded pigs, tapirs, gibbons and leaf monkeys. There are more than 300 bird species that live in this area as well, including the endangered Sumatran ground-cuckoo.
Sumatran Tiger Map of Barisan Mountains Sumatran Rhino
-topnews.net.nz - search.com - punkrockrhinos.com
Malay Peninsula
This Malay Peninsula is the southernmost point of the continent of Asia. It is a long narrow piece of land that extends nearly 700 miles through the Isthmus of Kra to Cape Balai. At the widest point the peninsula is 200 miles wide. The peninsula is divided in the center by Mount Tahan and the mountain range of Malay. The western portion is exposed to the southwest monsoons and the east is exposed to the north east monsoons.
This Malay Peninsula is the southernmost point of the continent of Asia. It is a long narrow piece of land that extends nearly 700 miles through the Isthmus of Kra to Cape Balai. At the widest point the peninsula is 200 miles wide. The peninsula is divided in the center by Mount Tahan and the mountain range of Malay. The western portion is exposed to the southwest monsoons and the east is exposed to the north east monsoons.
- slate.com
Sundaland Shelf
The Sundaland shelf is the now submerged area of the Eurasian continent that runs beneath Southeast Asia’s peninsulas and islands. This land was exposed during the last ice age and included the Malay Peninsula and the islands of Borneo, Java and Sumatra along with the small surrounding islands. It is thought that the Sundaland Shelf was populated nearly 50,000 years ago until about 16,000 years ago when it was submerged under water.
The Sundaland shelf is the now submerged area of the Eurasian continent that runs beneath Southeast Asia’s peninsulas and islands. This land was exposed during the last ice age and included the Malay Peninsula and the islands of Borneo, Java and Sumatra along with the small surrounding islands. It is thought that the Sundaland Shelf was populated nearly 50,000 years ago until about 16,000 years ago when it was submerged under water.
- pcrf.org
Climate
Southeast Asia has a Tropical Climate with temperatures consistently above 65 degrees. The region experiences very heavy rains (Monsoon) from seasonally shifting winds and the Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ.) The summers are very wet from May to October caused by the Eurasian landmass absorbing moist air from the surrounding areas. (Pulispher, Pulispher, 2008.) The winters are long and dry from November to April. In some of the areas (islands) dry air is carried from the mainland, picking up moisture while traveling over the seas causing wet condition during the winter. These islands are considered some of the wettest areas in the world, due to year round rainfall.
El Nino
El Nino happens every 2 – 7 years, when the rain and water patterns are interrupted and the water circulation changes. The temperature in the Ocean drops causing unseasonably cold weather. The air patterns change and little rain fall approaches the islands causing a drought. This can cause serious complication for the area farmers.
El Nino
El Nino happens every 2 – 7 years, when the rain and water patterns are interrupted and the water circulation changes. The temperature in the Ocean drops causing unseasonably cold weather. The air patterns change and little rain fall approaches the islands causing a drought. This can cause serious complication for the area farmers.
Resources
The “Mine in the Clouds” is a large mine located on Grasberg Mountain in West Papua. Mt. Grasberg contains the world’s largest gold reserve. In 2005, $11.5 billion worth of copper and gold were extracted from this mine each day. There are contracts held to mine over 9 million acres of land in the mountain range (pulispher, Pulispher, 2008.) Burma is also very rich in natural resources. It is home to 70 – 80% of the world’s teakwood, with a single tree worth approximately $200,000. Burma also houses natural gas, tin, antimony, zinc, tungsten, limestone, marble, and gemstones. Vietnam contains mineral resources, such as phosphates, coal, manganese and offshore oil (pulispher, Pulispher, 2008.)
Environmental Issues
Commercial industrialization such as, mining, logging and exporting has taken a toll on the environment. The dense population has caused deforestation and demineralization across the entire region along with resource depletion of oil, natural gas and minerals. Foreign-owned companies have contracts to extract these resources and they are sold to Europe, North America and Japan, generally at very low prices.
Deforestation
Deforestation in the region is at the second highest rate in the world, just below sub-Sahara Africa. 13-19 square miles of rainforests are destroyed each day. The rights were granted to logging companies over 25 years ago. Some of these companies cut the trees and run to avoid the conservation agreements. This is worse on the environment because no one attempts to restore and preserve the land.
Mining
Extractive mining is the most disruptive form of mining. The layers of the soil are striped to expose the minerals, such as copper, gold and silver. This mining is usually done after deforestation. The lack of regulation and enforcement over mining makes Southeast Asia a very desirable place for mining
Deforestation
Deforestation in the region is at the second highest rate in the world, just below sub-Sahara Africa. 13-19 square miles of rainforests are destroyed each day. The rights were granted to logging companies over 25 years ago. Some of these companies cut the trees and run to avoid the conservation agreements. This is worse on the environment because no one attempts to restore and preserve the land.
Mining
Extractive mining is the most disruptive form of mining. The layers of the soil are striped to expose the minerals, such as copper, gold and silver. This mining is usually done after deforestation. The lack of regulation and enforcement over mining makes Southeast Asia a very desirable place for mining
Population Patterns
This region is home to nearly half a billion residents. The land is half the size of the United States, with two times the population. Nearly 60% of the population lives in dense settlements along the waterways. The most densely populated areas are the islands. These areas have rich soil providing wonderful conditions for agriculture. A majority of the people living on the islands live in urban areas.
The Upland areas including Burma, Thailand, and northern Laos are sparsely populated due to rugged land. This makes traveling and daily tasks very difficult. Malaysia, Indonesia, and Mindanao of the Philippines are also sparsely populated due to extreme wet conditions, heavy forests, and mountainous terrain. The Indigenous people have lived in these areas for thousands of years, surviving by hunting, gathering, small plot agriculture and shifting cultivation.
The Upland areas including Burma, Thailand, and northern Laos are sparsely populated due to rugged land. This makes traveling and daily tasks very difficult. Malaysia, Indonesia, and Mindanao of the Philippines are also sparsely populated due to extreme wet conditions, heavy forests, and mountainous terrain. The Indigenous people have lived in these areas for thousands of years, surviving by hunting, gathering, small plot agriculture and shifting cultivation.
Role of Gender
It is common for newlyweds to reside with the wife’s parents. The oldest male in the house (usually the father of the bride) is dominant. When he dies the oldest daughters husband is expected to step up and take over the responsibilities, rather than his oldest son. There is often tension between the newly married husband and his new father-in-law as they adjust to the new living arrangement. The women generally communicate between the men, giving them the power to influence decision making. Extended families live together for many years.
Modernization of urban couples
Today, some newlyweds choose to reside in a separate residence from their extended families. This arrangement puts much less family pressure on the new husband/son-in-law. This arrangement gives the couple their financial independence. The family pressure is replaced with financial and childrearing pressures, as both parties generally have to work outside of the home to support their new family. There is not the extended family support available to help with all the domestic duties.
Modernization of urban couples
Today, some newlyweds choose to reside in a separate residence from their extended families. This arrangement puts much less family pressure on the new husband/son-in-law. This arrangement gives the couple their financial independence. The family pressure is replaced with financial and childrearing pressures, as both parties generally have to work outside of the home to support their new family. There is not the extended family support available to help with all the domestic duties.
Religion
The main religions present in Southeast Asia are Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam, Christianity, and Animism. Animism is the only one that originated within the region. They believe that spiritual meaning is among the nature and goods that surrounds them. On the mainland, Buddhism is considered to be the main religion. Islam is the dominant belief system in Indonesia, and is considered to be the largest Muslim country in the world. Due to the variety of religion present in this region, each of them has changed over the years to have similarities with each other (mixed religions).
Transportation
The transportation system has suffered major deterioration during and after World War II. The region has been working on restoring and expanding the road systems, and has been exceptionally notable in Indonesia. Roadways are still in poor condition, especially in the poorly developed areas. The waterway is very important for inland transportation, as international land transport is nearly impossible due to the mountain ranges surrounding the country. This has made the region very dependent on sea and river transport, as well as air transport. There is a railway system that links the major cities.
Country of Focus
Cambodia
After the Japanese occupancy during World War II; Cambodia gained its full independence from France in 1953. 5 years later, Khmer Rouge took over power and caused chaos throughout the country. Nearly 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution and starvation under his regime. The Vietnamese invasion in 1978 pushed Khmer Rouge into the country. The invasion started a civil war that lasted nearly 13 years. In 1993, the UN sponsored election and helped restore some form of normalcy to the country. In 1998, elections took place for the second time leading to the formation of another coalition government. In 2004, King Norodom SIHANOUK took the throne with his son, Prince Norodom SIHAMONI as his successor. The local elections have been much more peaceful than the previous ones.
Cambodia is located in Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand between Thailand, Bietnam and Laos. The total land mass is 181,035 sq. km, with a population of 14,701,717 (July 2011 est.) The median age is 22.9, with a life expectancy for men at 60.3 yrs. and women at 65.1 years old.
After the Japanese occupancy during World War II; Cambodia gained its full independence from France in 1953. 5 years later, Khmer Rouge took over power and caused chaos throughout the country. Nearly 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution and starvation under his regime. The Vietnamese invasion in 1978 pushed Khmer Rouge into the country. The invasion started a civil war that lasted nearly 13 years. In 1993, the UN sponsored election and helped restore some form of normalcy to the country. In 1998, elections took place for the second time leading to the formation of another coalition government. In 2004, King Norodom SIHANOUK took the throne with his son, Prince Norodom SIHAMONI as his successor. The local elections have been much more peaceful than the previous ones.
Cambodia is located in Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand between Thailand, Bietnam and Laos. The total land mass is 181,035 sq. km, with a population of 14,701,717 (July 2011 est.) The median age is 22.9, with a life expectancy for men at 60.3 yrs. and women at 65.1 years old.
- wwp.greenwichmeantime.com
Agriculture
The service industry is flourishing, and the agriculture is declining. Currently agriculture accounts for 1/6 of total GDP. Nearly 60% of population resides in rural areas, but they do not rely on agriculture alone. To help make up for the agriculture woes, they fish, and sell crafts along with working part time jobs providing services to the region. They have adapted to the land conditions for agriculture success. They use shifting cultivation in the uplands and wet rice cultivation in the flooded areas along with some clear cutting.
