Chapter 21

1. Chapter 21 Southeast Asia

2. Southeast Asia • Large as the continental US • Population centers around rivers • More than half the population lives on islands • Part of the “Ring of Fire” • earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis are common • Life is regulated by the climate- monsoons to droughts • Developing into an economic power, but poverty and political instability cause issue • Divided into two major sub regions • Indochina • Malay archipelago

3. I. Indochina • Named for dominant powers on either side: China and India • Exert strong influence on the culture, politics and economy of the region • Made up of: • Myanmar • Thailand • Laos • Cambodia • Vietnam

4. Myanmar • Formerly known as Burma • Changed in 1989 by ruling military junta, still contested • UN and others recognize Myanmar, US still uses Burma • Largest country in Indochina- slightly smaller than Texas • Most people live along the rain forest • Capital: Yangon • Irrawaddy River- runs from uplands to the Andaman Sea, main river in Myanmar • 89% are Buddhists, only 4% profess Christianity • Was once the richest country in the southeast, but adopted socialist economic practices that held them back

5. Thailand • Known as Siam until 1939 • Only country in Southeast Asia to never be controlled by a European power • Strongest economy in Indochina • Bangkok: capital city • Much of the territory is on the Malay Peninsula- almost 1000 miles long-control central portion • Constitutional monarchy- prime minister is head of government, but have a traditional king • 94% Buddhists • Elephants are the national symbol pg 527

6. Laos • Only landlocked country in Southeast Asia • Undeveloped, mountainous, lack of arable land • 60% Buddhist, 40% animist or other native religion • Mekong River borders with Thailand • Capital: Vientiane- still shows French influence • In 1975, Pathet Lao, a communist organization, took over and modeled it after Vietnam • Recently tried to move back to a free market economy—but lack of infrastructure is hindering • No railroads, little telecommunications, poor road system, only urban areas have electricity

7. Buddhism • Pg. 526 • Off shoot of Hinduism • Based on teaching of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha • Dharma- saving truth- balance between self indulgence and self torture • 4 Noble Truths and 8 Fold Path of Moral Principles • 1. Right View 2. Right Intention 3. Right Speech 4. Right Action 5. Right Livelihood 6. Right Effort 7. Right Mindfulness 8. Right Concentration • Nirvana- state of happiness and rest • Seek the “non self”

8. Cambodia • Has great potential, but never took advantage of it • Low, flat plains, much of the land is arable • Gained independence from France in 1953 • The communist Khmer Rouge took over in 1975 and tried to erase memories of colonial rule and return to a rural, agricultural lifestyle • Tried to rid of all opposition, killed 1.5 million Cambodians • Communists in Vietnam were appalled, they invaded in 1978 • Khmer Rouge finally surrendered in 99 and were put on trial by the UN • Today, country has a king and a bicameral legislature • Future is bright, GDP is equally divided by agriculture, industry and service and 50% of the population is 20 years old and under

9. Vietnam • Capital: Hanoi • Southern coast along the South China Sea • Largest city in the south: Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) • Communist Ho Chi Minh led rebels against the French to gain independence • Not all Vietnamese wanted Communism, South voted to remain free • UN split the country at the 17th parallel, North and South Vietnam • Afraid of the Domino Theory (once one country falls to communism, more will follow) the US went in to help the South fight off the Viet Cong • Too divisive of a battle, US left, South fell, people fled the country • Working on expanding economy, still has Communist government • Culture is a mix of Western and Oriental influences • 80% profess no religion at all

10. II. The Malay Archipelago • Largest group of islands in the world • Most islands are volcanic, dominated by mountains

11. Malaysia • Part on the Malay Peninsula, rest is on the island of Borneo • Major leader among developing countries • Capital: Kuala Lumpur- on the peninsula • 60% are Muslim • Official language: BahasaMelayu, but English and Chinese are common • In the 70s became a major electronics manufacturer • Batik- hand crafted cloth, part of traditional clothing

12. Singapore • Only about 3x the size of D.C., but very influential • Singapore—name of island, country and capital • Has the busiest seaport by volume in the world • 77% Chinese population, religiously Buddhist and Muslim • Financial and high-tech hub of Southeast Asia

13. Brunei • On the island of Borneo, wedged between two states of Malaysia • Gained independence from Britain in 1984 • Government: Constitutional Sultanate • Legal system based on British law, but Islamic sharia supersedes it in some areas • Sultan and prime minister- hereditary positions, no elections • Islam is official religion • Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan

14. Indonesia • Largest country of Southeast Asia • Nation made up of 17,508 islands! • Only 6600 are populated, Stretch across 3000 miles • 4th largest population in the world • Largest Islamic nation in the world • Big Islands of Indonesia • Java- hub of activity, capital Jakarta is here • Sumatra- second most densely populated island • Borneo- 3rd largest island in the world • New Guinea- 2nd largest island in the world

15. The Philippines • Chain of 7,107 islands that run 1000 miles • Only about 900 islands are inhabited • Two big islands on either end: Luzon and Mindanao • Luzon • Largest and most populous island • Capital: Manila • Discovered by Ferdinand Magellan and was a Spanish colony until 1898, full independence after WWII • 80% Roman Catholic