World Regional Geography

Spring 2005

Chapter 6 and 7: South and Southeast Asia

Review: Test 4

Test Date: March 24 (Internet/VCT = by March 29)

 

This test will have 30 points of Multiple Choice, etc. and 20 points of essay.  Essays will be on topics such as the homework questions from this chapter ()

 

Early history is one of Buddhist, Hindu and Moslem expansion with trade with Chinese, Indian and Arab people.

 

Europeans- 1500's Portuguese, then Spanish, Dutch, French, British and American influence. 

Japanese- controlled the region before and during WWII- a legacy of hatred.

Domino Theory- Idea that communists would conquer each Southeast Asian country, one by one (using the fall of one to conquer the next.)  American policy during the Vietnam conflict.

Pacific Rim- the new outlook of Asia as the center of the world's economy (and population.) !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Wealth- Australia and New Zealand (Western nations) followed by Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Poverty- Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands.

Vietnam is rapidly catching up with the Little Tigers (Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines.)

 

            Khmer, Burmese, Thai, and Vietnamese Empires

 

Mon and Khmer- Cambodia (800-1200) gave way to Vietnamese, Lao and Burmese

Shan and Karen- Northern Burma

Thai- 1300's unified around Ayutthaya (near Bangkok)

Vietnamese- 100 BC settle in Red River valley.  Often controlled by Chinese, adding methods of government.  1400s Vietnamese push Chinese back and occupy their territory.

Malay, Indonesian and Philippine Islands- Islam arrives 1200.  Indonesia is world's largest Islamic state.  Chinese traders and Buddhism arrive in 500s.

Australia- Aborigines

New Zealand- Maoris

South Pacific- Melanesian, Micronesian and Polynesian

 

            Philippines- only Christian country in Asia

Singapore- built by British in 1819, controlled Malay states from there.  Introduced Chinese workers became dominant culture- left federation with Malaysia in 1965 to preserve its culture.

Indochina- French controlled Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. 

Vietnam- 1975, North Vietnam reunifies country after fighting French, south and US since 1954.

Thailand- Known as Siam- never a colony traded land with colonial powers to preserve independence.  1890s fought France to maintain its freedom.  Sided with Japan at beginning of WWII then switched when new government came to power.

Australia and New Zealand- last major continent to be explored and settled by Europeans.  Australia was a penal colony w/ gold discovered in 1850.  Aborigines fared poorly.

Pacific Islands- UK was main colonizer (Fiji.)  Spain settled Guam and Marianas (taken over by US) and France, Tahiti (many islands still part of France- site of nuclear testing.) French Tahiti:

 

Natural Environments

Mix of continental and island climates- equatorial to mid-latitude w/ Himalayan foothills, volcanic islands and coral reefs.

Long-term geographic isolation- unique flora and fauna

Hot, rainy, all-year long- Southern Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia

Monsoon topical climate- Northern Philippines, Indochina, Thailand, Myanmar/Northern Australia

Arid Continental Interior- Australia (1/3 arid and 1/3 semi-arid) (REMEMBER)

Warm Mid-latitude Climate- Southeastern Australian Coast (like Eastern US)

 

            Continents and Islands

Ring of Fire: Relief is dominated by clashing of tectonic plates- volcanoes and earthquakes.

Volcanic Islands- volcano surrounded by coral reefs

Rivers- Mekong (Western China, Indochina and Thailand)

Red River- Vietnam heartland

Chao Praya River- Economic and cultural hearth of Thailand

 

            Distinctive Ecosystems

Large areas of Tropical Rainforest- Indonesia and Malaysia

Monsoon Forest- Myanmar to Indochina to Philippines- dominated by Teak -very hard valuable wood

Wallace Line- distinct separation of Asian and Australian species caused by tectonic action.

 

Oil and Natural Gas- Brunei (Muslim Sultanate) and Indonesia

Mekong River- 6 country watershed with opportunities for hydroelectric, transportation and irrigation.

Australian Resources- ancient rock with iron, nickel, gold, platinum, uranium and copper

 

            Environmental Problems

Main- volcanic and earthquake activity

Deforestation, mining pollution and water pollution are main human impacts

Introduction of new species has been very harmful to Australia and New Zealand

No-nuke zones: around Australia and New Zealand.  Issues between US and region- Nuclear powered ships are not allowed in the area.  French Nuclear testing is a big issue.

 

Globalization

 

VERY IMPORTANT POINT- This region has strong and ancient cultural roots.  The cultures are distinct and the people of the region have a long history of conflict and increasing cooperation.  It also has a history (and its cultures have been defined by this) of interaction (conflict, trade and occupation) with Chinese, Arab (Islamic), Indian (Hindu and Buddhist) and Western (from Portugal- 1500s- to the United States)  The cultural lines (regions) created by the Chinese and Moslems dominate South East Asian cultures (north is Chinese/Buddhist, south is Moslem.)  South Pacific is Western- mostly British

Why: coastal geography between old and powerful civilizations.  Sea lanes and chokepoints with natural resources

 

Southeast Asia

This region is both isolated (far from much of world history and action) and open (highway for trade and cultural dissemination.)  Parts are difficult to reach (jungle or ocean) while much of it is peninsular with navigable rivers

 

Vietnam

1. South China Sea oil field (key to economic future).

2. A large developing market that has attracted French, Japanese and United States interest.

3. First (1946-1954) and Second (1957-1975) Indochina wars have left a legacy of devastation and remorse throughout North and South Vietnam.

4. Continued conflict with China.

5. Industrial north (Hanoi and Haiphong) and agriculture south.

6. The Red, Black and Mekong river valleys hold the majority of the country's population.

7. MIA issue must be resolved before United States relations can deepen.

8. US spent $150 billion, employed 600,000 troops and destroyed 70% of northern villages.

 

Thailand

1. Rapidly developing.

2. Worlds' largest exporter of rice.

3. Bangkok and Singapore are mainland Southeast Asia's largest economic and industrial centers.

4. A rural country.

5. Infrastructure (streets, roads, waste disposal) lags far behind development.

6. Rapidly moving from labor-intensive to more technology oriented manufacturing.

7. Leader in economic development.

8. King Bhumibol Adulyadej's (50 years on the throne)- longest reigning modern monarch  

 

Cambodia

1. Over 10 million mines still dot the landscape of rural Cambodia.

a. Largest U.S.-supported mine clearing operation in the world.

b. Khmer Rouge (Cambodian Communists) continue to fight current government.

2. Once a net food exporter, today Cambodia imports food to avoid starvation.

3. Kymer Rouge government murdered over 1 million people under Pol Pot

4. 1.7 million people- starved, executed, or died of disease in 4 years of Khmer Rouge rule.

 

Laos

1. Land of 10,000 Elephants.

2. Remote, hilly and forested.

3. One major paved road, no railroads.

4. Golden Triangle: the geographic juncture of Laos, Burma and China.

5. Golden Triangle is the world's highest opium-producing region.

6. The main cultivators of opium poppy in SE Asia are hill tribes (Meo and Yao.)

 

Myanmar (used to be Burma)

1. Has a military rule with widespread unrest.

2. Largely a riverine people in heavily populated areas.

3. Burmese are the dominant ethnic group. There is widespread conflict centered on Myammar's ethnic minorities including, Shan, Karen, Chin and Ka Chin

4. Aung San Suu Kyi: 1991 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Opposition leader under house arrest often (19 months straight with 12 years of frequent detention.) (Need to know)

 

Island Countries

Island lands are mostly Moslem with varying degrees of political control.  Given the nature of wide, open oceanic countries, piracy and illegal activities are common.

Jemaah Islamiah- regional terrorist organization seeking to establish a Islamic country to include Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Indonesia

1. World's largest Moslem State.

2. Rapidly developing on a comprehensive natural resource base (oil, metallic mineral resources). The world's largest gold mine recently opened in Indonesia.

3. An aggressive, expansionist oriented country.

a. Suppression of east Timor revolt.

b. Trouble with Philippines' treatment of Moslems.

c. Historic border conflict with Malaysia.

d. Brutal suppression of Chinese political activities in 1960's.

4. 13,000 islands and 300 ethnic groups

5. Very big problem with pirates and militant Moslems- Government fears crackdowns my result in reprisals.

6. Areas seek independence- Aceh, Sumatra, Moluccas and Irian Jaya

 

East Timor

1.      Achieved independence from Indonesia after 24 years of occupation

2.      Newest country on earth- 2002

3.      Shares offshore oil rights with Australia

4.      Former Portuguese colony

 

Philippines

1.      Former Spanish, then US colony

2.      Most westernized country in the region

3.      Armed Muslim group, Abu Sayaff, fights government army on Basilan Island

4.      US military supporting Philippine army against Muslim Abu Sayyaf guerrillas

 

Singapore

1. Socio-economically the most affluent of the ASEAN states.

2. The region's largest and most modern port complex.

3. Located at the south end of the globally strategic Malacca Strait.

4. Ethnically mixed, but with strong Chinese cultural influence.

5. A tight, highly centralized government and political system.

 

Malaysia

1. Mostly Moslem with religious-based political system. Moslem Malays still control parliament.

2. World-class producer of tin and natural rubber.

3. Labor shortages have resulted in immigrants from Moslem Bangladesh and Catholic Philippines- a multiethnic society.

4. Chinese-Malay conflicts focus mainly on economic issues.

5. Ruled by a supreme sultan which tightly controls the opposition

 

Brunei

1.      small country on island of Borneo

2.      Rich in oil and natural gas

3.      Introduced the concept of a Malaysian Moslem Monarchy

4.      Shell Oil is very active here

5.      Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah- one of world’s wealthiest people

6.      Citizens are given large benefits of health care and education

Chinese- make up 7% of population with great influence.  Great influence in economic spheres in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.  In Indonesia- make up 3.4% of population and own 75% of businesses. 

Indians- present in Myanmar, Malaysia and parts of Indonesia

Anamistic religions are significant among indigenous people with a great deal of spirit-based observances as part of the culture.

Vietnam-  border skirmishes with China and conflict over Spratly Islands, also expulsion of Chinese business people.

Bangkok has world’s worst traffic jams.  Urban living in Southeast Asia is one of congestion, pollution and inadequate infrastructure with very high urban growth rates.

 

Trafficking People: ˝ of the woman and children sold as slaves and prostitutes come from this region.  Reasons- cheap labor, immigration for jobs, prostitution and brides. 

 

East Asian Miracle (page 250): 1980-90's- a boom year for “Tiger” economies (The Asian Tigers include South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.  The Little Tigers include Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia.)  By 1997, the miracle had failed.  Linked to (no for test):

§         High levels of foreign lending

§         Government budget deficits

§         Loans to glutted property markets

§         Slower economic growth

§         Subsequent currency devaluation

§         Less (almost none) Japanese and US aid.

§         New challenges caused by strong Chinese growth- competition.

 

Australia and New Zealand

Inhabited by mostly Europeans- diverse and affluent economies.

Problems- distance to world markets, small local markets and transition from former colony status to Asian partners.  Economy is increasingly tied to Asia

 

Most people live in temperate/humid southeastern coastal region (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra.) Northern Australia- Great Barrier Reef- largest continuous reef formation.  Interior and West- Great Australian Desert.

            Japan purchases more from Australia than US and Europe combined.

Ranked 1st in world- natural capital- includes land, water, timber, gold, resources, etc.

Asia and Australia differ on economic development vs. personal freedom.

 

South Pacific Islands Gained independence during the 1970s.  Linked to donor countries (US, UK and France) due to economic difficulties and internal tensions.  Poor countries with little products in demand.

 

Chapter 7: Southern Asia

Look at and know Table 7.2 on page 270-271

 

Indian Subcontinent: 1.4 billion population (rise to 2 billion by 2025) (Muslim- fastest growing  populations)

 

IMPORTANT: Growing Indian Confidence on the World Stage (like China): Movie/music industry (celebrates Hindu culture), space program, satellite launch industry, computers/high-tech/software development, manufacturing, outsourcing from US and many overseas Indian communities.

 

IMPORTANT: British Colonial policy had a major impact upon geography.  Resource development (what crops could be planted or resources extracted,) establishment of ports and cities and how  cities/towns were developed and built all focused upon supporting the British Empire.  India is the best example of the effects of colonialization upon a country.  Emphasis on export agriculture often led to famine as Indians did not produce enough food crops for local consumption.  You need to understand how Britain influenced the development of India (in terms of culture, language, national development and economics.)

 

IMPORTANT: Geographic Role of Pakistan- Conflicts with India (Kashmir), Sides with China versus India, Taliban and Al Queda flee to northern Pakistan, Muslim fundamentalism in Northern Pakistan and a growing relationship with Iran (may have given nuclear technology to the Iranians.)

 

Issues/Role of woman and infanticide yet, woman in high political positions.  1995, Prime Ministers of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were woman (Indiri Gandhi assassinated in India in 1984)

 

Dravidian culture: (Indus Valley, 3,000 BC) Dark-skinned- driven south by invasions

Hinduism- Ethnic Religion- not an organized religion with a single “sacred text” but a series of “Great Traditions” Most ancient religion in Asia.  Vedas (Hindu sacred texts) from 1,800 BC.  “Little traditions” are local gods, practices and beliefs.

Brahman- Supreme Consciousness with aspects as 3 deities- Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver) and Siva (Destroyer)

Hinduism believes in reincarnation and the role of Karma (sum of your past behavior)

Caste Order- an ethnic or class division of social groupings (priests, warriors, merchants and artisans.)

Buddhism- founded in the Ganges River valley (500 BC)  Buddha questioned the caste system which developed into the Dharma policy (code of social responsibility, human dignity and socioreligous harmony.) Brahmin Hinduism fought against this a resulted in the expulsion of Buddhists from India.

Jainism (500 BC)- religion based upon non-violence and doing no harm to living creatures.  Small population in India, but numbers are 3.25 million

Sikhism- based upon the teachings of Guru Nanak (1469-1539) Attempted reconciliation of Hinduism and Islam.  Sikh’s holy temple is in Amritsar, Punjab.  Hindu violence (Government troops) in this temple resulted in the assassination of Indira Gandhi.

Islam- Invaded India in 1100.  During the 1500s the Mughal Dynasty incorporated Muslim beliefs into Indian culture.  Time of great architectural development- Taj Mahal.  Coastal islands (Maldives) are all Muslim.

 

Natural Environment

 

§         High mountains and broad plains

§         Southern Asia monsoon: Summer is wet and winter is dry.

§         Assam hills: over 400 inches of rain per year.

§         High mountains and heavy precipitation produce most rapid physical landscape modifications in world

§         Main choke point: Kyber pass.

§         Ganges river very important and religious landmark

§         Some of world's largest coal reserves- also iron ore and uranium

§         Over 75% of Southern Asia's population live on small farms or in rural villages.

§         The Indo-Gangetic plain of Pakistan and India is the world's single most populated riverine system: Ganges River System

§         Most critical resource is water

 

Himalayas dominate weather systems- winter high pressure keeps rain off the interior.  Formed when the Indian subcontinent slammed into Asia. Mount Everest is world’s highest peak (29,028) with over 50 above 25,000 feet. 

 

The Republic of India (1947)

  • 25 states and 7 territories- Stat boundaries are consistent with language areas.
  • Ghandi was main leader for independence (was a political activist/lawyer in British South Africa)
  • Illiteracy (over 1/2 in India)
  • 2/3 children are undernourished
  • less then 2% have incomes over $2,500
  • Nehru is first Prime Minister (transfer land to peasants and focus on education) high education not general
  • Government planning results- overcapacity, uneconomic, corruption and fall in industrial productivity.
  • Daughter (Indira Gandhi) is next leader (held power until 1977 and then until 1984, was assassinated)
  • Son, Rajiv was also Prime Minister
  • 1998 detonates 5 nuclear bombs

 

People

 

§         80% Hindu

§         11% Muslim- 4th largest Muslim population in world

§         Languages- Hindi (30%) 1,600 languages and dialects in India. English is the common language of government and education.

§         Highest density along Ganges River plains

§         Family planning popular among women.

§         Widespread sexual abuse of women a serious national problem in India. Women enjoy few rights.

§         Population growth is absorbing much of India's economic surplus.

§         2nd biggest population (after China)

§         Female infanticide is high- 16 million girl babies per year

§         Bombay's shanty towns are growing rapidly (urban issues)

§         Mainly rural, 1/4 urban

§         Mumbai, Delhi and Calcutta will be in the 10 largest cities in the world by 2015

§         Mumbai- 18 million in 2000.

§         Agricultural productivity does not match population growth

§         Over 100 million Indian households are considered middle class, making the region one of the world's largest big emerging markets.

§         Hinduvati- right-wing militant Hindu chauvinism- anti-Muslim and Christian

§         Indians Abroad: 15 million living in Nepal, South Africa, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Persian Gulf, East Africa, UK and US.

 

Economic Development

  • East-West contrasts- Punjab, Haryana (agricultural), Gujarat and Maharashtra (industrial) have fast economic development
  • One of the largest economies outside the core- 12th GDP
  • Green Revolution: high-yielding varieties if wheat and rice
  • Third largest rice exporter/fourth largest exporter of wheat
  • Tea in the Assam hills
  • 3rd largest cotton producer
  • 75% of oil needs
  • Manufacture cars and trucks
  • Textiles are 1/4 of India's exports
  • Infrastructure bottlenecks: telecommunications, power and transportation
  • Hindus do not eat meat- avoid beef- largest number of cattle in the world (200 million)
  • Golden Corridor- India’s manufacturing and business center- area is Gujarat to southern Mumbai. (must know)

 

India's largest cities:

 

§         Delhi (including New Delhi) (10 million)- political center

§         Mumbai (Bombay) (16 million) - financial center (70% of stock transactions) ; motion picture industry (500-600 films each year).  Projected to rise to 26 million, world's 2nd largest city.  Manufacturing (over 1./2 India’s top 100 companies. Golden Corridor

§         Calcutta  (12 million) - commercial center

§         Madras - major port of the Coromandel coast

§         Jamshedpur northwest of Calcutta (the commercial entrepot of India), is one of the world's largest steel fabrication centers.

§         Bangalore- high-tech (3M, AT&T, HP, IBM)

 

Bangladesh (Muslim)

§         Formerly East Pakistan, Civil War in 1971 against Pakistan (check the map).

§         India defeated Pakistan and created independent Bangladesh (Muslim Bengalis).

§         Bay of Bengal cyclones cause great loss of life due to flooding

§         Bangladesh continues as one of the world's poorest, most destitute countries.

§         Population pressure on the land is Bangladesh's most serious longterm problem.

§         75% labor force in agriculture

§         Grameen Bank- microcredit system where small loans are available to help with community based business.  94% of borrowers are women.

 

Pakistan (Muslim)

§         Official language is Urdu

§         Continues to fight for the return of Kashmir and the Ran of Kutch from India.

§         Capital is Islamabad, Karachi is biggest city.

§         Cotton is chief commercial crop

§         Large problems developing an educated work force due to Islamic influence

§         Has nuclear weapons as a deterrent against possible Indian aggression.

§         Maintains close ties with China, India's traditional competitor and/or enemy

§         Occupies two passes into Afghanistan and Iran: Khyber and Bolen's passes.

§         Current US Ally in Afghanistan war

 

Growing bound between Pakistan and Iran

And Growing bound between India and Iran

 

Afghanistan

§         Coveted by the Imperial powers of Russia and Britain for 125 years. The Soviet Union unsuccessfully invaded in 1979.

§         Continues to be shattered by tribal and religious based civil war.

§         Today Afghanistan is isolated with little national authority, law and order, or economic opportunity.

§         War with US over Taliban and Al Queda

§         Major agricultural product: poppies (heroin and opium)

 

Nepal (Hindu)

§         Isolated, with few natural resources. Depends mostly on tourism for foreign exchange earnings.

§         Himalayan kingdoms (Nepal and Bhutan) grapple with problems of isolation and Chinese demands for boundary adjustments with occupied Tibet.

 

Sri Lanka (Buddhist)

§         A major tea producer.

§         Sinhalese (Buddhist majority) originally migrated from northeast India, 300 B.C.

§         Sri Lankan Tamil came from southern India, A.D. 300 (Tamil Tigers) Live in north)

§         Colonized by Britain in 1795.

§         Buddhist majority (70%)  with 15% Hindus and rest Christians and Muslims

§         Sinhalese-Tamil conflict began shortly after independence in 1948 and continues to this day.

 

Bhutan (Buddhist)

§         Restricts foreign tourists to protect culture (5,000 per year.)  Only 3 regions are open to visitors

§         Monarchy and a Buddhist country (many religious holidays and community activities)- Lamaistic Buddhist government

§         Government is a democratic theocracy, a representative democracy, under a king with elected monks serving as part of the government.