Southeast Asia Test Review

Borneo has no volcanoes, making it the exception. Physical Geography of Southeast Asia Landforms The 11 countries of Southeast Asia can be divided into two areas: the mainland in the west and the island archipelagoes in the east. Due to its position along the Pacific Ocean within the Ring of Fire, most of Southeast Asia is mountainous, has active volcanoes, and is prone to earthquakes…The Ring of Fire is a belt of tectonic plate boundaries around the Pacific Borneo has no volcanoes, making it the exception. Most of Indonesia made up of numerous volcanoes

Areas of Southeast Asia Mainland Southeast Asia is West and Archipelago islands are to the East

Countries of Southeast Asia East Timor Know all 11 countries

The Pacific Ring of Fire Ring of Fire: a belt of tectonic plate boundaries around the Pacific

Volcanoes in SE Asia Most of Indonesia made up of numerous volcanoes

Waterways, Cont. The Pacific Ocean is ideal for transportation, which has made it the basis of international trade networks and much of sub region's tourism.

Mekong River Main Rivers Mekong (5 countries) Salween (Myanmar) The Mekong River is the longest in the region and it flows through five countries. The other four major rivers are shorter and are mostly confined within a single country. Main Rivers Mekong (5 countries) Salween (Myanmar) Irrawaddy (Myanmar) Chao Phraya Thailand) Red River (Vietnam)

Climates, Biomes, and Resources Physical Geography of Southeast Asia Climates, Biomes, and Resources The climate is tropical and subtropical and is based more on rainfall than temperature. In Southeast Asia, they experience severe tropical storms similar to hurricanes, called Typhoons. The Mainland countries experience dry and rainy seasons due to the Monsoon winds change direction. The region is rich in minerals, and especially oil.

Most of Southeast Asia is located along the equator, hence Their tropical and sub-tropical climate.

Monsoon Winds Monsoons are winds which seasonally change their direction and characteristics, blowing from the sea in the summer and from the continent in the winter.

SE Asia Resources

History and Government Human Geography of Southeast Asia History and Government Its position between India and China has made Southeast Asia, at some times, a shatter belt, or a region where political alliances fracture based on ethnicity, and at other times, a buffer zone, or a neutral area separating powerful nations from each other.

Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world. Human Geography of Southeast Asia Population Patterns Southeast Asia is not densely populated, though there are several urban centers that have high population densities. Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world.

Society and Culture Today Human Geography of Southeast Asia Society and Culture Today The greatest ethnic diversity is found on the island countries. The area’s religions reflect historical waves of immigration, making Islam the most common.

Predominant religions are: Buddhism & Islam

Human Geography of Southeast Asia Economic Activities Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam are considered to be emerging markets. Agriculture is the leading economic activity. Rich in mineral resources and oil, as the area industrializes, countries are using these resources internally, rather than exporting them. Most shipping between Europe and Asia passes through Singapore’s free port, free of import duties, creating a booming economy.

People and Their Environment: Southeast Asia Managing Resources As the area’s economies shift from rural to urban, deforestation and pollution grow. The practice of shifting cultivation, or a form of agriculture where an area is cleared, cultivated, then abandoned, also threatens rain forests.

People and Their Environment: Southeast Asia Human Impact Air pollution is becoming increasingly worse, as forests are cleared by fire to make way for palm oil plantations.

People and Their Environment: Southeast Asia Addressing the Issues Many countries are shifting their economic policies to focus on sustainable development, or economic growth that does not deplete natural resources in a given area.

Southeast Asia, Cont. Southeast Asia’s population is primarily located on the fertile volcanic islands. Southeast Asia is a significant world trade center largely because of its location in the Pacific along major shipping routes.

Southeast Asia, Cont. Southeast Asia is a major exporter of Palm oil, which is an ingredient in more than half of the foods found in grocery stores. Java, an island in Indonesia, contains about 60% of its inhabitants and has rich soils due to volcanoes.

Southeast Asia, Cont. Countries not in Southeast Asia that are also affected by the Ring of Fire include the west coast of the United States, Japan, Chile, New Zealand and Mexico. Volcanic eruptions can cause ash to block solar energy, causing crops to fail; destructive and unpredictable eruptions cause loss of property and life; and weather patterns can be disrupted for many years into the future. Southeast Asia’s climate fits into the category of wet tropical.