SOUTHEAST ASIA Presented by mrs. hess

Myanmar formerly called Burma size of Texas more than 100 languages spoken lacks unity due to many ethnic groups who have kept fighting each other; as a result, country is weak economically repressive military government

thailand Population is made up of several ethnic groups, but more than 85% of the people speak a dialect of Thai; as a result, they share a cultural unity (strong national identity) Only country in Southeast Asia NOT colonized by Europeans King Mongkut and his son, who reigned for over 40 years, maintained independence by signing treaties with the United States and several European nations. The Thai say that they are like bamboo that bends in the wind. They have been flexible when dealing with foreigners in order to keep their independence. Since WWII, Thailand has had close political ties with the United States. Communist revolution in China prompted Thailand to join with the U.S. to stop Communists expansion in Southeast Asia. During the Vietnam War, Thailand allowed the U.S. to use its country as a base for air attacks against the Communists in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Bangkok is the capital city – transportation hub for the entire Southeast Asian region.

Laos, cambodia, and vietnam Most people are Buddhists. As French colonies, these three countries together once formed a region known as French Indochina. WWII in the 1940s – Japan took control of Indochina, but when Japan surrendered to the Allies in 1945, the French were determined to get back their colonies. A series of wars between France and Indochina eventually resulted in Vietnam’s independence in 1954. A peace conference in Geneva, Switzerland divided Vietnam into parts: North Vietnam – to the Communists under Ho Chi Minh South Vietnam – headed by pro-Western ruler Ngo Dinh Diem (NGO DIN DEE em) The Communists in the North wanted to unite all of Vietnam under Communist rule – beginning the Vietnam War. Phnom penh, Cambodia Hanoi, Vietnam

Laos, cambodia, and vietnam VIETNAM WAR United States supported South Vietnam, hoping to keep South Vietnam free of Communism. Communists in Laos and Cambodia provided a supply line to insurgents in South Vietnam. North Vietnamese set up bases in Cambodia. United States withdrew from Vietnam in 1973, and South Vietnam fell to the Communists in 1975. Vietnam was reunified one year later, as one Communist country. Communists also gained control of the governments of Laos and Cambodia. In all three countries, the new governments killed large numbers of non-Communists. United States resumed official diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1995, and a trade agreement was signed in 2001. http://www.britannica.com/event/Vietnam-War

ANGKOR WAT TEMPLE located in Cambodia honors the Hindu god Vishnu A UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site… So, it is protected because of its significance in these areas.

PHILIPPINES - two official languages are Filipino and English - mostly mountains, with narrow coastal lowlands - suffers severe weather events such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic activity since it is located near the “Ring of Fire” - two official languages are Filipino and English capital is Manila made up of more than 7,100 islands, so it’s an archipelago

INDONESIA capital is Jakarta 700 languages and dialects are spoken, although Bahasa Indonesia is the official language made up of more than 13, 660 islands, so it’s an archipelago more than 228 million people live on islands spread over 3,200 miles of ocean strong government, backed by the military, has maintained unity oil reserves – money spent on roads, airports, schools, and agriculture hardest hit by December 2004 tsunami – more than 220,000 people died (see video)

TERRACING a farming method in which terraces (level, narrow ledges) are created in the hillsides in order to use all available land especially useful in Southeast Asia due to the terrain