Theme+2+-+Place+JJR

Place **__Physical Geography__**


 * Climate**

The climate in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific is mostly tropical as there are hot and humid temperatures all year round with lots of rain. The regions contain a wet/dry season due to the seasonal shifts in winds. The tropical rain belt creates additional rainfall during the monsoon season (the seasonal wind of the Indian Ocean and Southern Asia which blows from the southwest during the summer and from the northeast during the winter). However, the climate in the mountain areas in the northern region (high altitudes) have milder temperatures and drier landscapes. The other parts of the regions don't belong to the common climate because they are desert-like.


 * Landforms**

Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Singapore lie on the peninsula of Southeast Asia. These countries are very mountainous with large rivers running through them (the Ayeyarwady River and the Mekong River stream to the South China Sea and the Andaman Sea). Southeast Asia contains the island countries of Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, and East Tlimor which are smaller than the peninsula countries. The islands are spread across the tip of the mainland peninsula and are bordered by the Indian Ocean, the South China Sea, and Pacific Oceans. Southeast Asia is divided into two distinct regions (the mainland peninsula and the insular zone).


 * Major Islands of Indonesia and the Philippines**

Indonesia:

Bali, Timor, Java, Kalimantan, Moluccas, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Halmahera

Philippines:

Cebu, Luzon, Mindanao, Negros, Mindoro, Palawan, Sulu Archipelago


 * Some Important Cities Aside from Capitals**

Mandalay (Burma) Chiang Mai, Hat Yai (Thailand) Ho Chi Minh, Dien Bien Phu (Vietnam) Luang Prabang (Laos) Medan in Sumatra; Ujung Pandung in Sulawesi; Jogjakarta in Java (Indonesia) Cebu City in Cebu; Baguio City in Luzon; Davao City in Mindanao (Philippines)


 * Major Rivers**

Chao Phraya (Thailand) Irrawaddy (Burma) Mekong (IndoChina) Red River (Vietnam)


 * Major Mountain Ranges**

Annamite Cordillera (Vietnam) Arakan Yoma (in Burma) Cardamon Mountains (in Cambodia) Kinabalu (in Malaysia) Grand Cordillera Central (in the Philippines)


 * Vegetation**

The vegetation in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific is suitable for harvesting in forests. Because of the evergreen climate and the deciduous rain forests in the regions, there is an abundance of resources. Some of the plant life in the region include Bamboo, Durian, Jamu, Rafflesia, Kapok Tree, Mangrove Forests, Strangler Figs, and Tualang. There is also a wild diversity and unique breed of animal life; Benegal Tigers, Water Buffalos, King Cobras, etc.

__**Human Geography**__


 * Man Made Structures**








 * Economy**

The Southern Hemisphere is a crucial part of the modern day's world trading system. In the region, important spices such as pepper, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg are huge aspects to the Southeastern economy. The spice trade was conducted by the Indians and Arabs, but it later influenced Europeans into the region.

The region's economy is largely based on agriculture, but manufacturing and services are also important and common. Indonesia is the largest economy in this region. NIC's (Newly Industrializing Countries) include Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. Singapore and Burma are developed economies. The region is famous for its manufactures of textiles, electronic goods, and larger-scaled industrial products such as vehicles. Oil reserves are also present.




 * Language**


 * Andaman and Nicobar Islands || Nicobarese, Bengali, English, Hindi, Malayalam, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Shompen, Andamanese languages ||
 * Brunei || Malay, English, Chinese, indigenous Borneian dialects ||
 * Burma (Myanmar) || Burmese, Shan, Karen, Rakhine, Kachin, Chin, Mon, Chinese languages, Indian languages ||
 * Cambodia || Khmer, English, French, Vietnamese, Thai, Chamic dialects, Chinese languages ||
 * Christmas Island || English, Chinese, Malay ||
 * Cocos (Keeling) Islands || English, Cocos Malay ||
 * East Timor || Tetum, Portuguese, Indonesian, English, Mambae, Makasae, Tukudede, Bunak, Galoli, Kemak, Fataluku, Baikeno ||
 * Indonesia || Indonesian, Acehnese, Batak, Minang, Sundanese, Javanese, Sasak, Tetum, Dayak, Minahasa, Toraja, Buginese, Halmahera, Ambonese, Ceramese; English, Dutch, Papuan languages, Chinese ||
 * Laos || Laos, Thai, Vietnamese, Hmong, Miao, Mien, Dao, Shan; French, English ||
 * Malaysia || Malay, English, Chinese dialects, Indian languages, Sarawakian and Sabahan languages ||
 * Philippines || Filipino, English, Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilokano, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, Pangasinan ||
 * Singapore || English, Mandarin **(**Chinese**)**, Malay, Tamil, other Chinese languages, other Indian languages, Arabic dialects ||
 * South China Sea Islands || English, Filipino, Malay, Mandarin (Chinese), Vietnamese ||
 * Thailand || Thai, English, Chinese languages, Malay, Lao, Khmer, Isaan, Shan, Lue, Phutai, Mon, Mein, Hmong, Karen, Burmese ||
 * Vietnam || Vietnamese, English, Chinese languages, French, Khmer, mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian, hmong) ||


 * Politics**

Most of the countries in Southeast Asia, excluding New Timor and Papua New Guinea, are members of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). A worldwide political and economic organization which aims to develop a stronger economy, society and culture while maintaining peace and stability within the region.


 * Religion**


 * Brunei || Islam (67%), Buddhism (13%), Christianity (10%), indigenous beliefs (10%) ||
 * Burma || Buddhism (89%), Islam (4%), Christianity (4%), Animism (1%), indigenous beliefs (2%) ||
 * Cambodia || Buddhism (95%), Islam, Christianity, Animism, indigenous beliefs (5%) ||
 * Christmas Islands || Buddhism (36%), Islam (25%), Christianity (18%), Taoism (15%), indigenous beliefs (6%) ||
 * Cocos Islands || Islam (80%), indigenous beliefs (20%) ||
 * East Timor || Roman Catholicism (90%), Islam (5%), Protestant (3%), indigenous beliefs (2%) ||
 * Indonesia || Islam (86.1%), Protestant (5.7%), Roman Catholicism (3%), Hinduism (1.8%), indigenous beliefs (3.4%) ||
 * Laos || Buddhism (65%) Animism (32.9%), Christianity (1.3%), Indigenous beliefs (0.8%) ||
 * Malaysia || Islam (60.4%), Buddhism (19.2%), Christianity (9.1%), Hinduism (6.1%), Animism (5.2%) ||
 * Papa New Guinea || Roman Catholicism (27%), Evangelical Lutheran (20%), United Church (12%), 7th Day Adventist Church (10%), Pentecostal (9%), Evangelical (7%), Anglican (3%), Christianity (8%), indigenous beliefs (4%) ||
 * Philippines || Roman Catholicism (80%), Islam (5%), Evangelical (2.8%), Iglesia ni Cristo (2.2%), Philippine Independent Church (2%), Christianity (3%), indigenous beliefs (5%) ||
 * Singapore || Buddhism (42.5%), Islam (15%), Taoism (8%), Roman Catholicism (4.5%), Hinduism (4%), Atheism (15%), Christian (10%), Indigenous beliefs (1%) ||
 * South China Islands || Buddhism, Christianity, Confuscianism, Islam, Taoism, Atheism ||
 * Thailand || Buddhism (94.6%), Islam (4.6%), Indigenous beliefs (1%) ||
 * Vietnam || Buddhism (78%), Roman Catholicism (7%), Cao Dai (2%), Protestant (1%), Indigenous beliefs (7%) ||


 * Population**

The population of the region is approximately 568.300.000 as of the 21st century.








 * Works Cited**

"Southeast Asia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Nov. 2009. .

"Home - The McGraw-Hill Companies." //Home - The McGraw-Hill Companies//. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2009. .

"South-East Asia Information." //SunSITE Singapore//. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Nov. 2009. .

"Map of South-East Asia." //Nations Online Project :: A Destination Guide to Countries and Nations of the World//. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Nov. 2009. .

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