Southeast Asia:
Region - Mainland
Mainland Southeast Asia is made up of six countries:
Vietnam [sevietfb]
Vietnam has a population of 80.4 million, 60 percent under 21 years of age. Most do not remember Vietnam War. The challenge today is to overcome two decades of isolation and join the booming economic tigers of the Pacific Rim. It is smaller than California with 2.5 times the population.
French colonizers [secolony] divided Vietnam into three units: Tonkin (North), Cochia China (Mekong Delta), and Annam with middle focus on Hue. French influence in Vietnam was cut short by the Japanese who invaded in 1940 [jpempire]. During the Japanese occupation, Vietnamese nationalism became a powerful force and after the Japanese defeat in 1945, the French could not regain control. In 1954 they suffered a disastrous defeat at Dien Bien Phu and were ousted.
Vietnam became two entities as separate regimes took control: a communist North in Hanoi and non-communist regime centered in Saigon. Vietnam’s elongated structure makes it difficult to govern under one unified government. In order to contain communist advancement, the United States adhered to a geopolitical theory, “The Domino Theory”. Destabilization from any cause in one country can result in the collapse of order in a neighboring country starting a chain of events that can affect a series of contiguous states in turn. For example, communist inurgency in Peru; right wing rebellion in Nicaragua; ethnic conflict in Bosnia; and religious extremism in Algeria. Environmental (Somalia) and economic (Mexican peso devaluation) can also destabilize a country. Laos and Cambodia, were both destroyed as a result of Vietnam’s troubles, but the fall of Saigon resulted in the end of any more trouble.
Today Vietnam is unified under a dogmatic communist regime. The collapse of Soviet Union in 1991 has left an already weakened state in economic disarray. Despite the communists, the south is more economically advanced than the north and with embargoes lifted is poised to become another economic tiger [secoumea]. The country is self-sufficient in agriculture, particularly rice. The population though poor, is well-educated and willing to work, especially in the South. The country suffers from poor infrastructure and communist corruption and mismanagement.
OPTIONAL: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/dest/sea/vietnam.htm
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Cambodia [secambfb]
Cambodia was ruled by the Khmers from the 9th century to 15th century. The ancient Hindu temple at Angkor Wat was restored by the French and the monarchy operated under their supervision. The Mekong River is the primary agricultural area. This transportation network-crosses the entire country.
Communist revolutionaries, the Khmer Rouge, destroyed the country and have pursued one of the most widespread purges (2 million) in modern times. Once self sufficient in agriculture, the country now must import food.
OPTIONAL: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/dest/sea/camb.htm
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Laos [selaosfb]
A landlocked poor [secoumea] country destabilized by communist Vietnam. Only 19 percent urbanized. It is the poorest and most vulnerable country in realm.
OPTIONAL: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/dest/sea/laos.htm
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Thailand [sethaifb] [secoumea]
This country consists of 80 percent Thai (or Siamese) and 12 percent Chinese. Chinese is the dominate trade and commerce around Bangkok. Savannah vegetation and climate dominate in the north, tropical rain forest in the South.
It is the world’s leading rice producer (along with U.S. and Japan). 95 percent of population (58 million) is Buddhist. Oil and Natural Gas was discovered in Gulf of Thailand. Political stability has been problem as military intervention in governmental affairs has occurred frequently-insurgency exists in the north. Bangkok suffers from air pollution, floating garbage (in city-wide), traffic gridlock, and subsidence (much of city lies below sea level).
OPTIONAL: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/dest/sea/thai.htm
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Myanmar (Burma) [seburmfb]
Myanmar is ethnically [seethnic] dominated by Karen’s in the southeast, Shams in the eastern plateau, Chinese to the west, Kachings in the north, all demanding a certain amount of autonomy. Indians are also found in core area. The Salween & Irrawaddy Rivers [sephys] are major rice producing areas. A repressive military government stymies any economic progress.
OPTIONAL: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/dest/sea/myan.htm
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Malaysia [semalafb]
Malays are traditionally a rural people who adhere to Muslim faith [serelig]. Trade and commerce primarily in Chinese [sechines] [sechitab] hands are traditionally a source of conflict between Malaysia and Chinese. The economy [secoumea] has grown rapidly since 1980, with major investments being made by foreign manufacturers who have been attracted by the skills and low wages of the Malaysian work force.
OPTIONAL: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/dest/sea/malay.htm
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[The text of the above was written by Scott Girhard, San Antonio College from his online course GEOG 1301 World Geography. Used with permission.]