SouthSoutheastandEastAsia.pptVIP

South, Southeast, and East Asia Physical Characteristics Mountains influence the region population settlement patterns ability of people to move climate Mountains Himalayas Western and Eastern Ghats Mount Fuji-Japan Varied climate regions--ranging from tropical wet to humid continental Many natural hazards--monsoons, typhoons, volcanoes, and earthquakes Monsoon--a seasonal shift in the prevailing winds that influences large climate regions Typhoon--a destructive tropical storm occurring in the western Pacific Ocean or the China Sea, similar to a hurricane Influence of water--(rivers, seas, and ocean currents) on agriculture, trade, and transportation Important bodies of water--Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, Ganges River, Indus River, Brahmaputra River, Pacific Ocean, Yangtze River (Chaing Jiang), Mekong River, Yellow River (Huang He) Area have abundant arable land areas of loess Plateau of Tibet hard to live on Gobi Desert--second largest in the world Economic Characteristics Varied economies in the region ranging from subsistence/commercial agriculture to high-tech industrial manufacturing Active participation in global markets Many newly industrialized countries--South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore Japan is the economic leader of the area China is in a transition period--from a centrally planned economy to more of a tradition free market economy Agricultural advancements and technology are enabling greater food production-- “Green Revolution” Environmental degradation deforestation fishing is important Many countries are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which was set up with the US main crops are rice and tropical crops such as bananas Cultural Characteristics Areas of extremely dense and sparse population severe contrast between rural and urban areas serious religious conflicts--primarily between Hindus and Muslims deep respect for ancestors Religious diversity--Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, Shinto, Conf