Asian StudiesCultural Geography and Regional

Examinations

ASIA

3 parts of Asia-South Asia (India), SE Asia (Vietnam, Thailand), East Asia (Japan, China)

Most people live in urban areas, river valleys and on coastal plains

The population is not evenly distributed

Farming-main job for people

South Asia Because of the Western Ghats Mts.

block the monsoon winds, the interior of the subcontinent of India has a hot and dry climate

Heavy rains in S. Asia are due to the monsoons that pick up moisture in the warm Indian Ocean

Many south Asians move to cities because of lack of farm land

Challenge for South Asia-growing enough food for their people

India/Pakistan India- 2nd most populated country in

the world, largest democracy Britain controlled until 1947: they

pulled out and it was divided, Pakistan came from this (Muslims moved to Pakistan, Hindus-India) {Kashmir: Arms Race}

1971-War with Pakistan resulted in the creation of Bangladesh

Recent Issues include terrorism, religion and foreign affairs

Poverty and illiteracy are still major issues

Power outages and poor public services

India’s Progress Life expectancy has

grown (pro?)fertility tare dropped

Social mobility and opportunity

Computer tech center (outsourcing)

Economic growth

More on India/Pakistan Hinduism and Islam

have the most followers in the area

Hinduism- polytheistic & belief in reincarnation

Caste System- social classes in Hindu India, broken down into 4 classes, only way to move up is to die

China The world’s most populous country (1

billion) Most people live in the East China main energy source- coal Three Gorges Dam in China on Yangtze

River controls flooding and supplies power (world’s biggest dam)

1 Of 4 Communist countries in Asia (N. Korea, Vietnam, Laos)

3 major products in China-rice, tea, silk

Japan

Asia’s major economic leader Mostly one ethnic group Isolated for most of its history, Japan

became an imperial power in the early 20th century

Shintoism-main religion in Japan Only 13% of Japan’s land is suitable

for farming because of steep mountains (they don’t have a lot of resources)

Korea Korea is separated by a

DMZ (demilitarized zone- it divides Communist North & Non- Communist South)

Korea is also mostly one ethnic group

South Korea is highly industrialized; North Korea is not

North Korea is in the process, again, of possible nuclear missile tests, against UN policy

South Korea

Strong capitalist economy, ally to US

Manufacturing and services

Rely heavily on overseas borrowing- danger of global crisis

East Asia

Singapore & Taiwan- newly industrialized island countries off of the coast of Asia (China still thinks that Taiwan is theirs)

Asia’s hope for the future- untapped energy resources

Terracing-stair step farming basic food-rice, loess-yellow soil Fishing- job of many who live near

water

Some Asian Religious Facts Homeland for Buddhists-

Tibet Dalai Lama-spiritual

leader for Buddhists Ganges- holy river for

Hindus Philippines-mostly

Christian Pakistan, Indonesia, and

Bangladesh- Mostly Muslim

Final Facts

Sri Lanka- island nation off of the coast of India (Tsunami hit the hardest there)

Ring of Fire- chain of volcanoes that line the Pacific Rim (Mt. Fuji in Japan is one)

Many people in SE Asia purchase food at floating markets

Myanmar, Vietnam & Cambodia have oil reserves

Two more facts about China- Beijing is the capital & the Great Wall was built to keep out invaders

Religion in Asia

A. Buddhism

B. Hinduism

C. Confucianism

D. Taoism

E. Shintoism

F. Islam

G. Christianity

Hinduism One of the oldest religions, traced back to 2500 -

3000 B.C. or earlier. Hinduism is an ethnic religion because it appeals

mainly to people in India, most Hindus live in India.

Does not have one founder, based on teachings

of holy men and revealed truths over a long

period of time.

Hinduism (Basic Beliefs)

A. Brahman (supreme spirit) can take many forms. Hinduism is considered by some to be polytheistic.

B. Atman - The soul of a person.C. KarmaD. ReincarnationE. Moksha - The ultimate goal of life is the union

of atman and Brahman.

Hinduism (Basic Beliefs) The caste system, social structure in India connected with Hinduism. Basically you are born

into a certain ‘level’ of society. The castes are:A. Brahmins - Teachers/PriestsB. Kshastriyas - SoldiersC. Vaishyas - Skilled WorkersD. Shudras - Manual WorkersE. Dalits - People outside the caste system;

“untouchables”

Hinduism: Caste System

Led to discrimination in India

Has been outlawed, but some people still believe in and practice it.

Buddhism

Buddhism, shares many of the basic beliefs as Hinduism, similar to the relationship between Christianity and Judaism.

Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha, born around 500 - 400 B.C. in Nepal.

Quickly spread to other parts of Asia

Buddhism (Basic Beliefs)

The four noble truths:

A. Life is suffering

B. Suffering is caused by want or desire

C. There is a way to end suffering

D. The way to end suffering is the eightfold path

Buddhists believe in karma and reincarnation

Buddhism

Buddhism is a major religion in Southeast Asia and is practiced in China, Korea, and Japan. Countries that are predominantly Buddhist are:

A. Thailand

B. Laos

C. Cambodia

D. Myanmar

Spread of Buddhism into Southeast Asia

Taosim

Taosim is a religion or philosophy that began in China around 500 - 400 B.C.

Tradition says that Taoism is based on the teachings of Laozi.

The Tao Te Ching is a collection of Laozi’s teachings.

Taoism

The Tao, called “the Great Mother” is empty yet inexhaustible, giving birth

to infinite worlds.

It is always present within you.

You can use it any way you want.

Yin Yang Symbol

Confuciansim

A philosophy that began in China around 500 - 400 B.C.

Based on the teachings of Confucius. Emphasizes respect for elders and

education.

Shintoism A native religion of Japan. Shintos worship kami (spirits). Sometimes kami live in specific places such

as rivers, mountains, and lakes Sometimes they are major natural objects,

sun or moon.

Small Shinto Shrine

Torii

Tanuki - A Japanese Racoon Spirit

Tanuki Road Sign

Islam

Started in Saudi Arabia around 600 A.D. Spread into parts of South, Southeast, and

East Asia. Countries predominantly Muslim:

A. Pakistan

B. Bangladesh

C. Indonesia

Christianity Brought to Asia by Europeans colonizers The Philippines is predominantly Roman

Catholic, many Catholics in Vietnam and East Timor.

Some Conflicts India and Pakistan both claim a region called the

Kashmir. Part of the problem is based on religion. Pakistan is a Muslim country and India is Hindu.

East Timor is a small country in Southeast Asia, created in 2002. It was part of Indonesia but most people in East Timor are Catholic. This conflict

is based on cultural differences.

SOUTHEAST ASIA

E. J. PALKA

MAJOR GEOGRAPHIC QUALITIES

A FRAGMENTED REALM OF NUMEROUS ISLAND COUNTRIES AND PENINSULAS

PHYSIOGRAPHY DOMINATED BY HIGH RELIEF, CRUSTAL INSTABILITY, AND TROPICAL CLIMATES

POLITICAL INSTABILITY AND CONFLICT CLUSTERED POPULATION PATTERNS CULTURAL FRAGMENTATION (COMPLEX

ETHNIC, LINGUISTIC, AND RELIGIOUS PATTERNS)

SOUTHEASTASIA

ETHNICITY

COLONIAL SPHERES IN

SOUTHEAST ASIA

POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY

STATE TERRITORIAL MORPHOLOGY– COMPACT- CAMBODIA– PROTRUDED (EXTENDED)- THAILAND– ELONGATED (ATTENUATED)-

VIETNAM– FRAGMENTED- PHILIPPINES– PERFORATED- SOUTH AFRICA

SHAPES OF

STATES

REGIONS OF THE REALM

Mainland Region– Vietnam (previously North & South Vietnam)– Cambodia (previously French Indo-China)– Laos (previously French Indo-China)– Thailand (previously Siam)– Myanmar (previously Burma)

VIETNAM

French colony with 83.5 mill pop Not a homogenous colony Divided into three units Issues/Concerns

– Population (83.5 million) has doubled since the end of war in 1975

– New strategy- retain communist political system but pursue market economics

KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA

Population of 13.7 million Phnom Penh (1.3 million) capital A victim of wars and insurgencies Culturally homogenous (85%) Khmer Rouge (communist) Drove people from urban to rural

areas Vietnam invaded in 1978 UN sponsored elections 1993

LAOS A former French colony,

Independence 1949 Lao People’s Democratic Republic

(1975) Communist government Landlocked, Rural-based pop. Little infrastructure and industry The realm’s poorest country Population of 6.1 million, 19%

urbanized Undeveloped with no railroads,

little industry, and few roads

KINGDOM OF THAILAND

Only country in the realm that was not colonized.

Self-Westernized. (See movie, “Anna and the King”, based on a true story)

Economic growth– Although some of it stifled

by mismanagement Bangkok (Venice of Asia) Problems

– Influx of refugees– Drugs

THAILAND

Population of 64.7 million, slowest growth

rate in the realm Per capita GNI (GDP-taxes) is higher than

Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar combined

Bangkok- capital city of 6.8 million Economic success

E. J. PALKA

E. J. PALKA

E. J. PALKA

THAILAND

MYANMAR (BURMA)

One of world’s poorest countries

Independence: 1948 Military government

(1962) Ethnic diversity

– Burman 55%– Karen 10%– Shan 7%

MYANMAR

A former British colony - Burma, became independent in 1948

Population of 51.5 million, 84 % literate, and culturally diverse

Agricultural potential is good; varied soil and environmental conditions; self-sufficient in rice

World’s leading producer of opium poppies

INSULAR SOUTHEAST ASIA

A sub-realm of peninsulas and islands Southeast Asia’s southern and eastern periphery Comprised of 6 States, all have colonial histories

– Malaysia

– Indonesia

– Philippines

– Singapore

– Brunei

– East Timor

MALAYSIA

MALAYSIA

Former British colony Malaysia came into being in 1963 Population of 26.7 million with strong adherence to

Islam Rapidly growing economy, with the 3rd highest GNI in

the realm

SINGAPORE

A city-state Seceded from Malaysia in 1965 Population of 4.3 million (77% are Chinese, 14%

Malay, 8% South Asian) Per capita GNI: $24,180 (very high!)

INDONESIA

I N D O N E S I A

INDONESIA

Fragmented state, more than 17,000 islands Dutch colonial creation Population of 225.8 million Largest Muslim population in the world

EAST TIMOR

Former Portuguese colony Annexed by Indonesia in 1976 Became an independent state in 2002 Population of 800,000 Oil and gas reserves

BRUNEI

BRUNEI

Brunei

An anomaly in Southeast Asia - an oil exporting Islamic Sultanate– Gained independence from Britain in 1984

410,000 people Oil discovered in 1929, natural gas in 1965

PHILIPPINES Republic of the

Philippines (1946) Insurgencies

PHILIPPINES

>7,000 islands, most are < 1 sq mile Former Spanish colony for 300+ years; U.S. possession

(1898-1946) 87.1 million people; 81% catholic Agricultural economy Manila: Capital city

E. J. PALKA

E. J. PALKA

PHILIPPINES