• Unit 11: Southeast Asia

    Southeast Asia is the region between China, India, Australia, and the Pacific Ocean. It is a region of peninsulas and islands, and the rural country of Laos is its only landlocked country. The physical geography of Southeast Asia includes beaches, bays, inlets, and gulfs, and thousands of islands. The island of New Guinea has hundreds of local groups with their own languages and traditions. Indonesians, Malays, and Filipinos have many subgroups with their own heritage. The many islands of Indonesia and the Philippines create the opportunity for diversity to thrive in spite of globalization.

    Political borders in Southeast Asia were created by natural features, traditional tribal distinctions, colonial claims, and political agreements. Notably, Indonesia is the fourth-most populous country in the world. We begin this unit by exploring the physical geography of Southeast Asia. Then, we will take a look at the effects of colonialism on the region, and close out by reviewing the many ethnic groups that live within it.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • describe the geographical differences between the mainland and insular regions of Southeast Asian;
      • summarize how Southeast Asia was colonized;
      • describe the diversity of ethnic and religious affiliations of Southeast Asia;
      • explain the influence of overseas Chinese people in Southeast Asia;
      • describe how Vietnam was divided by civil war and the effect the war had on the country;
      • explain how the rural, landlocked country of Laos is addressing its economic situation;
      • describe the conditions that led to the creation of Democratic Kampuchea;
      • describe the physical geography of Thailand and how it has developed economically;
      • discuss how Singapore became an "economic tiger";
      • describe the physical geography of Indonesia and the population dynamics of the island of Java; and
      • summarize the cultural and economic characteristics of the Philippines.

    • MapCheck: Southeast Asia

    • 11.1: Introducing Southeast Asia

      • Introducing the Realm: Southeast Asia URL

        This section introduces the physical, cultural, and economic characteristics of the nations of Southeast Asia and explores China's influence on the region.

    • 11.2: The Mainland Countries

      • The Mainland Countries URL

        This section introduces the physical, cultural, and economic characteristics of the mainland countries of Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. It also explores the effect of civil war and division on Vietnam.

      • An Immigration Story Page

        Watch this video, which recounts an immigrant's journey to begin a new life away from her home in Vietnam.

      • Escaping the Khmer Rouge Page

        Watch this video, which describes one person's escape from Cambodia during the rule of the Khmer Rouge.

      • Why Great Architecture Should Tell a Story Page

        Watch this video, where an architect based Southeast Asia discusses why architects should design buildings as collective and collaborative spaces that promote stories designed for the people who live and work there.

    • 11.3: The Islands of Southeast Asia

      • The Insular Region URL

        This section introduces the physical, cultural, and economic characteristics of the islands of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

      • Life That Doesn't End With Death Page

        Watch this video, which describes how large, raucous funerals are at the center of social life in Indonesia.