Southeast

Asia
Southeast Asia refers to the 10 nations
including
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Mala
ysia, Myanmar (Burma), the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam. Tourism has become a
significant source of revenue for all
these nations.
Area: 1,900,000 square miles

Major Biomes: rainforest

Major cities: Jakarta, Indonesia

Bangkok, Thailand
Singapore
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Bandung, Indonesia
Surabaya, Indonesia
Medan, Indonesia
Palembang, Indonesia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hanoi, Vietnam
 Geography

Southeast Asia is composed of

mainland Asian coastal nations
(known as Indochina) and island
nations (known as Maritime
Southeast Asia or Nusantara).
The area includes many of the
world's finest beaches, and the
mainland nations include diverse
geography with mountains, rivers
Southeast Asia is located, just like it sounds, in
the southeast portion of the continent of
Asia. It is south of China and to the east of
India. Much of Southeast Asia is islands in the
Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Two
major Seas are the South China Sea and the
Philippine Sea.
Southeast Asia is rich in wildlife with animals
such as
orangutans, leopards, elephants, water
buffalo and rhinos. There is also significant
diversity in culture, language, and religion.
Much of Southeast Asia is rainforest and the
climate is very wet. The wet weather makes
the area prime for rice patty agriculture
making rice the main staple in the Southeast
Asian diet.
 Climate

Southeast Asia is a tropical area

that is hot year-round, with wet
and dry seasons caused by shifts
in wind or monsoons. It is
predominately rain forest, with
the exception of high-altitude
northern regions with milder
temperatures.
 Entry Requirements

The most popular travel destinations

(Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines and
Malaysia) are easy to enter and do not require
visas from American or European visitors.
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia and Laos offer
visas on arrival and are generally easy to
enter. Only Vietnam and Myanmar require
advance paperwork.
 Travel Activities

The nations of Southeast Asia offer

outstanding beaches, every conceivable water
sport, rain forest wildlife and flora. The
northern areas include temperate areas for
mountain climbing and mountain biking.
Cultural and religious sites, tours, and health
and spa facilities also abound.
 Ecotourism

The remote areas of Southeast Asia are

often pristine and untouched by
development. It is one of the favorite
destinations of low-impact travelers
interested in ecological and social
consciousness.
 Population

As of 2009, Indonesia had the largest population, with

more than 240 million residents. The Philippines was a
distant second, with a population of close to 98
million. Singapore had the fewest residents,
approximately 14.5 million.
Population: 593,415,000 (Source: 2010 United
Nations)
 Culture

The farming of rice is prevalent

throughout the region, and houses built
on stilts can be found across Southeast
Asia. Folk dances and traditional music
provide entertainment for many people
in the region.
 Religion

Islam is the predominant religion in

Southeast Asia, with approximately 240
million followers. Other commonly
practiced religions include
Christianity, Taoism, indigenous
religions and various sects of Buddhism.
 Cuisine

Cooks strive for a balance of sweet,

salty, sour and bitter flavors. China and
India have greatly influenced the cuisine
of Southeast Asia, with various noodle
dishes and curries.
Interesting Facts About Southeast
Asia
The region popularly known as Southeast Asia
comprises mainland Asian coastal nations, as well as
several island nations. Mostly tropics, that are hot all
year round, there are also wet and dry seasons
caused by changes in wind or monsoons. A few
regions have mild temperatures, but most of
Southeast Asia is predominantly rain forests. There
are several interesting facts about many areas located
within Southeast Asia.
Cambodia
The Angkor Wat is found in Cambodia. It is the largest religious temple in the
world and it's estimated that it took some 30 years to build. In this temple, people
can even ride an elephant from the South Gate of Angkor Thom to the Bayon
temple. Another interesting place is Oudong, where the golden urn containing
the remains of Buddha is placed. It is only 30 miles north of the Cambodian capital
of Phnom Penh
Thailand
Thailand is the only Southeast Asian nation that was not under
colonial rule. They have some uncommon beliefs that are still
practiced today. Barber shops are usually closed on
Wednesday because many think it will bring bad luck to cut
their hair that day of the week. All Thai men are expected to
be a monk—at least temporarily. Traditionally, it was for a
period of 3 months, but it is now reduced to a week or two.
Philippines
The country has 12,000 species of sea shells. The
Conus gloriamaris—the rarest and most expensive
seashell in the world—is found in the Philippines.
About 488 coral species, out of the 500 coral species
known worldwide, are also found in the waters of the
Philippine archipelago.
Indonesia
As the largest archipelago in the world, Indonesia is
comprised of more than 12,000 islands, out of which
only about 6,000 are inhabited. It is also home to
some of the rarest animals in the world. This include
the miniature deer, a fish that can climb trees and
catch insects; and spiders that make giant webs to
lure small birds.
Islam in Southeast Asia
There are more than 240 million Muslims in Southeast
Asia, which translates to 40 percent of its population.
Islam spread through Southeast Asia as a result of the
expansion of trade, since Muslim traders brought
Islam to the area. It is also believed by historians that
Sufi missionaries spread the Islam faith by merging
Islamic beliefs with existing local traditions.
Brunei
 The Geography of Brunei

About the size of Delaware, Brunei is an independent

sultanate on the northwest coast of the island of
Borneo in the South China Sea, wedged between the
Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak.
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan

Population: 408,786
 The People of Brunei
Type of Government: constitutional sultanate

Languages Spoken: Malay (official), English, Chinese

Independence: 1 January 1984 (from UK)

National Holiday: National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984

was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date
of independence from British protection

Nationality: Bruneian(s)

Religions: Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, indigenous

beliefs and other 10%

National Symbol:

National Anthem or Song: Allah Peliharakan Sultan (God Bless His Majesty)
 Economy of Brunei
Major Industries: petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied
natural gas, construction

Agricultural Products: rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water

buffalo, eggs

Natural Resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber

Major Exports: crude oil, natural gas, refined products

Major Imports: machinery and transport equipment,

manufactured goods, food, chemicals

Currency: Bruneian dollar (BND)

National GDP: $21,030,000,000

 Brief History of Brunei:

Most of what we know about Brunei's history starts

with the rule of the Brunei Sultanate and the Brunei
empire. The empire was especially powerful during
the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. Two powerful
Sultans came to power during that time. First was
Bolkiah who expanded the empire and second was
Hassan who developed much of how the government
and country still works today.
In the 1800's the English began to have an impact on
the workings of the country. First came adventurer
James Brooke. In 1839 he helped the Sultan put down
an uprising. As a reward he became a leader and
governor in the northwest. Later the British North
Borneo Company would start to gain control over the
area. In 1888 the British made Brunie a protectorate.
Brunie would remain a British territory until January
1, 1984 when it became an independent country.

Today Brunei is a small but very wealthy country due

to oil and natural gas exports.
Cambodia
 The Geography of Cambodia

Situated on the Indochinese peninsula, Cambodia is

bordered by Thailand and Laos on the north and
Vietnam on the east and south. The Gulf of Thailand is
off the western coast. The size of Missouri, the
country consists chiefly of a large alluvial plain ringed
by mountains with the Mekong River to the east. The
plain is centered around Lake Tonle Sap, which is a
natural storage basin of the Mekong.
Capital: Phnom Penh

Population: 14,952,665
 The People of Cambodia
Type of Government: multiparty democracy under a
constitutional monarchy

Languages Spoken: Khmer (official) 95%, French, English

Independence: 9 November 1953 (from France)

National Holiday: Independence Day, 9 November (1953)

Nationality: Cambodian(s)

Religions: Theravada Buddhist 95%, other 5%

National Symbol: Angkor Wat temple; kouprey (wild ox)

National Anthem or Song: Nokoreach (Royal Kingdom)

 Economy of Cambodia
Major Industries: tourism, garments, rice milling, fishing, wood
and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles
Agricultural Products:
rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, tapioca
Natural Resources: oil and gas, timber, gemstones, some iron
ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential
Major Exports:
clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear
Major Imports: petroleum
products, cigarettes, gold, construction
materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products
Currency: riel (KHR)
National GDP: $33,820,000,000
 Brief History of Cambodia:
The most famous period in Cambodia's history came from 900 to
1400 AD during the rule of the Khmer Kingdom. The Khmer
Kingdom ruled the area and was Southeast Asia's largest empire
for part of its history. Their capital city was Angkor where its
possible more than 1 million people lived at the height of its
power. There are many famous temples build here including the
most famous Angkor Wat. In the 15th century the Khmer
Kingdom collapsed and never regained its former glory.
In 1863 Cambodia became a protectorate of France. This
continued for nearly 100 years until it gained full independence
on November 9, 1953.
In the early 1970's Cambodia became embroiled into the Vietnam
War. However, things got even worse after the war. A group
called the Khmer Rouge took over led by a man named Pol Pot.
They forced people into horrible work conditions and around 1
million Cambodians, around 12% of the total population, were
killed.
Indonesia
 The Geography of Indonesia
Indonesia is an archipelago in Southeast Asia consisting of
17,000 islands (6,000 inhabited) and straddling the equator. The
largest islands are Sumatra, Java (the most
populous), Bali, Kalimantan (Indonesia's part of
Borneo), Sulawesi (Celebes), the Nusa Tenggara islands, the
Moluccas Islands, and Irian Jaya (also called West Papua), the
western part of New Guinea. Its neighbor to the north is
Malaysia and to the east is Papua New Guinea.
Indonesia, part of the “ring of fire,” has the largest number of
active volcanoes in the world. Earthquakes are frequent.
Wallace's line, a zoological demarcation between Asian and
Australian flora and fauna, divides Indonesia.

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Capital: Jakarta

Population: 248,645,008
 The People of Indonesia
Type of Government: republic
Languages Spoken: Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of
Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects, the most widely spoken of
which is Javanese
Independence: 17 August 1945 (independence proclaimed); 27
December 1949 (Netherlands recognizes Indonesian
independence)
National Holiday: Independence Day, 17 August (1945)
Nationality: Indonesian(s)
Religions: Muslim 88%, Protestant 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu
2%, Buddhist 1%, other 1% (1998)
National Symbol: garuda (mythical bird)
National Anthem or Song: Indonesia Raya (Great Indonesia)
 Economy of Indonesia
Major Industries: petroleum and natural
gas, textiles, apparel, footwear, mining, cement, chemical
fertilizers, plywood, rubber, food, tourism
Agricultural Products: rice, cassava
(tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra;
poultry, beef, pork, eggs
Natural Resources: petroleum, tin, natural
gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver
Major Exports: oil and gas, electrical
appliances, plywood, textiles, rubber
Major Imports: machinery and
equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs
Currency: Indonesian rupiah (IDR)
National GDP: $1,125,000,000,000
 Brief History of Indonesia:
One of the first major kingdoms to emerge in
Indonesia was the Srivajay naval kingdom in the 7th
century. The religious influences of Buddhism and
Hinduism arrived with the Srivajay kingdom. Next, the
Buddhist Sailendra and the Hindo Mataram dynasties
arose as the major powers in the land. Many great
monuments were left by these dynasties. In the 13th
century the Hindo Majapahit kingdom was founded
and under its great leader, Gajah Mada, the kingdom
spread over much of today's Indonesia.
The first Europeans to arrive were the Portuguese in 1512.
They were followed by the Dutch and the British. The
Dutch East India Company soon became the dominant
power and began to colonize the area taking control for
the next several hundred years. In 1942, during World War
II, Japan occupied the islands of Indonesia. After Japan lost
the war, Indonesia asked for its independence. It took
several years of struggle, but in 1949 the Netherlands gave
Indonesia its independence. Indonesia has had its
problems developing, including repressive military rule up
until 1999, widespread poverty, and overpopulation.
Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the
world. Over 140 million people live on the island of Java
which is one of the most densely populated areas of the
world. It is also home to the world's largest Muslim
population.
Laos
 The Geography of Laos
A landlocked nation in Southeast Asia occupying the
northwest portion of the Indochinese peninsula, Laos is
surrounded by China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and
Burma. It is twice the size of Pennsylvania. Laos is a
mountainous country, especially in the north, where peaks
rise above 9,000 ft (2,800 m). Dense forests cover the
northern and eastern areas. The Mekong River, which
forms the boundary with Burma and Thailand, flows
through the country for 932 mi (1,500 km) of its course.
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Capital: Vientiane

Population: 6,586,266
 The People of Laos
Type of Government: Communist state
Languages Spoken: Lao (official), French, English, and
various ethnic languages
Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France)
National Holiday: Republic Day, 2 December (1975)
Nationality: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)
Religions: Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including
various Christian denominations 1.5%)
National Symbol: elephant
National Anthem or Song: Pheng Xat Lao (Hymn of the
Lao People)
 Economy of Laos
Major Industries: copper, tin, and gypsum mining;
timber, electric power, agricultural
processing, construction, garments, tourism, cement
Agricultural Products: sweet
potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, t
ea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Natural Resources:
timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Major Exports: garments, wood products, coffee, electricity, tin
Major Imports: machinery and
equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods
Currency: kip (LAK)
National GDP: $17,410,000,000
 Brief History of Laos:

The country of Laos first began to form in 1353 when the

Kingdom of Lan Xang took power. The name Lan Xang
means ?million elephants?. The ruler was King Fa Ngum
and his empire ruled much of Laos as well as Thailand.
During this time Buddhism became the primary religion.
In the late 18th century the Lan Xang had collapsed and
the Siamese took control of Laos. Then, in the 1800s the
French arrived. In 1907 the Franco-Siamese treaty
defined the boundaries of current day Laos.
Laos was occupied by the Japanese during World War II. At the
end of the war, in 1945, Laos declared independence from
France. However, French troops soon reoccupied the country
and took control.
In 1954 Laos became an independent country from France.
However, war broke out internally. After many years of fighting
and intervention from both the United States and the Soviet
Union, Laos was ruled by an authoritarian communist party.
Many people have fled Laos over the years including the Hmong
minority.
Malaysia
 The Geography of Malaysia

Malaysia is on the Malay Peninsula in southeast Asia. The

nation also includes Sabah and Sarawak on the island of
Borneo to the east. Its area slightly exceeds that of New
Mexico.
Most of Malaysia is covered by forest, with a mountain
range running the length of the peninsula. Extensive
forests provide ebony, sandalwood, teak, and other wood.

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Capital: Kuala Lumpur

Population: 29,179,952
 The People of Malaysia
Type of Government: constitutional monarchy
Languages Spoken: Bahasa Melayu (official), English, Chinese
(Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil
, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai
Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK)
National Holiday: Independence Day/Malaysia Day, 31 August
(1957)
Nationality: Malaysian(s)
Religions: Muslim, Buddhist, Daoist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh; note -
in addition, Shamanism is practiced in East Malaysia
National Symbol: tiger
National Anthem or Song: Negaraku (My Country)
 Economy of Malaysia
Major Industries: Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing
and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin
mining and smelting, logging, timber processing; Sabah -
logging, petroleum production; Sarawak - agriculture
processing, petroleum production and refining, logging
Agricultural Products: Peninsular Malaysia - rubber, palm
oil, cocoa, rice; Sabah - subsistence
crops, rubber, timber, coconuts, rice; Sarawak -
rubber, pepper, timber
Natural Resources: tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural
gas, bauxite
Major Exports: electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural
gas, wood and wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals
Major Imports: electronics, machinery, petroleum
products, plastics, vehicles, iron and steel products, chemicals
Currency: ringgit (MYR)
National GDP: $463,700,000,000
 Brief History of Malaysia:
One of the early civilizations that ruled Malaysia was the Buddhist
kingdom of Srivijaya which ruled from the 9th to the 13th
centuries. After the Srivijaya, the Hindu kingdom of Majapahit
took control. Next to arrive was the state of Malacca which was
ruled by a Muslim prince and began the spread of Islam in the
area.
The first Europeans to arrive were the Portuguese. They
conquered Malacca in 1511 and would control the area for over
100 years. The area would change hands to the Dutch in 1641 and
then to the British in 1795. While the British were in control, they
developed the industries of rubber and tin production.
Malaysia was occupied by Japan during World War II. Soon after
the war the country began to move toward independence. In
1957 several of the British territories on the Malay Peninsula
formed the Federation of Malaya. Malaysia was formed and
became a separate independent country in 1963.
Myanmar
 Geography

Slightly smaller than Texas, Myanmar occupies the

Thailand/Cambodia portion of the Indochinese peninsula.
India lies to the northwest and China to the northeast.
Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand are also neighbors. The Bay
of Bengal touches the southwest coast. The fertile delta of
the Irrawaddy River in the south contains a network of
interconnecting canals and nine principal river mouths.

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Capital and largest city (2009 est.): Rangoon
(Yangon), 4,259,000

Population (2012 est.): 54,584,650

 The People of Myanmar
Type of Government: military junta
Languages Spoken: Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their
own languages
Independence: 4 January 1948 (from UK)
National Holiday: Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union
Day, 12 February (1947)
Nationality: Burmese (singular and plural)
Religions: Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic
1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2%
National Symbol: chinthe (mythical lion)
National Anthem or Song: Kaba Ma Kyei (Till the End of the
World, Myanmar)
 Economy of Myanmar
Major Industries: agricultural processing; knit and woven apparel;
wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; construction
materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; cement; natural gas
Agricultural Products:
rice, pulses, beans, sesame, groundnuts, sugarcane; hardwood; fish and
fish products
Natural Resources:
petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, so
me marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower
Major Exports: clothing, gas, wood products, pulses, beans, fish, rice
Major Imports: fabric, petroleum
products, plastics, machinery, transport equipment, construction
materials, crude oil; food products
Currency: kyat (MMK)
National GDP: $82,680,000,000
 History
The area that is today the country of Burma has been ruled
by major dynasties in the past. In 1044AD the Bagan
Dynasty came into power. This time is often called the
Golden Age of Burma. It was during this time at Buddhism
became a major religion in Burma. The kings of the Bagan
Dynasty built many Buddhist shrines and pagodas. This
time lasted for around 150 years until the Mongol invaders
arrived.
The next major dynasty formed in region was the Taungoo
Dynasty in 1486. This dynasty expanded the empire and
ruled for over 250 years. It was followed by the Konbaung
Dynasty. The first king of the Konbaung was King
Alaungpaya. This was a warring dynasty which fought the
Chinese, the Siamese, and later the British. They fell to the
British Empire in 1885. At this time Burma became a part of
British India.
After WWII the Burmese wanted their independence from
Britain. Their leader was General Aung San. Burma gained
independence in January of 1948. Burma initially had a
constitutional government, but there was much fighting
for power within the country. Military leaders took over. In
1990, when the military group lost the elections, they
refused to accept the results and imprisoned many political
figures who opposed them. Even today political leaders
such as Augn San Suu Kyi are held in prison because they
do not agree with the military government.

Today Burma is country with much unrest and few political

freedoms.
Philippines
 The Geography of Philippines
The Philippine islands are an archipelago of over 7,000
islands lying about 500 mi (805 km) off the southeast coast
of Asia. The overall land area is comparable to that of
Arizona. Only about 7% of the islands are larger than one
square mile, and only one-third have names. The largest
are Luzon in the north (40,420 sq mi; 104,687 sq
km), Mindanao in the south (36,537 sq mi; 94,631 sq
km), and Visayas (23,582 sq mi; 61,077 sq km). The islands
are of volcanic origin, with the larger ones crossed by
mountain ranges. The highest peak is Mount Apo (9,690 ft;
2,954 m) on Mindanao.
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Capital: Manila

Population: 103,775,002
 The People of Philippines
Type of Government: republic
Languages Spoken: two official languages - Filipino (based on
Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects -
Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or
Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
Independence: 12 June 1898 (from Spain)
National Holiday: Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June
1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946
was date of independence from US
Nationality: Filipino(s)
Religions: Roman Catholic 80.9%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo
2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 5%, other
1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)
National Symbol: Philippine eagle
National Anthem or Song: Lupang Hinirang (Chosen Land)
 Economy of Philippines
Major Industries: electronics assembly, garments, footwear,
pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing,
petroleum refining, fishing
Agricultural Products: sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas,
cassavas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish
Natural Resources: timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold,
salt, copper
Major Exports: electronic equipment, machinery and transport
equipment, garments, optical instruments, coconut products, fruits
and nuts, copper products, chemicals
Major Imports: raw materials, machinery and equipment, fuels,
vehicles and vehicle parts, plastic, chemicals, grains
Currency: Philippine peso (PHP)
National GDP: $391,100,000,000
 Brief History of Philippines:
The Philippines was originally settled by a people called the
Negritos. They arrived at the islands thousands of years
ago. The Polynesians arrived next and the island became
populated with tribal peoples led by chieftains called
datus. Later in the history of the Philippines, Chinese and
Arab traders arrived.

In 1521 the first European to arrive was Ferdinand Magellan

from Portugal. He claimed the land for Spain, but was
killed on the island when trying to resolve an argument
between two local tribes. Spain would colonize the
country over the coming years and would rule until the
Spanish-American War in 1898 when the United States
defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. That same year
revolutionary leader Emilio Aguinaldo declared the
Philippines' independence from Spain.
The United States officially gained control of the
Philippines following the Spanish-American War and
the Treaty of Paris. War broke out between the
Philippines and the United States, but soon subsided.
In 1935, the US made the Philippines a self-governing
territory under President Manuel Quezon. During
World War II the Philippines was occupied by Japan.
With the help of American forces, the Japanese were
driven out. In 1946, the country became a fully
independent nation.
Singapore
 The Geography of Singapore

The Republic of Singapore consists of the main island

of Singapore, off the southern tip of the Malay
Peninsula between the South China Sea and the
Indian Ocean, and 58 nearby islands.
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Capital: Singapore

Population: 5,353,494
 The People of Singapore
Type of Government: parliamentary republic
Languages Spoken: Mandarin 35%, English 23%, Malay
14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil
3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (2000 census)
Independence: 9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)
National Holiday: National Day, 9 August (1965)
Nationality: Singaporean(s)
Religions: Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu
4%, Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8%
(2000 census)
National Symbol: lion
National Anthem or Song: Majulah Singapura (Onward
Singapore)
 Economy of Singapore
Major Industries: electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil
drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and
rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship
repair, offshore platform construction, life sciences, entrepot
trade

Agricultural Products: rubber, copra, fruit, orchids, vegetables;

poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish

Natural Resources: fish, deepwater ports

Major Exports: machinery and equipment (including

electronics), consumer goods, chemicals, mineral fuels

Major Imports: machinery and equipment, mineral

fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs

Currency: Singapore dollar (SGD)

National GDP: $314,900,000,000

 Brief History of Singapore:
Singapore is a small, but important island nation located
just south of Malaysia. In the 2nd century AD the first
settlement was established at Singapore by the Sumatran
Srivijaya Empire. Later between the 16th and the 19th
centuries the area was controlled by the Sultanate of
Johor.
In 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles arrived to the islands.
He was an agent of the British East India Company. Great
Britain then bought the island and turned it into a major
port for trading in Southeast Asia. During World War II, the
island was occupied by the Japanese, however, the
Japanese were defeated and in 1946 Singapore became a
British Crown Colony.
In 1963, Singapore separated from Britain and joined the
independent country of Malaysia. However, this did not
work and in 1965, Singapore became a fully independent
country.
Thailand
 The Geography of Thailand

Thailand occupies the western half of the Indochinese

peninsula and the northern two-thirds of the Malay
Peninsula in southeast Asia. Its neighbors are Burma
(Myanmar) on the north and west, Laos on the north
and northeast, Cambodia on the east, and Malaysia
on the south. Thailand is about the size of France.
Read more: Thailand:
Maps, History, Geography, Government, Culture, Fact
s, Guide & Travel/Holidays/Cities — Infoplease.com
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108034.html#ixzz2
HLr2SHK2
Capital: Bangkok

Population: 67,091,089
 The People of Thailand
Type of Government: constitutional monarchy
Languages Spoken: Thai, English (secondary language of the
elite), ethnic and regional dialects
Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)
National Holiday: Birthday of King PHUMIPHON, 5 December
(1927)
Nationality: Thai (singular and plural)
Religions: Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1%
(2000 census)
National Symbol: garuda (mythical half-man, half-bird figure);
elephant
National Anthem or Song: Phleng Chat Thai (National Anthem of
Thailand)
 Economy of Thailand
Major Industries: tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural
processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as
jewelry and electric appliances, computers and parts, integrated
circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and automotive parts;
world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin
producer
Agricultural Products: rice, cassava
(tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans
Natural Resources: tin, rubber, natural
gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, a
rable land
Major Exports: textiles and footwear, fishery
products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and
electrical appliances
Major Imports: capital goods, intermediate goods and raw
materials, consumer goods, fuels
Currency: baht (THB)
 Brief History of Thailand:
The Khmer Empire ruled Thailand for many years
starting the 800s until the 13th century. In the 13th
century the local Thai Chiefs united and expelled the
Khmer Empire. They established the Thai Kingdom in
1238.

In 1350 the Thai Kingdom of Ayutthaya emerged. Its

first King was Rama Thibodi. King Thibodi made
Theravada Bhuddhism the official religion and
established the Dharamshastra rule of law.
The Kingdom of Ayutthaya ruled the land for over 400 years. In
1767, Burmese armies invaded and burned its capital. In 1782
the Chakri dynasty emerged at the city of Chao Phraya, which is
where Bangkok is today. Rama I was the first king of the Chakri
dynasty. The Chakri dynasty still rules Thailand and current the
current ruler, King Adulyadej, has ruled since 1946. Thailand
was called Siam and the people the Siamese by European
explorers. Thailand avoided being colonized by any European
country during the colonization period.

Thailand allied with Japan in World War II, but became an ally
of the United States in 1954. Thailand fought along side the US
in the Korean War. In recent years Thailand has seen some
unrest in its government, including a military coup in 2006.
Vietnam
 The Geography of Vietnam

Vietnam occupies the eastern and southern part of

the Indochinese peninsula in Southeast Asia, with the
South China Sea along its entire coast. China is to the
north and Laos and Cambodia are to the west. Long
and narrow on a north-south axis, Vietnam is about
twice the size of Arizona. The Mekong River delta lies
in the south.
 Population: 91,519,289

Capital: Hanoi

Population: 91,519,289

Capital: Hanoi

Population: 91,519,289
 The People of Vietnam
Type of Government: Communist state
Languages Spoken: Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly
favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and
Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-
Polynesian)
Independence: 2 September 1945 (from France)
National Holiday: Independence Day, 2 September (1945)
Nationality: Vietnamese (singular and plural)
Religions: Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai
1.1%, Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8% (1999 census)
National Symbol: yellow, five-pointed star on red field
National Anthem or Song: Tien quan ca (The Song of the
Marching Troops)
 Economy of Vietnam
Major Industries: food processing, garments, shoes, machine-
building; mining, coal, steel; cement, chemical fertilizer, glass,
tires, oil, paper
Agricultural Products: paddy rice, coffee, rubber, cotton, tea,
pepper, soybeans, cashews, sugar cane, peanuts, bananas;
poultry; fish, seafood
Natural Resources: phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite,
chromate, offshore oil and gas deposits, forests, hydropower
Major Exports: crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber,
tea, garments, shoes
Major Imports: machinery and equipment, petroleum products,
fertilizer, steel products, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles
Currency: dong (VND)
National GDP: $300,000,000,000
 Brief History of Vietnam:
Vietnam has a history of tribes uniting to form strong
dynasties. The first dynasty that many consider to be the
start of the Vietnamese state was the Hong Bang Dynasty
which was ruled by the legendary Hung kings.

In 111 BC, the Han Dynasty from China absorbed Vietnam

into their empire. Vietnam would remain a part of the
Chinese empire for over 1000 years. It was in 938 AD that
Ngo Quyen defeated the Chinese and gained
independence for Vietnam. Vietnam was then ruled by a
succession of dynasties including the Ly, Tran, and the Le
dynasty. Under the Le dynasty the kingdom of Vietnam
reached its peak, expanding to the south and conquering a
portion of the Khmer Empire.
In 1858 the French came to Vietnam. They conquered
the land in 1884. In 1887 the French incorporated
Vietnam in to French Indochina. France continued to
rule until it was defeated by communist forces led by
Ho Chi Minh in 1954. The country became divided into
Communist North Vietnam and the anti-Communist
South. The Vietnam War raged for years between the
two countries with the US supporting the South and
communist countries supporting the north. The North
eventually won uniting the country under communist
rule in 1973.
Clothing
Malaysia
Myanmar
Philippines – Barong Tagalog
Singapore – Sarong Kebaya
Thailand
Vietnam