Professional Documents
Culture Documents
AN OVERVIEW
• Comparisons to Eurasia.
Pre-Colonial State Formation
• Maritime economic and military
inputs.
• Locally-generated movements of
religious/moral reform.
State Formation
• Brunei starts his road to independence when the Federation of Malaysia was
established in 1963. Brunei regained its independence after almost a century of
colonialism on January 1, 1984. A member of the British Commonwealth, Brunei has
since join UN and ASEAN.
• Although the constitution of 1959 did allow some sharing of political decision-
making, the nation’s legislative council was disbanded in 1962 after left-wing parties
won a major victory at the polls.
• Today Brunei is a small but very wealthy country due to oil and natural gas exports.
THE KINGDOM of CAMBODIA
• Chief of State: King Norodom Sihamoni (since 29 October 2004)
• Head Of Government: Hun Sen, Prime Minister (Since 1985)
• Area: 68,898 sq. mi. (181,300 sq. km., slightly larger than Missouri)
• Population: 15,458,332 (July 2014 est.)
• Capital City: Phnom Penh (Pop. 1,501,725 estimate)
• Climate: tropical
• Neighboring Countries: Thailand (North and West; Laos (Northeast); Vietnam (East) .
• National Language: Khmer (Cambodian)
• Other Principal Tongue: French, Chinese, Vietnamese.
• Ethnic Background: Cambodian (Khmer (90%), Vietnamese (5%) Chinese (1%), Others (4%)
• Principal Religion: Buddhism
• Main Export: Natural rubber, rice, pepper, timber, fish, and Tobacco.
• Main Import: Cars, Pharmaceuticals, cigarettes, gold, Construction materials, Oils, Machinery
• Currency: Riel
• Former Colonial Status: French protectorate (1863-1949); Associated State within the French
Union (1949-1955)
• Independence Day: November 9, 1953
• 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.
• Pol Pot Pol Pot is a pseudonym for the Cambodian guerrilla commander Saloth Sar, who organized the
Communist guerrilla force known as the Khmer Rouge. The Khmer Rouge ousted General Lon Nol in
1975, establishing a brutal Communist regime that ruled until 1979.
• In October 1991 Cambodia's warring factions, the UN, and a number of interested foreign nations
signed an agreement in Paris intended to end the conflict in Cambodia. The agreement provided for a
temporary power-sharing arrangement between a United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia
(UNTAC) and a Supreme National Council (SNC) made up of delegates from the various Cambodian
factions. Prince Norodom Sihanouk, the former king and prime minister of Cambodia, served as
president of the SNC.
• In September 1993 the government ratified a new constitution restoring the monarchy and establishing
the Kingdom of Cambodia. Sihanouk became king for the second time. After the 1993 elections, no
foreign countries continued to recognize the Democratic Kampuchea (DK) as Cambodia's legal
EAST TIMOR
• President: Presiden Francisco Guterres (since 20 May 2017)
• Prime Minister: Mari Alkatiri (since September 18th, 2017)
• Area: 5,734 square miles.
• Capital City: Dili Pop. 193,563 (2010 estimate)
• Climate: tropical
• Neighboring Countries: Australia and Indonesia.
• National Language: Portuguese, Tetun.
• Other Principal Tongue: Bahasa, English.
• Ethnic Background: Indonesian-Malay & Melanesian.
• Principal Religion: Catholicism
• Main Export: Coffee, Sandalwood, Marble, Natural Gas and Oil production is being
developed.
• Main Import: Food, Gasoline, Kerosene, Machinery
• Currency: U.S Dollar
• Former Colonial Status: previously controlled by Portugal & Indonesia.
• Independence Day: May 20, 2002
• The Island of Timor is currently divided in two parts: the West is part of the Republic of Indonesia with
provincial capital in Kupang; while the East, whose capital is Dili since its independence, had been a
Portuguese territory since the 16th century.
• In 1651, the Dutch invaded Kupang in the Western end of the Island of Timor, and took control of half of its
territory. In 1859, the Dutch concluded a treaty with Portugal to determine the border between the
Portuguese Timor (present-day Timor-Leste) and the Dutch Timor (Western Timor). Upon Indonesian
independence in 1945, Western Timor was integrated into its territory.
• Between 1945 and June 1974, the Indonesian Government, in compliance with International Law, affirmed
at the United Nations and to the outside world that it had no territorial ambitions towards East Timor.
• After the occupation of the territory by Indonesia, the Timorese Resistance progressively consolidated
itself, initially under the leadership of FRETILIN. To support FALINTIL (Armed Forces of National
Liberation of Timor-Leste), established on August 20, 1975.
• About one third of the country’s population, more than 250 thousand people, died during the war. The
Portuguese language was forbidden, and the use of Tetun was discouraged by the pro-Indonesia
government by strongly criticizing the press. This same government also limited the access of international
observers to the territory until the forced resignation of Suharto in 1998.
• In 1996, José Ramos Horta and the bishop of Dili, D. Ximenes Belo, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
for their dedication to the defense of human rights and independence of Timor-Leste. In 1998, B.J.Habibie
was immediately sworn in as President. He later announced that he was willing to hold a referendum on
autonomy (with integration into Indonesia) or independence for East Timor. The referendum took place on
August 30, 1999, with the participation of more than 90%. 78,5% of the East Timorese favored
The REPUBLIC of INDONESIA
• Chief of State: President Joko Widodo (since 2014)
• Area: 741,040 sq. mi. (1,906,240 sq. km.)
• Population: 253,609,643(July 2014 est.)
• Capital City: Jakarta(Pop. 10,188,000 estimate 2013)
• Climate: tropical
• Neighboring Countries: Malaysia and The Philippine Republic (North); Australia (south); Papua
New Guinea (East)
• National Language: Bahasa Indonesia ( a formal version of the Malay language)
• Other Principal Tongue: Malay, Common Malay (a dialect), and about 250 other Malayo-
Polynesian languages and dialects, such as Sundanese and Madurese, Japanese, Dutch, Chinese.
• Ethnic Background: Javanese(45%), Sendanese (14%) Madurese (7.5%), Coastal Malays (7.5%)
Others (26%)
• Principal Religion: Islam, Christian, Hindus, Buddhists
• Main Export: Petroliuem, Natural Gas, Carpets, Fruits, Nuts and Coffee, Plywood, Rubber
• Main Import:Aircraft equipment, cotton textile, engines, Pulp, Chemicals, Foodstuffs, Fuel
• Currency: Rupiah
• Former Colonial Status: Dutch Colony from about 1625 to 1949
• Independence Day: December 27, 1949 (August 17th, the anniversary of the 1945 date when
revolutionaries proclaimed the Republic of 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.
• 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.
THE LAOS PEOPLE’S
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
• Chief of State: Bounnhang Vorachith (since 22 January 2016)
• Head Of Government: Thongloun Sisoulith (Since 23 January 2016)
• Area: 91,400 sq. mi.
• Population: 6,803,699 (July 2014 est.)
• Capital City: Vientiane (Pop. 754,000 estimate 2009)
• Climate: tropical
• Neighboring Countries: China (North); Vietnam (East); Burma (Northwest); Thailand (West);
Cambodia (South).
• National Language: Lao
• Other Principal Tongue: French, some English and Ethnic Languages
• Ethnic Background: Lao Loum (Lowland)(68%), Lao Theung (Upland) (22%) Loa Soung
(Highland)(9%), Ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese (1%)
• Principal Religion: Buddhism; Animism is predominant among the tribes
• Main Export: Timber, Textiles, Garments, Wood, Coffee.
• Main Import: Rice, Petroleum products, Machinery and Vehicles
• Currency: Kip
• Former Colonial Status: French protectorate (1893-1949); Associated State within the French
Union (1949-1954)
• Independence Day: December 24, 1954
• The country of Laos first began to form in 1353 when the Kingdom of Lan
Xang took power. 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.
• Chief of State: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V (since 14 October 2016)
• Head Of Government: Prime Minister Mohamed Najib bin Abdul Razak (Since April 3, 2009)
• Area: 128,775 sq. mi.
• Population: 30,073,353 (July 2014 est.)
• Capital City: Kuala Lumpur(Pop. 1,600,000 estimate 2012)
• Climate: tropical
• Neighboring Countries: Thailand (North); Singapore (South); Indonesia (South & Southwest)
• National Language: Malay
• Other Principal Tongue: English, Chinese, Tamil and others.
• Ethnic Background: Malay and other indigenous (58%), Chinese (24%), Indian (8%) Others
(10%)
• Principal Religion: Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and others
• Main Export: Natural Rubber, Palm oil, Tin, Timber, Petroleum and Electronic goods.
• Main Import: Chemicals, Machinery, Electronics, Plastics, Iron, Steel.
• Currency: Ringgit Malaysia
• Former Colonial Status: Portuguese, British, Japan,
• Independence Day: August 31, 1957
• After the fall of Srivijaya, the Majapahit empire had influence over most of
Peninsular Malaysia and the Malay Archipelago. Islam began to spread
among Malays in the 14th century. In the early 15th century, Parameswara,
a prince of the former Srivijayan empire, founded the Malacca Sultanate,
commonly considered the first independent state in the peninsula. Malacca
was an important commercial centre during this time, attracting trade from
around the region. Parameswara became a Muslim, accelerating the spread
of Islam.
• 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.
The UNION of MYANMAR
• State Counsellor: Aung San Suu Kyi (Since April 6, 2016)
• President: Htin Kyaw (since Mac 30, 2016)
• Area: 261,700 sq. mi.
• Population: 55, 746,253 (July 2014 est.)
• Capital City: Naypyidaw (Pop. 925,000 estimate 2012)
• Climate: tropical
• Neighboring Countries: China (North & East); India; Bangladesh (West); Laos (East); Thailand
(East & South)
• National Language: Burmese
• Other Principal Tongue: English, Chinese, Karen, Shan.
• Ethnic Background: Burma (68%), Shan (9%), Karen (7%), Rakhine (4%) Chinese (3%), Indian
(2%), Mon (2%) , Others (5%)
• Principal Religion: Buddhism, Christianity and others
• Main Export: Beans, Teak, Rice, Hardwood, Natural gas, Fish.
• Main Import: Chemicals, Machinery, Electronics, Plastics, Food Product, Construction Supplies
• Currency: Kyat
• Former Colonial Status: British dependency (1886-1947)
• Independence Day: January 4, 1948
• The early 19th century Konbaung Dynasty ruled over an area that included modern Myanmar and
briefly controlled Manipur and Assam as well. The British took over the administration of Myanmar
after three Anglo-Burmese Wars in the 19th century and the country became a British colony.
Myanmar was granted independence in 1948, as a democratic nation. Following a coup d'état in 1962,
it became a military dictatorship.
• Ne Win's new Revolutionary Coucil suspended the constitution and instituted authoritarian military
rule. Full attention turned to the military defeat of communist and ethnic-minority rebel groups.
• In July 1988 Ne Win suddenly announced that he was preparing to leave the stage. Seeing at last a
possible escape from military rule, economic decline and routine human rights abuses, thousands of
people took to the streets of Rangoon. At least 10,000 demonstrators were killed across the country.
• The shaken government quickly formed the Orwellian-sounding Slorc (State Law and Order
Restoration Council), declared martial law and promised to hold democratic elections in May 1989.
The opposition, led by Bogyoke Aung San’s charismatic daughter, Aung San Suu Kyi, organised an
opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). Later on Aung San Suu Kyi under house
arrest and postponed the election.
• Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 and was finally released from house
arrest in July 1995. She was arrested again in 2000 and held in her home until the UN brokered her
unconditional release in May 2002. She was rearrested in May 2003 and released in November 2010
by the military authorities.
• 2015 November - Opposition National League for Democracy - led by Aung San Suu Kyi - wins enough
seats in parliamentary elections to form a government.
• 2016 March - Htin Kyaw sworn in as president, ushering in a new era as Aung San Suu Kyi's
THE REPUBLIC of THE
PHILIPPINES
• Chief of State: Rodrigo "Rody" Roa Duterte (since 30 June 2016)
• Area: 115,700 sq. mi.
• Population: 107,668,231 (July 2014 est.)
• Capital City: Manila (Pop. 10,444,527 estimate 2014)
• Climate: tropical
• Neighboring Countries: China, Taiwan, Malaysia (Southwest)
• National Language: Filipino (Tagalog) and English
• Other Principal Tongue: Tribal dialects, Malay origin, Visayan, Ilocano and Bicol
• Ethnic Background: Christian Malay (91.5%), Muslim Malay (4%), Chinese(1.5%) Others (3%)
• Principal Religion: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and others
• Main Export: Coconut product, Copra, Oil and Fibers, Electronic, optical, Garments.
• Main Import: Industrial equipment, Wheat, Petroleum, Vehicles, Plastic, Chemicals
• Currency: Peso
• Former Colonial Status: Spanish colony (1570-1898) U.S. Colony (1808-1946) Japanese (1941-
1945)
• Independence Day: July 4, 1946. (June 12 the anniversary of the proclamation of independence
from Spain in 1898, is a national day)
• Annual Per Capita GDP: GDP per Capita $272.2 billion (2013 est.) (purchasing power parity)
• In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer who was serving the Spanish crown, landed in Samar
Island on his voyage to circumvent the globe. He explored the islands and named it Archipelago of San
Lazaro. Magellan was killed during a rebellion led by a Datu named Lapu Lapu in Mactan Island (adjacent to
Cebu Island). Spain continued to send expeditions to the island for financial gain and on the fourth
expedition, Commander Ruy Lopez de Villalobos, named the islands: Philippines, after Prince Philip (later
King Philip II), heir to the Spanish throne. Spain ruled the Philippines for 356 years.
• In 1565, King Philip II appointed Miguel Lopez de Legazpi as the first Governor-General of the Philippines.
Legazpi chose Manila to be it's capital because of it's natural harbor. Spain's legacy was the conversion of the
people to Catholicism and the creation of the privileged landed class. Because of abuses and suppression of
the Spaniards, a Propaganda Movement emerged with the aims for equality between Filipinos and Spaniards.
The arrest of propagandist Dr. Jose Rizal and execution in 1896 gave fresh momentum to Filipino rebels to
fight against Spain.
• The secret society of the Katipunan founded by Andres Bonifacio attacked the Spanish Garrison in San Juan
with little success, while Katipuneros in Cavite Province headed by Emilio Aguinaldo defeated the Guardia
Civil in Cavite. Aguinaldo's victories lead him to be elected as head of the Katipunan. The factions of Bonifacio
& Aguinaldo fought and lead to the trial and execution of Bonifacio on Aguinaldo's orders. Aguinaldo later
drafted a constitution and established the Republic of Biak-na-Bato in Bulacan province. In 1897, an impasse
between the Spanish government and Aguinaldo arose. After negotiations between the two sides, Aguinaldo
accepted an amnesty from the Spaniards and US$ 800,000.00 in exchange for his exile to Hong Kong with
his government.
• In 1934, the Tydings-McDuffie Act was passed by the U.S. Congress, established the Commonwealth of the
Philippines and promised Philippine independence by 1946. The law also provided for the position of
President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. On the May 14, 1935 elections, Manuel L. Quezon won the
position of President of the Philippine Commonwealth. In accordance with the Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934,
The Philippines was given independence on July 4, 1946 and the Republic of the Philippines was born.
THE REPUBLIC of
SINGAPORE
• Chief of State: President Halimah Yacob (Since September 14, 2017)
• Head Of Government: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (Since August 2004)
• Area: 239 sq. mi.
• Population: 5,567,301 (July 2014 est.)
• Capital City: Singapore (Pop. 4,163,700 estimate 2012)
• Climate: tropical
• Neighboring Countries: Malaysia (North); Indonesia (South)
• National Language: Chinese ( Mandarin) Malay, Tamil and English
• Ethnic Background: Chinese (77%), Malay (14%), Indian (7%)
• Principal Religion: Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and others
• Main Export: Rubber, Tin, Petroleum and Manufactured goods.
• Main Import: Petroleum and Manufactured goods, Food Stuff.
• Currency: Singapore Dollar
• Former Colonial Status: British, Japan,
• 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.
• 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.
• 2011 July - The pro-Thaksin Pheu Thai party wins a landslide victory in elections. Yingluck
Shinawatra - the sister of Mr Thaksin Shinawatra - becomes prime minister. 2013 December - In
response to opposition pressure, PM Yingluck Shinawatra announces that early elections will be
held in February 2014 but rejects calls for her to step down in the meantime. 2014 May -
Constitutional court orders Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and several ministers out of
office over alleged irregularities in appointment of security adviser. Army seizes power in coup.
• 2014 June - King Bhumibol gives his assent to an interim constitution enacted by the junta and
giving the military sweeping powers. 2014 August - Coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha is
made prime minister. 2014 November - Finance Minister Sommai Phasee says Thai elections
unlikely until 2016. Parliament bans the trade in babies born through surrogate pregnancies,
following growing public opposition to the practice.
• 2014 December - Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn revokes royally-assigned family name of his wife,
following the arrest of several of her relatives in a corruption case. 2015 March - Coup-appointed
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha ends martial law, continues to rule by executive order.
THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC of
VIETNAM
• Chief of State: President Tran Dai Quang (since 2 April 2016)
• Head Of Government: Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Since 8 April 2016)
• Area: 329,560 sq. mi.
• Population: 93,846,997 (July 2014 est.)
• Capital City: Phnom Penh (Pop. 1,501,725 estimate)
• Climate: subtropical
• Neighboring Countries: China (North); Laos and Cambodia (West) .
• National Language: Vietnamese
• Other Principal Tongue: French, Chinese, Others.
• Ethnic Background: Vietnamese (85%), Others (15%)
• Principal Religion: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Others
• Main Export: Natural rubber, rice, pepper, timber, fish, and Mineral oils, Shoes.
• Main Import: Motorcycle, medicines, Chemical, Oils, Machinery, Cement, Fertilizer.
• Currency: Dong
• Former Colonial Status: French Colony(1883-1954); Japan (1942-1945) Civil War (1954-
1975)
• National Day: September 2, 1945
• In 1858 the French came to Vietnam. They conquered the land in 1884.
In 1887 the French incorporated Vietnam in to French Indochina.
• 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.