Southeast Asia is located in the territory of the Indochinese Peninsula and the numerous islands of the Malay Archipelago. The region includes ten countries: Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei, Singapore, and East Timor. A major air and sea routes lie through the countries of Southeast Asia: the Strait of Malacca is as important for global shipping, as the Strait of Gibraltar, the Suez and Panama canals. Brunei is one absolute monarchy among the countries in the region. There are also three constitutional monarchies - Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia; all other are republics (Reid 7). The region has interesting facts that make it unique, and in this essay, we are going to look at some of those facts in detail.
The region relies heavily on agriculture, which is boosted by the warm and humid climate. Many crops are grown on the sufficiently fertile red and yellow soils such as rice, coconut, rubber tree, bananas, pineapples, tea, and spices. There are dry seasons or dry areas, which rely on irrigation to sustain their agricultural practices through the dry season. However, agriculture in the region is affected by the lack of enough land resources due to the high population density. Technique and technology, for the most part, are very primitive. The basis of agricultural production in the region is the plantation economy, which employs the majority of the population while exports of plantation crops provide most of the budget revenues (Quirapas, H Lin, S Brahim & D Santos 41).
The countries in the region are exceptionally rich in forest resources; this is because the region is located in the southern forest belt where the forests cover 42% of its territory (Dhiaulhaq, Bruyn & David 134). The region's forests are particularly rich with trees that are highly valuable for the best strength, fire and water resistance, attractive color, and include species such as teak, sandalwood trees, native species of pine, and mangrove trees. The region has a huge natural-resource potential and favorable climatic conditions that make it possible to farm throughout the year and a variety of mineral resources facilitate the development of the mining industry and oil refining. However, due to intensive deforestation the green area decreases each year, which degrades the eco-balance. The human activities have necessitated environmental protection measures that are being implemented in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and other countries, for the preservation of unique flora and fauna of the region (Dhiaulhaq, Bruyn & David 140).
Fishing is another activity in many countries in the region, both in the seas and the rivers. Every year the countries caught up to 13.7 million tons of fish. Fish from freshwater reservoirs is sold and consumed in the domestic market, and a significant portion of marine fish is exported. Thailand also exports various kinds of tropical fish, aimed to be used in aquariums. Another sector that benefits the region is the recreational industry and resources, which, due to the economic backwardness of some countries are underutilized. The development of tourist areas is based on unique and picturesque landscapes of the equatorial, coastal resorts, historical and architectural sights of different epochs, exotic modern life, and traditions of different peoples (Pomeroy, John, Kitty & Nives 21).
The countries over the past three decades have made a real leap from backwardness to a high level of development. The shift in development in the region was due to some factors. First, the ASEAN countries have an exceptionally favorable geographical position. They are located at the crossroads of major sea and air routes leading from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian. Secondly, the countries Asia are rich in mineral potential and large reserves of hydroelectric and agro-climatic resources. Thirdly, the countries are currently in first place in the world for investment, due to the accumulation of their capital. Fourthly, the labor forces of these countries are enormous and cheap, and they are characterized by a high rate of reproduction (Reid 80). These factors have greatly contributed to the development of the region, from a region characterized by the traditional models of the economy to the modern day dynamic economies.
Works Cited
Dhiaulhaq, Ahmad, Bruyn T. De, and David Gritten. "The Use and Effectiveness of Mediation in Forest and Land Conflict Transformation in Southeast Asia: Case Studies from Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand." Environmental Science and Policy. 45 (2015): 132-145. Print.
Pomeroy, Robert, John Parks, Kitty Courtney, and Nives Mattich. "Improving Marine Fisheries Management in Southeast Asia: Results of a Regional Fisheries Stakeholder Analysis." Marine Policy. 65.2 (2016): 20-29. Print.
Quirapas, M.A.J.R, H Lin, M.L.S Abundo, S Brahim, and D Santos. "Ocean Renewable Energy in Southeast Asia: a Review." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 41 (2015):
Reid, Anthony. Southeast Asia in the Age of Commerce, 1450-1680. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1988. Print.
