Southeast Asia
Geographically, ’s composition of islands and peninsulas
resembles many of the world’s most highly economically developed areas such
as Great Britain, Japan, South Korea, Italy and Taiwan; nonetheless, most
of lies in economic dispair. ’s tremendous
ethnic diversity has hindered economic growth and prosperity. These sub-
cultures represent devolutionary forces that prevent these countries from
uniting as a whole, making them susceptible to foreign invasion. For
example, Peter Muller, the Author of the book Geography: Realms Regions and
Concepts 2000, writes, “In the river basins and on the plains of the
mainland, as well as the islands offshore, a flowering of cultures produced
a ...
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the countries in this realm were left with little or no industry of
their own. When the colonial powers freed Southeast Asia they constructed
borders that were not beneficial, or would have naturally occurred, in this
realm. For instance, it is improbable that without colonial intervention
the 13,000 islands of and many diverse ethnic groups that inhabit them
would have grouped together to become the world’s fourth largest country in
terms of population. In Southeast Asia, despite an abundance of natural
resources, colonialization stripped nations of their raw materials,
discouraged industrialization and forced boundaries which fostered
political unrest.
The country of Myanmar represents an excellent example of how the
boundaries imposed during colonization, along with the state’s already
existing morphology, fostered political upheaval. Prior to the colonial
period, the core area of Burma rested in the so-called dry zone between the
Arakan Mountains and the Shan ...
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an ethnic melting pot in which political
unrest emerged and natural resources were plundered.
Thailand provides evidence that colonization in Southeast Asia
obstructed economic development within the states. As Peter Muller states,
“Of the five countries of Southeast Asia’s mainland region, the leading one
in almost every respect is the only one that was never colonized. While
Thailand lost territory and subjects to the colonists on all sides, the
core of the kingdom persisted and forged its own brand of modernization in
political as well as economic spheres.” Thailand’ capital, Bangkok, has
emerged as one of the world’s most prominate primate cities. This country’
s economy ...
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Southeast Asia. (2004, June 15). Retrieved November 22, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Southeast-Asia/9513
"Southeast Asia." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 15 Jun. 2004. Web. 22 Nov. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Southeast-Asia/9513>
"Southeast Asia." Essayworld.com. June 15, 2004. Accessed November 22, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Southeast-Asia/9513.
"Southeast Asia." Essayworld.com. June 15, 2004. Accessed November 22, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Southeast-Asia/9513.
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