Home
|
South Eastern Asia page
| Brunei | Burma | Cambodia | Indonesia |
| Laos | Malaysia | Papua New Guinea | Philippines |
| Singapore | Thailand | Vietnam | . |
|
South Eastern Asia page
|
Top of page - menu |
||
|
||
Brunei
Map of Brunei Southeastern Asia |
Population: 340.000
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan
Official language:
Ethnic groups: Malay 62%, Chinese 15%, indigenous 6%, other
17%
Background: Although greatly reduced in size since its heyday
of the 16th century, the Sultanate of Brunei sits atop extensive petroleum
and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs
in the less developed countries.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Brunei
Top of page - menu |
||
|
||
Burma
Map of Burma Southeastern Asia |
Population: 42 million
Capital: Rangoon
Official language: Burmese
Ethnic groups: Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese
3%, Mon 2%, Indian 2%, other 5%
Background: Despite multiparty elections in 1990 that resulted
in the main opposition party winning a decisive victory, the military junta
ruling the country refused to hand over power. Key opposition leader and
Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG San Suu Kyi, under house arrest from 1989
to 1995, continues to have her activities restricted; her supporters are
routinely harassed or jailed.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Burma
Top of page - menu |
||
|
||
Cambodia
Map of Cambodia Southeastern Asia |
Population: 12 million
Capital: Phnom Penh
Official language: Khmer
Ethnic groups: Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%
Background: Following a five-year struggle, communist Khmer Rouge
forces captured Phnom Penh in 11035 and ordered the evacuation of all cities
and towns; over 1 million displaced people died from execution or enforced
hardships. A 11038 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside
and touched off 13 years of fighting. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped
restore some semblance of normalcy, as did the rapid diminishment of the
Khmer Rouge in the mid-1990s. A coalition government, formed after national
elections in 1998, brought renewed political stability and the surrender
of remaining Khmer Rouge forces.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Cambodia
Top of page - menu |
||
|
||
Indonesia
Map of Indonesia Southeastern Asia |
Population: 225 million
Capital: Jakarta
Official language: Bahasa Indonesia (modified form of Malay)
Ethnic groups: Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal
Malays 7.5%, other 26%
Background: The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia achieved
independence from the Netherlands in 1949. Current issues include: implementing
IMF-mandated reforms of the banking sector, effecting a transition to a
popularly elected government after years of rule by dictators, addressing
charges of cronyism and corruption among the Chinese-dominated business
class, dealing with alleged human rights violations by the military, and
resolving growing pressures for some form of autonomy or independence in
certain regions such as Aceh and Irian Jaya. On 30 August 1999 a provincial
referendum for independence was overwhelmingly approved by the people of
Timor Timur. Concurrence followed by Indonesia's national legislature,
and the name East Timor was provisionally adopted. The independent status
of East Timor has yet to be formally established.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Indonesia
Top of page - menu |
||
|
||
Laos
Map of Laos Southeastern Asia |
Population: 5,5 million
Capital: Vientiane
Official language: Lao
Ethnic groups: Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%,
Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien) 9%,
ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%
Background: In 11035 the communist Pathet Lao took control of
the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties
to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private
enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws, and the admission into
ASEAN in 19103.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Laos
Top of page - menu |
||
|
||
Malaysia
Map of Malaysia Southeastern Asia |
Population: 23 million
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Official language: Bahasa Melayu
Ethnic groups: Malay and other indigenous 58%, Chinese 26%,
Indian 7%, others 9%
Background: Malaysia was created in 1963 through the merging
of Malaya (independent in 1957) and the former British Singapore, both
of which formed West Malaysia, and Sabah and Sarawak in north Borneo, which
composed East Malaysia. The first three years of independence were marred
by hostilities with Indonesia. Singapore seceded from the union in 1965.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Malaysia
Top of page - menu |
||
|
||
Papua New Guinea
Map of Papaua New Guinea Southeastern Asia |
Population: 5 million
Capital: Port Moresby
Official language: n/a
note: 715 indigenous languages
Ethnic groups: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian
Background: The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second
largest in the world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south)
in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which occupied
the northern portion during World War I and continued to administer the
combined areas until independence in 11035. A nine-year secessionist revolt
on the island of Bougainville ended in 19103, after claiming some 20,000
lives.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Papua New Guinea
Top of page - menu |
||
|
||
Philippines
Map of Philippines Southeastern Asia |
Population: 81 million
Capital: Manila
Official language: Pilipino (based on Tagalog), English
Ethnic groups: Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese
1.5%, other 3%
Background: The Philippines were ceded by Spain to the US in
1898 following the Spanish-American War. They attained their independence
in 1946 after being occupied by the Japanese in World War II. The 21-year
rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986 when a widespread popular rebellion
forced him into exile. In 1992, the US closed down its last military bases
on the islands. A quarter-century-old guerrilla war with Muslim separatists
on the island of Mindanao, which had claimed 120,000 lives, ended with
a treaty in 1996.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Phillipines
Top of page - menu |
||
|
||
Singapore
Map of Singapore Southeastern Asia |
Population: 4 million
Capital: Singapore
Official language: Chinese, Malay (national), Tamil, English
Ethnic groups: Chinese 77%, Malay 14%, Indian 7.6%, other 1.4%
Background: Founded as a British trading colony in 1819, Singapore
joined Malaysia in 1963, but withdrew two years later and became independent.
It subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries, with
strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest)
and with per capita GDP above that of the leading nations of Western Europe.
(Source: Worldfackbook 2000, CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Singapore
Top of page - menu |
||
|
||
Thailand
Map of Thailand Southeastern Asia |
Population: 61 million
Capital: Bangkok
Official language: Thai
Ethnic groups: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%
Background: A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th
century; it was known as Siam until 1939. Thailand is the only southeast
Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless
revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan
during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict.
(Source: Worldfackbook 2000, CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Thailand
Top of page - menu |
||
|
||
Vietnam
Map of Vietnam Southeastern Asia |
Population: 79 million
Capital: Hanoi
Official language: Vietnamese
Ethnic groups: Vietnamese 85%-90%, Chinese 3%, Muong, Tai, Meo,
Khmer, Man, Cham
Background: France occupied all of Vietnam by 1884. Independence
was declared after World War II, but the French continued to rule until
1954 when they were defeated by communist forces under HO Chi Minh, who
took control of the north. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam
grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US
armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 11033.
Two years later North Vietnamese forces overran the south. Economic reconstruction
of the reunited country has proven difficult as aging Communist Party leaders
have only grudgingly initiated reforms necessary for a free market.
(Source: Worldfackbook 2000, CIA)
More Background: BBC
Country profile: Vietnam