Geography of Southeast Asia

Mountains, Rainforest, and Rivers and Oceans Form a Unique Region

Apr 15, 2009

Lying between the continents of Asia and Australia, Southeast Asia is an area with a rich geography, a rich history, and a varied culture.

A Tropical Climate Defines Southeast Asia

The term “Southeast Asia” refers to an area that is geographically, linguistically, and ethnically diverse. The region is made up of two distinct regions, the mainland peninsula, and an island, or insular, zone. Spreading over 4,506,600 square kilometres, (1,740,000 square miles,) Southeast Asia is bounded on the west by India, the north by China, and on the east by the Pacific Ocean. The area has a tropical climate, with heavy rains and high temperatures. The exception is the north-west area, which is subtropical, but still humid. Heavy tropical forest covers both the peninsula and insular regions, and the economic life of the area depends on the yearly monsoon rains. (1)

Peninsular and Insular Regions

The larger countries of Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, and Singapore lie on the South-East Asian peninsula. These nations are mountainous, with large river systems, such as the Ayeyarwady in Myanmar, or the Mekong in Cambodia, running to the South China Sea or to the Andaman Sea. Because of the mountains, population on the peninsula is unevenly distributed, with the larger cities clinging to the coastline.

The insular portion of Southeast Asia is composed of the island nations of Indonesia, the Spratly Islands, Philippines, Brunei, and East Tlimor. These countries are geographically smaller than the peninsula nations, and the populations are also smaller, with the exception of Indonesia. The islands are spread across the tip of the mainland peninsula and are bordered by the Indian Ocean, the South China Sea, and Pacific Oceans.

Malaysia, Singapore, and the Spratly Islands occupy unique positions in the geography and politics of Southeast Asia. Malaysia is both a peninsular and an island nation. It shares the Malay Peninsula with Thailand, as well as Singapore, and the large island of Borneo to the east with Indonesia and Brunei. The Spratly Islands, a small chain of islands and reefs off Vietnam in the South China Sea are claimed by Brunei, China, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The rush for possession is spurred by the rich fishing grounds surrounding the Spratlys and the possibility of oil deposits. (2)

Southeast Asian Population Varies Widely

Population figures for the Southeast Asian nations also vary widely. In 2005, the total population for the region was 557 million, with Brunei having a population of only 0.4 million people, followed by East Timor with 0.9 million people. Indonesia boasted the largest population, at 221.9 million. In general, the mainland countries have a higher populace than the insular nations. Singapore has the lowest population of the peninsular nations, (4.3 million), while Vietnam supports 83.3 million people.

The culture and lifestyle of the people is diverse. Most people live in small agrarian settlements, but there are also large cities such as Jakarta, Bangkok, and Singapore. Ethnicity and languages throughout the area vary greatly, as do religious beliefs and historical experiences.

(2)National Geographic Visual Atlas of the World, National Geographic, Washington, D.C., 2009, p. 206

The copyright of the article Geography of Southeast Asia in SE Asian History is owned by Anne Hamre. Permission to republish Geography of Southeast Asia in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.