Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 1
The Big Picture:
Major Influences
“The idea of tolerance and mutual
concession is based on admitting the
compatibility of many different
philosophical views of the world. ”
H AJIME N AKAMURA (1964)
Introduction
Diversity makes the pursuit of multiple themes neces-
sary for exploring and appreciating this part of the world.
However, in light of contemporary geographic thought,
some themes will be more apparent than others. An over-
arching theme will be landscape, a concept that goes far
beyond that which we observe. It encompasses our entire
sensory experience; it is the content of our lived world.
Individuals or groups do not function independently of
other people or the forces of nature. Moreover, political, eco-
nomic, social, and environmental systems are increasingly
intertwined from local to global scales. Under this rubric,
we will investigate both cultural landscapes and physical
landscapes, in the context of their interrelationships.
In this text, we will encourage a strong commitment
to understanding social and economic inequality . We will
look at the pros and cons of capitalism—an economic
system that is desired by most people but that expresses
itself in growing inequities among various sectors of
Asian populations.
We will stress the social construction of landscapes
as well as gender and quality of life issues. How have
internal and external forces affected ways of life? How
well are people' s needs being met? Who determines what
these needs are? We will also focus on environmental
transformation. How have local and externally imposed
values, attitudes, policies, and practices altered physical,
biological, and zoological realms? We will discover how
Welcome to South, East, and Southeast Asia, a region of
unparalleled diversity that is home to more than half of
humankind. More than 3.8 billion of the world' s 6.8 billion
people inhabit a land area of about 8 million square miles
(20,761,000 sq km). Here arose some of the world' s most
admirable and powerful civilizations. Here, too, are the
world' s highest mountains and several of its longest rivers.
V ast, densely populated plains contrast with expanses of
sparsely populated mountains, deserts, and tropical forests.
Hundreds of ethnic groups, religions, and languages blend
in a kaleidoscopic array of lifestyles and cultural land-
scapes. Democracies exist alongside socialist and militarist
states. The region contains some of the globe' s poorest
countries as well as the ascendant dragon and tiger
economies to which we are increasingly connected.
Think of the number of Japanese, Korean, or Tai-
wanese cars and electronic gadgets that you have. Check
your clothing labels; where were they assembled? China?
Thailand? Indonesia? Have you ever called an appliance
repair service or checked on the balance of a credit card
only to find yourself talking to someone in India? Do
you eat Chinese, Indian, or Malaysian food? Is there a
Buddhist or Hindu temple, or Muslim mosque near
your community? We are all linked in some fashion to
South, East, and Southeast Asia.
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