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Southeast Asia. ECONOMICS & DEVELOPMENT . Economics & Development. Agriculture is the leading economic activity in Southeast Asia Countries are industrializing at different rates, which causes great variation in economies, occupations, transportation, and communications
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Southeast Asia ECONOMICS & DEVELOPMENT
Economics & Development • Agriculture is the leading economic activity in Southeast Asia • Countries are industrializing at different rates, which causes great variation in economies, occupations, transportation, and communications • Through ASEAN and other organizations that were formed to promote regional development and trade, the countries of SE Asia are becoming more interdependent.
Agriculture • Depend on fertile river valleys and plains as an economic source • Depend on the rich variety of crops grown in these areas to supply, not only their own food needs, but also for an income.
Rice Cultivation • Most important crop in SE Asia • SE Asian farmers use more than ½ of the region’s farmable land to grow this crop. • Not only a major food source, it’s a leading export product of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar.
Great to grow in this region because…. • Fertile Soil • Abundant water supply • Warm, wet climate • Rivers irrigate paddies • Paddies: Flooded fields in which rice is grown
Other Crops • Cassava • Yams • Corn • Bananas
Subsistence VS Cash Crops • Crop grown mainly to feed the farmer’s family. • Many families have small garden plots and pigs, or poultry. • Crops raised and sold for profit • Rubber is an important cash crop for Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia • Philippines: Largest producer of coconuts
Forests • Includes jobs like logging, transporting logs, and manufacturing finished goods • Very important to the industry in Vietnam • Factories produce paper, furniture, plywood, and lumber.
Mines • Tin, Iron Ore, Manganese, and Tungsten • Malaysia is rich in petroleum and natural gas • Brunei: 95% of their export income comes from crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products.
Industry • Industry is growing rapidly in SE Asia • In many places, workers are moving from farms to work in factories (rural to urban) • Malaysia is one of SE Asia’s most rapidly developing countries and they have increased their economic activities, and thus their level in economic sectors and development.
Industry • However, some countries are not experiencing the same boom…. • Less Industrialized Countries and their characteristics… • Political Instability • Rapidly growing populations • Work force lacks training in technical skills • Depends heavily on foreign aid and investments • Inadequate infrastructure (roads, transportation, etc.) • War & political changes can make this process go even SLOWER!
ASEAN • Recently, SE ASIA has become more interdependent (reliant on one another) • ASEAN • Association of Southeast Asian Nations • Formed to promote regional development, trade, and greater economic stability • Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand formed ASEAN in 1967. • In 1992, they agreed to establish a free-trade area (sort of like NAFTA but for Southeast Asia!)