This book introduces the ten nation region of Southeast Asia: The main themes of the book are diversity, differential development and changing socio-economic and political setting affecting these characteristics in the 1990s. The nations of Southeast Asia have different languages, three dominant religions - Buddhism, Islam and Christianity, varied levels of economic development that range from bare agricultural subsistence to highly urbanized and highly developed. The historically based core areas of these countries have evolved on their own. Moreover, the effects of Indian, Chinese, Islamic, and Western cultures have been experienced differently in different nations at different times in their histories. This book is intended to be understood by all those who want an initial introduction to Southeast Asia. As many aspects of the book are the result of an in-depth research, carried out by the contributing authors, it is also a valuable reference. The contributing authors have portrayedthe basic spatial aspects of the region as well as their relevance in the 1990s based in novel ways and through original interpretations. All fIrst and some second authors of chapters are professors. All but one have Ph. Os. Most contributing authors are geographers but with different sub-specialties: P. P.

Inhalt
An Introductory Framework: Southeast Asia.- The Systems of Government.- Southeast Asian Individuality.- 1. The Changing Political Geography of Southeast Asia.- Economic Miracles and Economic Backwaters.- Centrifugal Forces.- The Golden Triangle.- Geopolitics to Geoeconomics.- Conclusion.- 2. The Physical Environment.- Contrast One: Marine and Continental Environments.- Contrast Two: Areas of Stable or Unstable Geology.- Contrast Three: Complex Eroded Mountains and Simple Horizontal Structures.- Contrast Four: Uplands and Lowlands.- Contrast Five: Temperature Fluctuations..- Contrast Six: Annual Precipitation.- Contrast Seven: Constantly Wet Areas and Seasonally Dry Areas.- Contrast Eight: Southwest and Northeast Monsoons.- Contrast Nine: Types of Forest Vegetation.- Contrast Ten: Zonal and Azonal Soils.- Landscape Modification in Southeast Asia.- Conclusion.- 3. Cultural Heritage of a Diverse Region.- Hinduism and Buddhism in Southeast Asia.- Islam in Southeast Asia.- Conclusion.- 4. The Agro-Economic Setting.- Economic Development: An Overview.- International Trade and Intra-Regional Trade Flows.- Industries and Manufacturing.- Energy and Mineral Resources..- Agriculture and Other Primary Activities in Southeast Asia.- Tourism.- Summary and Conclusion.- 5. Urbanization in Southeast Asia.- Urban History.- Prospects for Urbanization.- Current Patterns of Cities.- Urban Primacy.- Nature of Urbanization.- Urban Problems and Development Strategy.- Future Urban Management and Policy Direction..- Conclusion.- 6. National Economic Planning Since the 1980s.- Evaluation Criteria for Economic Development.- A Comparative Analysis of National Planning.- Grouping the Economies of Southeast Asia.- 7. Indonesia: Insular Contrasts of the Java Core with Outer Islands.- Political Divisions.- Population Growth.- Culture, Language, and Religion.- Urban Characteristics.- Primary Activities.- Cash Crops and Estate Agriculture..- Energy and Mineral Resources.- Industry and Manufacturing.-Foreign Trade.- National Development and Environmental Concerns.- Future Development.- 8. Myanmar: Promise Unfulfilled.- Ethnic Diversity.- Insurgent Activities.- Population Distribution.- Physical Setting.- Nature and Setting of Primary Activities.- Forest Types.- Mining and Manufacturing.- Conclusion.- 9. The Physical Setting of Indochina & Core Areas of Vietnam.- Geographical Basis of Indochina.- Vietnam.- 10. Cambodia and Evolution of Core Areas.- Mekong Delta and Funan.- Tonle Sap Basin, Mekong Lowlands and Angkor.- Emergence of Phnom Penh Core.- Cambodia in an Unpredictable Crossroads.- 11. Laos and Core Areas in the Upper Mekong Valley.- Evolution of Luang Prabang and Vientiane Core Areas.- The French in the Upper Mekong.- Independence of Laos and Formation of a Single Core Area at Vientiane.- 12. Thailand: Geographical Analysis.- Physical Features.- Resources.- Population.- Agriculture.- Manufacturing.- Transportation and Communication.- Bangkok.- Thailand in the 1990s.- 13. Philippines.- Climate and Physiography.- Historical Background.- Population and Urban Growth.- Culture.- Economic Development.- Political Perspectives.- Educational System.- The Philippine People.- 14. Malaysia: Managing the Environment in a Rapidly Developing Society.- Environment and Government.- Rural Development: The Jengka Triangle.- Some Environmental Consequences of Rapid Urban Growth.- The Future.- 15. Singapore: A Multi-Ethnic City-State.- Physical Features.- Demographic Characteristics.- Economy.- Housing.- The City.- Conclusion.- 16. Brunei: A Country with Surplus Balance of Payments.- History.- People.- Political Setup.- Economic Viability.- Defense and Stability.- The Capital City.- 17. Perspectives on Southeast Asia.- Political Setting.- Economic Setting.- Cultural Setting.- Demographic Setting.- The Southeast Asian Realm in Comparison to Other Realms of Asia.