Questions and Answers
What plates formed the region?
When the Eurasian, Philippine, and Indo-Australian tectonic plates collided millions of years ago.
What are cordilleras?
Cordilleras are parallel mountain ranges and plateaus.
What is an archipelago?
An archipelago is a group of islands.
How far does the region stretch?
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How many islands does the Malay Archipelago hold?
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What are the insular countries of Southeast Asia?
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How many islands are in the insular countries?
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What is the total area of Singapore?
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How many islands in the Philippines are settled?
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What is the average height of peaks in Southeast Asia?
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How many active volcanoes does Indonesia have?
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Where is Mount Pinatubo?
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What are the mainland rivers?
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How long is the Mekong River?
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What makes the sultan of Borneo so rich?
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What was found off Palawan in 1934?
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What is the world's largest flower?
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How many species of fish live in Southeast Asia?
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What is the main climate in the region?
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How many species of flowering plants blossom in Malaysia?
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What buildings house most of Singapore's population?
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What percentage of trees and shrubs are imported in Singapore?
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Why is Singapore so special?
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When do summer monsoon winds bring rain?
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What other months do monsoons bring rain?
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What climate dominates in mountainous areas?
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How many people live on peninsulas of Southeast Asia?
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When did groups of migrants from west China move to the region?
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Where did the Khmers settle?
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Study Notes
Tectonic Formation
- Formation of Southeast Asia resulted from the collision of the Eurasian, Philippine, and Indo-Australian tectonic plates millions of years ago.
Geographical Features
- The collision created cordilleras, which are parallel mountain ranges and plateaus.
- Southeast Asia stretches approximately 1,570,000 square miles from the Asian mainland to near Australia.
Archipelagos and Islands
- An archipelago consists of a group of islands, prominently represented by the Malay Archipelago.
- The Malay Archipelago contains around 20,000 islands and extends from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
- Insular countries in Southeast Asia include Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
- These insular countries have a combined total of 13,677 islands over a distance of 3,000 miles (4,827 km).
Specific Islands and Areas
- Singapore has a total area of 221 square miles.
- Out of the over 7,000 islands in the Philippines, approximately 900 are inhabited.
Mountain Ranges and Volcanoes
- Most peaks in Southeast Asia are below 10,000 feet, contributing to the mountainous landscape.
- Indonesia is home to 17 of its 100 active volcanoes, indicating significant geological activity.
Notable Geological Features
- Mount Pinatubo is located 55 miles (89 km) north of Manila and caused significant damage due to its lava flow.
River Systems
- Major rivers include the Irrawaddy in Myanmar, the Chao Phraya in Thailand, and the Mekong River, which covers a 2,600-mile journey beginning in China.
Natural Resources
- Brunei's wealth, making its sultan one of the richest individuals globally, is primarily due to oil and natural gas deposits found off Borneo's northern coast.
Unique Discoveries
- A giant pearl weighing about 14 pounds was discovered off Palawan in 1934.
- The world's largest flower is the Rafflesia arnoldii, notable for its size.
Biodiversity
- Southeast Asia hosts over 2,500 species of fish in its tropical waters.
- Malaysia alone boasts more than 145,000 species of flowering plants.
Climate Characteristics
- The main climate in Southeast Asia is characterized by a tropical rain forest climate prevalent in the islands and coastal regions.
- Summer monsoon winds, bringing rainfall, typically occur on the mainland from May to September, and from October to April for other months.
Population Distribution
- Approximately 520 million people inhabit the various peninsulas and islands of Southeast Asia.
- Migrants from western China and eastern Tibet settled in the region around 2,500 years ago.
- The Khmers established their presence primarily in Cambodia and Vietnam.
Urbanization
- Singapore's population, nearly reaching 4,000,000, primarily resides in towering apartment buildings.
- Nearly 80 percent of the trees and shrubs in Singapore are imported, highlighting the city-state's urban landscape.
Special Features of Singapore
- Unique among global cities, Singapore contains areas of tropical rainforests within its urban boundaries, enhancing its ecological significance.
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Description
Test your knowledge of Southeast Asia's geography with these flashcards. Learn about tectonic plates, cordilleras, archipelagos, and more. Perfect for students or anyone interested in the region's geological features.
