The document summarizes the history and cultures of mainland Southeast Asia. It describes how ancient migrations over thousands of years have shaped populations in the region. Major groups include the Khmers of Cambodia, Mons of Myanmar and Thailand, and Thai people of Thailand. European colonialism in the 1500s was followed by British and French rule until independence movements in the mid-1900s. Countries have diverse cultures but most practice Theravada Buddhism and have been influenced by ancient trade with India and China.

1.  By Jack Garrity

5.  The environment of South East Asia is mostly
rainforest (tropical wet) with some Savannah and
Tropical Dry.

8.  Book pages 748-750

9.  The peoples and cultures of mainland Southeast Asia
are the result of ancient migrations, cultural and
political changes over the centuries, and the blending
of traditional and modern lifestyles.

10.  Migrations and conflicts have shaped population
patterns of mainland Southeast Asia.

11.  Humans have lived in South east Asia for tens of
thousands of years.

12.  2,500 years ago, migrants from western China and
Tibet settled in the region.

13.  The Khmers settled Cambodia and Vietnam.

14.  Khmers make up 90 percent of Cambodia today.

15.  Khmers make up 90 percent of Cambodia today.

16.  A small amount of Khmers also live in China,
Vietnam, and Laos today.

17.  A small amount of Khmers also live in China,
Vietnam, and Laos today.

18.  The Mons migrated to Myanmar and Thailand.

19.  The Mons migrated to Myanmar and Thailand.

20.  The Mons migrated to Myanmar and Thailand.

21.  The Burmans arrived around 1000 AD and are the
main group in Myanmar (Burma).

22.  The Thai people of Thailand came from south
western China.

23.  The Lao people descended from the Thai people
and live in Laos.

24.  Overall, the region has a population density of 71
people/mi 2

25.  Laos has the lowest with 71 people/mile 2

26.  Vietnam has the highest 729 people/mi 2.

27.  Most people live along rivers and along the coasts.

28.  Like Central America, India, and China, people have
been migrating to cities.

29.  Hanoi

30.  Hanoi

31.  Hanoi

32.  Ho Chi Minh City

33.  Ho Chi Minh City

34.  Yangon

35.  Yangon

36.  Yangon- Golden Buddhist Temple

37.  Phnom Penh

38.  Phnom Penh

39.  Phnom Penh

40.  Bangkok, a primate city.

41.  Bangkok, a primate city.

42.  Bangkok, a primate city.

45.  Since the 1970’s, people of Laos and Vietnam have
externally migrated to the USA.

46.  Due to the Vietnam War and communist rule in the
area .

47.  Ancient history and modern conflicts shape the
region.

48.  Ancient history is alive today.

49.  Like in Africa and India, European colonial rule and
wars of independence influenced the region.

50.  Neolithic people were highly skilled farmers,
growing rice.

51.  By 3000 BCE, the Thai people used bronze, 1000
years earlier than China or Egypt.

52.  Society, power and wealth was passed down
through the mother’s family.

53.  Early people worshiped ancestors, and nature
spirits.

54.  From 1000- 111 BCE, the Vietnamese controlled most
of the Indochina Peninsula.

55.  In 111 BCE, the Chinese conquered part of the area.

56.  The Chinese brought their philosophy, and
government.

57.  The Chinese lost the region in 900 AD to the Funan
Kingdom.

58.  Around 100 AD, Funan met traders from India.

59.  The Kingdom of Funan built a Maritime
Kingdom.

60.  They adopted Hinduism.

61.  Funan traded with India, China, and Persia,
perhaps even Alexandria.

62.  By the 11th Century, the Khmer had built an Empire.

63.  The Kings built complex systems of lakes, canals, and
irrigation.

64.  They could grow 3 or 4 rice crops a year.

65.  800 years ago, they built Ankore Wat, the largest
temple complex in the world.

66.  Ankore Wat

67.  In the 1500’s, the Dutch and Portuguese set up
trading posts then colonies in the region.

68.  As in the rest of the world, they were followed by the
British and French Empires.

69.  Like in Africa, the British and French divided the
mainland between them.

70.  The King of Thailand (Siam) balanced the two off each
other, keeping Thailand free as a buffer state between the
French and British.

71.  The colonial empires replaced small farms with
plantations.

72.  They brought in cheap labor from India and China.

73.  The Japanese defeated the British in French
everywhere in the region.

74.  At first, some welcomed the Japanese as liberators.

75.  This soon ended as the Japanese treated people
harshly.

76.  Against the advice of the USA, the colonial Empires
tried to regain their colonies after WW2.

77.  Revolutions broke out everywhere, as South east
Asians fought for independence.

78.  By 1965, Indonesia. Burma, and Singapore won
independence from the British and Dutch Empires.

79.  By 1965, Laos became a communist country and won
independence from the French.

80.  In 1954, Communist forces defeated France and divided
into communist North Vietnam and South Vietnam.

81.  The USA supported South Vietnam and sent tens of
thousands of troops.

82.  US citizens protested the war in Vietnam, after
setbacks and 2 million Vietnamese died.

83.  The USA left in 1975, and the Communists took the
whole country.

84.  In the last 7 years, Vietnam has changed and is now
friends with the USA.

85.  In Cambodia, forces called the Khmer Rouge took
over.

86.  The Khmer rouge ruled harshly, forcing people out
of cities onto farms.

87.  Like China, they killed teachers, burnt books, and
repressed people.

88.  Between 1975-1979, over 1 million died from
starvation, overwork, disease, or execution..

89.  Thailand has the highest literacy rate in the region,
its King was born in Boston MA.

90.  Literacy in Laos is low.

91.  Cambodia still has few teachers, and the people are
the poorest.

92.  Hospitals in the mega cities are good, yet many people
die from malaria, tuberculosis, and many tropical
diseases in the countryside.

93.  Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia have high rates
of HIV and AIDS.

94.  Buddhism is the largest religion in the region.

95.  They practice Theravada Buddhism, with monks
attempting to reach Nirvanah.

96.  Most men become a monk for at least a few weeks
once during their life.

97.  Most other religions are practiced, especially Hinduism,
and Christianity in Thailand and Vietnam.

98.  The temples or Buddhist wats of Thailand are the
most elaborate in the world.

99.  Songkran (Thai New Year) is a 3 day water fight with
millions of people participating.

100.  Shopping malls and outdoor markets go on for city
blocks, some are not so safe.

101.  The night life is the best in the world, with thousands
of shows and dancing every night.

102.  Even Elephants have fun!

103.  end