Southeast and East Asia
Tokyo, Japan
Southeast and East Asia is a unique region with varied physical geography. The Yellow River (Huang He), Yangtze River (Chang Jiang), and Mekong River have supported human settlement in this part of the world for countless generations. Some of the world’s most influential civilizations began in this part of the world, from ancient China to the Mongol Empire.
Southeast and East Asia experienced rapid growth during the late twentieth century. Today, the region is heavily involved in international trade. Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Singapore have some of the busiest ports in the world. Economic alliances like ASEAN have allowed international cooperation among members. Japan and South Korea are leading manufacturers of cars and high-tech goods. China has become a shipping magnate since it adopted a market economy.
Although the economic outlook for much of the region is mostly positive, environmental issues are a concern. Rapid development has increased pollution in countries like China, were coal is one of the main energy sources. Deforestation is a problem in Malaysia, where the few remaining forests are under government protection. Political freedom is also a concern for many people in Southeast and East Asia.