SOUTHEAST ASIA: THE GEOGRAPHY

Southeast Asia of the countries we now call Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines.Southeast Asia lies between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.It stretches from Asia to Australia.It consists of the mainland (peninsula) and the islands.The climate is tropical; warm and humid. There is a long rainy season brought on by monsoon winds.The region of Southeast Asia is very divided; seas separate the islands, and five rivers, mountains and valleys separate the mainland.The separation has made communication between different areas difficult, and over time Southeast Asia has become a very diverse region with many different cultures and languages.In history, trade was a very important thing because of Southeast Asia’s location; the have the most direct sea route between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.

GEOGRAPHY OF KOREA

Mountainous region, small amount of farmlandHot in summer, very cold in winterLocated on a peninsula that juts out towards Japan from the Asian mainlandMountain barriers lie north of its boardersDue to its geography, Korea established a slight isolation from its neighbors

EARLY KOREAN HISTORY

Before Korea was conquered by China it was ruled by tribesTribes became federations, strongest one (Silla) chased out ChineseThe Silla Empire lasted three centuries and was very peaceful and prosperousKorean arts, religion, commerce and education developed rapidly during Silla ruleThe Sillian capital was Kyongjn CityAs an independent nation, Korea kept strong ties with China, and adopted Buddhism and Confucian political ideas from China

KOREAN DYNASTYS

Legend suggests that foundation was from a hero named Tan’gun, whose father was a god and mother a bear. Another belief was that royal decedents of the Chinese Song dynasty founded itHan Dynasty conquered Korea, but after uniting under Silla rule the Koreans forced them outThe Koryu Dynasty fell due to the constant invasions by the Mongols, and internal invasionsThe period of Koryu rule was known for its education, writings, and artsThe Korean held strong to its traditions and native culture. However, they also applied Chinese belief to their culture to help maintain their needs

The Koryu Dynasty

A rebel officer named Wong Kon gained control of the country and became king.Koryu is an abbreviation of the word Koguryo (one of the three kingdoms).The Koryu Dynasty lasted 4 and a half centuries.Mostly benefited the Chinese more than the Koreans.In 1392 the Koryu Dynasty was overthrown by a group of scholar-officials and military leaders.The Dynasty was renamed and called the Choson or Yi Dynasty.

Koryu Culture

Produced potterySpent 60 years carving thousands of large wooden blocks for printing an entire canon of Buddhist scripture.More than 81,000 blocks in the new set of rebuilt blocks, after being destroyed, remain in Korea today.

The Khmer Empire

The Khmer empire held the most power in Southeast Asia.

The Funan kingdom dominated trade over sea between India and China.

In 1200, Funan kingdom seized the most power.

Khmer empire built elaborate irrigation systems and waterways to increase the production of rice.

The capital of the Khmer Empire is Angkor.

– It is best known for the architectural buildings and monuments dedicated to Vishnu, the Angkor Wat

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Angkor Wat

By Emily Wu

Influence of India and China

In the first century A.D., Indian merchants arrived to Southeast Asia.

Missionaries brought their beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism.

Indian politics, religion, and way of life became models for their culture.

Chinese culture and ideas traveled through migration and trade.

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Southeast Asian Indian

Southeast Asian

Chinese

By Emily Wu

Island Trading Kingdoms

The Sailendra dynasty ruled on the island of Java.

In 800, a Buddhist temple was built in Borobudur to symbolize the influences of the Indians.

The Srivijaya empire came to power by the domination of the Sailendra dynasty.

– The empire ruled the waters of the Strait of Malacca, Sumatra, Borneo, and Java.

Palembang, the capital of the Srivijaya Empire, held a great Buddhist center in which people studied about Buddhism.

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Borobudur’s Buddhist temple

By Emily Wu

VIETNAM

Vietnam was the only Southeast Asian country least influenced by India

Located just south of China, Vietnam was initially ruled by China, then were freed in 939

Vietnam mixed traditional culture with Chinese belief, such as Buddhism

As its own independent nation, it expanded by slowly conquering its neighbors