Geography of Southeast Asia: Origins of the Culture

This world geography lesson focuses on the factors of the Southeast Asia Culture. Settlement of the region, diffusion of religion, colonization, and the effects of independence are featured.

The two theories of the settlement of the Southeast Asia archipelago are explained as is the establishment of rice agriculture in the region.

Three main divisions of Buddhism: Therevada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana are briefly discussed along with how Therevada and Mahayana Buddhism moved into SE Asia. The Khmer Empire's Angwor Wat is examined as well.

The lesson ends with the impact of European colonization which not only created Shell Oil Company, but led to the situation in French Indochina that brought the United States to war and set the conditions for Pol Pot's "Killing Fields".