Geography, Part 4

Question 1: Discuss the geography and climate of Southeast Asia.

Answer 1: Southeast Asia lies largely on the equator, and roughly half of the countries of the region are island nations. These countries include Borneo, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, New Guinea and Malaysia. Malaysia is partially on the mainland and partially an island country. The island nations of Southeast Asia feature mountains that are considered part of the Ring of Fire, an area where tectonic plates remain quite active, leading to extensive volcanic activity as well as earthquakes and tsunamis.Southeast Asia boasts many rivers as well as abundant natural resources, including gems, fossil fuels and minerals. There are basically two seasons—wet and dry. The wet season arrives with the monsoons. In general, Southeast Asia consists of tropical rainforest climates, but there are some mountain areas and tropical savannas.

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Question 2: Discuss the geography and climate of Australia, Oceania and Antarctica.

Answer 2: In the far southern hemisphere of the globe, Australia and Oceania present their own climatic combinations. Australia, the only island on earth that is also a continent, has extensive deserts as well as mountains and lowlands. The economy is driven by agriculture, including ranches and farms, and minerals. While the steppes bordering extremely arid inland areas are suitable for livestock, only the coastal areas receive sufficient rainfall for crops without using irrigation.Oceania refers to literally thousands of Pacific islands, created by volcanic activity. Most of these have tropical climates with wet and dry seasons. New Zealand, Australia’s nearest neighbor, boasts rich forests as well as mountain ranges and relatively moderate temperatures, including rainfall throughout the year.Antarctica is covered with ice. Its major resource consists of scientific information. It supports some wildlife, such as penguins, and little vegetation, mostly mosses or lichens.

Question 3: Define the theory of plate tectonics.

Answer 3: According to the geological theory of plate tectonics, the earth’s crust is made up of ten major and several minor tectonic plates. These plates are the solid areas of the crust. They float on top of the earth’s mantle, which is made up of molten rock. Because the plates float on this liquid component of the earth’s crust, they move, creating major changes in the earth’s surface. These changes can happen very slowly, over time, such as in continental drift, or can happen rapidly, such as when earthquakes occur. Interaction between the different continental plates can create mountain ranges, volcanic activity, major earthquakes, and deep rifts.

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