Open Society Institute – EurasiaNet.org – Central Asia treavel, Caucasus News
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Southeast Asia (or Southeastern Asia) is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic and volcanic activity. Southeast Asia consists of two geographic regions: the Asian mainland and island arcs and archipelagoes to the east and southeast. The mainland section consists of Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Peninsular Malaysia while the maritime section consists of Brunei, East Malaysia, East Timor, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore.[1] Papua New Guinea is an observer in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as is East Timor. Geographically speaking southern China, Taiwan,[2] Hong Kong[3][4] and Macau[5] are sometimes grouped in the Southeast Asia subregion, although politically they are rarely grouped as such. The same is true for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India.[6][7] Austronesian peoples predominate in this region. The major religions are Islam and Buddhism, followed by Christianity. However, a wide variety of religions are found throughout the region, including many Hindu and animist-influenced practices
October 2010 The Mekong River is already becoming put to severe economic use by the Chinese, and now the Lao men and women are determined to do the identical. But can it really pull the nation out of poverty, and at what expense? Until recently the ‘Amazon of Asia’, was one of the world’s final untouched rivers, but plans for a series of 55 dams in Laos appear set to change that. With the majority of the population of Laos living below the poverty line, the government claims that hydropower is the quickest way to raise living standards, anticipating revenue of million a year. However as scores of villages are uprooted to make way for the development, traditional subsistence communities are struggling. “We used to rely on nature for our living. Now if we don’t purchase, we cannot eat”, complains villager Cham Pha. The new dams also pose a threat to the ecosystem, endangering numerous species. Weighing up possible development and harm, the Lao folks face a tough dilemma: “I’m worried about the environment but I want our village to have electricity”. Produced By ABC Australia Distributed By Journeyman Photos
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Central Asia Travel Map
The Central Asia Travel Reference Map by ITMB is an all-in-one travel resource, and perfect for todays travelers This Central Asia map is double-sided, completely indexed, and printed on paper. This Map of Central Asia consists of helpful info such as Key transportation routes Archaeological, Historical and Recreational websites ruins National Parks, Wildlife Parks Reserves International Provincial borders All roads, highways, trails and road distances Elevation information Hydrography Extensive labeling of physical functions such as mountain ranges, valleys and peaks Tourist Data Points of Interest Detailed Scale of 1 2,400,000
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Through the names by which it is popularly known, Thailand already speaks of interesting stories. It is called the “Land of Smiles” because of its smiling, friendly, and hospitable people. It is also popularly known as the “Land of the White Elephant.” Considered as symbols of peace and prosperity, white elephants were highly honored by Thai Rulers. Thailand means (in Thai) “land of freedom” or the “land of the free.”
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Thailand is part of Southeast Asia. It is bounded on the northwest by Myanmar (Burma); Laos on the east; Cambodia, Malaysia and Gulf of Thailand on the south. Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is the main point of entry to and exit from the country for foreign tourists via its Don Muang International Airport. There are many flights to and from major airports worldwide. By rail, Thailand is connected with Singapore and Malaysia with many trips daily. By road, there are three Thai-Malaysian borders to enter Thailand through — Songkhla, Yala and Narathiwat. Cargo ships that ply to Bangkok’s Klong Toey port sometimes carry passenger. Some cruise liners intermittently visit or stop over at Pattaya too.
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The fantastic and captivating natural beauty of Thailand; its culture (which remained untouched, being the only Southeast Asian to never have been controlled by Western or European power); the traces of ancient history and kingdoms; and countless other attractions like national parks, temples, and the miles of perfect beaches, not to mention the charming smiles of its people — these make Thailand perhaps the most visited Southeast Asian country and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. Thai cuisine is considered one of the most popular in the world.
Thailand is fortunate to have temperate weather year-round so tourists can visit it any time, but the best time to visit the country is between November and February. That’s when the climate is as cool and dry as it can get. The hottest months are March, April and May, and the rainy weather occurs between June and October.
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China is the third largest country in the world, 9,326,410 sq km in area. It is also the world’s most populated country, home to almost one-fifth of the world population. Having been under communist government since 1949, China has undergone economic and social reforms the past few years, which include among others opening its cultural and historical treasures to foreigners.
The ideal time to go to China is in spring (March and April) or autumn (September and October) when temperatures are not extremely cold or hot. The days are usually pleasant but the nights can be quite cold. An umbrella or raincoat should come in handy because rain is frequent at this time.
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China has a variety of transport facilities. For travels within cities, the ideal transports are cars for hire, taxis, autorickshaw and even bicycles. Planes fly to all provincial capitals and other large cities. Trains go to all parts of the country except Tibet. If no trains are available, buses are a cheaper but slower option. Ferries and boats offer rides along major rivers like the Yangtse.
Hong Kong is the ideal entry point to China by plane, although larger cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xiamen also cater to international flights. China can also be reached via train — Russian Trans-Siberian Express passes through China, as do trains from Kazakhstan. By road, China is accessible by bus or hired transport from most its neighbors except India due to political conflict.
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The most popular tourist destination in China is the Great Wall of China, also included in the Seven Wonders of the World. The Forbidden City in Beijing is where the Imperial Palace has lain for five centuries now.
The Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an refer to life-size terracotta warriors, about 8000 in all, that “guard” the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (the first ruler of a unified Chinese empire, and the man who started constructing the Great Wall of China). One of China’s oldest cities, the city of Suzhou, is surrounded by a moat which was built on a network of canals (taking water from the Grand Canal, considered as China’s greatest engineering exploit after the Great Wall).
There are many other must-see attractions in China that depict the grandeur of China’s past, its architecture, its colorful culture and traditions, and the industriousness of its people.
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Indonesia is situated in Southeast Asia; its capital is Jakarta. It has 18,110 islands making it the largest archipelago of the world. Its five main islands are Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Irian Jaya, Sumatra being the largest island. Indonesia has a reported population of nearly 240 million, making it the fourth largest nation in the world in terms of population.
Indonesia can be reached by air, land and boat. International flights arrive in the Sukarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta and the Ngurah Rai International Airport(DPS) in Bali. Visitors can also get to Indonesia by boat from several ports of Malaysia and Singapore. By road, the only possible entry point is from Sarawak, Malaysia on the island of Borneo.
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Indonesia’s beaches measure to 108,000 kilometers long. Bali is home to some of these magical beaches not to mention its daily treat of festivals, dance and music, and ceremonies. Bali is said to have brought together the best of both worlds – the old and the new; traditional crafts and modern fashion; disco music and retro; superb restaurants and nightclubs. Breathtaking sunsets are a sight to see in Bali.
Aside from sprawling beaches, tourists go to Indonesia because of its historical monuments and temples; well-preserved ecosystem and wildlife; array of festivals, cultural shows, indigenous music and dance; jungle adventures and river cruises.
The island of Java is one place in Indonesia that is most visited because of its rare wildlife, palaces, temples and awe-inspiring natural beauty. The greatest of all Indonesia’s monuments is located here – the Borobudur Temple. Another temple nearby is the marvelous Hindu temple at Prambanan. Various festivals abound just about all year round involving music, dance and sporting contests.
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The best time to be in Indonesia is from June to August, the middle part of the country’s dry season (April to October) when more clear, blue skies can be seen than in any other months.
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Fiji is one of the most beautiful island nations of the South Pacific. It is an archipelago, which means it is a nation made up entirely of islands. There are 332 islands to be exact. The largest islands are Vanua Levu and Viti Levu, levu meaning “island.” The capital city of the nation is on Viti Levu, called Suva; it is also the largest city. The name of the nation Fiji, is actually an English name that is loosely based on how the natives pronounce the name of the island “Viti.”
As a traveler, your main concern will be the climate. Fiji is known for its beautiful beaches and tropical climate, but that is not the whole story. Okay, it is most of the story. However, they have a hurricane season that lasts for most of our winter. Hurricanes are rare, but when they strike, they are serious.
When traveling to Fiji, you will likely arrive at NAN, the Nadi International Airport. For most of the region, this is a refueling station as crossing the Pacific is a long journey. Most flights from the US to Asia will stop there so it will be easy to catch a flight.
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In Fiji, most locals do not own a car. Their taxi system is top notch. It is relatively inexpensive and will get you everywhere you need to be. You will have the option to rent a car or use the public bus as well. If you want the true Fiji experience you will find the taxi adequate.