Download ASEAN Studies Unit 3 - St. Francis Xavier Convent School

ASEAN Studies
Unit 3
Getting to Know the
Ten Members
Outline
 Biography
of ASEAN Countries
Politics, Geography
and
Economy of ASEAN Countries
Highlights
Countries
of the ASEAN
Laos
The Land of Million
Elephants
Laos
Laos, officially the Lao People's
Democratic Republic, is a
landlocked country in Southeast
Asia. The country is bordered by
Myanmar and China in the
northwest, Vietnam to the east.
Cambodia to the south and
Thailand to the west. Its
population was estimated to be
6.5 million in 2012.
Where is Laos?
What is the capital of Laos?
 Vientiane
( Viangchan) is
the capital and largest city
of Laos. It is situated on a
plain just northeast of the
Mekong River. The
estimated population of
the city is 754,000 (2009).
Politics
The politics of Laos takes place in the framework of a
single-party socialist republic. The only legal political party
is the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). The head of
state is President Choummaly Sayasone, who also is LPRP
general secretary. The head of government is Prime Minister
Thongsing Thammavong. Government policies are
determined by the party through the all-powerful ninemember Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party
and the 49-member Central Committee. Important
government decisions are vetted by the Council of
Ministers.
President Choummaly
Sayasone
Prime Minister Thongsing
Thammavong
Economy
Laos is one of Asia's poorest nations. Agriculture employs
most of the Laotian workforce and accounts for about half
of its gross domestic product. Rice is by far the chief crop;
sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, and peanuts are also
grown. Commercial crops include coffee, sugarcane,
tobacco, cotton, and tea. Illegal opium and cannabis were
long produced in the northwest, part of the "Golden
Triangle" (which also includes neighboring portions of
Thailand and Myanmar), but production there was largely
eradicated by 2005.
 Water buffalo, pigs, cattle, and poultry are raised, and fish
from the rivers supplement the diet. Forests cover over
half of the country; tropical hardwoods are cut and lac is
extracted; much timber is exported illegally to Vietnam.
Copper, gold, tin, and gypsum are mined; other mineral
resources include gemstones. Manufacturing is limited;
textiles and garments are the most important products.
Tourism has become increasingly significant in the 21st
cent, providing service jobs for Laotians.
Luang Prabang
Si Phan Don
(Four Thousand Islands)
is a city located in north central
Laos. The city is well known for its
numerous Buddhist temples and
monasteries
Si Phan Don is a group of
islands in the Mekong River in
Southern Laos.
Highlights
Vang Vieng
Plain of Jars
is a tourism-oriented town in Laos. It is
located in Vientiane province about
four hours bus ride north of the
capital. The town lies on the Nam Song
River.
is a megalithic archaeological
landscape in Laos.
Highlights
Myanmar
The Land of
Adventures
Where is Myanmar?
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the
Union of Myanmar, is a country in Southeast
Asia. The country is bordered by China to the
north and northeast, Laos to the east, Thailand to
the southeast, the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal
to the south and southwest, Bangladesh to the
west and India to the northwest.
What is the capital of Myanmar?
Nay Pyi Taw, also spelled Nay Pyi Daw or
Naypyidaw, is the new capital of Myanmar. The
administrative capital of Myanmar was officially
moved to a greenfield site 3 kilometers west of
Pyinmana on 6 November 2005. Nay Pyi Taw is
approximately 320 km north of Yangon. The
capital's official name was announced on Armed
Forces Day in March 2006.
Politics



Burma (also known as Myanmar) is a unitary
presidential constitutional republic under its
2008 constitution.
The President is the head of state and head of
government. He oversees the Cabinet of
Burma.
Historically, Burma was a monarchy ruled by
various dynasties prior to the 19th century. The
British colonized Burma in the late 19th
century, and it was under the jurisdiction of the
British Raj until 1937.
Independence Era
On 4 January 1948, Burma achieved independence from
Britain, and became a democracy based on the
parliamentary system.
 On the 19th of July 1947, Aung San became Deputy
Chairman of the Executive Council of Burma, a transitional
government. But in July 1947, political rivals assassinated
Aung San and several cabinet members. On 4 January
1948, the nation became an independent republic, named
the Union of Burma, with Sao Shwe Thaik as its first
President and U Nu as its first Prime Minister. Unlike most
other former British colonies, it did not become a member of
the Commonwealth. A bicameral parliament was formed,
consisting of a Chamber of Deputies and a Chamber of
Nationalities.[1] 2]

Economy
The Economy of Burma (Myanmar) is an emerging
economy with an estimated nominal GDP of $51.93 billion[5]
and a purchasing power adjusted GDP of $83.74 billion.[5]
Real growth rate is estimated at 5.5% for the 2011 fiscal
year.[6]
 Historically, Burma was the main trade route between
India and China since 100 BC. The Mon Kingdom of
lower Burma served as important trading center in
the Bay of Bengal. After Burma was conquered by
British, it became the wealthiest country in Southeast
Asia. It was also once the world's largest exporter of
rice. It produced 75% of the world's teak and had a
highly literate population.[7]


After a parliamentary government was
formed in 1948, Prime Minister U Nu
embarked upon a policy of nationalization.
The government also tried to implement a
poorly thought out Eight-Year plan. By the
1950s, rice exports had fallen by two thirds
and mineral exports by over 96%. The 1962
coup d'état was followed by an economic
scheme called the Burmese Way to
Socialism, a plan to nationalize all industries.
The catastrophic program turned Burma
into one of the world's most impoverished
countries.[8]
Industries
The major agricultural produce is rice which covers about
60% of the country's total cultivated land area. Rice
accounts for 97% of total food grain production by weight.
 Rubber plantations are being promoted in areas of high
elevation like Mong Mao. Sugar plantations are grown in
the lowlands such as Mong Pawk District.[38]
 Burma is also the world's second largest producer of
opium, accounting for 8% of entire world production and is
a major source of illegal drugs, including
amphetamines.[41] Other industries include agricultural
goods, textiles, wood products, construction materials,
gems, metals, oil and natural gas.


The Union of Myanmar's rulers depend on
sales of precious stones such as sapphires,
pearls and jade to fund their regime. Rubies
are the biggest earner; 90% of the world's
rubies come from the country, whose red
stones are prized for their purity and hue.
Thailand buys the majority of the country's
gems. Burma's "Valley of Rubies", the
mountainous Mogok area, 200 km (120 mi)
north of Mandalay, is noted for its rare
pigeon's blood rubies and blue sapphires.[55]
Leader

President Thein Sein is a
Burmese politician and
former
military
commander who has
been
President
of
Burma since March
2011. He was the Prime
Minister from 2007 until
2011 and considered by
some as a moderate and
reformist in the postjunta government
Shwedagon Pagoda

officially titled Shwedagon
Zedi Daw, also known in
English as the Great
Dagon Pagoda and the
Golden Pagoda, is a 99
metres gilded pagoda and
stupa located in Yangon,
Burma.
Tourist Attractions
Bagan
is an ancient city
located in the Mandalay
Region
of
Burma
(Myanmar).
 is a main draw for the
country's
nascent
tourism industry. It is
seen by many as equal
in attraction to Angkor
Wat in Cambodia.[1]

Tourist Attractions
Golden Rock
is one of the breathtaking and also a
sacred
place
for
Myanmar people.
 is
the third most
important
Buddhist
pilgrimage
site
in
Burma
after
the
Shwedagon Pagoda and
the Mahamuni Pagoda

Tourist Attractions
Mandalay

is the second-largest city and
the last royal capital of Burma.

is the economic hub of Upper
Burma and considered the
center of Burmese culture. A
continuing influx of Chinese
immigrants, mostly
from
Yunnan, in the past twenty
years, has reshaped the city's
ethnic makeup and increased
commerce with China.[6][7]
Tourist Attractions
Inle Lake

is the second largest lake in
Myanmar with an estimated
surface area of 44.9 square
miles (116 km2), and one of
the highest at an altitude of
2,900 feet (880 m).
Tourist Attractions
Philippines
The Pearl of the
Orient Seas
Where is the Philippines?
 (i/ˈfɪlɨpiːnz/;
FI-lə-peenz; Filipino: Pilipinas
[ˌpɪlɪˈpinɐs]), officially known as the
Republic of the Philippines (Filipino:
Repúblika ng Pilipinas), is a sovereign island
country in Southeast Asia situated in the
western Pacific Ocean. To its north across
the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan; west across
the South China Sea sits Vietnam;
southwest is the island of Borneo across the
Sulu Sea, and to the south the Celebes Sea
separates it from other islands of Indonesia;
while to the east it is bounded by the
Philippine Sea and the island-nation of
Palau.
Its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire and
close to the equator make the Philippines
prone to earthquakes and typhoons, but also
endows it with abundant natural resources
and some of the world's greatest biodiversity.
 At 300,000 square kilometers (115,831 sq mi),
the Philippines is the 73rd-largest country in
the world,[12] consisting of an archipelago of
7,107 islands that are categorized broadly
under three main geographical divisions:
Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Its capital city
is Manila while its most populous city is
Quezon City.

With a population of more than 98 million
people,[13] the Philippines is the seventh-most
populated country in Asia and the 12th most
populated country in the world. An additional
12 million Filipinos live overseas, comprising one of
the world's largest and most influential
diasporas.[14]
 Multiple ethnicities and cultures are found
throughout the islands. In prehistoric times,
Negritos were some of the archipelago's earliest
inhabitants. They were followed by successive
waves of Austronesian peoples who brought with
them influences from Malay, Hindu, and Islamic
societies. Various nations were established under
the rule of Datus, Rajahs, Sultans or Lakans. Trade
with China also introduced Chinese culture and
settlement, which remain present to this day.

 Manila
is the
capital of the
Philippines. It is
located on the
eastern shores
of Manila Bay.
What is the capital of the
Philippines?
Geography
 The
Philippines is an archipelago of
7,107 islands[3] with a total land
area, including inland bodies of
water, of approximately 300,000
square kilometers (115,831 sq mi).
Its 36,289 kilometers (22,549 mi) of
coastline makes it the country with
the 5th longest coastline in the
world.
Most of the mountainous islands are covered in
tropical rainforest and volcanic in origin. The
highest mountain is Mount Apo. It measures up
to 2,954 meters (9,692 ft) above sea level and is
located on the island of Mindanao. The
Galathea Depth in the Philippine Trench is the
deepest point in the country and the third
deepest in the world. The trench is located in
the Philippine Sea.
 The longest river is the Cagayan River in
northern Luzon. Manila Bay, upon the shore of
which the capital city of Manila lies, is
connected to Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in
the Philippines, by the Pasig River. Subic Bay,
the Davao Gulf, and the Moro Gulf are other
important bays. The San Juanico Strait separates
the islands of Samar and Leyte but it is
traversed by the San Juanico Bridge

Ifugao/Igorot utilized terrace farming to grow
crops in the steep mountainous regions of
northern Philippines.
Economy

The national economy of the Philippines is
the 41st largest in the world, with an
estimated 2013 gross domestic product
(nominal) of $272.207 billion.[7] Primary
exports include semiconductors and
electronic products, transport equipment,
garments, copper products, petroleum
products, coconut oil, and fruits.[5] Major
trading partners include the United States,
Japan, China, Singapore, South Korea, the
Netherlands, Hong Kong, Germany,
Taiwan, and Thailand.[5] Its unit of
currency is the Philippine peso (₱ or PHP).
Makati in Metro Manila,
country's financial center.
the


A newly industrialized country, the
Philippine economy has been transitioning
from one based on agriculture to one based
more on services and manufacturing. Of
the country's total labor force of around
38.1 million,[5] the agricultural sector
employs close to 32% but contributes to
only about 14% of GDP.
The industrial sector employs around 14%
of the workforce and accounts for 30% of
GDP. Meanwhile the 47% of workers
involved in the services sector are
responsible for 56% of GDP
Politics and Government

The Philippines has a democratic
government.[69] It is a constitutional
republic with a presidential system. It is
governed as a unitary state with the
exception of the Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao which is largely free
from the national government. There have
been attempts to change the government to
a federal, unicameral, or parliamentary
government
since
the
Ramos
administration.[70][71]
The President functions as both head of state and head
of government and is the commander-in-chief of the
armed forces. The president is elected by popular vote
for a single six-year term, during which he or she
appoints and presides over the cabinet.[3]
 The bicameral Congress is composed of the Senate,
serving as the upper house, with members elected to a
six-year term, and the House of Representatives, serving
as the lower house, with members elected to a threeyear term. The senators are elected at large while the
representatives are elected from both legislative districts
and through sectoral representation.[3]


The judicial power is vested in the
Supreme Court, composed of a
Chief Justice as its presiding officer
and fourteen associate justices, all
of whom are appointed by the
President
from
nominations
submitted by the Judicial and Bar
Council.[
Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III
The President of the Philippines
(Filipino: Pangulo ng Pilipinas) is
the head of state and head of
government of the Philippines. The
President leads the executive
branch
of
the
Philippine
government
and
is
the
commander-in-chief of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines.
Leader
Rice Terraces

The Rice Terraces of the
Philippine
Cordilleras
were built 2,000 years
ago and have been
passed
down
from
generation
to
generation. The Terraces
were inscribed on the
UNESCO World Heritage
List in 1995.
Top Philippine Destinations
CHOCOLATE HILLS

The Chocolate Hills is a
geological formation in
Bohol
Province,
Philippines. There are at
least 1,260 hills but
there may be as many as
1,776 hills spread over
an area of more than 50
square kilometers. They
are covered in green
grass that turn brown in
the dry season.
Top Philippine Destinations
BORACAY
Boracay island is one of
the most popular places in
the Philippines. It is a
beautiful
small
island
surrounded by coral reefs
with crystal blue water.
Boracay island is located
approximately
350
kilometers south of Manila.
Top Philippine Destinations
Mayon Volcano

Mayon Volcano, also
known
as
Mount
Mayon, is an active
volcano in the province
of Albay, on the island
of
Luzon
in
the
Philippines. Renowned
as the "perfect cone"
because of its almost
symmetric
conical
shape
Top Philippine Destinations
The City of Vigan

Vigan
is
one
of
Philippines'
most
beautiful cities. It is
located in the northern
part of the Philippines.
The city is listed on the
UNESCO World Heritage
List since 2 December
1999.
Top Philippine Destinations
Thank You