There is a wide diversity in the
countries of South East Asia, from religion to race to food and
cultures and customs. That’s what makes it such a rich and exciting
travel destination. From steamy tropical jungles to palm-fringed golden
beaches, it also has many attractions for eco-tourists and nature
lovers.
Climate
The region lies in a tropical zone, meaning
that one may generally encounter hot and humid weather throughout.
Exceptions can be made for certain highland areas, where cool
temperatures may be recorded. Please look under each country for
separate entries about regional climate variations.
Geography
Most of South East Asia is relatively low-lying, with Mount Kinabalu in
Borneo being the highest peak (4,100 metres). Much of the world’s
remaining tropical rain forests are found in the region, however this
legacy has been under threat due to logging. The warm climate makes the
coastal areas South East Asia’s greatest attraction, with many
travellers congregating on its famous beaches year round. In the heart
of Burma and Thailand lie many great river valleys that have become the
most cultivated farming areas, with paddy fields being the main
feature.
Culture
Many varied cultures are found in South East
Asia, reflecting the migratory patterns of the people over the
centuries. Many of the countries are essentially multi-cultural, with
Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay, Indonesians, Burmans, Laotian
and Khmer being the major groups. There are also other significant
groups that have migrated south from China, including the Karen and the
Shan.
Wildlife
There is a rich variety of wildlife in South
East Asia, but they are very rarely seen, due to the thick vegetation
in the jungle terrain and the fact that many of these animals are
endangered. Tiger, leopard, elephant, gaur, tapir, sun bear and gibbon
are among the species that inhabit the jungles, but the most commonly
seen are perhaps some of the numerous types of monkeys, notably
macaques. The best place to see wildlife is Borneo, home of the
orang-utan and the proboscis monkey.