Geographical and Demographical Features of ASEAN

Almost all the countries of ASEAN had been dominated by major powers of the world, for example Brunei, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore were under British Colonial rule; Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam were under French domination. Indonesia was under the tutelage of the Dutch power and The Philippines was under American supremacy almost all the countries of the world achieved freedom by the end of the 20th century. Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei achieved their independence in 1953, 1957, 1959 and 1984 respectively. Creation of Brunei in January, 1984 practically brought to an end the era of imperialism in this region.ASEAN is known for its geographical and demographical features in all over the world. In this context following is some important information about ASEAN physical and socio-cultural environment.

Geographical and Demographical (Socio) Structure of ASEAN
Brunei :
Brunei is situated on the bank of south China sea (South Pacific Ocean) on the North-West coast of Kalimantan (Formerly Borneo) Lambing volley, which also forms part of the neighboring Sarawak (Malaysia). The country has a total land area of 5765 Sqm. Km, with a total population of 363500 and an estimated annual growth rate of 2.2 percent. The population density for Brunei is 61 person per thousand. The birth rate and death rate of the country is 19.68 and 3.39 percent per thousand respectively. There one many ethnic group namely Malays (73.8%) Chinese (14.8%) and Indigenous people*. The Chinese account for one seventh of the population and play a leading role there. Brunei has a tropical climate characterized by consistent temperature, humidity and rains. About 2/3 part of the total land area is surrounded by forests. The official language is Malay but English and Chinese are also spoken widely. Islam (2/3 majority) is the official religion but Buddhist and Christianity also co-exist. The government gives respect to all religions. The country has a literacy rate of 91.8 percent male literacy stands at 94.8 and female at 88.5 percent the ASEAN countries, Brunei can best of a good educational system.
Cambodia :
Cambodia formerly Kampuchea with a total land area of 181035 Sq.Km. is located in the south western section of the Indo-Chinese Peninsula in south east Asia, boundedby Thailand to the north west and west by Lao PDR to the north and north east by Vietnam to the east and south east and by the Gulf of Thailand to the south. It means it occupies a strategic position in the ASEAN region. The climate of Cambodia is tropical. Cambodian population, which is about 13 million, with an average growth rate of 2.5 percent and a density of 72.5 persons per Sq. Km. While birth and death rates in 2005 were 27.28 and 9.26 per thousand respectively.
There are various ethnic groups in Cambodia. The Human's make up approximately 90 percent of the population, Chines, make 5 percent while Vietnamese constitute approximately 5 percent of the population. These are certain other minorities such as the hill tribes, Chains, Burners and Thai. The religion that is followed in Cambodia is longely Theraveda Buddhism. Approximately 95 percent of the population follows this relegion. Apart from Buddhism, people also follows Islam. The language that is spoken by a majority of the population in Cambodia is khoner but French, Vietnamese, Chinese and English are also spoken.
indonesia:
The republic of Indonesia is an archipelago consisting of a total of 17508 is lands of which only about 6000 are in habited, stretching for 5150 Km. Between the Australian and Asian continental Mainlands and dividing the pacific and Indian ocean at the Equator. Indonesia shares Irian Jaya with Papua sew Gained and 2/3 of the Island of Kalimantan with Malaysia and Bornei. All the islands are scattered over a total area of 1.919 mln Sq. km. With a land area of about 1.8 Mtr. Sq. Kms. In terms of area, Indonesia occupies about 60 percent of India's total area whereas its population is only 23 percent of India's total population.
The total population of Indonesia was 196.5 mtr (2005 est.) with an annual average growth rate of 1.7 percent. Five main Islands namely Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawari, Irian Jaya and Java and 30 smaller archipelagoes are home to the majority of the population. Java (45%) is one of the most populated areas in the world. The population density for Indonesia was 119 person per Sq. Km.
The Birth and death rate was 21.49 percent and 6.26 percent per thousand respectively. In 2005 the urban population was about 40 percent of the total population. A majority of 87 percent of the population follow Islam as their religion. Indonesia has a maximum population of Muslims which is much larger than any other country in the world. The official language is Bahara and English is the second language. Indonesia has a tropical elimate.

Laos :
Laos, with a total land area of 236800 Sq. Km. Is located in the heart of Indochina peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is a landlocked country. It has as Eastern border with the socialist republic of Vietnam, a Western border of with the Kingdom of Thailand, Southern border with the Kingdom of Cambodia, and northern borders with the people.5 republic of China and with the union of Myanmar.
Laos has one of the lowest population densities in Asia at 24 persons per square Km.,and an estimated population of only 4.8 million. People, with an annual everage growth rate of 2.9 percent, which is highest south east Asian region. The birth rate and death-rate were 36.93 and 12.39 percent per thousand respectively in 2005.
Laos is have to 68 different ethnic groups. These fall into three groupings based upon language, culture and traditions. The fertile making river valley and lowland plains are where 68 percent of the total population live and this group is classified as the Lao Loam. The mountainous slopes of Laos are inhabited by th Laothing, who make up 22 percent of the country*5 population. The Lao soung (Mountain Lao), including Hmong (Or Mao) and Yao (Or Mien) tribes peoples make up a further 9 percent of the Laos population, while the remaining 1 percent are ethnic Vietnamese and Chinese. The Official language in Laos is Lao. English is widely understood in the cities while French is spoken by the older generation. 60 percent of the population follows Buddhism while 40 percent of the people are animist and follows other religion.
Malaysia :
Malaysia, comprising Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak is strategically located in the heart of South East Asia. Malaysia is divided into two geographical sections. Peninsular Malaysia and the East Malaysian provinces of Sabah and Sarawak in North Borneo. The two parts are separated 65 km. (403 miles) apart by the south China Sea. Peninsular Malaysia neighbor are Thailand and Singapore. Subah and Sarawak border Kalimantan (The Indonesian part of Berneo) and Sarawak surrounds the tiny enclave of Brunei.The Andaman Sea is on the west least of the peninsula. The east coast of the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak all adjoin the south china sea. Peninsular Malaysia accounts for 40 percent of the Country's landmass, over 60% of the country is covered by rainforest. The country has tropical climate. It has a total land area of about 33000 Sq.km. with a population of 20.1 mtr (2005) and a density of 76 persons per Sq. Km. With an population average growth rate of 1.9 percent. The Birth rate and death rate of the country was 23.7 and 5.12 per thousand respectively in 2005. The population is largely literate and adult literacy rate is about 85 percent.* Malaysia is a multi religion nation. The official religion is Islam Muslims account for 55 percent of the total population.The official language is Bahara bat English is also widely used.The second largest inhabitants of Malaysia are the Chinese. The form about 35 percent of the population. Indians account for about 5 percent of the total population, and represent a majority in Sarawak and Sabah. Standard of living is very high and percapita income is around US$ 9700 in (2005) which is one of the highest in ASEAN region after Singapore and Brunei.
Myanmar :
Myanmar, with a total land area of 676543 Sqm. Km. Is bounded by China in the north, Laos and Thailand in the east and southeast, by Bangladesh and India in the northwest and by the Indian Ocean in the west and south. Myanmar has a tropical climate Myanmar is a very Mountainous country and most of the mountains are covered by thick forest. The total population of Myanmar was 55.79 mln. Within average growth rate of 2.15 percent. The density of Myanmar was 62 persons per thousand. The birth and death rate of Myanmar was 19.15 and 12.17 percent per thousand respectively in 2005.
The Myanmarese population consists of several ethnic groups. The population is made up of the following ethnic groups : Burmese 68%, Shan 9%,Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%,Chinese 3%, Mon 2%, Indian 2%, others 5%.
Buddhism is the most widely followed religion. About 89 percent of the people are Buddhists. About4 percent of the population also follows Christianity and another 4 percent follows Islam. Burmese is the official language of Myanmar but most of the minority ethnic groups have their own languages too.
Philippines :
The Philippines consists of a large number of islands. It lies off the southeast coast of the Asian main land. It has approximately 7100 islands and islets, floating on the southeastern rim of China. Bordering its castling to the west and north is the china sea : to the east is the Pacific Ocean: and to the south the Celebes sea and the coastal waters of Borneo. However of all the islands that form the Republic of Philippines only 2000 are inhabited. The country has a total population of about 67.7 mln. Within average growth rate of 2.3 percent and a density of population of 276 persons per Sq. Km. (2005). The total land ara of Philippines is 300179 Sq. kms. The birth rate and death rate of the country was 26.3and 5.6 per thousand respectively in 2005*. It strategically situated on the cross roads of Asiao commerce and transportation the Philippine plays an significant role in Asian & n international affairs.
There exist many native ethnic groups on the islands of Philippines. Respite the fact that there are many different races, ethnic groups and religious in the country. The Philippines are nevertheless a friendly and helpful people. The majority of the people is Christian with Roman Catholics making up 89.1% of the population. Followers of the Philippine independent church account for 62% of the population and protestants account for 3.9 percent of the population. There are also minority Islamic communities and same Buddhists. The two official language spoken in Philippines are Philippine (Tagalog) and English. Literacy rate is as high as 98 percent in Manila with an average national rate of 94.6 percent.
Singapore :
The republic of Singapore is situated between Malaysia and Sumatra Islands. The country lies just above the equator. The Boy of Bengal in the west and the south and the south china sea in the east surround the peninsula. Singapore is a city state and the capital of the country and the country itself are the same. Its maximum length from east to west is 42 km. And the maximum width from north to south is 226 Km. Singapore has a total land area of about 621.7 Sq. Km. (240 Sq. Miles). The country has a tropical climate.
The total population of Singapore is about 4.45 mln. With an average growth rate of 1.7 percent in 2007 and a density of population 6751 persons per Sq. km. Due to this, the government organized family planning measures, which is getting appreciable success there. In 2005 to average annual birth and death rate were 12.75 and 4.31 per thousand respectively. Singapore is a culturally diverse nation. The population is made up of Chinese, Malays, Indian and Eurasian Chinese Constitute the biggest ethnic group in the country at 73 percent of the population followed by the Malays at 16 percent and the Indians at 7 percent. There one four official languages in Singapore. These are Mandarin, English, Malay and Tamil. The main religions that are practiced in Singapore are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity. Singapore has a very good education system, right from primary to higher levels. The Singapore government adopted many social welfare programmes for the development of the people of the nation.
Thailand :
Thailand lies in mainland southeast Asia, except for the south, which occupies port of the Malay peninmla. Mayanmar border, it in the north west, Cambodia in the south-east, Laos in the east and Malaysia in the south. The country has a total land area of about 513115 Sq. Kms., which dimensions are about 2300 km. From north tosouth and about 900 Km. From east to west. The climate of Thailand is tropical. The country has a total population of 60.6 million, with an average growth rate of 1.5 percent and a density of 121 persons per Sq. Kilometer. Birth rate and death rate at there were 16.37 and 6.86 per thousand respectively. There are not too many ethnic group in Thailand. Thais make up about 75 percent of the population while Chinese make up 14 percent of the population. The remaining 11 percent is made up of other ethnic groups. Buddhism is the dominant religion of Thailand, practiced by 95 percent of the population. Most Thai adhere to Theravada or Hinayana Buddhism, as opposed to the Mahayana Buddhism practiced in China, Korea and Japan. About 3.8 percent of the population follows Islam. There are also same small Christian and Hindu comities Thai is the official language of Thailand.
Vietnam :
Vietnam with a land area of 33114 Sq. Km. Is situated on the bank of south China sea. China lies to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, and the south China sea to the east. It stretches the length of the Indo-chinese Peninsula. It has a tropical climate. The total population of Vietnam was 74.6 mln. In 2005, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3 percent. The country has a density of 264 people per Sq. Km. The birth and death rates of the country were 19.8 percent and 6.19 percent per thousand respectively
Ethnic Vietnamese constitute almost go percent of the population. Various ethnic groups such as Chinese, Hmong, Thai, Khmes and Chan make up the remaining 10 percent of the population, with the approximately 1.2 million Chinese concentrated in southern Vietnam, being the most numerous.
The religions that are practiced in Vietnam are Buddhism, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, Christianity, indigenous beliefs and Islam. The languages spoken in Vietnam are Vietnamese which is the official language, English, Some French, Chinese, and Khmes.

lecturer at bit,muzaffarnagar (u.p)-india