GLOBALIZATION+DIVERSITY >CUSTOM PKG.<
GLOBALIZATION+DIVERSITY >CUSTOM PKG.<
17th Edition
ISBN: 9781323745700
Author: Central Texas
Publisher: PEARSON C
Question
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Chapter 13, Problem 13.1R
To determine

The reason for the occurrence of distinctive climates and landforms in the mainland and insular regions of Southeast Asia. Also, describe the way in which this difference affects the human communities of these two regions.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Answer to Problem 13.1R

The climatic difference is caused by the difference in latitude and the general topography. The landforms present in insular Southeast Asia are formed as a result of volcanic activity. The rivers in the mainland Southeast Asia are longer and often wide, whereas the rivers of insular Southeast Asia are considerably shorter and narrow.

Explanation of Solution

The various types of forests of insular and mainland Southeast Asia indicate the climatic difference. However, the sub regions are also differentiated by the remarkable differences in the landforms and other aspects of the physical environment.

Mainland Southeast Asia is an area that is characterized by rugged uplands mixed with wide lowlands accompanying large rivers. Almost all parts of mainland Southeast Asia is affected by the seasonally shifting winds known as monsoon. The climate in this area is characterized by a distinct warm and rainy season from May to October. From November to April, the area is followed by dry and generally hot conditions. The two kinds of tropical climate control mainland Southeast Asia. Even though, both of them are influenced by the monsoon, they differ in the received rainfall amount.

The convergence of four tectonic plates of Earth such as the Pacific, the Philippine, the Indo-Australian, and the Eurasian makes the islands of Southeast Asia less geologically stable than the mainland. Their movements that occur over millions of years results in the large volcanic eruptions and thereby forms many islands in this regions. The climate prevailing in the insular Southeast Asia are more complex than those of the mainland. A major part of Indonesia lies in the equatorial zone and it results in a high level of precipitation that is evenly distributed throughout the year.

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