The Impact of the Environment and Economy of Southern and Eastern Asia

Human Environmental Interaction Lesson

Southern and Eastern Asia have a variety of geographical features that have influenced and continue to influence the development of the region. Since ancient times, trade has been vital and has been greatly influenced by the region’s geography. Trade routes around and through deserts, mountain ranges, and river valleys developed over time and led merchants to ports along the sea. As the population grew, its environmental impact and the impact of the trade routes grew. Throughout this module, we will explore the lasting environmental changes the region encounters as a result of its increasing population and economic demands.

Population Density:

As a result of climate and physical geographic features, sixty percent of the world's population lives on a third of the world's total land surface area. In this module, you will study one of the most densely populated regions in the world. In fact, Southern and Eastern Asia are so densely populated that it contains more than half of the world’s ten most densely populated nations. Look at the map below. It is a population density map from 1994 (before you were born) that shows the number of people living within a square kilometer (which is smaller than a square mile).

Map of Historic Population Density Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Now, look at the next map. Unlike the map above, this population density map from 2006 shows the number of people living within a square kilometer by nation rather than by region. If you examine the map keys for each of these, you are bound to notice the large population change that has occurred within your lifetime in Southern and Eastern Asia.

World Population Density map in the year 2000

What does this mean beyond the numbers? Since the population of Southern and Eastern Asia is growing and the size of the land on which they live is not; the same amount of land must be used to provide an increasing amount of food, water, and shelter. Do you remember the Five Themes of Geography that you learned about in the first module of this course? Those Five Themes were Location, Place, Human-Environment Interaction, Movement, and Region. Can you guess which theme you are about to study as it applies to Southern and Eastern Asia? If you thought "Human-Environment Interaction," you were right. With Asia's increasing population density and increasing demands on the environment, the region of Southern and Eastern Asia is practically a laboratory for geographers studying human-environment interaction.

Demands on the Environment

Demands on the Environment
Let's start with. . . Food	Using 30% of the world’s land to feed 60% of the world's population is not an easy accomplishment. Although admittedly, Southern and Eastern Asian nations have required and received international aid; the nations in the region have certainly accomplished a lot on their own, as well.
Let's move on to. . . Water.	The word "quench" is often associated with the word "thirst", which is also associated with the word "water." Although the Chinese have thousands of proverbs that are used to teach lessons; there are two that are especially appropriate to our learning. These are: "Distant water won't quench your immediate thirst." "To quench one's thirst with poisoned wine... " The first proverb is talking about finding an immediate solution to your problems. The second proverb warns against seeking solutions for problems without considering the consequences. Both proverbs are relevant to the ways Southern and Eastern Asia have dealt with their increased need for water.
Lastly, let's address. . . Shelter.	With such geographic variety, the question of how to build a shelter in Southern and Eastern Asia is not simple to answer. After all, this is a large region that is subject to a wide variety of extreme natural events. Some of these natural events are associated with the weather and others are related to Southern and Eastern Asia's location.

Food, Water, and Shelter Presentations

Food:

Watch the presentation and learn how the humans of Southern and Eastern Asia have adapted to and changed their environment in order to suit their stomachs.

Water:

Watch the presentation and gain a better understanding of how the people in Southern and Eastern Asia have adapted to and also changed their environment to suit their thirst.

Shelter:

Watch the presentation and become aware of the ways the people in Southern and Eastern Asia have adapted to and changed their environment to suit their housing needs.

Challenge

Take Away

The environment of Southern and Eastern Asia has remained the same geographically. We see the same rivers, mountains, deserts, and oceans in the region that affected the area historically with the establishment of civilizations. These same geographical features are now being impacted by the rapid population growth and strain on the resources. In East Asia, the population growth has slowed due to government policies, but we see one-third of the population not having safe drinking water, one-fifth of the agricultural land being lost due to soil erosion, desertification, and urban expansion. South Asia is experiencing a sea-level rise, water shortages, and deforestation. These environmental impacts are the direct result of a growing population with increased environmental demands.

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