Southeast Asia
Deltas, archipelagos, and one of the world's fastest-urbanizing regions.
Southeast Asia combines mainland river valleys and one of the world's largest archipelagos — Indonesia and the Philippines alone include thousands of islands.
The highlighted region spans the Mekong and Chao Phraya lowlands, Malaysia, and much of maritime Southeast Asia. Monsoon winds, coral reefs, and volcanic islands create sharp local contrasts.
- Urban deltas — Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta face subsidence and flooding.
- Biodiversity — Sundaland and Wallacea are global hotspots.
- Trade routes — straits link the Indian and Pacific oceans.
See also: Hurricane & cyclone zones, Oceania.
