The SOUL
By Silvana Mandeville
While the HOwLer is setting its sail, I don't want to be left behind. Mine is ready as well - to traverse Southeast Asia. So come along with me on the SOUL (Southeast with Silvana) expedition.
Before we start the journey, let me tell you a bit about this region. Southeast Asia consists of two parts: the Mainland Southeast and the Island Southeast Asia. But, for now we will only explore Island Southeast Asia or Insular Southeast Asia. Island Southeast Asia (or Insular Southeast Asia) is also known as Maritime Southeast Asia. In the 16th century, it was called the East Indies and in the 19th century, it was known as the Malay Archipelago. The countries in this region include Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, and the Philippines. HOLers, do any of you come from this region? Do you know how many islands there are in this region? It has 25.000 islands (one of them is where I live), with major islands such as Borneo, Java, Luzon, Mindanao, New Guinea, Sulawesi and Sumatra… There are so many of them! Aside from many islands, we also have many active volcanoes! This is especially the case in Java, Sumatra, and the Lesser Sunda Islands region. In these areas there are volcanoes over 3,000 m. There are many high mountains spread over the archipelago. On the highest point we have Puncak Jaya at 4,884 m in Papua, Indonesia, this is where you can see the snow despite it being situated on the Equator and having a tropical climate. How about the people? According to sources, there are 380,000,000 people living in this region with many ethnic groups such as Austronesian, some minorities of Negritos, Papuans, Melanesians, people of Chinese, Peranakan, Arab, Indian, Sri Langkan, Eurasian, and Mestizos descent, as well as Native People. Do you want to explore more and meet the citizens? Then come on a journey with me - we will see the beauty of Southeast Asia. Stay tuned! |