The Southeast Asian realm is fragmented into numerous peninsulas and islands. Southeast Asia, life Eastern Europe, exhibits the characteristics of a shatterbelt. Pressures on this realm from external sources have always been strong. Southeast Asia exhibits intense cultural fragmentation, reflected by complex ethnic, linguistic and religious geographies. Southeast Asia s politico-geographical traditions involve frequent balkanization, instability and conflict.
Population tends to be strongly clustered, even in rural areas.
Compared to neighboring regions, mainland Southeast Asia s physiologic population densities remain relatively low. Rapid population growth has prevailed in the island regions of Southeast Asia notably in the Philippines, during much of the 20th century. Interregional communications in Southeast Asia remain inferior. External connection are often more effective than internal linkages. The boundaries of the Southeast Asian realm are problematic.