|
OVERVIEW
Global
Interaction - Singapore and Australia
This
video program features two case studies on countries
in the Southeast Asia-South Pacific region: Singapore:
Gateway to Southeast Asia and Australia:
New Links to Asia. Both Singapore and Australia
have achieved advanced development and offer high living
standards for their respective populations. Viewed together,
the two areas are a study in geographical, cultural,
and historical contrasts.
In
the first case study, Singapore: Gateway to Southeast
Asia, locational advantage is discussed from
historical and modern perspectives. Singapore now serves
as a global distribution hub in the world's economy.
The case study provides insight into the factors that
have turned this city-state into one of the world's
busiest ports: strategic location, modern cargo handling
facilities, and a skilled work force. Computer technology,
advanced information management, and telecommunications
have also contributed to the rise of this newly industrializing
country and are important to Singapore's success as
a trade entrepot.
Updates
to this case study include detailed maps of Singapore
and the region, discussion of Singapore's bid to become
a hub of telecommunications and data services, and insight
from Dr. Jessie Poon on the social contract between
Singaporeans and their government.
The
second case study, Australia: New Links to Asia,
examines the historic role of industry in the development
of Australia's economy and the country's highly urbanized
population. The case study shows the dramatic changes
that a shift in economic trade from Europe to Asia has
had on modern Australian society. Once settled by Europeans,
Australia is now a destination for Asian immigrants
as well.
Economic
trade in Australia remains based on the export of natural
resources, while international finance, telecommunications,
and information services are rapidly becoming established.
Originally favoring the export of wool and agricultural
commodities, Australia is also known for its rich mineral
and energy resources. The country possesses minerals
such as iron ore, nickel, bauxite, precious metals,
gemstones, and non-metallic minerals used in industry.
Updates
to this case study include further discussion of Australia's
growing Asian population and the effect of the Asian
economic crisis on Australia's economy, with new commentary
by Australian geographer Dr. Philip O'Neill.
Video
Key Words
Singapore
- Relative
Location
- Asian
Economic Tigers
- Container
Shipping
- Multinational
Corporations
- Pacific
Rim
- City-State
Australia
- Pacific
Rim
- Physical
Geography
- Asian
Connection
|
