Which statement describes how geography influenced the cultural development of Southeast Asia?
A.
Open seas protected the indigenous cultures of the island nations from outside influence.
B.
Distance from Oceania prevented the migration of Austronesian language, beliefs, and technology.
C.
Proximity to China encouraged the spread of Buddhism and other practices south into Indochina.
D.
Sea routes connecting to India ensured the prevalence of Hinduism over Christianity and Islam.
C. Proximity to China encouraged the spread of Buddhism and other practices south into Indochina.
C. Proximity to China encouraged the spread of Buddhism and other practices south into Indochina.
To determine which statement describes how geography influenced the cultural development of Southeast Asia, we can analyze each option and eliminate the ones that are incorrect.
A. Open seas protected the indigenous cultures of the island nations from outside influence.
This statement is incorrect. The open seas facilitated trade and cultural exchange rather than protecting indigenous cultures from outside influence.
B. Distance from Oceania prevented the migration of Austronesian language, beliefs, and technology.
This statement is also incorrect. Southeast Asia has a close proximity to Oceania, and the migration of Austronesian language, beliefs, and technology actually occurred in the region.
C. Proximity to China encouraged the spread of Buddhism and other practices south into Indochina.
This statement is correct. The geographical proximity to China allowed for the spread of Buddhism and other practices from China into Southeast Asia, particularly in regions such as Indochina.
D. Sea routes connecting to India ensured the prevalence of Hinduism over Christianity and Islam.
This statement is incorrect. While sea routes did facilitate trade and cultural exchange between India and Southeast Asia, it is not accurate to say that they ensured the prevalence of Hinduism over Christianity and Islam in Southeast Asia.
Therefore, the correct statement that describes how geography influenced the cultural development of Southeast Asia is:
C. Proximity to China encouraged the spread of Buddhism and other practices south into Indochina.