Which statement describes how geography influenced the cultural development of Southeast Asia?
(1 point)
Open seas protected the indigenous cultures of the island nations from outside influence.
Distance from Oceania prevented the migration of Austronesian language, beliefs, and technology.
Proximity to China encouraged the spread of Buddhism and other practices south into Indochina
Sea routes connecting to India ensured the prevalence of Hinduism over Christianity and Islam.
Proximity to China encouraged the spread of Buddhism and other practices south into Indochina
The statement that describes how geography influenced the cultural development of Southeast Asia is:
Proximity to China encouraged the spread of Buddhism and other practices south into Indochina.
The statement that best describes how geography influenced the cultural development of Southeast Asia is:
"Proximity to China encouraged the spread of Buddhism and other practices south into Indochina."
To understand why this statement is true, we need to look at the geography of Southeast Asia and its interaction with surrounding regions.
Southeast Asia is located south of China and encompasses a vast area of land and thousands of islands. This region has been influenced by various external factors, including its proximity to China. China has had a long history of cultural and economic interactions with Southeast Asia.
Buddhism, one of the major religious and philosophical systems in China, spread southward into Southeast Asia through peaceful means such as trade, migration, and cultural exchange. As China exerted its cultural and political influence on neighboring regions, Buddhism gained popularity and became an integral part of the cultural development of Southeast Asia.
The spread of Buddhism from China to Indochina (modern-day countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos) was facilitated by the geographical proximity between the two regions. The close proximity allowed for regular contact, exchange of ideas, and the migration of people. As a result, Buddhism found fertile ground in Indochina and became ingrained in the local cultures, shaping their belief systems, architecture, arts, and social structures.
It is important to note that while the spread of Buddhism is highlighted in this statement, other cultural practices might also have been shared and influenced by China and other neighboring regions. The statement does not claim that Buddhism is the only influence from China but emphasizes its significant impact on the cultural development of Southeast Asia.