Southeast Asia.

South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic and volcanic activity.

South East Asia consists of two geographic regions: the Asian mainland, and island arcs and archipelagoes to the east and southeast. The mainland section consists of Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam; the population of which are primarily Tai peoples and Austroasiatic peoples; the dominant religion is Buddhism, followed by Christianity. The maritime section consists of Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. Austronesian peoples predominate in this region; the dominant religion is Islam, followed by Christianity.

Divisions /Political:

South East Asia frequently refers to the area consisting of these following countries, although in general and certain specific usage, the area it refers to can be narrower or broader, smaller or larger.

• Brunei
• Cambodia
  
• Indonesia
• Laos
  
• Malaysia
  
• Myanmar
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
  
• East Timor
• Vietnam
  

All of the above are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), except East Timor, which is an ASEAN candidate state. The area, together with part of South Asia, was previously known as the East Indies or simply Indies.

Although politically external territories of Australia, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are culturally part of South East Asia. Meanwhile, certain islands in the South China Sea are currently disputed. Papua, however, is politically part of Southeast Asia through Indonesia, although geographically it is often considered as part of Oceania.

Geographical:

South East Asia is geographically divided into two regions, namely Mainland Southeast Asia (or Indochina) and the Maritime Southeast Asia (or the Malay Archipelago) (Indonesian language: Nusantara).

Mainland Southeast Asia includes:

• Cambodia
  
• Laos
  
• Myanmar
• Thailand
  
• Vietnam
  

Maritime Southeast Asia includes:

• Brunei
• East Timor
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
  
• Philippines
• Singapore

The eastern parts of Indonesia and East Timor (east of Wallace line) are considered to be geographically parts of Oceania.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India are considered part of South East Asia. Hainan Island is sometimes considered both East Asian and South East Asian.