HMPE 8 - World Geography & Destinations Midterm Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards generated from the HMPE 8 Midterm Examination Reviewer, covering government systems, capitals, currencies, cultural dishes, soft power concepts, and major landmarks across Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and Oceania.

Presidential Republic

A form of government where one elected president serves as both head of state and head of government (e.g., Philippines).

Constitutional Monarchy

A form of government where a monarch serves as a ceremonial figurehead while an elected prime minister or parliament actually governs (e.g., Thailand, Japan, Cambodia, New Zealand).

Communist One-Party State

A system where a single political party directs both state policy and the economy (e.g., Vietnam).

Dominant-Party Parliamentary Republic

A government system where multiparty elections are held, but one party has ruled continuously (e.g., Singapore).

Unitary Presidential Republic

A system where a directly elected president governs and power is centralized rather than divided among states (e.g., Indonesia).

Elective / Rotating Monarchy

A system in which the king is chosen periodically from among several hereditary state rulers (e.g., Malaysia, where the king rotates among 9 rulers every 5 years).

Federal Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy

A federal governance structure featuring a ceremonial monarch and an elected prime minister leading federal and state levels (e.g., Australia).

Military Junta / Military Rule

A system where the armed forces control the government, often taking authority after a military coup (e.g., Myanmar).

Soft Power

Influencing other countries through culture, values, and entertainment rather than military force or economic pressure (e.g., South Korea's global spread of K-pop and K-dramas).

Cultural Assimilation

The process by which one group adopts or absorbs the cultural traits of another group.

Economic Sanctions

Actions taken to restrict trade or finance in order to exert pressure on a country.

Military Diplomacy

The practice of using armed forces or defense ties to influence international relations.

Philippines

Capital: Manila | Currency: Philippine Peso | Government: Presidential Republic (single 6-year term) | Culture & Landmarks: Adobo (Chinese & Spanish influence), Boracay, and Batanes.

Vietnam

Capital: Hanoi (largest city is Ho Chi Minh City) | Currency: Dong | Government: Communist One-Party State | Culture & Landmarks: Pho (Chinese & French influence) and Ha Long Bay limestone karsts.

Thailand

Capital: Bangkok (never formally colonized by a Western power) | Currency: Baht | Government: Constitutional Monarchy | Culture & Landmarks: Tom yum, pad thai, khao soi, and Phi Phi Islands.

Singapore

Capital: Singapore (city-state) | Currency: Singapore Dollar | Government: Dominant-Party Parliamentary Republic | Culture & Landmarks: Chinese, Malay, Indian & Peranakan culture, Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park.

Indonesia

Capital: Jakarta (relocating to Nusantara, Borneo) | Currency: Rupiah | Government: Unitary Presidential Republic | Culture & Landmarks: World's largest archipelago and largest Muslim-majority nation; Bali.

Malaysia

Capital: Kuala Lumpur | Currency: Ringgit | Government: Elective Monarchy | Culture & Landmarks: Nasi lemak (multiethnic trading-hub history) and Petronas Twin Towers.

Cambodia

Capital: Phnom Penh | Currency: Riel | Government: Constitutional Monarchy | Culture & Landmarks: Angkor Wat (largest religious monument in the world, UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Myanmar

Capital: Naypyidaw | Currency: Kyat | Government: History of repeated military rule (2021 takeover) | Culture & Landmarks: Bagan's ancient temples and the golden Shwedagon Pagoda.

Japan

Capital: Tokyo | Currency: Yen | Government: Constitutional Monarchy | Culture & Landmarks: Advanced technology, traditional tea ceremony, and Mount Fuji.

Taiwan

Capital: Taipei | Currency: New Taiwan Dollar | Government: Democratic, self-governing republic | Culture & Landmarks: Taipei 101 and vibrant night-market food.

South Korea

Capital: Seoul (near DMZ bordering North Korea) | Currency: Won | Government: Republic | Culture & Landmarks: K-pop, K-dramas, soft power, and shopping in Myeongdong.

India

Capital: New Delhi | Currency: Rupee | Government: Federal Parliamentary Republic | Culture & Landmarks: Taj Mahal (white marble mausoleum built by a Mughal emperor for his wife).

Australia

Capital: Canberra (a purpose-built compromise between Sydney & Melbourne) | Currency: Australian Dollar | Government: Federal Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy | Culture & Landmarks: Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Gold Coast, fish and chips.

New Zealand

Capital: Wellington | Currency: New Zealand Dollar | Government: Constitutional Monarchy | Culture & Landmarks: Maori haka woven into national identity, especially in rugby.

Angkor Wat

The largest religious monument in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Cambodia.

Canberra

The capital city of Australia, purpose-built as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne.

Pho

A signature dish of Vietnam that reflects a blend of Chinese and French cultural influences.

Adobo

A signature dish of the Philippines that reflects both Chinese and Spanish historical influences.