Social Studies Study Guide (East & Southeast Asia) - Vocab

De facto

It is not legally recognized by other countries

Archipelago

Chain or group of islands

Tsunami

A huge wave that gets higher as it approaches the coast

Dynasty

Line of rulers from a single family, held power until they were overthrown and then a new dynasty would begin

Shinto

Religion that stressed all parts of nature (humans, animals, plants, rivers) have spirits

Shogun

Japanese military leader who held real power even though there was an emperor

Samurai

Land owning warrior who supported the Shoguns

Spheres of Influence

Areas of country where a single foreign power has been granted exclusive trading rights

Urbanization

When millions of farmers moved to the cities

Megalopolis

Supersized urban areas due to the close proximity of major cities

Calligraphy

The art of turning the written word into beautiful images

Haiku

Brief poem in a specific structure

Trade deficit

A country imports more than it exports

Trade surplus

A country exports more than it imports

Endemic

Not found anywhere else

Sultan

King

Plantations

Large farm with a single crop grown for export

Absolute monarchy

One ruler having ultimate governing power over the country

Constitutional monarchy

Ruler is legally bound by constitution and government

Primate city

A city so large and influential that it dominates the rest of the country

Subsistence farming

Growing only enough food for themselves and their families

Ecotourism

Touring natural environments