Description
The Far East and Australasia 2012 is a survey of the countries of East and South-East Asia, Australia and New Zealand, along with 22 Pacific Islands. It is essential reading for anyone with a professional interest in the region and keeps users up-to-date with current political and economic developments.
The new 2012 edition provides detailed coverage of events over the past year, including:
- elections in May 2011 and appointment of a new cabinet in Singapore
- the devastating tsunami in Japan in March 2011 and the release of radioactive material from the damaged nuclear power plant
- the unexpected resignation of the Primer Minister of Laos, Bouasone Bouphavanh, in December 2010, and subsequent appointment of Thongsing Thammavong
- the North Korean assault on the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong last November.
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General Survey
Written by acknowledged authorities on the Pacific Rim, this collection of essays forms an impartial overview of the area as a whole. Topics include: China's Rise: Evaluation and Implications; The USA’s Relations with the Asia-Pacific Region; The Security Challenges of East and South-East Asia; Human Rights in the Asia-Pacific Region; and Environmental Issues of the Asia-Pacific Region.
Country Surveys
Individual chapters on each country containing:
- essays on geography, history and the economy
- an economic and demographic survey of the latest available statistics on population, health and welfare, agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, industry, finance, trade, transport, tourism, communications and education
- a directory of names, addresses and contact details covering the constitution, government, legislature, election commission, political organizations, diplomatic representation, judiciary, religion, the media, finance, trade, industry, tourism, defence and education
- a select bibliography.
An entire section of the volume is dedicated to the Pacific Islands. This includes specially commissioned essays examining issues of particular importance to the Pacific Islands.
Regional Information
- includes all major international organizations active in the region, their aims, activities, publications and principal personnel
- a detailed survey of major commodities in Asia and the Pacific
- a directory of research institutes specializing in the region
- select bibliographies of books and periodicals covering the Far East and Australasia
- an index of regional organizations.
