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Culturally and geographically, Southeast Asia is a region of great diversity. Yet the ten countries
that make up the region share a common aspiration: to become a community by 2015,
using as their vehicle the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. With a combined
population of nearly six hundred million, ASEAN comprises Brunei Darussalam, Kingdom of
Cambodia, Republic of Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia,
Union of Myanmar, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Singapore, Kingdom of Thailand
and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
ASEAN: Portrait of a Community deftly captures the beauty of each individual ASEAN country
through more than a hundred watercolor illustrations of national landmarks, cultural performances,
popular destinations and more. A short introduction and pictorial overview of each country,
interwoven with the illustrated story of ASEAN, take the reader on a virtual journey of Southeast Asia,
while conveying a sense of the regional organization that has evolved to become one of the
world's most successful.
ASEAN: Portrait of a Community not only offers a fresh artistic representation of the colorful
ways and diverse cultures of the peoples of ASEAN, but also important insights into the ties that
bind the ten countries and drive the shared dream of one community. For anyone who has ever
been fascinated by Southeast Asia or simply appreciates exquisite watercolor artistry, this book
is sure to find an honored place on the coffee table. |