Asia

China and the Geopolitics of Inland Waterways:  The history of China has been defined and written by large inland waterways.  China’s future as a great nation and world superpower will be closely tied to its development and use of the Pearl, Yangtze, and Lancang Rivers, and the Grand Canal.

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Costal Megacities of Southeast Asia:  The emergence of megacities in southeast Asia is an unprecedented social phenomenon. Two of these cities, Shanghai and Hong Kong, have become meta-cities.  Each large coastal city is unique and approaches its problems in its own unique way.

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The Geography and Geopolitics of the South China Sea:  The South China Sea has an extraordinarily complex geography and is home to many diverse cultures. Numerous sovereign states are actively competing for power and control here, and the region is becoming a geopolitically active region.

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Lighthouses of Southeast Asia:  For centuries, lighthouses have played an important role in the history, culture and geopolitics of this region. In addition to their traditional role in improving the safety of maritime navigation, new lighthouses are now being constructed as geopolitical tools to support China’s claim of national sovereignty over newly created islands in the East and South China Seas.

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World Heritage Sites in Japan:  UNESCO identifies and protects natural and cultural sites that have outstanding value to the common heritage of humanity. This overview describes the history of operation of the World Heritage program while showcasing several magnificent Japanese World Heritage Sites accessible during our journey.

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