The climatic elements such as high temperature, heavy precipitation and high humidity all put together create an ideal condition for the luxuriant vegetative cover. Thousand types of species of plants are found here and many of them are still left ignored and are yet to be scientifically analyzed. Vegetation of these regions can be divided into three categories:
(1) selva or rain forest,
(2) Jungle and
(3) Coastal type.
Selva is broad leaf evergreen trees. Trees make canopy and the consequence is that sunlight does not reach the forest floor. Because of lack of sunlight the grass does not grow. Vegetation has rapid growth and has no intervals.
Animal life is rich and varied as is the vegetation. Insects infect whole region. There is no end to this infection. Mosquitoes, spiders, ferocious ants, ticks and grates and beautiful and brilliant butterflies hover around. Monkeys, sloths and bats are also common. Cats wild pigs and gorillas are also found here. Streams are full of fish and water fowl and crocodiles. Herds of hippopotami are found in Africa.
Population is thin in these regions. In the Amazon basin the population density is less than two persons per square mile. River Valleys and coastal regions with transportational facilities have some density of population. Coastal areas of Brazil and the Guinea Coast and Nigeria have favorable conditions for the density of population. But in south east Asia the scene is different. Here man has conquered the forests and therefore the population density is much more than any Rainy tropical region. In modem sense in comparison to westernness the natives are underdeveloped scientifically, technologically and to some extent socially. The life here is simple and standard of living ordinarily as the needs are few. Food is easily available and nothing is to be stored and as a result of this initiative lacks. The natives in African and South America depend on hunting end gathering the fruits. Migratory agriculture termed as Milpa in South America, Fang in some parts of Africa and Ladang in Indonesia is practiced, a member of banana family is grown here. Fibery parts of its leaves become the raw material for weaving the cloth. The village is frequently located on the banks of the rivers, because both water and fish become easily available. Sedentary agriculture is practiced in some regions. This type of agricultural practices is more advanced because here stress is for perennial crops such as coconuts and plantation. Sedentary subsistence has affected the life of southeast Asian people more than any thing else any where in these regions. Java is one of the most densely populated places of the world. Rice is principal crop here.
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