Asia and the Pacific, an immense region, both new and old, in which two thirds of the world lives. A region of superlatives, exceptions, China, continually facing disasters and risks from its past, India, a continent of its own, Japan, archipelago of the future. It is a region that is attracting global growth and becoming the centre of the world. Who could have predicted that the GDP of Asia and the Pacific would be equal to that of the European Union? And what will tomorrow bring?
This compilation gives an overview of Asia's world, bringing together texts written by researchers and specialists and that have been published on Asia and the Pacific Network's website (CNRS) between 2011 and 2013. It follows the first volume published in 2011 covering the period 2002-2011. These works covering the humanities and social science recount the past, tell us of the future and illustrate the complexity of Asia and the Pacific through its flaws, strengths and challenges. They reveal the profound roots and depth of the dynamism of these new powers that could soon take over the future of humanity. Numerous researchers and academics specialising in contemporary Asia and the Pacific are bringing into light many aspects of this great and inevitable shift in the world.
The Pacific Ocean. Its vast waters are home to countless island states, each rich with its own culture and history.
The Palau archipelago is a part of this Milky Way, situated in the Micronesian constellation, north of the Equator, 800 km (nearly 500 miles) from the eastern archipelago of the Philippines. Not only a paradise for diving, this young and independent republic works to sensitize the world to the ocean's fragility and took effective and exemplary measures to protect an incredible array of biodiversity.
This book will introduce you to the geopolitical, diplomatic and touristic dimensions of Palau and will give you precious information about its neighbors in the Pacific. It also cheds light on the French overseas territory.
With the contributions of J.-F. Sabouret (CNRS), C. Lechervy (MAEE), J.-C. Gay (Nice Sophia Antipolis University).
