Background Notes: East Asia, May, 2012

Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs country background notes for international travelers to Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.  Each country's brief, factual background note summarizes its geography, people (population, ethnic groups, languages, health, and religion), history, culture, government and political conditions (type, political parties and principal government officials), economy (GDP; land, climate, and demographics; agriculture and natural resources; trade, industry, and investment; and transportation), defense, human rights, and foreign relations.  Each country's background note also provides travel and business information, including principal U.S. officials (ambassador, public affairs officer, counselor for economic affairs, etc.); embassy location, telephone, and fax numbers; and passport information.