Southeast Asia is a sub-region of Asia, which consists of 11 countries, some spread about islands and archipelagos. The region is a unique potpourri of people and cultures. Truly cosmopolitan, Southeast Asia shows influences from India, China, and the West. This diversity is not just skin deep, and the tolerance and variety evident in every facet of life is unique. Southeast Asia developed rapidly over the last 100 years, and though this may be mistaken as the effects of tourism, most of constituent countries have also become important players in world trade with their burgeoning technological prowess and efficient utilization of man-power.