ABSTRAK
The region between mainland China on the east and the Indian sub continent on the west is referred to as Southeast Asia since the conclusion of the Pacific War (1941 until 1945). As a region, Southeast Asia appears as a hodgepodge of disparity and diversity, but a closer scrutiny reveals numerous common attributes and characteristics. This study attempts to identify and examine the cohesive and shared characteristics across the Southeast Asian region from a historical andsociocultural perspective. The intention is to differentiate anidentity borne of the underlying commonalities of shared characteristics whether physical, experiential, emotive, and/orin terms of heritage. Subsequently, Southeast Asia has moregrounds to claim itself as a distinct region, and an area ofstudy, besides the political expediency of ASEAN.