Amphibious wooden houses that float or stand along waterways and canals, often called amphilious houses in some texts, are typically found in which of the following Asian cities?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Bangkok

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Settlement geography sometimes describes unusual forms of housing that adapt to local water conditions. In certain Asian cities built on river deltas and canal systems, traditional wooden houses may be constructed on stilts or even float on water. The question refers to amphibious or amphilious wooden houses that float along canals, and asks you to identify the city where this type of settlement is characteristically found. Recognising these settlement patterns helps connect cultural and physical geography.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The houses described are wooden and associated with canals and waterways.
  • They are called amphibious or amphilious houses in some geography texts.
  • The options are Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and Yangoon.
  • We assume a traditional context before extensive modern urban redevelopment.


Concept / Approach:
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, has historically been known as the Venice of the East because of its network of canals called klongs. Along these canals, traditional wooden houses on stilts or floating platforms were very common. Many human geography descriptions mention these amphibious houses as a characteristic feature of Bangkok's older settlement pattern. While other Southeast Asian cities also have rivers and boats, this specific association with canal based wooden houses is strongest for Bangkok in exam oriented geography.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Bangkok has an extensive system of canals, especially in its historical development. Step 2: Traditional descriptions refer to houses built directly on or above these waterways. Step 3: Associate the term amphibious wooden houses with the idea of floating or stilted homes in Bangkok. Step 4: Check the options and identify Bangkok as option A. Step 5: Conclude that Bangkok is the city known for such canal side wooden houses.


Verification / Alternative check:
Travel accounts, old photographs, and geography textbooks often describe Bangkok's canals lined with wooden houses and markets operating on boats. The nickname Venice of the East is frequently mentioned, underlining the extensive water based living and transport network. These sources consistently link amphibious style housing and floating living quarters with Bangkok more than with Phnom Penh, Vientiane, or Yangoon, confirming Bangkok as the right answer.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, lies along rivers and has river traffic, but it is not as strongly identified with canal based amphibious wooden housing in standard geography texts, so option B is less accurate. Vientiane, the capital of Laos, sits on the Mekong River, yet it is not famous for floating canal settlements of the type described, so option C is incorrect. Yangoon, now commonly spelled Yangon, is a major city in Myanmar, but its housing patterns are not typically described using the specific term amphibious wooden houses on canals, so option D is also wrong. Only Bangkok fits the classical description given in the question.


Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse different Southeast Asian capitals because many of them are located along rivers and have some river based commerce. Another pitfall is ignoring the keyword canals and focusing only on the presence of a river. To avoid such errors, remember that Bangkok is particularly associated with a network of canals and floating homes and markets, which justifies its nickname Venice of the East in many geographical descriptions.


Final Answer:
The amphibious wooden houses floating along canals are characteristically found in Bangkok.

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