Asia

Asia (orthographic projection) without New Guinea

Populous Asia (physical, political, population) with legend

Possible definitions of the boundary between Europe and Asia

Afro-Eurasia (orthographic projection)

Gulf5.

Asia is the largest and most populous continent on Earth, located primarily in the Eastern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the east, the Indian Ocean to the south, and Europe and Africa to the west. Asia covers an area of about 44.58 million square kilometers (17.21 million square miles), which is about 30% of Earth's total land area and 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area. The continent, which has long been home to the majority of the human population, was the site of many of the first civilizations. Asia is notable for not only its overall large size and population but also dense and large settlements, as well as vast barely populated regions. Its 4.5 billion people (as of June 2019) constitute roughly 60% of the world's population.

Geography

Asia is separated from Europe by the Ural Mountains to the east and the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea with the connected waterways of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles. The boundary between Asia and Africa is usually considered to be the Suez Canal, making Egypt in Africa. The Malay Archipelago partially separates the Indian Ocean from the Pacific Ocean and is divided into two parts by the Equator, making Indonesia the largest archipelagic state in the world.

The continent's highest point is Mount Everest, located in Nepal and China, which rises to 8,848 meters (29,029 ft) above sea level. Its lowest point is the Dead Sea, located at the border between Israel and Jordan, which is about 430 meters (1,410 ft) below sea level. Asia is also home to some of the world's largest rivers, including the Yangtze, the Ganges, and the Indus.

History

Asia has a rich and diverse history that dates back to the beginning of human civilization. It is the birthplace of many of the world's earliest civilizations, including those in Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley Civilization, and ancient China. Throughout the centuries, Asia has been a center of world trade, culture, and philosophy. Major religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Islam have their origins in Asia.

The continent has experienced many significant historical events, including the spread of the Silk Road, the Mongol Empire's expansion, and the European colonization of Asian territories. In the 20th century, many Asian countries gained independence from colonial powers and have since made significant strides in economic, technological, and social development.

Demographics

Asia is the most populous continent, with over 4.5 billion people, accounting for about 60% of the world's population. The two most populous countries in the world, China and India, are located in Asia. The continent exhibits enormous diversity in terms of cultures, languages, and religions. There are thousands of languages spoken across Asia, with Chinese languages, Hindi, Bengali, Japanese, and Russian being among the most widely spoken.

Economy

Asia's economy is diverse, ranging from highly developed economies such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, to emerging markets in China, India, and Southeast Asia. The continent is a global manufacturing center, particularly for electronics, textiles, and automobiles. It also has vast natural resources, including oil and natural gas. The Asian Development Bank is a major regional development bank established to support economic development in Asia.

Culture

Asia's culture is vast and varied, with each country and region having its own unique traditions, cuisine, and art. The continent has made significant contributions to world culture, including literature, music, cuisine, and film. Traditional and modern arts thrive, from classical Chinese painting and Indian dance to contemporary Japanese cinema.

Challenges

Despite its economic successes, Asia faces challenges, including poverty, overpopulation, and environmental degradation. Climate change, deforestation, overfishing, and air and water pollution are significant environmental issues.