Asia is the largest and most populated continent in the world. It comprises 30% of the Earth’s total land area, or 8.7% of the total surface. It is home to almost four billion people, which accounts to 60% of the total human population. China and India are the two most populous Asian countries, both with more than one billion people as of July 2012.
Located to the north of Asia is the Arctic Ocean, to its south is the Indian Ocean, and to its east is the Pacific Ocean. It is connected to Europe, and is sometimes referred to as the “eastern 80% of Eurasia.”
Asia is divided into five sub-regions. They are Central Asia, which is the nucleus of the continent and includes the countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan; East Asia, which consists of countries like Japan, China, Mongolia, South Korea, and North Korea; North Asia, which consists of the Asian part of Russia; South Asia, which includes Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan; Western Asia, which covers 18 countries including Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Lebanon, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, and Armenia; and Southeast Asia, which is made up of 11 countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore.
The continent’s massive size enabled the existence of various diverse regions, cultures, history, and ethnic groups. Asia is home to numerous languages and dialects, and many Asian nations use several native languages. For example, in India, there are over 800 languages used; in Indonesia, they have more than 600; and in the Philippines, there are more than 100 that are natively spoken.
Located to the north of Asia is the Arctic Ocean, to its south is the Indian Ocean, and to its east is the Pacific Ocean. It is connected to Europe, and is sometimes referred to as the “eastern 80% of Eurasia.”
Asia is divided into five sub-regions. They are Central Asia, which is the nucleus of the continent and includes the countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan; East Asia, which consists of countries like Japan, China, Mongolia, South Korea, and North Korea; North Asia, which consists of the Asian part of Russia; South Asia, which includes Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan; Western Asia, which covers 18 countries including Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Lebanon, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, and Armenia; and Southeast Asia, which is made up of 11 countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore.
The continent’s massive size enabled the existence of various diverse regions, cultures, history, and ethnic groups. Asia is home to numerous languages and dialects, and many Asian nations use several native languages. For example, in India, there are over 800 languages used; in Indonesia, they have more than 600; and in the Philippines, there are more than 100 that are natively spoken.
Countries & Regions:
Central Asia: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan), Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan), Tajikistan (Tajikistan), Turkmenistan, & Uzbekistan.
East Asia: China (including Hong Kong , Macao and Taiwan ), Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, & Taiwan.
Middle East: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, & Yemen.
The Indian Subcontinent: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, & Sri Lanka.
Southeast Asia: Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, & Vietnam.
Russia and the Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, & Russia.
