Facts About Asia

A land of extremes and contrasts, Asia is the largest and the most populous continent. It has the highest mountains and most of the longest rivers, highest plateaus, and largest deserts and plains of all the continents. Asia is also home to some of the world's oldest cultures. It has some of the poorest as well as some of the richest nations in the world. It contains a major share of the world's largest cities, yet most of Asia's people are rural dwellers. Because of its size, age, population, and rich resources Asia has long been of great interest to the rest of the world.

Even the modern, smaller definition of Asia would make it the largest and most populous of the continents. Classical Asia is even larger. Its area of more than 17 million square miles (44 million square kilometers) accounts for almost one third of the Earth's land surface, or an area greater than the two Americas or Europe and Africa combined. From a population perspective, Asia leads the world even more. There are about 2.6 billion people in Asia, 60 percent of the world total. Most of those people, some 2.2 billion, are concentrated within the modern limitations of Asia (South, Southeast, and East), which is one reason for trying to confine the study of Asia.

One of the major characteristics of Asia is that most of the population is crowded onto a broad fringe extending to the ocean; an area that is relatively fertile, level, and well-watered. This can be pictured as an arc extending through the three subregions of East, Southeast, and South Asia. The association with the sea is strong. Three oceans border Asia, the Arctic, Pacific, and Indian, but the latter two are by far the most important to the people of Asia. Within the areas where these oceans touch the continent are many of the world's largest and most important islands and archipelagoes.

• Malaysia: Malaysia is that veritable melting pot of Malays, Chinese, Indians and the indigenous Orang Asli . With this multi-ethnic make-up, the country affords a very wide spectrum of colours and excitement in the myriad cultures and traditions. This amalgamation of thrilling attributes is the true-to-life manifestation of Malaysia being truly Asia.
• Thailand: There is more visible historical evidence of past eras in Thailand than in any other South-East Asian country, so if you're interested in ruins, temples and deserted cities, this is the place to go.
• Mongolia: It remains one of the last great adventure destinations in Asia.
• Tibet: There are many historic sites and famous relics in the city proper and its suburbs, among which the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Gandan Monastery are world famous.
• Vietnam: Vietnam's unequalled natural beauty is one of the country's key attractions. From the lush, fertile Mekong Delta to its stunning coastline dotted with beautiful beaches; from the rugged mountains of the north to the spectacular topography of Halong Bay, Vietnam's beauty inspires visitors.
• Cambodia: The Kingdom of Cambodia is located at the center of the Mekong region, bordering Laos to the north, Vietnam to the south and Thailand to the east. Cambodia has a rich and glorious history, most famously represented by Angkor Wat, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and an unequalled feat in ancient architecture.
• Myanmar: Myanmar is truly the land that time forgot. After three decades of self-imposed isolation, the unspoiled beauty and tranquility of Myanmar is to be treasured. The larger cities are bustling centers. In the countryside, however, time seems to have stood still. Here hundreds of pagodas dot the landscape, farmers dressed to their traditional garb tend to their emerald green rice paddies the way their ancestors have for centuries before and the pace of life seems perfectly in tune with the slow changing of the seasons.
• Yunnan: Yunnan, the sixth largest of China's provinces, lies in the southwest part of the country. Towering ice-capped mountains adjoin Tibet and Myanmar in the northwest, and lush tropical rainforests border Laos and Vietnam in the South. Yunnan offers some of the most picturesque topography and diversified culture in the world. It is home to 25 different ethnic groups, a third of China's ethnic minorities, and half the country's plant and animal species. With a unique array of fascinating ecological resources, including snow-capped mountains, lakes and hot springs, tropical rainforests, as well as a healthy climate and the friendly people, Yunnan is one of the most alluring destinations in China.

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