Asia

Asia is the largest and most populous continent, occupying about 44.58 million square kilometers and accounting for roughly 30 percent of the world’s land area and about 4.7 billion people, or around 60 percent of humanity. It is bordered by Europe and the Ural Mountains to the west, the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and the Indian Ocean and surrounding seas to the south.

The continent comprises diverse subregions, including East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Western Asia (the Middle East). Its geography ranges from the high Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau to vast river basins such as the Yangtze, Yangtze and Indus, extensive deserts like the Gobi, and tropical forests in Southeast Asia. Asia is notable for its biodiversity, climate variation, and long interactions between land and sea routes.

Historically, Asia is home to some of the world’s oldest civilizations, including Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and Chinese civilization. The region was linked by the Silk Road and maritime networks that facilitated trade and cultural exchange. In the modern era, many Asian countries experienced colonization, followed by independence movements and rapid development in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Economically, Asia contains some of the world’s largest economies and highly diverse production, with developed economies alongside large populations in developing economies. Cultural and linguistic diversity is extensive, with major religious and philosophical traditions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Confucianism, Shinto, and Christianity having deep historical roots. Environmental challenges include urbanization, biodiversity conservation, and climate change impacts.