Asia's Physical Environment and Regions

LESSON 4: ASIA’S PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

• Continent Size: 44,579,000 sq. km (17,212,000 sq. miles)

• Percentage of Earth's Land: 30%

• Highest Point: Mt. Everest (Nepal-China border) - 29,028 ft. (8,850 m) above sea level

• Lowest Point: Dead Sea (Israel-Jordan border) - 1,412 ft. (430.5 m) below sea level

Overview of Asia's Natural Environment

• Asia boasts vast and varied natural environments, including mountain ranges, plateaus, river basins, lakes, and seas.

• The mean elevation of Asia is 950 m (3,117 ft.), the highest of any continent.

• The Himalayas, home to the tallest mountains in the world, are located on the borders of China, Nepal, and India.

Significant Mountain Ranges

• Himalayas: Contains Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain in the world.

• Hindu Kush: Located to the west of the Himalayas.

• Caucasus: Acts as a boundary between Asia and Europe.

• Ural Mountains: Serves as another natural boundary between Asia and Europe.

Plateaus of Asia

• Tibetan Plateau: Known as "the roof of the world," it hosts the highest peaks.

• Deccan Plateau: Located in India, home to the Jog Falls, which is 830 ft. (253 m) high.

• Siberian Plateau: Found in northern Asia.

Plains and Deserts

• The northern part of Asia features vast plains while deserts are found in the Gobi (Mongolia and China), covering 500,000 sq. mi. (1,300,000 sq. km).

• Other notable deserts include:

  • Rub al Khali (Arabian Peninsula)

  • Kara Kum and Kyzyl Kum (Central Asia)

  • Thar Desert (Northwest India)

  • Taklimakan Desert (Northwest China)

Bodies of Water

• Dead Sea: World's lowest point at 1,412 ft. (430.5 m) below sea level.

• Lake Baikal: Deepest freshwater lake, 5,315 ft. (1,620 m) deep.

• Caspian Sea: Largest inland body of water.

River Systems

• Major rivers include:

  • Yangtze River (Chang Jiang): Longest river at 3,964 mi. (6,378 km).

  • Huang Ho (Yellow River): No. 2 longest river in Asia.

  • Other important rivers: Tigris and Euphrates in the West, Ganges and Indus in the south, Mekong and others in Southeast Asia.

Population and Regions of Asia

• Asia houses the largest populations, predominantly in China and India.

• The continent is divided into five regions:

  • East Asia

  • Southeast Asia

  • South Asia

  • Western/Southwest Asia

  • Central Asia

East Asia

• Comprises about 12 million km², home to:

  • Countries: China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Mongolia.

  • Major Features: Diverse landscapes from high mountains to lowlands, deserts like the Gobi, and many rivers.

  • Population: Over 1.5 billion, with Han Chinese being the predominant ethnic group (91.59%).

Southeast Asia

• Includes Indochina, the Malay Peninsula, and contains 11 countries: Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei, East Timor.

• Geography: Long rivers from highlands, lowland plains suitable for agriculture, and long coastlines.

• Cultures: Ethnic groups include Khmers, Laos, Burmese, Thais, and Vietnamese.

South Asia

• Defined by the Himalayas to the north and deserts to the west, encompassing India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Maldives.

• Major rivers: Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra which support one of the densest populations in the world.

Western/Southwest Asia

• Comprises countries like Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and more.

• Notable infrastructure shaped by oil and gas industries, with diverse populations largely of Arab descent.

Central Asia

• Comprises Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan.

• Sparsely populated region known for mountains, steppes, and a lack of arable land.

• Ethnic diversity with Uzbeks being the largest group, alongside significant Russian populations.

Cultural Aspects

• Asia showcases a rich tapestry of cultures with influences from its diverse geography.

• Economy: Regions differ significantly in economic development, cultural diversity, languages spoken, and historical influences.

• The blend of traditional practices with modern influences shapes the cultural landscape across all regions.