Asia Physical Geography

Asia

Asia’s Ranking in Size of Continent The largest of the world’s continents, covering approximately 30 percent of the Earth’s land area. The world’s most populous continent, with roughly 60 percent of the total population.

Physical Regions of Asia five major physical regions: mountain systems Plateaus plains, steppes, and deserts freshwater environments saltwater environments.

The Himalayan Mountains Extend for about 2,500 km separating India from the rest of Asia. Formed when continents collided about 50 million to 55 million years ago is still crashing northward into Asia, and the Himalayas are growing about 5 centimeters every year. include the highest mountain summit in the world, Mount Everest, which stands at 8,850 meters

“Rooftop of the World” considered the largest and highest area ever to exist in the history of Earth. covers an area about half the size of the United States and more than 5,000 meters above sea level. extremely important to the world’s water cycle because of its glaciers.

The Rub’ al Khali Desert The world’s largest sand sea, covers an area larger than France It holds half as much sand as the Sahara, even though it is 15 times smaller in size.

DEEP DOWN Lake Baikal, located in southern Russia, is the deepest lake in the world, reaching a depth of 1,620 meters contains 20 percent of the world’s unfrozen freshwater, making it the largest reservoir on Earth. the world’s oldest lake, at 25 million years old.

The Bay of Bengal The largest bay in the world, covering almost 2.2 million square kilometers Many large rivers, including the Ganges empty into the bay.

“Mother of Gardens” WHY Botanists nickname China the “Mother of Gardens.” WHY More flowering plant species than North and South America combined . China is the likely origin of many familiar flowers and fruit trees such as peaches and oranges.