ASIA

Description Continent Size: 44,579,000 sq km (17,212,000 sq miles) Percent of Earth's Land: 30% Population: 3,879,000,000 (2008 est) As the planet's largest continent, Asia covers about 30 percent of the world's landmass and includes (44) countries and assorted islands and/or dependencies. Significant features of the continent of Asia include the world's tallest mountain, Mt Everest in Nepal (and China), rising to 29,035 ft (8,850m). It also includes the world's lowest point, found in the Dead Sea, Israel/Jordan, at 1,286 ft (392m) below sea level. In addition, the continent includes the world's most populated countries, China and India; the world's longest coastline, the world's deepest lake; Lake Baykal, and some of the most important rivers on the planet (Tigris, Euphrates, Indus, Ganges, Yangtze, Irrawaddy).Mt Everest Israel/Jordan,China India; Lake Baykal,important rivers

Political Divisions Asia has six important recognized political divisions: The Middle East, (or West Asia); South Asia includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Burma. Southeast Asia countries include Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The Far East constitutes of Japan, China, the Korean Peninsula, and Taiwan. Central Asia consists of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan. Northern Asia includes Siberian Russia is also considered a part of the Asian Continent.

The Middle East The Middle East (or West Asia) sits where Africa, Asia and Europe meet. The countries of the Middle East are all part of Asia.

The Far East: China, Japan & Korea Imperial Palace, Tokyo The Forbidden City, Beiging

CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION Asia has been the cradle, if not of civilization, at least of civilizations of high achievement, self-conscious and self-regarding and of very notable stability. Mesopotamia (The Land between the Tigris and the Euphrates) stands prominent among the civilizations of the world. The people of Mesopotamia have made considerable contributions to world civilization. Mesopotamian Civilization is also referred to Babylonian Civilization. Indus Valley Civilization (Along the banks of the River Indus, Pakistan and India) is perhaps the world’s first urban civilization. China also enjoys its reputation as having being one of the world’s first civilization.

Mesopotamia

THE HANGING GARDENS The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were among the seven wonders of the ancient world. Nebuchadnezzar who became the King of Babylon in 605BC, built a mountain like garden called the Hanging Gardens.

The Indus Valley Civilization The Indus valley culture is also called the Harappan civilization. The civilization represents urban culture.

INDUS STONE STAMP SEALS