1. Asia

2. Asia’s Geography Asia is one of two continents that form a larger land mass known as Eurasia Asia is the world’s most populated continent (China #1, India #2) Asia’s western boundary is the Ural Mountains and it’s eastern boundary is the Pacific Ocean The northern boundary is the Arctic Ocean and the southern boundary is the Indian Ocean Four sub-regions in Asia: 1) Southeast/East Asia, 2) Northern Eurasia, 3) South Asia, and 4) Southwest Asia aka the Middle East 1 2 34

3. Northern Eurasia Includes Russia and former Soviet Republics aka “the stans” It is the least populated portion of Asia Southeast & East Asia – Basic Facts Geographically, this region stretches from Burma to Japan (west to east) and Mongolia to Indian Ocean (north to south) Climate is very warm & humid. Natural disasters include Typhoons & Tsunami Waves (Indonesia & Bangladesh in 2000s) One-third of the world’s population lives here The main religion is Buddhism. Other religions: Shinto, Taoism, Confucianism & Islam SE/E Asia – History Europeans colonize/influence the area in 1800s (except Japan) Major wars fought in Asia including: World War II, Chinese Civil War, Korean War, Vietnam War History of Genocide including: Rape of Naking & Killing Fields of Cambodia (Khmer Rouge)