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| [[File:Populous Asia (physical, political, population) with legend.jpg|thumb|Map of the most populous part of Asia showing physical, political and population characteristics, as per 2018]] | | [[File:Populous Asia (physical, political, population) with legend.jpg|thumb|Map of the most populous part of Asia showing physical, political and population characteristics, as per 2018]] |
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| '''Asia''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|eɪ|ʒ|ə|,_|ˈ|eɪ|ʃ|ə|audio=En-us-Asia.ogg}}) is [[Earth]]'s largest and most populous [[continent]], located primarily in the [[Eastern Hemisphere|Eastern]] and [[Northern Hemisphere|Northern]] [[Hemisphere of the Earth|Hemispheres]]. It shares the continental [[landmass]] of [[Eurasia]] with the continent of [[Europe]], and the continental landmass of [[Afro-Eurasia]] with [[Africa]] and Europe. Asia covers an area of {{convert|44,579,000|km2|sqmi}}, about 30% of Earth's total land area and 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area. The continent, which has long been home to the majority of the [[human population]],<ref>{{cite web |title=The World at Six Billion |url=https://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/sixbillion/sixbillion.htm |publisher=UN Population Division |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305042434/http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/sixbillion/sixbillion.htm |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live}}, {{cite web| url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160101220025/http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/sixbillion/sixbilpart1.pdf| title = Table 2}}</ref> was the site of many of the [[first civilization]]s. Its 4.7 billion people<ref>{{Cite web|title=Asia Population 2022 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)|url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/continents/asia-population|access-date=21 February 2022|website=worldpopulationreview.com}}</ref> constitutes roughly 60% of the world's population.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.populationof.net/asia/|title=Population of Asia. 2019 demographics: density, ratios, growth rate, clock, rate of men to women.|website=populationof.net|access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref> | | '''Asia''' is the largest and most populated continent on Earth, mainly located in the Eastern and Northern Hemispheres. It shares land with Europe as part of the larger landmass known as Eurasia, and it connects with Africa and Europe in what is called Afro-Eurasia. The continent spans an area of 44,579,000 square kilometers, making up about 30% of the total land area of the planet and 8.7% of its overall surface. Asia has historically been home to many early civilisations and currently houses around 4.7 arab people, which is about 60% of the global population. |
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| In general terms, Asia is bounded on the east by the [[Pacific Ocean]], on the south by the [[Indian Ocean]], and on the north by the [[Arctic Ocean]]. The border of Asia with Europe is a historical and [[cultural construct]], as there is no clear physical and geographical separation between them. It is somewhat arbitrary and has moved since its first conception in [[classical antiquity]]. The division of Eurasia into two continents reflects [[East–West dichotomy|East–West]] cultural, linguistic, and ethnic differences, some of which vary on a spectrum rather than with a sharp dividing line. A commonly accepted division places Asia to the east of the [[Suez Canal]] separating it from [[Africa]]; and to the east of the [[Turkish Straits]], the [[Ural Mountains]] and [[Ural River]], and to the south of the [[Caucasus Mountains]] and the [[Caspian Sea|Caspian]] and [[Black Sea]]s, separating it from Europe.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite book |title=National Geographic Atlas of the World |edition=7th |year=1999 |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=[[National Geographic Society|National Geographic]] |isbn=978-0-7922-7528-2}} "Europe" (pp. 68–69); "Asia" (pp. 90–91): "A commonly accepted division between Asia and Europe is formed by the Ural Mountains, Ural River, Caspian Sea, Caucasus Mountains, and the Black Sea with its outlets, the Bosporus and Dardanelles."</ref>
| | Asia is generally bordered to the east by the Pacific Ocean, to the south by the Indian Ocean, and to the north by the Arctic Ocean. The boundary between Asia and Europe is more of a historical and cultural idea rather than a strict physical line, as there isn't a clear geographical separation between the two. This division has changed over time since it was first established in ancient times. The split between Eurasia into two continents highlights cultural, linguistic, and ethnic differences that often exist on a continuum rather than a distinct line. Typically, Asia is considered to be located east of the Suez Canal, which separates it from Africa, and also to the east of the Turkish Straits, Ural Mountains, and Ural River, while lying south of the Caucasus Mountains and the Caspian and Black Seas, which separate it from Europe. |
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| [[China]] and [[India]] alternated in being the [[List of regions by past GDP (PPP)|largest economies in the world]] from 1 to 1800 CE. China was a major economic power and attracted many to the east,<ref>{{cite web |first=M. D. |last=Nalapat |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/SRR/Volume14/nalapat.html |title=Ensuring China's 'Peaceful Rise' |access-date= 22 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110045822/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/SRR/Volume14/nalapat.html |archive-date=10 January 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED460052&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED460052|title=Dahlman, Carl J; Aubert, Jean-Eric. China and the Knowledge Economy: Seizing the 21st Century. WBI Development Studies. World Bank Publications. Accessed January 22, 2016|website=Eric.ed.gov|access-date=9 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304235359/http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED460052&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED460052|archive-date=4 March 2008|isbn=978-0-8213-5005-8|publisher=World Bank Publications|year=2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.economist.com/surveys/displaystory.cfm?story_id=E1_PNTJQTR |title=The Real Great Leap Forward|date= 30 September 2004 |work=The Economist |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227234147/http://www.economist.com/surveys/displaystory.cfm?story_id=E1_PNTJQTR |archive-date=27 December 2016}}</ref> and for many the legendary wealth and prosperity of the ancient culture of India personified Asia,<ref>[http://www.indianscience.org/essays/22-%20E--Gems%20&%20Minerals%20F.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120220244/http://www.indianscience.org/essays/22-%20E--Gems%20%26%20Minerals%20F.pdf|date=20 November 2008}}</ref> attracting European commerce, exploration and colonialism. The accidental discovery of a trans-Atlantic route from Europe to America by Columbus while in search for a route to India demonstrates this deep fascination. The [[Silk Road]] became the main east–west trading route in the Asian hinterlands while the [[Strait of Malacca|Straits of Malacca]] stood as a major sea route. Asia has exhibited economic dynamism (particularly East Asia) as well as robust population growth during the 20th century, but overall population growth has since fallen.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.economist.com/diversions/millennium/displayStory.cfm?Story_ID=346605 |title=Like herrings in a barrel |newspaper=The Economist |date=23 December 1999 |issue=Millennium issue: Population |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104100155/http://www.economist.com/diversions/millennium/displayStory.cfm?Story_ID=346605 |archive-date=4 January 2010}}.</ref> Asia was the birthplace of most of the world's mainstream religions including [[Hinduism]], [[Zoroastrianism]], [[Judaism]], [[Jainism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Confucianism]], [[Taoism]], [[Christianity]], [[Islam]], [[Sikhism]], as well as many other religions. | | From 1 to 1800 C.E., [[China]] and [[India]] took turns being the largest economies in the world.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20250129061814/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/statistics-a-look-into-the-largest-economies-of-the-past/articleshow/45381860.cms?from=mdr</ref> China was a significant economic force that drew many people towards the east, while India's ancient culture, known for its legendary wealth and prosperity, symbolised Asia for many and attracted European trade, exploration, and colonidation. Columbus's accidental discovery of a route from Europe to America while trying to find a way to India highlights this strong interest. The Silk Road served as the primary trade route connecting the east and west across the Asian interior, while the Straits of Malacca became an important maritime path. In the 20th century, Asia, especially East Asia, showed remarkable economic growth and population increase, although overall population growth has since declined. Additionally, Asia is where most of the world's major religions originated, including Hindu Dharna, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Jainism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, and many others. |
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| Given its size and diversity, the concept of Asia—a [[toponymy|name]] dating back to [[classical antiquity]]—may actually have more to do with [[human geography]] than [[physical geography]].{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} Asia varies greatly across and within [[Regions of Asia|its regions]] with regard to ethnic groups, cultures, environments, economics, historical ties and government systems. It also has a mix of many different climates ranging from the equatorial south via the hot desert in the [[Middle East]], temperate areas in the east and the <!-- extremely --> continental centre to vast subarctic and polar areas in [[Siberia]]. | | Given its size and diversity, the concept of Asia—a [[toponymy|name]] dating back to [[classical antiquity]]—may actually have more to do with [[human geography]] than [[physical geography]].{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} Asia varies greatly across and within [[Regions of Asia|its regions]] with regard to ethnic groups, cultures, environments, economics, historical ties and government systems. It also has a mix of many different climates ranging from the equatorial south via the hot desert in the [[Middle East]], temperate areas in the east and the <!-- extremely --> continental centre to vast subarctic and polar areas in [[Siberia]]. |
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