List of Countries in Asia

The Asian continent is the largest and most populous continent on Earth, covering approximately 44.58 million square kilometers (17.21 million square miles) and hosting nearly 60% of the world’s population. It is located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres, bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the east, the Indian Ocean to the south, and Europe and Africa to the west.

Asia consists of 51 countries with a total land area of 49 million km² (17 million square miles), representing 30% of the Earth’s habitable surface.

Geography: Asia is incredibly diverse in its geography, with various landscapes ranging from vast deserts, high mountain ranges, fertile plains, dense rainforests, and numerous rivers. Some of the prominent geographical features include the Himalayas, the world’s highest mountain range, with Mount Everest being its highest peak, and the Gobi Desert, one of the largest deserts in the world. The continent is also home to major rivers such as the Ganges, Yangtze, Mekong, and Indus, which play a vital role in supporting the livelihoods of millions of people.

Countries: Asia is home to a wide array of countries, each with its unique history, culture, and traditions. Some of the most populous countries in the world, such as China and India, are located in Asia. Other significant nations include Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and many more.

Religions: Asia is a melting pot of various religious beliefs. Major religions originating from the continent include Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, and Confucianism. Other religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism also have significant followings in some regions of Asia.

Cultures and Languages: The Asian continent boasts incredible cultural diversity, with thousands of distinct ethnic groups and languages spoken. Asian cultures have profoundly influenced the world in fields such as art, literature, philosophy, music, architecture, and cuisine. Some famous examples include Chinese calligraphy, Indian classical music, Japanese anime, Korean K-pop, and Persian poetry.

Economy: Asia has become an economic powerhouse in recent decades, with several of its countries experiencing rapid industrialization and economic growth. China, India, and Japan are among the largest economies in the world. Many Asian nations have emerged as global leaders in technology, manufacturing, and trade.

Challenges: As a vast and populous continent, Asia faces various challenges, including issues related to poverty, overpopulation, environmental degradation, political conflicts, and social disparities. Additionally, natural disasters like earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis can have severe impacts on the region.

International Relations: Asia’s geopolitical significance is immense, and its countries play crucial roles in shaping global affairs. International relations among Asian nations can be complex due to historical rivalries and territorial disputes. The continent is also a crucial player in international trade and diplomacy.

Regional Divisions of Asia

Asia can be divided into six physiographic divisions:

Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Eastern Asia: China, Hong Kong, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Macau, Mongolia, Taiwan

Northern Asia: Russia

South-eastern Asia: Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam.

Southern Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.

Western Asia: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cyprus, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, State of Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.

List of all countries of Asia 

S. No. Country Name Capital Currency
1 Afghanistan Kabul Afghan afghani
2 Armenia Yerevan Armenian dram
3 Azerbaijan Baku Azerbaijani manat
4 Bahrain Manama Bahraini dinar
5 Bangladesh Dhaka Taka
6 Bhutan Thimphu Bhutanese ngultrum
7 Brunei Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei dollar
8 Cambodia Phnom Penh Cambodian riel
9 China Beijing Renminbi (Yuan)
10 Cyprus Nicosia Euro
11 Georgia Tbilisi Lari
12 India New Delhi Indian rupee
13 Indonesia Jakarta Rupiah
14 Iran Tehran Iranian rial
15 Iraq Baghdad Iraqi dinar
16 Israel Jerusalem Israeli new shekel
17 Japan Tokyo Yen
18 Jordan Amman Jordanian dinar
19 Kazakhstan Nur-Sultan Kazakhstani tenge
20 Kuwait Kuwait City Kuwaiti dinar
21 Kyrgyzstan Bishkek Kyrgyzstani som
22 Laos Vientiane Lao kip
23 Lebanon Beirut Lebanese pound
24 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Ringgit
25 Maldives Male Maldivian rufiyaa
26 Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mongolian togrog
27 Myanmar (formerly Burma) Naypyidaw Kyat
28 Nepal Kathmandu Nepalese rupee
29 North Korea Pyongyang North Korean won
30 Oman Muscat Omani rial
31 Pakistan Islamabad Pakistani rupee
32 Palestine Jerusalem (East) Palestine pound
33 Philippines Manila Philippine peso
34 Qatar Doha Qatari riyal
35 Russia (Asia + Europe) Moscow Russian ruble
36 Saudi Arabia Riyadh Saudi riyal
37 Singapore Singapore Singapore dollar
38 South Korea Seoul South Korean won
39 Sri Lanka Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Sri Lankan rupee
40 Syria Damascus Syrian pound
41 Taiwan (Recognized by 13 UN countries) Taipei New Taiwan dollar
42 Tajikistan Dushanbe Somoni
43 Thailand Bangkok Baht
44 Timor-Leste Dili US dollar
45 Turkey Ankara Turkish lira
46 Turkmenistan Ashgabat Turkmen new manat
47 United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi UAE Dirham
48 Uzbekistan Tashkent Uzbekistan som
49 Vietnam Hanoi Dong
50 Yemen Sana’a Yemeni rial

Facts about the Asian Continent

Fact Data
Total Land Area of Asia 49.7 million square kilometres
Number of Recognized Countries 51 countries recognized by the UN
Total Population of Asia Approximately 4.561 billion people
Number of Spoken Languages A diverse range of around 2,300 languages
Largest Country by Area China, spanning 9.6 million square kilometres
Smallest Country by Area Maldives, covering 298 square kilometres
Most Populous Country China, with a population of around 1.4 billion
Highest Mountain in Asia Mount Everest, towering at 8849 meters
Longest River in Asia Yangtze River (Cháng Jiāng) in China, ranking as the 3rd longest river globally

Major Physical Divisions Of Asia

Asia, being the largest continent, is characterized by a diverse range of physical features and divisions. Some of the major physical divisions of Asia include:

  1. Mountain Ranges:
    • The Himalayas: One of the most prominent mountain ranges in the world, stretching across northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Tibet (China). It includes Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth.
    • The Kunlun Mountains: Located in western China, they form the northern edge of the Tibetan Plateau.
    • The Tien Shan: Found in Central Asia, they extend across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
    • The Ural Mountains: Separating Europe from Asia, they run north to south in Russia.
  2. Plateaus:
    • The Tibetan Plateau: Often referred to as the “Roof of the World,” it is the highest and largest plateau, covering much of western China and parts of India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
    • The Deccan Plateau: Located in southern India, it is a large volcanic plateau.
  3. Plains:
    • The Indo-Gangetic Plain: Stretching across northern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, it is one of the most fertile regions in the world.
    • The North China Plain: An extensive lowland region in northern China, known for its agricultural productivity.
  4. Deserts:
    • The Gobi Desert: One of the largest deserts in the world, located in northern China and southern Mongolia.
    • The Thar Desert: Situated in northwestern India and eastern Pakistan.
  5. Rivers:
    • The Yangtze River: The longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world, flowing through China.
    • The Ganges River: One of the most important rivers in the Indian subcontinent, flowing through India and Bangladesh.
    • The Mekong River: Running through several Southeast Asian countries, including China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
  6. Islands:
    • The Indonesian Archipelago: Comprising thousands of islands, it includes major islands like Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and Sulawesi.
    • The Philippine Archipelago: Consisting of more than 7,000 islands in Southeast Asia.
  7. Peninsulas:
    • The Arabian Peninsula: Located in Southwest Asia, it includes countries like Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
    • The Indochinese Peninsula: In Southeast Asia, it includes Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
  8. Tundra Region:
    • Found in the northernmost parts of Asia, particularly in Russia, this region experiences extremely cold temperatures and a short growing season.

FAQ

  1. What are the 7 continents in Asia?

Ans. Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia are the seven continents.

  1. What are the 3 largest countries in Asia?

Ans. Russia, China and India are the 3 largest countries area-wise in the Asian region.

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