22. Asia is a large continent
Asia in a nutshell
Size
Religions
Vegetation zones- 44 million square kilometers: the Asian continent covers almost one third of the planet's land surface area.
- Approximately 50 nations (the independence of some Asian nations has not been acknowledged by other nations).
- 4 billion people: 60 % of the planet's inhabitants are centered in Asia
Nations
Economy- Large amounts of industrial production: for example, most of the world's household appliances and technological devices are made in Asia.
- One of the center's of the global economy (e.g. China, Japan and South Korea).
- Crude oil and natural gas found in large quantities in the Arabian peninsula, West Asia and Siberia.
- China is rich in natural resources.
Agriculture
- Wheat and rice are the two most important asian grains.
- Reindeer herding is a common livelihood in the Asian tundra.
- The Asian coniferous forest zone has almost no agriculture.
- The Asian broadleaf forest zone and savanna are the two most important vegetation zones in terms of agricultural production.
- Agriculture also exists in the deserts and steppes, where it is accomplished with the aid of artificial irrigation methods.
- Rainforest areas are used to grow food crops and oil palm.
- Tundra: On the shores of the Arctic Ocean. A cold climate, with vegetation consisting mostly of mosses, lichens and low shrubs.
- Coniferous forest or taiga: Four seasons, coniferous trees, cold and snowy winters.
- Broadleaf forest: A beneficial climate for agriculture. Broadleaf trees and bamboo trees.
- Temperate grassland or steppe: No trees, low amounts of rainfall. Grasses and bulbous plants.
- Desert: Dry and hot summers, cold winters. Almost no plant growth.
- Savanna: Monsoon climate. Warm and rainy summers, rainless winters. Trees, shrubs and grasses.
- Rainforest: Plenty of heat and rainfall. Lush and diverse vegetation and animal life.
Asia is a continent of over four billion people
The population of planet Earth has not divided evenly to all continents. Many vast areas, such as deserts, glaciers and mountain ranges, are almost uninhabited. In other regions of the planet, the population density is extremely high. Asia is the most populous continent on the planet. It is inhabited by over four billion people. Both China and India are nations with over one billion inhabitants. This is explained by the following three factors:
1) Both China and India are large nations in terms of surface area.
2) Their climate and soil types are beneficial for agriculture, which means that it is possible to grow enough food for even a large population.
3) The birth rates in these nations have been high. In China, the birth rate has dropped in the recent decades.
Asia - from tundra to rainforest
The Asian continent covers an area from the Arctic Ocean all the way to the equator. This explains the diversity of Asian vegetation zones. The following biomes can be found in the Asian continent:
- tundra.
- coniferous forest.
- broadleaf forest.
- temperate grassland.
- desert.
- mountain vegetation.
- savanna.
- rainforest.
Tundra and coniferous forest
The tundra and coniferous forest zones dominate the vast region of North Asia known as Siberia.
Tundra is a treeless vegetation type. Because the climate is so cold that the ground remains frozen even in summer, trees cannot grow their roots.
The Asian tundra is inhabited by very few people. This can be explained by the extremely harsh climate: the winter is very cold, and even the summer is quite cool.
The Siberian natural resources, such as natural gas and metals, attract industry to the area. This is why various industrial cities can be found in the Asian tundra.
South of the tundra, there is a vast zone of Asian coniferous forests ot taiga.
The population density is not very high in this region, either. Most of the habitation is concentrated on the banks of the great Asian rivers that run through the vast taiga.
Tundra is a treeless vegetation type. Because the climate is so cold that the ground remains frozen even in summer, trees cannot grow their roots.
The Asian tundra is inhabited by very few people. This can be explained by the extremely harsh climate: the winter is very cold, and even the summer is quite cool.
The Siberian natural resources, such as natural gas and metals, attract industry to the area. This is why various industrial cities can be found in the Asian tundra.
South of the tundra, there is a vast zone of Asian coniferous forests ot taiga.
The population density is not very high in this region, either. Most of the habitation is concentrated on the banks of the great Asian rivers that run through the vast taiga.
Grassland, desert and mountains
Asia is a large continent, and its inner parts receive very few clouds from the distant oceans. This is why Central Asia receives so little rainfall. It is dominated by deserts and temperate grassland or steppes. The steppe is a treeless vegetation zone. Grasses and bulbous plants are the most common vegetation types in this temperate grassland. The soil is beneficial for agriculture, but it is only possible with the help of artificial irrigation.
The vast Arabian Peninsula is covered by plantless desert. Similarly, the large Gobi Desert of Central Asia is almost completely without plant life. Despite this, it is still inhabited by Asian camels and wild horses.
Alpine vegetation is found on the slopes of the Himalayan mountain range. It consists mostly of lichens, mosses and low grasses and shrubs. The highest peaks are covered by snow and glaciers.
Although the highest peaks of the Himalayas are over 8 kilometers tall, some migrating birds travel over the mountain range every summer. These birds nest in northern coniferous forests and bogs, but return to South Asia for the winter.
Broadleaf forest, savanna and rainforest
China and Japan are mostly located on the broadleaf forest zone. However, many of these forests have been cut down and converted for agricultural use. The region receies enough rainfall and heat for rice farming. This is why these areas can support large populations.
The Indian Peninsula experiences a dry, warm climate. It consists of savanna vegetation. The South Asian region experiences large changes in the amount of rainfall every year: the summer is rainy, whereas the winter is dry. The wind that brings the summer rain from the Indian Ocean is known as the summer monsoon, whereas the dry winter wind is knowing as the winter monsoon.
The people, animals and plants of the South Asian region have adapted to the monsoon climate. For example, many savanna plants spend the dry winter by resting.
Near the equator, the climate is tropically hot and rainy. These regions consist mainly of rainforests.
The Indian Peninsula experiences a dry, warm climate. It consists of savanna vegetation. The South Asian region experiences large changes in the amount of rainfall every year: the summer is rainy, whereas the winter is dry. The wind that brings the summer rain from the Indian Ocean is known as the summer monsoon, whereas the dry winter wind is knowing as the winter monsoon.
The people, animals and plants of the South Asian region have adapted to the monsoon climate. For example, many savanna plants spend the dry winter by resting.
Near the equator, the climate is tropically hot and rainy. These regions consist mainly of rainforests.
Images from the Asian vegetation zones
Terminology
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Asia | A large continent that begins from the Ural Mountains and ends at the Pacific Ocean. In the south, it is bordered by the Indian Ocean |
| tundra | A vegetation zone of frigid areas. |
| temperate grassland | A vegetation zone of dry, temperate areas. |
| monsoon | A South Asian climate phenomenon where the summer is very rainy and the winter is dry. |