The continent of Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent with nearly 4 billion people calling

Asia home. Asia also contains the world's most populous country, China, and the worlds largest country, Russia. Asia borders Africa and Europe to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The continent of Asia is so large and diverse that it often is divided into sub-regions; Northern Asia Middle East Southern Asia Eastern Asia Southeastern Asia Asia is rich in diverse races, cultures, and languages. Many of the world's major religions came out of Asia including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Asia has a major influence on world culture and the world's economy. Countries such as Russia, China, Japan and Pakistan produce products and services that are used by every nation in the world. Asia is also abundant in natural resources. Oil in the Middle East is a major supplier of much of the world's energy.

COUNTRIES OF ASIA
Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Bangladesh Bhutan China Georgia India Japan Kazakhstan Korea, North Korea, South Kyrgyzstan Maldives Mongolia Nepal Pakistan Russia Sri Lanka Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Ukraine

Afghanistan
Capital: Kabul Population: 31,056,997 Currency: afghani THE GEOGRAPHY OF AFGHANISTAN Total Size: 647,500 square km World Region: Asia General Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest Climate: arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers

THE PEOPLE OF AFGHANISTAN Type of Government: Islamic republic Languages Spoken: Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashtu (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism Independence: 19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs) National Holiday: Independence Day, 19 August (1919) Nationality: Afghan(s) Religions: Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 19%, other 1%

Armenia
Capital: Yerevan Population: 2,976,372 Currency: dram THE GEOGRAPHY OF ARMENIA Total Size: 29,800 square km Size Comparison: slightly smaller than Maryland Geographical Coordinates: 40 00 N, 45 00 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley Climate: highland continental, hot summers, cold winters

THE PEOPLE OF ARMENIA Type of Government: republic Languages Spoken: Armenian 97.7%, Yezidi 1%, Russian 0.9%, other 0.4% (2001 census) Independence: 21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) National Holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1991) Nationality: Armenian(s) Religions: Armenian Apostolic 94.7%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (monotheist with elements of nature worship) 1.3%

Azerbaijan
Capital: Baku (Baki, Baky)

Population: 7,961,619 Currency: manat THE GEOGRAPHY OF AZERBAIJAN Total Size: 86,600 square km Size Comparison: slightly smaller than Maine Geographical Coordinates: 40 30 N, 47 30 E World Region: Asia Climate: dry, semiarid steppe

THE PEOPLE OF AZERBAIJAN Type of Government: republic Languages Spoken: Azerbaijani (Azeri) 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.) Independence: 30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National Holiday: Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, 28 May (1918) Nationality: Azerbaijani(s), Azeri(s) Religions: Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.)

Bangladesh
Capital: Dhaka Population: 147,365,352 Currency: taka THE GEOGRAPHY OF BANGLADESH Total Size: 144,000 square km Size Comparison: slightly smaller than Iowa Geographical Coordinates: 24 00 N, 90 00 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast Climate: tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)

THE PEOPLE OF BANGLADESH Type of Government: parliamentary democracy Languages Spoken: Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English Independence: 16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh National Holiday: Independence Day, 26 March (1971) Nationality: Bangladeshi(s) Religions: Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998)

Bhutan
Capital: Thimphu Population: 2,279,723 Currency: Ngultrum THE GEOGRAPHY OF BHUTAN Total Size: 47,000 square km Size Comparison: about half the size of Indiana Geographical Coordinates: 27 30 N, 90 30 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna Climate: varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas

THE PEOPLE OF BHUTAN Type of Government: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India Languages Spoken: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Independence: 8 August 1949 (from India) National Holiday: National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) Nationality: Bhutanese (singular and plural) Religions: Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%

China
Capital: Beijing Population: 1,313,973,713 Currency: yaun THE GEOGRAPHY OF CHINA Total Size: 9,596,960 square km Size Comparison: slightly smaller than the US Geographical Coordinates: 35 00 N, 105 00 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east Climate: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north

THE PEOPLE OF CHINA Type of Government: Communist state Languages Spoken: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry) Independence: 221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty); 1 January 1912 (Manchu Dynasty replaced by a Republic); 1 October 1949 (People's Republic established) National Holiday: Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, 1 October (1949) Nationality: Chinese (singular and plural)

Religions: Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%-4%, Muslim 1%-2%

Georgia

Capital: T'bilisi Population: 4,661,473

THE GEOGRAPHY OF GEORGIA Total Size: 69,700 Square Km Size Comparison: Slightly Smaller Than South Carolina Geographical Coordinates: 42 00 N, 43 30 E World Region: Asia Climate: Warm and Pleasant; Mediterranean-Like on Black Sea Coast THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA Type Of Government: Republic Languages Spoken: Georgian 71% (Official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, Other 7% Independence: 9 April 1991 (From Soviet Union) National Holiday: Independence Day, 26 May (1918); Note - 26 May 1918 Is The Date Of Independence From Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 Is The Date Of Independence From The Soviet Union Nationality: Georgian(S) Religions: Orthodox Christian 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, Other 0.8%, None 0.7% (2002 Census)

India
Capital: New Delhi Population: 1,095,351,995 Currency: Rupee

THE GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA Total Size: 3,287,590 square km World Region: Asia General Terrain: upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north Climate: varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north THE PEOPLE OF INDIA Type of Government: federal republic Languages Spoken: English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people; there are 14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language Independence: 15 August 1947 (from UK) National Holiday: Republic Day, 26 January (1950) Nationality: Indian(s) Religions: Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.1% (2001 census)

Japan
Capital: Tokyo Population: 127,463,611 Currency: Yen

THE GEOGRAPHY OF JAPAN Total Size: 377,835 square km Size Comparison: slightly smaller than California Geographical Coordinates: 36 00 N, 138 00 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north

THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN Type of Government: constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government Languages Spoken: Japanese Independence: 660 B.C. (traditional founding by Emperor JIMMU) National Holiday: Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933) Nationality: Japanese (singular and plural) Religions: observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%)

Kazakhstan
Capital: Astana Population: 15,233,244 Currency: Tenge

THE GEOGRAPHY OF KAZAKHSTAN Total Size: 2,717,300 square km Geographical Coordinates: 48 00 N, 68 00 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: extends from the Volga to the Altai Mountains and from the plains in western Siberia to oases and desert in Central Asia Climate: continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid

THE PEOPLE OF KAZAKHSTAN Type of Government: republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch Languages Spoken: Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the language of interethnic communication) 95% (2001 est.) Independence: 16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National Holiday: Independence Day, 16 December (1991) Nationality: Kazakhstani(s) Religions: Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%

Korea, North
Capital: Pyongyang Population: 23,113,019 Currency: Won

THE GEOGRAPHY OF KOREA, NORTH Total Size: 120,540 Square Km Geographical Coordinates: 40 00 N, 127 00 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: Mostly Hills And Mountains Separated By Deep, Narrow Valleys; Coastal Plains Wide In West, Discontinuous In East Climate: Temperate With Rainfall Concentrated In Summer THE PEOPLE OF KOREA, NORTH Type Of Government: Communist State OneMan Dictatorship Languages Spoken: Korean Independence: 15 August 1945 (From Japan) National Holiday: Founding Of The Democratic People's Republic Of Korea (Dprk), 9 September (1948) Nationality: Korean(S) Religions: Traditionally Buddhist And Confucianist, Some Christian And Syncretic Chondogyo (Religion Of The Heavenly Way)

Korea, South
Capital: Seoul Population: 48,846,823 Currency:Won

THE GEOGRAPHY OF KOREA, SOUTH Total Size: 98,480 square km Geographical Coordinates: 37 00 N, 127 30 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south Climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter

THE PEOPLE OF KOREA, SOUTH Type of Government: republic Languages Spoken: Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school Independence: 15 August 1945 (from Japan) National Holiday: Liberation Day, 15 August (1945) Nationality: Korean(s) Religions: no affiliation 46%, Christian 26%, Buddhist 26%, Confucianist 1%, other 1%

Kyrgyzstan
Capital: Bishkek Population: 5,213,898 Currency: Kyrgyz Som

THE GEOGRAPHY OF KYRGYZSTAN Total Size: 198,500 square km Size Comparison: slightly smaller than South Dakota Geographical Coordinates: 41 00 N, 75 00 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone

THE PEOPLE OF KYRGYZSTAN Type of Government: republic Languages Spoken: Kyrgyz (official), Russian (official) Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National Holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1991) Nationality: Kyrgyzstani(s) Religions: Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%

Maldives
Capital: Male Population: 359,008 Currency: rufiyaa (MVR)

THE GEOGRAPHY OF MALDIVES Total Size: 300 square km Geographical Coordinates: 3 15 N, 73 00 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: flat, with white sandy beaches Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)

THE PEOPLE OF MALDIVES Type of Government: republic Languages Spoken: Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK) National Holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965) Nationality: Maldivian(s) Religions: Sunni Muslim

Mongolia
Capital: Ulaanbaatar Population: 2,832,224 Currency: togrog/tugrik (MNT)

THE GEOGRAPHY OF MONGOLIA Total Size: 1,564,116 square km Geographical Coordinates: 46 00 N, 105 00 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central Climate: desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)

THE PEOPLE OF MONGOLIA Type of Government: mixed parliamentary/presidential Languages Spoken: Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999) Independence: 11 July 1921 (from China) National Holiday: Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921) Nationality: Mongolian(s) Religions: Buddhist Lamaist 50%, none 40%, Shamanist and Christian 6%, Muslim 4% (2004)

Nepal
Capital: Kathmandu Population: 28,287,147 Currency: Nepalese rupee (NPR)

THE GEOGRAPHY OF NEPAL Total Size: 147,181 square km Geographical Coordinates: 28 00 N, 84 00 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south THE PEOPLE OF NEPAL Type of Government: parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy Languages Spoken: Nepali 47.8%, Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, unspecified 2.5% (2001 census) Independence: 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah) National Holiday: Birthday of King GYANENDRA, 7 July (1946) Nationality: Nepalese (singular and plural) Religions: Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)

Pakistan
Capital: Islamabad

Population: 165,803,560 Currency: Pakistani rupee (PKR)

THE GEOGRAPHY OF PAKISTAN Total Size: 803,940 square km Geographical Coordinates: 30 00 N, 70 00 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Baluchistan plateau in west Climate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north

THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN Type of Government: federal republic Languages Spoken: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8% Independence: 14 August 1947 (from UK) National Holiday: Republic Day, 23 March (1956) Nationality: Pakistani(s) Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3%

Russia
Capital: Moscow Population: 142,893,540 Currency: Russian ruble (RUR)

THE GEOGRAPHY OF RUSSIA Total Size: 17,075,200 square km Geographical Coordinates: 60 00 N, 100 00 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: broad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern border regions

THE PEOPLE OF RUSSIA Type of Government: federation Languages Spoken: Russian, many minority languages Independence: 24 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) National Holiday: Russia Day, 12 June (1990) Nationality: Russian(s) Religions: Russian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2% (2006 est.)

Sri Lanka
Capital: Colombo

Population: 20,222,240 Currency: Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)

THE GEOGRAPHY OF SRI LANKA Total Size: 65,610 square km Geographical Coordinates: 7 00 N, 81 00 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior Climate: tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October) THE PEOPLE OF SRI LANKA Type of Government: republic Languages Spoken: Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8% Independence: 4 February 1948 (from UK) National Holiday: Independence Day, 4 February (1948) Nationality: Sri Lankan(s) Religions: Buddhist 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data)

Tajikistan
Capital: Dushanbe Population: 7,320,815 Currency: somoni

THE GEOGRAPHY OF TAJIKISTAN Total Size: 143,100 square km Geographical Coordinates: 39 00 N, 71 00 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest Climate: midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains THE PEOPLE OF TAJIKISTAN Type of Government: republic Languages Spoken: Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business Independence: 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) National Holiday: Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991) Nationality: Tajikistani(s) Religions: Sunni Muslim 85%, Shi'a Muslim 5%, other 10% (2003 est.)

Turkmenistan
Capital: Ashgabat (Ashkhabad) Population: 5,042,920 Currency: Turkmen manat (TMM)

THE GEOGRAPHY OF TURKMENISTAN Total Size: 488,100 square km Geographical Coordinates: 40 00 N, 60 00 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to mountains in the south; low mountains along border with Iran; borders Caspian Sea in west Climate: subtropical desert THE PEOPLE OF TURKMENISTAN Type of Government: republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch Languages Spoken: Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7% Independence: 27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National Holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1991) Nationality: Turkmen(s) Religions: Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2%

Uzbekistan
Capital: Tashkent (Toshkent) Population: 27,307,134 Currency: Uzbekistani soum (UZS)

THE GEOGRAPHY OF UZBEKISTAN Total Size: 447,400 square km Geographical Coordinates: 41 00 N, 64 00 E World Region: Asia General Terrain: mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west Climate: mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east THE PEOPLE OF UZBEKISTAN Type of Government: republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch Languages Spoken: Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1% Independence: 1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) National Holiday: Independence Day, 1 September (1991) Nationality: Uzbekistani Religions: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%

Ukraine
Capital: Kyiv

Population: 46,710,816 Currency: hryvnia (UAH)

THE GEOGRAPHY OF UKRAINE Total Size: 603,700 square km Geographical Coordinates: 49 00 N, 32 00 E World Region: Asia, Europe General Terrain: most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and plateaus, mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians), and in the Crimean Peninsula in the extreme south Climate: temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm across the greater part of the country, hot in the south

THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE Type of Government: republic Languages Spoken: Ukrainian (official) 67%, Russian 24%, small Romanian-, Polish-, and Hungarianspeaking minorities Independence: 24 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National Holiday: Independence Day, 24 August (1991); 22 January (1918), the day Ukraine first declared its independence (from Soviet Russia) and the day the short-lived Western and Central Ukrainian republics united (1919), is now celebrated as Unity Day Nationality: Ukrainian(s) Religions: Ukrainian Orthodox - Kyiv Patriarchate 19%, Orthodox (no particular jurisdiction) 16%, Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate 9%, Ukrainian Greek Catholic 6%, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox 1.7%, Protestant, Jewish, none 38% (2004 est.)