The Countries of Asia
Asia, being the largest continent on earth, is divided into 4 main sections. In these sections are many countries.
As of 2009, there is a rough total of 61.5 million people living in these countries. The region's climate is largely varied, from high mountains, grassy treeless steppes, to hot deserts. Overall, the largest biome is temperate grasslands. Most of the region's land is to rugged for farming. Water shortages have led to international disputes before, because much of it is shrinking from irrigation. Some bodies of water that are being affected by this are the Aral Sea, Lake Balkhash, and Hari River.
This region is about 15% larger than Europe, and covers about 4,600,000 sq. miles of land. The population consists of 1.5 billion people, which is twice the amount of Europe's population. East Asia's climate is known for consistent high temperature and humidity, and there are small seasonal variations. The biggest changes are the dry season and wet season, when many typhoons occur. There are also large amounts of sedimentary limestone deposits, and Lateritic soil in the equatorial rain-forests.
This is the most densely populated region in the world, with more then one-fifth of the world's population. Currently, increased amounts of climate change are occurring, such as more variable precipitation, higher temperatures, more extreme weather events such as intensified floods, storms, and droughts.- Southwest Asia (also known as the Middle East)
Generally, the climate in this region is arid and hot, containing several major rivers which in turn support agriculture through irrigation. In the Persian gulf, there are rich amounts of crude oil. The area of the region encompasses roughly 90% of the area of the United States. Established in 2011, Southwest Asia's population is about 216,258,843.
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Interesting Facts - Kazakhstan is the largest land-locked country in the world.
- Kyrgystan is home to the Inylchek Glacier, one of the world's largest glaciers.
- In 2002, archaeologists discovered ancient pyramids in Uzbekistan, and are supposedly 2,700 years old.
- In Uzbekistan, lipioshka (bread) is never laid upside down or on the ground even when in a bag.
- Vientiane, the capital of Laos, translates as "Sandalwood City".
- Most of the world's rare teak forests remain in Myanmar.
- The only country in Southeast Asia never to have been colonized by the Europeans was Thailand.
- In Cambodia stands the ancient Ankgor Wat, the largest religious temple in the world. It is estimated that about 30 years were spent building it.
- India is the largest democracy in the world.
- Cricket is the most popular sport in Sri Lanka.
- In the Maldives, only 200 out of the 1,192 islets are inhabited.
- In the Nepali mountains or Himalayas, the yeti or abominable snowman is rumored to exist there, and many expeditions have been set out to find the creature.
- Southwest Asia (Middle East)
- Located in Armenia, Mount Ararat is the highest mountain in the country. According to the bible, this is where Noah's Ark settled after flood waters had lowered.
- Syria had been under Ottoman rule for an incredibly long time: 1516 to World War 1
(1914-1918). - Turkey's most populated city, Istanbul, is the only city in the world to be built upon two continents (Asia and Europe).
- The tomb of Eve is believed to be located in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah City.
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China's Ageing Population
After several years of having the one-child policy in China, implications of this policy have finally caught up with them. Especially in the city of Shanghai, the demographics are frightfully wrong. This policy has prevented an estimated 400 million children from being born since 1970. Shanghai has terminated its one-child policy and now encourages couples to have at least two children. Why? Because in Shanghai, one in five residents of roughly 3 million people is a senior. It has been estimated that the ratio will increase to one in three by 2020.
About China -Government: The Chinese government is known as the People's Republic of China. It consists of three main branches: the Communist Party of China, the Central People's Government (state council), and the People's Liberation Army (PLA). State power is within the National People's Congress, State Council, and President. In the State Council, the Premier is the head, while there are also variable numbers of Vice Premiers, and a consistent 5 State Councilors. Most of all, the main power goes to the Paramount Leader. Currently filling the position is Hu Jintao. The Chinese Constitution, or Constitution of the People's Republic of China was written for the first time on September 20th, 1954. -UN Involvement:
About Japan Their constitution was established in 1946 during occupation of the Allied powers.
-Government: The Japanese government consists of three branches: the Legislature, Judiciary, and Executive.
-Legislature: Their
parliament is known as the Diet. The House of Representatives holds 480
members, while the House of Councillors holds 242 members.
-Judiciary:
Similar to the U.S., the highest court is the Supreme Court. Others
include summary, family, high, and district courts. The cabinet contains
the officials that elect judges.
-Executive:
This is the main cabinet consisting of ministers who are elected by the
prime minister. These members of the Diet elect the Prime Minister.
When
the election process takes place, the legal voting age is 20. Woman
were granted the right to vote when the new constitution was written.
Every 4 years, elections are carried out for the House of
Representatives. And every 3 years, only half of the House of
Councillors is elected. The emperor of Japan holds no power, but is a national symbol that tells of Japan's history and culture. -UN Involvement: Japan joined the UN in 1956. After the late 1950's, Japan participated actively in the social and economic activities of the UN's various specialized agencies. During the 1970's Japan attained the status of an economic superpower and was being considered to have a position on the permanent UN security board along with the U.S., Britain, etc.
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Japan Culture
To the Western world, going to Japan can be much of a culture shock. Their customs greatly differ from ours. The most defining characteristics of their people is that they are very conscious about hygiene, are very sensitive, and quite fastidious about proper etiquette and form. Here is a list of things they live by in daily life:
- There is no "Ladies First" policy.
- They are very punctual with being somewhere on time, especially with formal occasions.
- They often use silence for communication as much as speaking.
- It is customary to take off one's shoes when entering a home.
Japanese Food
Japanese take pride in the intricacy and flavor of their food. Here are a few of the most known dishes:
- Sashimi and Sushi: These two dishes have been thought as almost the same thing. It consists of thin slices of raw fish, or other seafood served with wasabi. It is usually served upon vinegared rice and with vegetables or egg.
- Sukiyaki: This is a savory and hearty beef and vegetable stew that's dipped in a bowl of beaten raw egg. Tofu, noodles, and green onions are also added.
- Tempura: Seafood or vegetables dipped in batter and deep-fried, served with a dipping sauce or daikon.
- Drinks: Tea is the most popular drink in Japan. There are many different varities including Black tea, Green tea, Oolong tea, and more. It is considered rude to put creamer, sugar, etc. in their tea.
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