Asia is home to the majority of humanity, lively cities, sublime landscapes and almost endless options. Asia varies from the mega-cities and technology capitals ofEast Asia to the magnificent monuments inSouth Asia, and from the beach bungalows and jungle treks ofSoutheast Asia to the desert ruins and modern mega-malls of theMiddle East.
East Asia was the cradle of ancient civilizations such as Imperial China, ancient Korea, ancient Japan, and the Mongol Empire, and is today home to 1.6 billion people.
South Asia, also known as the Indian subcontinent, is a triangular landmass bordered by theHimalayas in the north, the Indian Ocean in the south, and the Ganges and Indus river valleys in east and west.
Southeast Asia is a group of diverse tropical countries between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, featuring cultures influenced by bothIndia andChina and hosting large communities of Overseas Chinese.
TheMiddle East is a region mainly in Western Asia, between the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. While the region is known for its arid climate, not all of the land consists of deserts, and contrary to common misconceptions, glaciers and deserts do indeed exist in close proximity in parts of the region.
Central Asia is a rugged, arid region, historically coveted for its position betweenEurope andEast Asia with the legendary Silk Route, rather than for its resources, although petroleum, natural gas, and mineral reserves have become more important in modern times.
TheCaucasus is a region between the Black and Caspian Seas. It consists ofSouthern Russia,Georgia,Armenia, andAzerbaijan. Known for its alpine terrain, theCaucasus is home to Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain peak in Europe, on the Russo-Georgian border.