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Asia (/ˈeɪʒə, ˈeɪʃə/ (listen)) is Earth's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the Eastern and Northern Hemispheres. It shares the continental landmass of Eurasia with the continent of Europe and the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with both Europe and Africa. Asia covers an area of 44,579,000 square kilometres (17,212,000 sq mi), about 30% of Earth's total land area and 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area. The continent, which has long been home to the majority of the human population, was the site of many of the first civilizations. Its 4.5 billion people () constitute roughly 60% of the world's population.

In general terms, Asia is bounded on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the south by the Indian Ocean, and on the north by the Arctic Ocean. The border of Asia with Europe is a historical and cultural construct, as there is no clear physical and geographical separation between them. It is somewhat arbitrary and has moved since its first conception in classical antiquity. The division of Eurasia into two continents reflects East–West cultural, linguistic, and ethnic differences, some of which vary on a spectrum rather than with a sharp dividing line. The most commonly accepted boundaries place Asia to the east of the Suez Canal separating it from Africa; and to the east of the Turkish Straits, the Ural Mountains and Ural River, and to the south of the Caucasus Mountains and the Caspian and Black Seas, separating it from Europe.

China and India alternated in being the largest economies in the world from 1 to 1800 CE. China was a major economic power and attracted many to the east, and for many the legendary wealth and prosperity of the ancient culture of India personified Asia, attracting European commerce, exploration and colonialism. The accidental discovery of a trans-Atlantic route from Europe to America by Columbus while in search for a route to India demonstrates this deep fascination. The Silk Road became the main east–west trading route in the Asian hinterlands while the Straits of Malacca stood as a major sea route. Asia has exhibited economic dynamism (particularly East Asia) as well as robust population growth during the 20th century, but overall population growth has since fallen. Asia was the birthplace of most of the world's mainstream religions including Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Jainism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, as well as many other religions. (Full article...)

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Featured article

On 30 September 2000, the second day of the Second Intifada, 12-year-old Muhammad al-Durrah was killed in the Gaza Strip during widespread protests and riots across the Palestinian territories against Israeli military occupation. Jamal al-Durrah and his son Muhammad were filmed by Talal Abu Rahma, a Palestinian television cameraman freelancing for France 2, as they were caught in crossfire between the Israeli military and Palestinian security forces. The footage shows the pair crouching behind a concrete cylinder, the boy crying and the father waving, then a burst of gunfire and dust. Muhammad is shown slumping as he is mortally wounded by gunfire, dying soon after.

Fifty-nine seconds of the footage were broadcast on television in France with a voiceover from Charles Enderlin, the station's bureau chief in Israel. Based on information from the cameraman, Enderlin told viewers that the al-Durrahs had been the target of fire from the Israeli positions and that the boy had died. After an emotional public funeral, Muhammad was hailed throughout the Muslim world as a martyr. (Full article...)

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Selected Country

Oman (/oʊˈmɑːn/ (listen) oh-MAHN; Arabic: عُمَان‎ ʿUmān [ʕʊˈmaːn]), officially the Sultanate of Oman (Arabic: سلْطنةُ عُمان‎ Salṭanat(u) ʻUmān), is a country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. Formerly a maritime empire, Oman is the oldest continuously independent state in the Arab world. Located in a strategically important position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, the country shares land borders with the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest, and shares maritime borders with Iran, and Pakistan. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the southeast, and the Gulf of Oman on the northeast. The Madha and Musandam exclaves are surrounded by the UAE on their land borders, with the Strait of Hormuz (which it shares with Iran) and the Gulf of Oman forming Musandam's coastal boundaries. Muscat is its capital and largest city.

From the late 17th century, the Omani Sultanate was a powerful empire, vying with the Portuguese and British empires for influence in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. At its peak in the 19th century, Omani influence or control extended across the Strait of Hormuz to modern-day Iran, and Pakistan, and as far south as Zanzibar. When its power declined in the 20th century, the sultanate came under the influence of the United Kingdom. For over 300 years, the relations built between the two empires were based on mutual benefit. The UK recognized Oman's geographical importance as a trading hub that secured their trading lanes in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean and protected their empire in the Indian sub-continent. Historically, Muscat was the principal trading port of the Persian Gulf region. Muscat was also among the most important trading ports of the Indian Ocean. (Full article...)

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Featured biography

Bust of Shen at the Beijing Ancient Observatory

Shen Kuo (Chinese: 沈括; 1031–1095) or Shen Gua, courtesy name Cunzhong (存中) and pseudonym Mengqi (now usually given as Mengxi) Weng (夢溪翁), was a Chinese polymathic scientist and statesman of the Song dynasty (960–1279). Excelling in many fields of study and statecraft, he was a mathematician, astronomer, antiquarian, meteorologist, geologist, entomologist, anatomist, climatologist, zoologist, botanist, pharmacologist, medical scientist, agronomist, archaeologist, ethnographer, cartographer, geographer, geophysicist, metallurgist, mineralogist, encyclopedist, military general, diplomat, hydraulic engineer, inventor, economist, academy chancellor, finance minister, governmental state inspector, philosopher, art critic, poet, and musician. He was the head official for the Bureau of Astronomy in the Song court, as well as an Assistant Minister of Imperial Hospitality. At court his political allegiance was to the Reformist faction known as the New Policies Group, headed by Chancellor Wang Anshi (1021–1085).

In his Dream Pool Essays or Dream Torrent Essays (夢溪筆談; Mengxi Bitan) of 1088, Shen was the first to describe the magnetic needle compass, which would be used for navigation (first described in Europe by Alexander Neckam in 1187). Shen discovered the concept of true north in terms of magnetic declination towards the north pole, with experimentation of suspended magnetic needles and "the improved meridian determined by Shen's [astronomical] measurement of the distance between the pole star and true north". This was the decisive step in human history to make compasses more useful for navigation, and may have been a concept unknown in Europe for another four hundred years (evidence of German sundials made circa 1450 show markings similar to Chinese geomancer compasses in regard to declination). (Full article...)

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General images

The following are images from various Asia-related articles on Wikipedia.

Image 1Indonesian Balinese cuisine (from Culture of Asia)
Image 2Dome of the Rock, an Islamic shrine in Jerusalem. (from Culture of Asia)
Image 3Sculpture of Prince Shōtoku (from History of Asia)
Image 4Language families in South Asia (from Culture of Asia)
Image 5Traditional Rajasthani garments from Jaipur, Rajasthan (from Culture of Asia)
Image 6Gyeonghoeru of Gyeongbokgung, the Joseon dynasty's royal palace. (from History of Asia)
Image 7The Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan, which was the tallest building in the world from 2004 to 2010. (from Asian Century)
Image 8The Silk Road in Asia (from History of Asia)
Image 9Korean peninsula in 476 AD. There are three kingdoms and Gaya Union in the picture. This picture shows the heyday of Goguryeo (from History of Asia)
Image 10The Grand Mosque in Kuwait City, one of the largest mosques in the region (from Culture of Asia)
Image 11Projected GDP of 7 largest economies in 2050. (from Asian Century)
Image 12Deoksugung, the palace where Emperor Gojong established Korean Empire. (from History of Asia)
Image 13Population concentration and boundaries of the Western Zhou dynasty in China (from History of Asia)
Image 14The third Inter-Korean Summit, which was held in 2018, between South Korean president Moon Jae-in and North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un. It was a historical event that symbolized the peace of Asia. (from History of Asia)
Image 15The Taj Mahal, Agra, India (from Culture of Asia)
Image 16Kabsa also called Majboos, famous in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and United Arab Emirates (from Culture of Asia)
Image 17The First Persian Empire at its greatest extent, c. 500 BC (from History of Asia)
Image 18Tang dynasty Chinese poet Li Bai, in a 13th-century depiction by Liang Kai (from Culture of Asia)
Image 19Gojong (1852–1919), the 26th king of Joseon dynasty and the first emperor of Korean Empire. (from History of Asia)
Image 20Detail of Chinese silk from the 4th century BCE. The characteristic trade of silk through the Silk Road connected various regions from China, India, Central Asia, and the Middle East to Europe and Africa. (from History of Asia)
Image 21India's middle-class population of 300 million is growing at an annual rate of 5%. Shown here is an upmarket area in South Mumbai. (from Asian Century)
Image 22Byzantine and Sassanian Empires in 600 AD (from History of Asia)
Image 23Ancient ziggurat, Iraq (from Culture of Asia)
Image 24The global contribution to world's GDP by major economies from 1 AD to 2003 AD according to Angus Maddison's estimates. Before 18th century, China and India were the two largest economies by GDP output. (from Asian Century)
Image 25Here a Jesuit, Adam Schall von Bell (1592–1666), is dressed as an official of the Chinese Department of Astronomy. (from History of Asia)
Image 26Expansion of Hinduism in Southeast Asia (from History of Asia)
Image 27Map of Marco Polo's travels (from History of Asia)
Image 28Projected shares of global GDP by region to 2050 (from Asian Century)
Image 29Chicken tikka, a well-known dish across the globe, reflects the amalgamation of South Asian cooking styles with those from Central Asia. (from Culture of Asia)
Image 30Sun temple at Konarka, Odisha (from Culture of Asia)
Image 31East Asian cultural sphere (from Culture of Asia)
Image 32Daian-ji temple at Nara, Japan (from Culture of Asia)
Image 33The first King of Goryeo, as known as Taejo of Goryeo (918–943) (from History of Asia)
Image 34The early Muslim conquests, 622–750 (from History of Asia)
Image 35the Goryeo ware, which shows splendid culture of Goryeo in mediaeval Korea. (from History of Asia)
Image 36Balhae in the north, Later Silla in the south (from History of Asia)
Image 37Detail of the Dragon Throne used by the Qianlong Emperor of China, Forbidden City, Qing dynasty. Artifact circulating in U.S. museums on loan from Beijing (from Culture of Asia)
Image 38Borobudur, a Buddhist temple in Indonesia (from Culture of Asia)
Image 39The Mughal ambassador Khan’Alam in 1618 negotiating with Shah Abbas the Great of Iran. (from History of Asia)
Image 40Map of Asia for early 20th century (from History of Asia)
Image 41A view of the Fort St George in 18th-century Madras. (from History of Asia)
Image 42Robert Clive and Mir Jafar after the Battle of Plassey, 1757 by Francis Hayman (from History of Asia)
Image 43Philippine cuisine (from Culture of Asia)
Image 44Contemporary political map of Asia (from History of Asia)
Image 45The Russian Znamensky Cathedral in Tyumen built in 1768 (from Culture of Asia)
Image 46The Qing Empire in 1820, marked the time when the Qing began to rule these areas. (from History of Asia)
Image 47The Syriac Orthodox Saint Ahoadamah Church was a 7th-century church building in the city of Tikrit, one of the oldest in the world until its destruction by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on 25 September 2014. (from Culture of Asia)
Image 48A Confucian ritual ceremony in Jeju, South Korea (from Culture of Asia)
Image 49Political cartoon depicting the Afghan Emir Sher Ali with the rival "friends" the Russian Bear and British Lion (1878) (from History of Asia)
Image 50A typical example of Dravidian architecture (from Culture of Asia)
Image 51The Hindu-Buddhist temple of Angkor Wat. (from History of Asia)
Image 52The Great Wall of China at Jinshanling (from Culture of Asia)
Image 53A map of the Bronze Age collapse, c. 1200 BCE (from History of Asia)
Image 54The Delhi Sultanate. (from History of Asia)
Image 55Badshahi Mosque built under the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Lahore, Pakistan (from Culture of Asia)
Image 56The Great Wave off Kanagawa, c. 1830 by Hokusai, an example of art flourishing in the Edo Period (from History of Asia)
Image 57Battle of Talas between Tang dynasty and Abbasid Caliphate c. 751 (from History of Asia)
Image 58Angkor Wat, Khmer Empire (from Culture of Asia)
Image 59A stone image of the Buddha (from Culture of Asia)

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Featured picture

Jaflong

Credit: Abdul Momin

An old man carrying two baskets on a stick through a field of tea plants in Jaflong, Sylhet, Bangladesh, with misty hills in the background.

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Did you know...

... that Sister has sparked discussion about gender roles in China?
... that neither of the US-based authors of the 1991 book The Coming War With Japan had ever visited Japan when they wrote it?
... that a 2010 study found 1,000 people living in Al-Ghuraba cemetery in Tripoli, Lebanon?
... that after U-2 spy aircraft piloted by Yeh Changti and Chang Liyi were shot down over China, the United States began prioritizing the development of drones at Area 51?
... that Operation Romeo was one of the causes of the Nepalese Civil War?
... that Singaporean authorities hope that the Mandai Wildlife Bridge will reduce the risk of animals such as Sunda pangolins and leopard cats becoming roadkill?
... that nearly half the milk produced in India, whose dairy industry is the largest in the world, comes from buffaloes?
... that even the manager of Indiana radio station WMCZ confused it with WMEE, leading a federal judge to order the former to change its call sign?
... that Fraser's Hill in Malaysia was previously a tin mining area that was converted into a hill station after the tin ore depleted in 1913?
... that the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs said that it will not arrest communist leader Jose Maria Sison if he visits the Philippine embassy in The Hague?

Updated: 21:33, 12 October 2021

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In the news

13 October 2021 –: Two pilots aboard a Cessna 172 crash on the Halal Coast of Lebanon during training. Rescue teams dispatched and locations unknown. (Reuters)
12 October 2021 – Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir: Indian Armed Forces kill three suspected terrorists during a gunfight in Shopian. Another security operation is carried out several hours later at an apple orchard, resulting in the deaths of two more terrorists. The raids came a day after five Indian soldiers were killed by suspected terrorists. (Al Jazeera)
12 October 2021 – Korean wave: American streaming service Netflix, the world's largest entertainment company by market capitalization, confirms that the South Korean television series Squid Game is its most-watched program worldwide, having been viewed by more than 111 million accounts since its release in September. (AFP via ABS-CBN News)
12 October 2021 – 2021 Pacific typhoon season: At least 9 people are killed in the Philippines during floods and landslides caused by Tropical Storm Kompasu. (Reuters)
12 October 2021 –: At least 25 people are killed and several others are injured in a bus crash in Mugu District, Nepal. (BBC)
12 October 2021 – COVID-19 pandemic: COVID-19 pandemic in India, COVID-19 vaccination in India

Updated: 15:33, 13 October 2021

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Credit: David Castor

The Taj Mahal (Hindi: ताज महल, from Persian/Urdu: تاج محل "crown of palaces") is a white Marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage." Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Turkish and Indian architectural styles.

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