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Asia, the world’s largest continent in terms of both land area and population, has more than 3.6 billion people, nearly 60% of the world’s total inhabitants. It’s also the world’s most socially and geographically diverse continent. Besides being the birthplace of all the world's major religions, Asia’s diverse geography includes earth’s highest and lowest elevations, as well as most of the world’s longest rivers, deepest lakes, and largest cities.
Asia is indeed a land of mystery; a vast and meandering continent whose ancient cultures live in melodic harmony with their assorted lands, beautiful waterways, and fascinating cities. From the mystic Himalayas, to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, 
to the unique sites and sounds of Hong Kong, Tokyo or Bombay, Asia offers you a wonderland of exciting travel options…cultural experiences, historical adventures, and the allure of so many enchanting and beautiful natural wonders. Asia isn’t merely mysterious, it’s majestic.
Like most African and South American countries, but to a lesser degree, Asia’s 37 countries are marked by extreme disparities in wealth, both between and within themselves. A few countries, like Singapore and Japan for example, have relatively high standards of living, while others, such as Bangladesh and Myanmar, are very poor. Between these extremes lie Russia, China, and India, all of which are now enjoying slow but steady economic growth and social stability.
No other continent offers travelers such a captivating combination of mystery, tradition, ancient history, culture, and exotic natural beauty. So if you’re adventurous and looking for an intriguing and unforgettable travel experience, discover the mysteries of majestic Asia.
Geographical and Sociological Profile
The following information was provided by the Asia Society, the United Nations, and the World Resources Institute, and was last updated on June 30, 2003. For more current information on Asia’s population please click here.
Total Land Area: 17,139,445 Square Miles (44,391,162 Sq. Km)
Population: 3,675,000,000
Population Density: 203 people per square mile
Main Languages: Chinese, Sino-Tibetan, Indo-Aryan, Japanese, Austroasiatic, Korean
Principle Religions: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity
Literacy Rate: Eastern Asia, 24.2%; Southern Asia, 53.8%
Largest Cities: Tokyo, Soul, Shanghai, Jakarta, New Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Beijing
Mountains: Mt. Everest (Nepal), Fuji (Japan), Gunung Agung (Bali), Kinabalu (Malaysia)
Largest Lakes: Caspian Sea, Aral, Bajkal, Balhas, Issyk-Kul, Lake Urmia, Zajsan
Notable Rivers: Yangtze, Ob, Euphrates, Huang-He, Ganges, Mekong, Tigris, Yenisey
Travel Advisability Codes
To help you identify those countries that offer the most desirable attractions, cultural experiences, and travel accommodations, we have assigned a Travel Advisability Code to each country based on the following rating scale: Good  Fair  Poor  .
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