ACTIVITY-I

 Identify the different countries with corresponding capitals for each sub-region of Asia.
 Provide a description for each of the region in terms of the climate, people and origin.

The geographic term “Asia” was originally used by ancient Greeks to describe
the civilizations east of their empire. Ancient Asian peoples, however, saw themselves as
a varied and diverse mix of cultures—not a collective group. Today, the term “Asia” is
used as a cultural concept, while subregion classifications describe the distinct
geopolitical identities of the continent. These classifications are Western Asia, Central
Asia, Southern Asia, Eastern Asia, Southeastern Asia, and Northern Asia.
Climate and Agriculture

Asia’s vast area allows for varied and extreme climates. It has some of the coldest, hottest, wettest, and
driest places on Earth. While many distinct climates exist across the continent, Asia’s climate can be most
generally divided into three zones: north/central, southwest, and southeast.

The continent’s north/central zone is affected by cold and dry Arctic winds, especially

the Siberia region of Russia. Hardier grains, such as barley, buckwheat, millet, oats, and wheat, are grown in the
central and southern areas of this zone, where permanent frosts inhibit plant growth. Animal husbandry is also
very important in this zone. In Mongolia, for example, 75 percent of agricultural land is allocated to the rearing
of livestock, such as sheep, goats, and cattle.

The southwest zone is a dry, hot region that stretches from the Gobi Desert in Mongolia through
Pakistan, Iran, and into the Arabian Peninsula. This zone has very few areas with enough moisture
and precipitation to produce crops. Grains, such as barley and corn, are the principal irrigated crops of some
countries. A lack of pastureland suitable for grains, however, means heat-resistant vegetables and fruits are
grown most widely in this zone. Dates, figs, apricots, olives, onions, grapes, and cherries are the most important
of these fruit and vegetable crops.

The southeast zone is greatly affected by the summer monsoon season. During this season, a low-
pressure system south of the Himalayas attracts moisture-laden winds from the Indian Ocean. The Himalayas
push these winds up, causing clouds and precipitation to form at a rapid rate. As a result, many areas of
Southeast Asia are considered the wettest places on Earth and can see more than 254 centimeters (100 inches)
of rain every year.

The high temperatures and precipitation levels of Southeast Asia are the perfect conditions for the
production of rice and tropical fruits. Rice is one of Asia’s most important agricultural commodities and a
major food staple of the entire continent. In 2010, Asia harvested almost 570 million metric tons (627 million
short tons) of rice, accounting for more than 50 percent of the continent’s total cereal production—and roughly
90 percent of total global rice production. Asia also has the highest rates of rice consumption, averaging more
than 79 kilograms (175 pounds) per person annually. As a result, the majority of Asia’s rice stays within the
region and international trade rates are fairly low.

Southeast Asia is also a major producer of tropical fruits, such as mango, papaya, and pineapple. India is
the world’s largest mango-producing nation, accounting for roughly 40 percent of total global output in 2010.
Thailand and the Philippines are the region’s major producers of pineapple.

People in Asia

Asia has the largest land mass in the whole world and is a home to a majority of human
population that is residing in the world. Asian refers to all the people who are residing in Asia.
People of Asia are very strongly attached to their homelands and find it very painful to separate
from their native countries. Since then, Asian people are known all over the world for their strong
cultural values and intelligent minds. Asian are happy and genuine people in the world because
Asia is well known for land of celebrations and home of festivals because of different cultures and
religions are being celebrated yearly.
Sub-Regions: Countries and Capital

North Asia South Asia Southeast Asia

Moscow, Russia Western Asia

Kabul, Afghani Bandar Seri
Central
AbuAsia stanArab Emirates
Dhabi, United Begawan, Brunei
Muscat, Oman
Amman, Jordan Dhaka, Bangla Bangkok, Thailand
Nicosia, Cyprus
Ashgabat, Turkmenista desh Dili, East Timor
Ankara, Turkey North Nicosia, Northern
n Diego Flying Fish Cove, Christmas
Baghdad, Iraq Cyprus
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Garcia, BIOT (UK) Island (Australia)
Baku, Azerbaijan Ramallah, Palestine (de
Dushanbe, Tajikistan Islamabad, Pa Hanoi, Vietnam
Beirut, Lebanon facto) *
Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan kistan Jakarta, Indonesia
Cairo, Egypt Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Tashkent, Uzbekistan Kathmandu, N Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Damascus, Syria Sana'a, Yemen
East Asia epal Manila, Philippines
Doha, Qatar Stepanakert, Artsakh
Kotte/Colomb Sukhumi, Abkhazia
Episkopi Cantonment, Akrotiri Naypyidaw, Myanmar
Beijing, China
o, Sri Lanka
and Dhekelia (United Kingdom) Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tbilisi, Georgia
Hong Kong, Hong
Jerusalem, Israel * Malé, Maldives Tehran, Iran
Singapore
Kong (China)
Kuwait City, Kuwait New Vientiane, Laos
Tskhinvali, South Ossetia
Macau, Macau (China)
Manama, Bahrain Delhi, India West Island, Cocos
Yerevan, Armenia (Keeling)
Pyongyang, North
Thimphu, BhutIslands (Australia)
Korea
an
Seoul, South Korea
Taipei, Taiwan *
Tokyo, Japan
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
ACTIVITY-II

 Among the different distinct asian characteristics, select atleast 3 of them, provide a brief discussion
and provide an example for each characteristics.

 SPIRITUALITY

Asia is the birthplace of all the world’s major religions and hundreds of minor ones. Asian
societies remain more conservative and family-oriented than the West; for now social teachings and
the central role of religion are more readily accepted. (e.g. Shintō encompasses the indigenous
religious beliefs and practices of the Japanese people. Although among some practitioners that
tradition has absorbed the influences of other belief systems, such as Confucianism, Daoism, and
Buddhism, its fundamental principles linking sacred power, ritual observance, and imperial
nationhood remain unique to Japanese culture.)

 HOSPITALITY

Asian Hospitality operators have been recognized globally due to their service quality with
local value-added into service offering and physically appearance. Because of Asian human essence,
notion of life, traditions, the establishments of Asian hospitality is formed as every single moment
has been shaped by cultural reason behind those practices. (e.g. The nature of the Asian people itself
is the biggest asset in elevating the model of Asian hospitality service implemented worldwide; the
warm and caring services are deeply rooted by their cultural background.)

 EXTENDED FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

There are a variety of reasons for the creation of extended family households, including the
desire for children to support their parents and grandparents, the inculcation of language and culture,
economic stability, cultural obligation, and family reunification patterns. (e.g. Korean families are
hierarchical by gender, generation, age, and class. There is differentiation by gender and men and
women have traditional gender roles. Parents support children and children are obligated to respect
their parents.)

ACTIVITY-III

 Why do we have to study asia as a continent?

We should study Asia, probably Asia is the most dynamic continent in the world and
economically presents endless opportunities because Asia is one of the major crossroads of the
world: cultural, political, economic and social. Over the centuries, the hybrid cross-breedings
from migrations and diasporas, and more recently, from media and communication technologies,
have led to shared worlds among countries and cultures within Asia as well as between Asia and
the other major regions of the world.

 How will you describe the physical environment of Asia as continent? How do you think our
environment affects our lives?
Asia-Pacific represents a unique and diversified natural environment. Our region can be
subdivided biogeographically into the continental, archipelagic and small island ecosystems. In
totality, related to the biogeographic characteristics, the region has a dominant marine
environment. Here, the threat of impacts from land-based activities in the terrestrial ecosystem to
the marine ecosystem must be anticipated in the long-term.