of oil and gas. Vast minerals and resources yet untapped also abound in the Asian continental shelf and in the polar region. China produces 50% of the world supply of antimony (mineral used in steel) and 30% of tungsten (mineral used for light bulbs). China and Siberia are rich in-coal and natural gas deposits, as well as oil. Malaysia is the world’s greatest producer of rubber and tin. Indonesia is the greater exporter of kapok, pepper, and quinine. The Philippines ranks first in coconut and hemp production, second in sugarcane, and fifth in tobacco. About 90% of world rice comes from Asia. Most of the world supply of teak comes from the jungles of Borneo, Burma, Cambodia, and Thailand. Bangladesh is the leading producer of jute, the tough sack fiber. The world supply of tea comes from Sti Lanka, India and China. Asia houses one-fourth of the world’s forests. The vast taiga forests of Siberia and in Southeast Asia total 2.7 tropical forests The hottest and driest ‘Monsoon Physical Environment billion acres. Most of the total world log exports come from Asia Unfortunately, most Asians remain poor despite the continent’s rich natural resources. There are several reasons, as follows: (1) resources are not fully developed; m (2) developed resources are controlled by foreign multinational companies and rich elites that do not share the wealth; ‘® (3) the environment is not protected, and resources are depleted; and 1 (4) false religions and beliefs keep the people closed to progressive ways. We shall discuss these below. m Resources Not Developed. Although, Asia has vast reSources and population, it only accounts for 17% of world production and industry. Clearly, the vast resources of Asia are not developed at all. Thus, most Asians do not earn enough to feed, clothe, house, or take care of themselves, and they have lower living standards than Westerners. Threatened forests make Asia poorer