1. Asia takes up a big chunk of the planet.
Roughly one third of all Earth’s land sits in Asia, and about 60% of all humans call it home.
2. Russia straddles two worlds.
Russia is Asia’s biggest country by area, but a large slice is in Europe. China and India beat it for population, and they’re the only two countries on Earth with more than a billion people.
3. A continent bursting with people.
As of early 2021, Asia’s population topped 4,661,670,489, nearly 60% of the world total.
4. Size matters: Asia is massive.
Covering 44,579,000 km² (17,212,000 sq miles), Asia accounts for almost 30% of Earth’s land area.
5. Technically part of Eurasia.
Asia and Europe aren’t separated by ocean; together they form the supercontinent Eurasia.
6. A name from the West.
The concept of “Asia” as we know it began with Ancient Greek geography.
7. Growth isn’t equal.
Some Asian countries are booming, while others face poverty, corruption, or conflict.
8. Ancient home of empires.
From Mesopotamia and the Sumerians to Chinese dynasties, the Mongols, the Vedic period, and the Samurai, Asia’s history helped shape the world.
9. Land of the billionaires… and the broke.
Asia hosts more billionaires than anywhere else. China alone has more than the US, yet many people in the region still live on very low incomes.
10. Mountain heaven.
Fourteen of the world’s highest peaks are in Asia, including Mount Everest at 8,848 m above sea level.
11. River royalty.
China’s Yangtze River stretches almost 4,000 miles, ranking among the world’s three longest rivers.
12. Wildlife wonderland.
Tigers, snow leopards, elephants, and orangutans all live here, alongside some of the most venomous snakes on Earth, including the King Cobra, Malayan Pit Viper, Saw-scaled Viper, and Common Indian Krait.
13. Vanishing species.
Urban growth and agriculture are shrinking habitats, pushing many species toward extinction.
14. Bugs on the menu.
Insects like crickets and silkworms are delicacies in some markets, and you can even find them in supermarkets.
15. “Asian culture” is not one thing.
Asia holds thousands of cultures and languages. India alone has hundreds of languages spoken across its states.
16. Language overload.
There are around 2,300 languages across the continent, including more than 600 in Indonesia alone.
17. Volcano central.
Indonesia has over 150 volcanoes, many still active, sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
18. Long life champions.
Japanese women average around 86 years, among the longest lifespans on Earth.
19. From the Arctic to the Equator.
Asia spans the Arctic Circle, the Tropic of Cancer, and the Equator.
20. Mega Tokyo.
Tokyo is Asia’s largest city and home to more millionaires than LA or San Francisco.
21. Royal ties to Britain.
Several Asian countries remain in the Commonwealth, including India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Brunei, and Singapore.
22. Most countries touch the sea.
Only a dozen Asian nations are landlocked. Mongolia and Bhutan are among the largest inland states.
23. Harsh Mongolia.
The Gobi Desert covers a vast area, with winter temperatures dropping to around −40°C.
24. Named for the sunrise.
“Asia” roughly translates to “sunrise,” a fitting name for the east.
25. Top IQ scores.
Singapore, Japan, and South Korea often lead global tables for average IQ.
26. Nearly all are UN members.
At least 49 Asian states are full UN members, with several others not fully recognised.
27. Spanning hemispheres.
Asia crosses both hemispheres. Only Indonesia sits entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.
28. Buddhism’s heartland.
More than 500 million Buddhists live in Asia, especially in South and East Asia.
29. Thailand’s Buddhist majority.
About 95% of Thailand’s population is Buddhist.
30. But not the biggest faith.
Across Asia, Islam and Hinduism both outnumber Buddhism.
31. Rice rules.
Asia consumes around 90% of the world’s rice. In many places, it’s on the table for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
32. Lactose intolerance is common.
Up to 90% of South Asians are lactose intolerant due to low levels of the enzyme lactase.
33. Alcohol flush.
Around half of Asia’s population has a reduced ability to metabolise alcohol, which can cause facial flushing after drinking.
34. Skyscraper central.
The world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, is in Asia. Other giants include Shanghai Tower, Lotte World Tower, Taipei 101, Tokyo Skytree, and the Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower.
35. Japan’s longevity legends.
In 2019 there were about 2.31 million Japanese aged 90, plus more than 71,000 centenarians.
36. Sun-shy style.
In many places, women avoid tanning to keep skin pale.
37. Gobi giant.
The Gobi is Asia’s largest desert.
38. Home to a giant lake.
Lake Baikal in Russia is the world’s largest freshwater lake by volume.
FAQs about Asia
This is somewhat disputed, but there are thought to be up to 48 different territories across the continent.
Technically, it’s the Maldives. It’s the smallest country in Asia by both area and population.
Singapore often ranks as the richest, with Qatar and Macau close behind. How many countries are there in Asia?
What is the smallest country based in Asia?
What’s the richest country based in Asia?
Do you know any fun facts about Asia? Share them in the comments below!
