Asia is the largest and most populous continent on Earth, covering approximately 44.5 million square kilometers and home to more than 4.5 billion people. Geographically, it spans both the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres, bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the east, the Indian Ocean to the south, and Europe and Africa to the west. Asia includes diverse landscapes, ranging from the frozen tundra of Siberia in Russia to tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia and vast deserts in the Middle East.
This map of Asia highlights the political boundaries of countries within the continent. Major nations such as Russia, China, and India are prominently displayed, occupying vast land areas. Smaller nations such as Singapore and Bhutan are marked by their compact territories. The map also shows important water bodies surrounding Asia, including the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, the South China Sea, and the East Siberian Sea, which play important roles in trade and climate. The capitals of various countries such as Tokyo, Beijing, and New Delhi are depicted, making it a useful reference for understanding political geography.
The map also shows Asia's proximity to other regions, with Russia extending into Europe and the Middle East bordering Africa. This interconnectedness has historically influenced cultural and economic exchange across the continents, making Asia an important region in global history. Additionally, the map's design with clear color-coding for each country enhances distinctions between regions, providing a comprehensive view of Asia's complex geopolitical landscape.
Asia has 49 countries recognized by the United Nations. These include large countries such as Russia, China and India, and smaller countries such as the Maldives, Singapore and Bhutan. Some territories such as Taiwan are sometimes counted separately depending on the context, but officially, Asia is made up of 49 countries.
The diversity of these countries spans a wide range of languages, cultures and climates, making Asia one of the most culturally rich and geographically diverse continents.