All about Asia: A comprehensive guide

Here are 17 interesting facts about Asia. Some may just surprise you!

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1. Temples: There are over 1600 temples alone in Kyoto, Japan. Kyoto was actually the capital of Japan for over a thousand years before being moved to Tokyo.

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2. Largest Continent: Asia is the largest continent in the world, covering about 30% of the Earth's land area and hosting around 60% of the world's population.

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3. Diverse Cultures: Asia is incredibly diverse, home to thousands of different ethnic groups and languages. It has a rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Confucianism, among others.

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4. Mount Everest: The world's highest peak, Mount Everest, is located in Asia. It stands at a staggering height of 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) and is part of the Himalayan mountain range.

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5. Longest River: Asia is home to the longest river in both the world and Asia itself—the Yangtze River in China. It stretches about 6,300 kilometers (3,915 miles) and plays a vital role in the country's history, culture, and economy.

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6. Megacities: Some of the world's most populous cities are found in Asia, including Tokyo (Japan), Delhi (India), Shanghai (China), Mumbai (India), and Jakarta (Indonesia). These megacities are centres of commerce, innovation, and vibrant cultural scenes.

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7. Great Wall of China: One of the most famous man-made structures on the planet, the Great Wall of China, is located in Asia. Stretching over 21,196 kilometres (13,171 miles), it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of China's ancient civilization.

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8. Biodiversity Hotspot: Asia is known for its remarkable biodiversity. It is home to various iconic species like the Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, giant panda, Komodo dragon, and orangutan. The continent has diverse ecosystems, from tropical rainforests to vast deserts.

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9. Technological Innovation: Asian countries, particularly Japan, South Korea, and China, have been at the forefront of the world's technology evolution. They have made significant contributions to fields such as electronics, robotics, automotive manufacturing, and information technology.

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10. Ancient Civilizations: Asia has been a cradle of ancient civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization (Pakistan and northwest India), Mesopotamia (Iraq and Syria), the Persian Empire (Iran), and the Qin Dynasty (China). These civilizations have left a lasting impact on human history.

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11. Culinary Delights: Asian cuisine is renowned worldwide for its diverse flavors, cooking techniques, and unique dishes. From Chinese, Indian, and Thai cuisine to sushi and ramen in Japan, Asian culinary traditions offer a delightful and flavorful journey for food enthusiasts.

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12. Chopsticks: China produces an incredible 45 billion pairs of chopsticks every year.

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13. Volcanoes: There are more than 150 volcanoes in Indonesia. Not all are active, fortunately! Indonesia is also the world's fourth most populated country.

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14. Flowers: The world's largest flower, the Rafflesia, is located in Malaysia and Thailand.

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15. Languages: Over 2300 languages are spoken in Asia, which is also home to 4.6 billion people, over half of the world's population.

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16. Mountains: The top 100 highest mountains in the world are all located in Asia.

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17. Life expectancy: People in Japan, Hong Kong and Macau have the highest life expectancies in the world.