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Asia – A Brief Overview

Asia – A Brief Overview. General facts. Almost a third of the world’s land area (17,039,000 sq. mi.) Almost three-fifths of the world’s people ( 3,879,000,000) Diverse land: rain forests in southeast Asia, arctic conditions in north Asia, deserts in the Middle East, Himalayas in central Asia

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Asia – A Brief Overview

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  1. Asia – A Brief Overview

  2. General facts • Almost a third of the world’s land area (17,039,000 sq. mi.) • Almost three-fifths of the world’s people (3,879,000,000) • Diverse land: rain forests in southeast Asia, arctic conditions in north Asia, deserts in the Middle East, Himalayas in central Asia • Highest and lowest points on the Earth:Mt. Everest (29,035ft.), Dead Sea (-1,373ft.) • Major Rivers: Tigris, Euphrates, Indus, Ganges, Mekong, Xi Jang, Yangtze (longest in Asia:3,900 mi.), and the Yellow River (Huang He) • 50 independent countries & China is the largest • Major Religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism

  3. East Asia – china & Japan • 1.5 billion people • Confucianism is a major influence on life (proper behavior and obedience) • Largely agricultural region but trade has flourished in recent years • Communists control China; control has decreased but still controls many aspects of life • Chinese farming is still very primitive and production is much lower than other countries • Japan is an extremely modernized country • Chinese Imports: electrical and other machinery, oil and mineral fuels, optical and medical equipment, metal ores, plastics, organic chemicals • Chinese Exports: electrical and other machinery, including data processing equipment, apparel, textiles, iron and steel, optical and medical equipment • Japanese Imports: petroleum; liquid natural gas; clothing; semiconductors; coal; audio and visual apparatus • Japanese Exports: motor vehicles; semiconductors ; iron and steel products; auto parts; plastic materials; power generating machinery

  4. East Asia US relations & leaders • Many American jobs have been shipped overseas to China and Japan • Communism in China is in opposition with American democracy • Chinese Chief of State: President HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) • Chinese Head of Government: Premier WEN Jiabao (since 16 March 2003) • Japanese economy very similar to American free-market system • Japanese Chief of State: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989) • Japanese Head of Government: Prime Minister Yoshihiko NODA (since 30 August 2011)

  5. The Middle East • 15 countries & 2 territories • Arabic is the most common language • 90% of people are Muslim • Historically nomadic peoples; some have adopted western ways of life • Israel is at the convergence of three major religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism • Regional Imports: wheat, flour, meat, machinery, consumer goods • Exports: OIL, farm products sent to Europe during European winter

  6. Middle east US relations & leaders • Iranian Chief of State: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989) • Iranian Head of Government: President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD (since 3 August 2005) • Continuing disputes over Iran’s nuclear endeavors strains the relationship between the US and Iran • Israeli Chief of State: President Shimon PERES (since 15 July 2007) • Israeli Head of Government: Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU (since 31 March 2009) • US and Israeli relations have been strained over the fear of Iran’s nuclear program • A brutal civil war has in Syria has been largely avoided by US political leaders • American dependence on Middle Eastern oil has been a topic of huge debate in American politics

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