Afghanistan Azerbaijan Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China Hong Kong Macau India Indonesia Japan Kazakhstan Kyrgyz tan Laos Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal Korea DPR Pakistan Philippines Russia Singapore Korea REP Sri Lanka Taiwan Tajikistan Thailand Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Vietnam	ASIA Continent Size: 44,579,000 sq km  i.e. 17,212,000 sq miles      Percent of Earth's Land: 30%          Population:  3,637,249,000 approximately Asia is the world's most crowded continent and mostly people think only about crowded markets overflowing with bizarre items and an "all work and no play" mentality that makes most Asian citizens a serious bunch. What many people don't know is that Asia is an exotic and tumultuous land of great diversity, history and beauty that may overload your senses, but also capture your soul. Asia can be other things, but it is never boring - its unique cultures, religions, politics and history ensure that. Bordered by the Arctic Ocean, the Pacific, the Indian and several seas including the Black, the Red and the Mediterranean, Asia is linked by land to continental Europe and the Middle East. Home of many natural wonders, its greatest attraction is possibly the deadly yet captivating Mount Everest, the world's highest peak and the place where dreamers put their lives at risk to climb to the highest point on Earth. Climbing deaths occur regularly on Everest's inhospitable slopes. At a lung-bursting 29,035 feet or 8,850 meters above sea level, the summit is hammered by relentless storms. Asia lays claim to numerous other geographic and climate extremes, including the lowest point on Earth - the fascinating Dead Sea, situated about 1,310 feet or 400 meters below sea level. With a total landmass of 17.2 million square miles, Asia is home of about 50 countries of different shapes and sizes, with a total population of about 3.6 billion. Depending on where you are traveling, you can experience just about every kind of geography, nature and climate imaginable, from glorious deserted beaches and turquoise seas to steamy rainforests, surreal jungles and barren deserts. Huge portions of the continent are all but deserted - in central Asia, for example, isolated and forbidding mountain ranges have all but eliminated travel between the bordering nations. Despite the fact more than half of the world's population lives in Asia, most reside in the countries of western Asia along with eastern China, Pakistan, India and the islands. Most of the world's major religions can also be found in Asia - Buddhism, Christianity, Hindu, Islam and Judaism - and all except that the Christian faith originated there. Asia is also home to some of the world's largest cities, where Third World conditions such as poverty and overcrowding exist side by side with unbelievable wealth. With so many people and comparatively little space - especially on the islands - accommodations often come at a high price, meaning travelers pay a hefty premium to stay in big urban centers such as Hong Kong, Tokyo or Kuala Lumpur. An economic slump in parts of Asia in recent years has brought prices down, with some big hotel chains offering rooms for half price and other deals. Restaurant prices are also high, but not if you eat like the locals - at hole-in-the-wall greasy spoons and roadside vendors whose fare is notably cheap, tasty and almost always quite healthy. There are few places in the world with such a variety of tasty ethnic fare, from the scrumptious stays of Indonesia and the veggie-laden salad rolls of Vietnam to the steaming noodle soups of Japan and the buttery flatbreads of India. In Asia, the food is definitely part of the appeal. Shopping is also legendary in Asia, where frantic-paced markets sell everything from freshly-killed meat and other food to handmade exotic clothing or cheap Gucci knock-offs. It's buyer-beware in the market stalls, but the unique sights, smells and sounds pack a sensory wallop that most travelers can't resist. Markets are a mainstay in most Asian cities, but shopping malls and trendy boutiques have also emerged for the more mild-mannered tourist. Most big cities in Asia have well-developed airports, so plane travel is a popular and efficient mode of travel. In fact, many travel agents offer airline packages featuring multi-city stop-over which allow tourists to make the most of limited time. But ground transportation throughout much of Asia is poorly developed, and no network of travel exists across the continent because most railways, buses and riverboats won't cross international borders. In some countries, especially in rural areas, buses and taxis are sparse or non-existent. Rail travel is usually your best bet. While technology is the claim to fame of highly-developed Asian countries such as Japan, Korea and Taiwan, agriculture remains a mainstay - particularly the cultivation of rice and other grains. In southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines, lumber is a hot commodity. Logging there has sparked environmental concerns, just as exploration and mining have in southwest Asia - home to the largest petroleum reserves outside the former Soviet Union. Contrary to popular belief, manufacturing does not generate vast exports for most Asian countries -- the exceptions include China, India, Japan, Korea and Taiwan - but that is gradually changing. Another growing industry in Asia is tourism, and amenities and services are becoming more refined as Asia gains a broader appeal among tourists of all ages, cultures and incomes. The high-priced hotels have spawned a cottage industry of lower-budget accommodations and travel-related services such as tours. Most are a good deal. But it's still best to book through a reliable source, or rely on word-of-mouth from other travelers or locals. Asia has lots to offer in terms of tourist attractions. India's Taj Mahal, Goa beaches and pink city (in rajasthan) and the Great Wall of China have long been huge draws. Lesser-known attractions range from the beach huts of Lombok to treks through Nepal and Tibet. Adventurers have long been drawn to this diverse land for its vast cultural and outdoor opportunities. With so much to see and do, the hardest part is usually trying to squeeze it all into one visit.