An Overview of Asia

By Richard Monk

Asia is the largest continent when measured by landmass and human population. Following is an overview of Asia.

Asia is considered one of the seven continents. This continental definition, however, is far broader than many people think. Under the seven continent methodology, Asia stretches from Japan in the East through Russia in the West. It encompasses Saudi Arabia and everything above Asia. While it doesn’t always make practical sense, there is no denying this definition of Asia makes it the home of over 60 percent [4 billion] of all humans. China and India, of course, are the locations of a vast majority of these people.

In modern times, geographers recognize there really is no dividing line between Asia to the west and Europe to the East. This has resulted in the entire area being called Eurasia, but thousands of years of terminology aren’t about to pass into antiquity. Today, most people refer to Europe as a continent so far as it extends to the Ural Mountains in Russia. Everything to the east of that mountain range is considered Asia. For instance, Israel is considered a country in Western Asia!

Russia has even picked up on this theme with the two heads on the national flag. The west facing head refers to the European part of Russia while the East facing head refers to the Asian part of the country. Within Russia, it is almost as if there are two countries with Moscow and St. Petersburg having heavy European influences. Cities in the Far East, such as Vladivostok, are much more oriented to China and such.

To resolve the boundary issue, the powers that be have started defining Asia subcontinents. The areas are:

1. Central Asia - Kazakhstan Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
2. East Asia – China, Japan, Mongolia, Taiwan, North and South Korea.
3. North Asia - Russia.
4. India Subcontinent – India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
5. Southeast Asia - Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar [Burma], Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
6. Southwest Asia – The Middle East including Turkey, Iran, Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon and sometimes Egypt.

Given the problems defining the boundaries of Asia, you can imagine it is also difficult to define certain characteristics regarding the continent. After all, life in Turkey is much different than in China. Conversely, customs in India are completely different than those in China. In fact, most people living in Asia take offence when someone uses the word “Asians” to refer to them. The word implies a similarity among all people in Asia, which simply isn’t true.

Economically, things are a bit easier to categorize. The largest economy in Asia is China as a measure of gross domestic product. Officially known as the People’s Republic of China, this country remains communist in name only when it comes to economic issues. With massive economic growth over the last 10 years, China is the second largest economy in the world after the United States. Another heavily populated area, India, is now the fourth biggest economy in the world, while relatively small Japan is the third. Put in practical terms, Asia is home to three of the four biggest economies on Earth. The three dominant financial centers are Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore.

With so many countries, it is hardly surprising to find a wide variety of religious practices in Asia. There are a wide variety of belief systems, but Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam have the largest number of adherents.

Figuring out exactly what constitutes Asia is largely a matter of opinion. Among many assertions about Asia, the undisputable one is it is the home to the largest percentage of humans on the planet.

Asia - The Best Travel Destination

By Brian Bees

If the time has come for your vacation or a holiday getaway, read this article before making your plans. There are many places of great beauty and interest to be seen in the USA and Europe. But, whether transportation, touring, theme park, or food and lodging, it is expensive. This article is written for every traveler, whether a backpacker on a budget, or a first class - five star traveler.

Travel in Asia is inexpensive and opens the door to different cultural experiences. Planning can be for a short holiday, an extended stay, or choices of laying the groundwork for the ultimate stay, retirement. Nowadays, with so many opportunities to make money using the Internet it is not out of the question to "retire" early.

Medical Tourism in Asia growing in popularity. It is high quality and affordable. Just one of International standard hospitals in Bangkok serves 400,000 international patients annually, In the USA cataract surgery for one eye runs around $8,000. At a prestigious International hospital in Thailand cataract surgery can be performed on both eyes for around $2,500. It is possible to have quality medical care, and an Asian holiday, for a fraction of the cost of the same procedure in the USA.

Let us take a tantalizing glimpse at just some of the countries.

Thailand - Land of Smiles. Often referred to as the most exotic country in Southeast Asia. A visit to the Grand Palace in Bangkok for sure. Trips to a floating market or to the Bridge on the River Kwai. From pristine beaches in the Southern Islands to the Northern mountains with its waterfalls, elephants bathing in mountain streams, and Hill Tribe villages.

India - Delhi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. India Gate, an imposing structure, has emerged as one of the most popular tourist spots in Delhi. The Red Fort Delhi, a masterpiece of architecture, is a popular spot. A trip to India would not be complete without a visit to Agra, famous as the site of one of the world's most romantic, graceful and photographed buildings, the Taj Mahal.

Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos - Three small countries neighboring Thailand. Each opens a different world of exploration. Cambodia - the highlight is visiting Angkor Wat, an architectural masterpiece constructed in the jungle in the early 12th century. Vietnam - is a varied country, offering beaches, mountains and hundreds of years of history from the ancient Cham Towers to remnants from the Vietnam War. Laos - savor the crafts, culture and hospitality of Laos with a river trip, visits to ancient temples, gorgeous palaces, and traditional villages.

Nepal - Adventure, travel, trekking, birding, wildlife, and cultural & overland Safaris. Take an air flight along the Himalayas and view magnificent Mount Everest. Nearby, discover the serene beauty of Tibet, the country which inspired the Dalai Lama. .

Indonesia - Jakarta, the capital city of the world's fourth most-populous nation. Bali is Indonesia's main holiday destination. Flores is a pretty lush green island with forests, palm and banana trees, rice fields and many volcanoes. Highlights are the three small offshore islands of "Gillis" that invite snorkeling, diving and relaxing. For hikers, a climb to the top of the volcano Rijani.

Philippines - An island nation comprising over 7,000 islands in the western Pacific Ocean.
Manila, the bustling capital has powerful reminders of the country's past, along with attractive parks, fine museums, and exhilarating nightlife. The Ifugao Rice Terraces
are a testimony to the early technological advancement of the Ifugao people. Take a jeepney ride to the market. Be brave, try balut, a Philippine delicacy. Go diving in the Visayas.

Singapore - Shopping on famous Orchard Road, the dream of every woman. The Night Safari at Singapore Zoo is fabulous. Chinatown, a little glitzy, but you can buy all the souvenirs you want there. Interestingly, one of Singapore's most beautiful Hindu temples is smack dab in the middle of Chinatown. Decide if a Singapore Sling is worth the hype in the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel. There's more to Singapore than urban glitz, like rambling in the rain forest of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

Japan - Tokyo is the capital city and home of the Imperial Residence and Emperor's Palace. Select a popular destination or region in Japan and explore its attractions. Ride the Bullet Train to the magnificent city of Kyoto. Visit Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial Park. Castles, temples, gardens, the list of top destinations in Japan is too long for this article..

Taiwan - Taipei, the country's booming, vibrant capital remains steeped in Chinese, Japanese and native Taiwanese cultures. Some of its most impressive sights include the Grand Hotel, topped by the largest Classical Chinese roof in the world, the Shihlin Night Market, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial with the National Theater and Concert Hall located directly across from each other on the grounds. A popular day trip is Tailuge (Taroko Gorge), considered one of the natural wonders of the world.

Hong Kong - the Pearl of East and jewel of The Orient. Nathan Road is lined with shops, restaurants, nightspots and cheap places to stay. If you're in Hong Kong with the little ones, they'll probably appreciate Ocean Park (aquarium), Water World (swimming pools and water slides), and of course Disneyland. If you're in Hong Kong for more than a few days, then there's plenty of outlying islands to discover.

It is often said that for the traveler that has seen it all and done it all, there is still Katmandu, Nepal. And, that too is in Asia!

If you do not visit Asia, you will be missing not only a paradise of affordable travel, but the chance to see an alternative living location. For retirees, it is luxury living for pennies, not just getting by on their pension. Asia, a paradise experience is waiting for you.

The Seven Wonders Of Havana - Things To Do In Cuba's Glorious Capital

By Emma Lelliott

Recently, for the first time in over 2,200 years the seven wonders of the world were reassessed. Over 100 million people voted and decided that the Great Wall of China, Rome’s Colosseum, Chichen Itza in Mexico, Petra in Jordan, Machu Picchu in Peru, Rio’s Christ the Redeemer and the Taj Mahal would make the best new wonders.

Certainly narrowing down the finalists from an initial list of hundreds can have been no easy task – most countries can probably compile a list of seven themselves. Cuba, which is of course my specialty (I am the general manager of Captivating Cuba), has many architectural and cultural triumphs worthy of celebration. Hell, even Havana itself has enough aesthetic wonder and cultural heritage for me to wax lyrical for several pages. In the interests of brevity and in matching the arbitrary figure placed on the number of wonders allowed in one world, I shall limit my list to seven sites worth examining on a Havana holiday.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present (in no particular order)

The Seven Wonders of Havana

Plaza de la Revolución

The enormous square has seen many political rallies and the feel of history and importance of the area is tangible. The square’s podium has seen many important political speeches from Fidel Castro and other prominent figures on important days in the Cuban calendar. While Castro is infamous for his long speeches, the public events always prove popular, attracting over 1,000,000 Cubans over the years.

The square is dominated by the impressive José Martí memorial – a tower in honour of a national hero killed in the 1895 Second war of Independence. At 138 feet high, the imposing structure is the highest point in the city and visitors may take a lift to the very top of the building. Behind the memorial are the offices of Fidel Castro himself, and opposite is the iconic image of Che Guevara that marks the Ministry of the Interior’s building – a staple sight on any Havana holiday.

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

This modern art museum is divided into two distinct part. The Collección de Arte Cubano is dedicated to Cuban art created between the 16th and 20th century, while The Collección de Arte Universal has a far wider scope. It includes art from Italian, French and Dutch painters as well as including artefacts from Latin America and ancient Greece.

Cigar Factories

Cuba is practically synonymous with the word “cigars” and a visit to one of the three major Cuban cigar factories in Havana can give a good indication as to why. The three main factories give tours which allow the visitors to see the hand rolled cigars in production. Partagas is the oldest factory (founded in 1827) and keeping with tradition hires a reader to entertain the workers by reading aloud. Partagas and the two other main factories, La Corona and Romeo y Julieta have shops attached which allow visitors to purchase cigars as souvenirs.

Museo de la Ciudad

The building that now houses Havana’s museum treasures has a past that predates the revolution and evokes images of when Cuba was a non-Communist state. The building once housed the island’s colonial governors and was the palace of the Captains General. Built in 1791, the museum’s exhibits give a feel of the history of Havana – from the city’s foundation to the present day. The museum naturally devotes a sizable section to the Cuban wars for national independence, but also houses a diverse range of other exhibits showcasing the island’s art, porcelain, paintings, furniture, folklore and archaeology.

Capitolio Nacional

An important landmark in the centre of Havana, the Capitolio Nacional is an impressive site. It looks remarkably similar to the US Capitol in Washington DC, and is now home to the National Library and Academy of Sciences. Some of its rooms are also used for state events, in a nod to its history where it once seated members of the Cuban congress. Directly underneath the memorable dome, an imitation 24 carat diamond is set into the floor, which measures the distances between Havana and all Cuba’s other sites.

Habana Vieja

The old city was founded in 1519, and was often a target for pirates which explains the dilapidated, yet still imposing, remains of Havana’s city walls. Nowadays the old city includes museums, hotels, shops and restaurants to line the picturesque cobble stoned streets. The plazas are marked by meticulously restored colonial buildings and attractive churches, which make the perfect backdrop for Havana’s old city life as it goes by. The region also includes La Bodeguita Del Medio – a bar made famous thanks to its patronage by Mr Ernest Hemingway.

Museo de la Revolución

What used to be the Presidential Palace and Cuban Government’s HQ is now fittingly a museum of the revolution that saw them ousted. The building is still aesthetically astounding, but the insides have changed to house pieces, photography and documents pertaining to the Cuban Revolution. The building isn’t the only imposing sight upon approach to the museum – out the front is the tank driven by Fidel Castro during the Bay of Pigs battle, and behind is the yacht that brought Che Guevara and Fidel Castro from Mexico to Cuba in 1956.

Aside from these main aesthetic Cuban wonders, there are countless other things to do in Havana. It is truly a magnificent city – a one of a kind mixture of 1950s America and Caribbean lifestyle. If you are considering a holiday to Havana, this list will really help you get into the Cuban spirit and gain an insight into the rich history of the city.

Emma Lelliott is the general manager of Captivating Cuba ( http://www.captivatingcuba.com), an independent Cuba holiday specialist. With offices in Havana and the UK, Captivating Cuba offer expert local knowledge for island visitors looking to explore Havana and Varadero and Cayo Coco as well as lesser known resorts including Jibacoa and Trinidad.