The continent, which has long been home to the majority of the human population , [ 12 ] was the site of many of the first civilisations. Its 4. In general terms, it is bounded on the east by the Pacific Ocean , on the south by the Indian Ocean , and on the north by the Arctic Ocean.
The border of Asia with Europe is a historical and cultural construct , as there is no clear physical and geographical separation between them. A commonly accepted division places Asia to the east of the Suez Canal separating it from Africa; and to the east of the Turkish straits , the Ural Mountains and Ural River , and to the south of the Caucasus Mountains and the Caspian and Black seas, separating it from Europe.
Since the concept of Asia derives from the term for the eastern region from a European perspective, Asia is the remaining vast area of Eurasia minus Europe. Therefore, Asia is a region where various independent cultures coexist rather than sharing a single culture, and the boundary between Europe is somewhat arbitrary and has moved since its first conception in classical antiquity.
The division of Eurasia into two continents reflects EastβWest cultural differences, some of which vary on a spectrum. China and India traded places as the largest economies in the world from 1 to CE. China was a major economic power for much of recorded history, with the highest GDP per capita until Asia has exhibited economic dynamism as well as robust population growth during the 20th century, but overall population growth has since fallen.
Asia varies greatly across and within its regions with regard to ethnic groups, cultures, environments, economics, historical ties, and government systems.
