The natural conditions of Asia directly influence the location of agriculture, and all other areas of industry. Variety and contrast - characteristic features For natural features of this territory. The steep slopes of high mountain ranges give way to the flat terrain of lowlands. Climatic conditions are also varied, especially the degree of moisture fluctuates. The lower parts are provided in sufficient quantity moisture, as they have a characteristic monsoon climate. This includes the southern and East End Foreign Asia.
The Mediterranean climate reigns in western Asia. Arable lands occupy 90% of the entire territory. The southwestern and central parts are arid. Asia is characterized by several climate zones. The southern territory is located in the tropics and receives twice as much solar radiation as the north. Temperature conditions in summer and winter are almost the same in Indonesia. In January it is +25 degrees in this area, and in the north of Manchuria -28 degrees. Frosts are quite long. Differences in climate are also characteristic of the mountains. This is due to the height of the mountainous regions, their geographical location and slope exposure. Circulation atmospheric pressure directly affects the climatic conditions of the South and East Asia. These areas are characterized by changes in air masses every season.
In summer there is a summer monsoon, and in winter there is a winter monsoon. Hindustan, East Asia, and Indochina are located directly in the monsoon circulation zone. The annual rainfall here can be about 2,000 mm. The winter monsoon influences cold continental air masses, which brings with it cooling throughout almost the entire territory.
But in the southern part of Asia there are no cold snaps, since this territory is characterized by the Indian monsoon with lower pressure gradients. Also, India in the north is closed by high mountain ranges and this protects it from the cold masses of Central Asia. A continental climate prevails in the interior regions of Asia, which are located in the mountains at high altitudes.
The Asian cyclone occurs in winter. With his arrival, a long winter reigns with severe frosts. Short temperature regime promotes freezing of the soil and, as a result, areas of permafrost are formed. In summer, the entire area is well heated by the sun and an area with low atmospheric pressure is created. The weather is dry and hot. There is practically no precipitation during this period due to the highest mountain ranges. Only 50 mm of them can fall out in closed basins. Differences in the availability of heat resources and thermal regimes are the cause of internal climatic differences.
South Western Asia considered an exceptionally hot area. This is facilitated by the amount of solar radiation. This territory is the driest, with deserts and semi-deserts.
Foreign Asia does not have favorable climate conditions for the development of agriculture. The highly humid regions are the equatorial regions, and the dry regions are the plains and plateaus of Central and South-West Asia. Only land reclamation can contribute to agriculture.
The composition of cultivated plants, farming techniques, harvest, productivity, and location of production directly depend on the climate. In general, farm development is relatively low, as is productivity. Based weather conditions and climate, several agroclimatic regions are distinguished on the territory.
Mineral resources of Foreign Asia
The surface is represented mainly by mountainous areas, and the lowlands occupy very small percentage from the entire area. They are located in the southern and east coasts. Landforms and tectonic areas form fossil deposits. There are a sufficient number of them located in Asia. Its leadership position belongs to its reserves of fuel and energy raw materials.
There are deposits of gas, oil and coal here. The subsoil of Foreign Asia contains significant reserves of antimony, sulfur, zirconium, tin, potassium salts, tungsten, chromite, graphite, mercury, and phosphorus raw materials. But they are distributed unevenly across the territory. The Chinese and Hindustan platforms are rich in coal, iron and manganese ore, and non-metallic minerals. The Pacific coast has rich copper deposits. Ore reserves predominate in the Alpine-Himalayan regions.
Gas and oil reserves are the main wealth of this part of the world, which determines the territory's role in the international geographical division of labor. IN Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, and the UAE contain the main hydrocarbon deposits. If we take into account oil, its deposits have been discovered in Indonesia, Malaysia, that is, in the countries of the Malay Archipelago itself. There is also gas and oil in sufficient quantities in Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. Salt reserves are found in the Dead Sea, and sulfur and non-ferrous metals are found in the Iranian Plateau.
Asian countries have vastly different mineral reserves. The greatest variety of deposits is concentrated in such states as:
- Kazakhstan;
- Iran;
- Indonesia;
- Saudi Arabia;
- India.
The true picture of the mineral wealth of this territory is not reflected by its known deposits. The search for new deposits is constantly underway and new deposits of direct mineral raw materials are being found. Offshore zones are becoming increasingly promising for hydrocarbon production, providing new opportunities for the mining industry.
Each Asian subregion has its own characteristic set of fossils
Western Asia. Oil and gas fields are concentrated in this area. Such reserves make West Asia the world leader among other regions. If we take into account the data of 1980, then 43 billion tons of oil and about 20 trillion cubic meters of gas were produced here. Coal reserves - 23 billion tons. It is also worth noting that 14 billion tons of ferrous metal ores are concentrated in Iraq and Turkey. As for titanium and chrome ores, the largest reserves are found in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Oman and Afghanistan. Gypsum, as a non-metallic building material, is available in the amount of 3 billion tons. There are also deposits of ornamental and precious stones, such as: Afghan lapis lazuli, aquamarine, emerald, Iranian turquoise, marble onyx, rock crystal, ruby.
South Asia. This territory occupies a leading place in terms of reserves of pyrite, titanium, muscovite, barite, graphite, beryl, manganese and iron ores. In addition, there are deposits of gold, gas, oil, nickel, copper and tungsten ores. Coal, that is, its reserves, is estimated at 115 billion tons and is the main energy raw material for all of Asia. Iron ores amount to 13.5 billion tons and are found in Pakistan and India. Less significant reserves are concentrated in Nepal and Sri Lanka. And India is known for its good reserves of manganese, aluminum and nickel ores. About 30% of mining chemical raw materials are located in Nepal, Pakistan, and India. Indian asbestos contains reserves of non-metallic minerals. Gypsum is concentrated in Pakistan, graphite in Sri Lanka, and precious stones (diamonds) in India. There are also deposits of construction sands, limestone, quartz sands, marble, dolomite.
Southeast Asia. Tin makes this area number one worldwide. It is necessary to note the subsoil: nickel, antimony, cobalt, barite, copper, tungsten, bauxite, oil, gas, chromite. A variety of mineral resources are distributed throughout the territory. Work is underway to search for hydrocarbons on the continental shelf. There are a total of 36 promising basins, of which 25 are concentrated in Indonesia. Vietnam and Indonesia are known for their coal deposits. There are many ore deposits in Indonesia, Burma, Kampuchea, and the Philippines. Their size is 1271 million tons. Aluminum and copper ores are located in Kampuchea, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Other types of resources in Overseas Asia
This part of the world is also rich in surface water resources, but they are unevenly distributed. The water supply becomes less from the southeast directly to the northwest. These resources are used mainly for irrigation, which combats drought, wind erosion and soil salinity. 95% fresh water in India it is used for irrigation. The humid tropics are provided with a large level of hydroelectric energy, which is contained in mountain rivers. But, unfortunately, the hydropotential of mountain water resources is used in insufficient quantities due to the economic backwardness of areas in the mountains. For example, only 10% of this potential is used in Pakistan and India. It is also worth mentioning large Asian rivers. They are important natural resources and form water basins that cover hundreds of thousands of square kilometers.
Soils are also considered an important resource. Climatic conditions, big square, varied terrain made it possible to form a complex soil cover. The temperate climate zone contributed to the creation of podzolic, gray, brown forest soils. Steppe regions are characterized by chestnut and chernozem-like soils, Mediterranean - by brown, monsoon - by red and yellow soils. There is also a special soil cover - regur and black soils, which are located in tropical latitudes. Such species are formed on the Hindustan Peninsula.
Foreign Asia is not famous for its forest resources and has them in scanty quantities. If we take into account the calculation, then there is only 0.3 hectares per inhabitant. The world average is 1.2 hectares per person. This feature is typical for Pakistan, India, Lebanon and Singapore. But the southeastern part is more or less provided with forest resources. In this area, forest areas are accessible and large. These forest areas are under threat of existence.
To date recreational resources have not yet been sufficiently researched. It was only at the end of the twentieth century that they began to be used and studied. Tourists are directly attracted by the comfortable climatic conditions and sea coasts of Turkey ( Southwest Asia) and Malaysia, Thailand (South-East Asia).
1. General characteristics, brief history of foreign Asia
Foreign Asia is the largest region in the world in terms of population (more than 4 billion people) and the second (after Africa) in area, and it has maintained this primacy, essentially, throughout the entire existence of human civilization. Square foreign Asia– 27 million sq. km, it includes more than 40 sovereign states. Many of them are among the oldest in the world. Foreign Asia is one of the centers of the origin of humanity, the birthplace of agriculture, artificial irrigation, cities, many cultural values and scientific achievements. The region mainly consists of developing countries.
2. Diversity of foreign Asian countries by area
The region includes countries of different sizes: two of them are considered giant countries (China, India), some are very large (Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Indonesia), the rest are mainly classified as fairly large countries. The boundaries between them follow well-defined natural boundaries.
Features of the EGP of Asian countries:
- Neighborhood position.
- Coastal location.
- The deep situation of some countries.
The first two features have a beneficial effect on their economy, while the third complicates external economic relations.
3. Diversity of foreign Asian countries by population
Largest countries in Asia by population (2012)
(according to CIA)
4. Diversity of foreign Asian countries by geographic location
Asian countries by geographic location:
- Coastal (India, Pakistan, Iran, Israel, etc.).
- Island (Bahrain, Cyprus, Sri Lanka, etc.).
- Archipelagos (Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, Maldives).
- Inland (Laos, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, etc.).
- Peninsular (Republic of Korea, Qatar, Oman, etc.).
5. Diversity of foreign Asian countries by level of development
The political structure of the countries is very diverse.
Monarchies of foreign Asia (according to wikipedia.org):
| Saudi Arabia | |
- All other countries are republics.
- Developed countries of Asia: Japan, Israel, Republic of Korea, Singapore.
- All other countries in the region are developing.
- Least the developed countries Asia: Afghanistan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nepal, Laos, etc.
- The largest GDP volumes are in China, Japan, and India; on a per capita basis, Qatar, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait have the largest GDP volumes.
6. Forms of government and structure of foreign Asian countries
By the nature of the administrative-territorial structure, most Asian countries have a unitary structure. The following countries have a federal administrative-territorial structure: India, Malaysia, Pakistan, UAE, Nepal, Iraq.
7. Regions of foreign Asia
Regions of Asia:
- Southwestern.
- South.
- South-Eastern.
- Eastern.
- Central.
Natural resources of foreign Asia
1. Introduction
The provision of foreign Asia with resources is determined, first of all, by the diversity of the relief, location, nature and climate.
The region is extremely homogeneous in terms of tectonic structure and relief: within its boundaries there is the greatest amplitude of heights on earth (more than 9000 m), both ancient Precambrian platforms and areas of young Cenozoic folding, grandiose mountainous countries and vast plains are located here. As a result, the mineral resources of foreign Asia are very diverse.
2. Mineral resources of foreign Asia
The main basins of coal, iron and manganese ores, and non-metallic minerals are concentrated within the Chinese and Hindustan platforms. Within the Alpine-Himalayan and Pacific fold belts, ores predominate, including along the coast Pacific Ocean there is a copper belt. But the main wealth of the region, which also determines its role in the international geographical division of labor, is oil and gas. Oil and gas reserves have been explored in most countries of South-West Asia (Mesopotamian trough earth's crust). The main deposits are located in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, and the UAE. In addition, large oil and gas fields have been explored in the countries of the Malay Archipelago. Indonesia and Malaysia especially stand out in terms of reserves. Countries Central Asia also rich in oil and gas (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan).
The largest reserves of salts are in the Dead Sea. The Iranian Plateau has large reserves of sulfur and non-ferrous metals. In general, Asia is one of the main regions of the world in terms of mineral reserves.
Countries with the largest reserves and diversity of minerals:
- China.
- India.
- Indonesia.
- Iran.
- Kazakhstan.
- Türkiye.
- Saudi Arabia.
3. Land and agroclimatic resources of foreign Asia
The agroclimatic resources of Asia are heterogeneous. Vast tracts of mountainous countries, deserts and semi-deserts are not suitable for economic activity, with the exception of livestock farming; The supply of arable land is small and continues to decline (as the population grows and soil erosion increases). But on the plains of the east and south quite favorable conditions for agriculture. Asia contains 70% of the world's irrigated land.
4. Water resources (moisture resources), agroclimatic resources
The countries of Eastern and Eastern Europe have the largest reserves of water resources. South-East Asia, as well as some regions of South Asia. At the same time, water resources are sorely lacking in the Gulf countries.
Soil resources by general indicators China, India, and Indonesia are the most wealthy.
The largest reserves of forest resources: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, China, India.
Population of Overseas Asia
The population of Asia exceeds 4 billion people. Many countries in the region are at the stage of a “demographic explosion”.
2. Fertility and mortality (population reproduction)
All countries in the region, with the exception of Japan and some countries in transition, belong to the traditional type of population reproduction. Moreover, many of them are in a state of population explosion. Some countries are fighting this phenomenon by pursuing demographic policies (India, China), but most countries do not pursue such policies; rapid population growth and rejuvenation continue. At the current rate of population growth, countries in foreign Asia are experiencing food, social and other difficulties. Among Asian subregions, East Asia is the furthest away from the peak of its population explosion. Currently, the highest rates of population growth are characteristic of the countries of South-West Asia. For example, in Yemen there is an average of almost 5 children per woman.
3. National composition
Ethnic composition The Asian population is also extremely complex: more than 1 thousand peoples live here - from small ethnic groups numbering several hundred people to the largest peoples in the world.
The largest nations of foreign Asia in terms of population (more than 100 million people):
- Chinese.
- Hindustani.
- Bengalis.
- Japanese.
The peoples of foreign Asia belong to approximately 15 language families. Such linguistic diversity is not found in any other major region on the planet.
The largest language families of foreign Asia by population:
- Sino-Tibetan.
- Indo-European.
- Austronesian.
- Dravidian.
- Austroasiatic.
The most ethnolinguistically complex countries are: India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia. India and Indonesia are considered the most multinational countries in the world. East and South-West Asia, with the exception of Iran and Afghanistan, is characterized by a more homogeneous National composition. The complex composition of the population in many parts of the region leads to acute ethnic conflicts.
4. Religious composition
- Foreign Asia is the birthplace of all major religions; all three world religions originated here: Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam.
- Christianity: Philippines, Georgia, Armenia, a significant proportion of Christians in Kazakhstan, Japan, Lebanon.
- Buddhism: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Bhutan, Mongolia.
- Islam: Southwest Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh.
- Among other national religions, it is necessary to note Confucianism (China), Taoism, Shintoism. In many countries, interethnic contradictions are based precisely on religious grounds.
Presentation for the lesson:
!? Exercise.
- Russian border.
- Subregions of Foreign Asia.
- Republics and monarchies.
The economy, especially agriculture, will depend on natural conditions territories. And the conditions of Asia are characterized by great diversity and contrasts. The highest mountain ranges steep slopes are adjacent to lowlands and the monotony of their flat topography. Great contrasts are also typical for the climate, especially for humidification. Low-lying areas are well supplied with moisture because they are located in the monsoon climate region - this is the eastern and southern part of the region.
The western part of Foreign Asia lies in the Mediterranean climate region. $90\%$ of all arable land is concentrated in these parts of Asia. The central and southwestern parts are arid. The Asian part of the world lies in several climatic zones. The south of the territory lies in tropical latitudes and receives total solar radiation $2$ times more than the northern regions. Summer and winter temperatures on the islands of Indonesia are almost the same, average temperature January +$25$ degrees, and the north of Manchuria, for example, has a January temperature of -$24$, -$28$ degrees. And the frosts there last longer. Significant climatic differences are also characteristic of mountainous regions and even within the mountainous territories themselves. This is due to the height of the mountains, their position, and the exposure of the slopes. Atmospheric circulation has a very clear effect on the climate of East and South Asia; the seasonal change of air masses is clearly expressed there.
The winter in these areas is characterized by the winter monsoon, and in the summer there is a summer monsoon. All of East Asia, Hindustan and Indochina are located in the monsoon circulation zone, where annual precipitation can reach $2000 mm per year. Associated with the winter monsoon are cold continental air masses, which cause cooling in East Asia and partly in the tropics of Northern Indochina.
In the southern part of Asia, winter cold snaps do not occur, because the territory is under the influence of the Indian monsoon, which has smaller pressure gradients. On the other hand, India is closed in the north by the highest mountain ranges from the cold air masses of Central Asia. The interior regions of Asia, located at high altitudes and surrounded by mountains, have a sharply continental climate.
IN winter period The Asian anticyclone dominates here and a harsh and long winter sets in. At low temperatures the soil freezes deeply, leading to the formation of areas of permafrost. IN summer period the territory warms up well and an area of low atmospheric pressure forms. Hot and dry weather persists. There is very little precipitation; high mountain ranges prevent their penetration. In closed basins only up to $50$ mm falls. But this inland region also has its own internal climatic differences. The reason for this is the different availability of thermal resources and thermal conditions.
An exceptionally hot region is Southwest Asia. It receives the largest amount of solar radiation, therefore it is the driest part of the continent. Deserts and semi-deserts are common here.
Note 1
A significant part of Foreign Asia has unfavorable climatic conditions for the development of agriculture. The equatorial regions are heavily humidified, and the vast plateaus and plains of Southwestern and Central Asia are too dry. Agriculture in these areas is possible only with land reclamation.
The location of agricultural production, the composition of cultivated plants, features of farming techniques, and crop productivity largely depend on climatic conditions. The level of agricultural development in the countries of Foreign Asia is relatively low, so crop yields are highly dependent on weather conditions. Based climatic features, in foreign Asia there are several agroclimatic regions.
Mineral resources of Foreign Asia
The surface of Foreign Asia is represented by vast mountainous areas and lowlands, the areas of which are small. Low-lying areas are located along the outskirts of Asia - these are the eastern and southern coasts. The relief and the main tectonic areas are associated with mineral deposits, in which the subsoil of Foreign Asia is rich. Asia occupies a leading place in the world in terms of reserves of fuel and energy raw materials.
These are, first of all, huge deposits of coal, oil and gas. The subsoil of this part of the world contains the world's reserves of tin, antimony, mercury, graphite, sulfur, muscovite, zirconium, phosphate raw materials, potassium salts, chromites, and tungsten. True, with geographical point However, these resources are distributed unevenly. Coal, iron and manganese ores, and non-metallic minerals were formed within the Chinese and Hindustan platforms. There is a copper belt along the Pacific coast. In the Alpine-Himalayan folded region, ores are predominant.
The decisive role in the international geographical division of labor in Asia is played by oil and gas reserves, which are the main wealth of the region. The main hydrocarbon deposits are concentrated in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, and the UAE. Large oil fields have been discovered in the countries of the Malay Archipelago - Indonesia, Malaysia. There is oil and gas in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. The Dead Sea is known for large reserves of salts, and the Iranian Plateau is known for sulfur and non-ferrous metals.
Of all Asian countries The greatest diversity and reserves of mineral resources are concentrated in the territory of the following states:
- India;
- Indonesia;
- Iran;
- Kazakhstan;
- Türkiye;
- Saudi Arabia.
Note 2
Those mineral deposits that are well known today do not reflect the true picture of the wealth of the subsoil of this region. Ongoing exploration work is discovering new deposits of mineral raw materials. Shelf zones are becoming promising for hydrocarbon production, providing the mining industry with new opportunities.
Different subregions of Asia have their own set of mineral resources.
Western Asia. Here, first of all, we concentrate largest deposits oil and gas, in terms of reserves of which Western Asia is the leader among other regions of the world. According to 1980 data, in this area there are $43 billion tons of oil and more than $20 trillion. cube m of gas. Coal reserves amount to more than $23 billion tons. Ferrous metal ore reserves amount to $14 billion tons and are located in Turkey and Iraq. Reserves of titanium ores in Saudi Arabia and chrome ores in Turkey and Iran, Afghanistan and Oman. Non-metallic building materials are represented by gypsum, the reserves of which amount to $3 billion tons. In some countries of the region there are deposits of precious and semi-precious stones, for example, Iranian turquoise, Afghan lapis lazuli, ruby, emerald, rock crystal, aquamarine, marble onyx.
South Asia. It holds a leading position in reserves of muscovite, barite, titanium, pyrite, beryl, graphite, iron and manganese ores. This part also has significant reserves of oil and gas, as well as gold, copper, nickel, and tungsten ores. The most important energy raw material for South Asia is coal, the reserves of which are estimated at $115 billion tons. Total iron ore reserves amount to more than $13.5 billion tons. They are concentrated in India and Pakistan. There are small reserves in Sri Lanka and Nepal. Manganese ores have been mined in India for a long time. There are aluminum and nickel ores in this region. About $30\%$ of the total reserves of mining and chemical raw materials are located here - India, Pakistan, Nepal. Non-metallic raw materials are represented by Indian asbestos - India, gypsum - Pakistan, graphite - Sri Lanka. There are quartz, construction sands, dolomites, limestone and marble. Gems There are only diamonds in India.
Southeast Asia. The region ranks 1st in the world in terms of tin reserves and has significant reserves of nickel, cobalt, tungsten, copper, antimony, and barite. In addition, there are oil, gas, bauxite, chromite and other mineral resources. Exploration work for hydrocarbons is carried out on the continental shelf. Of the $36 potential pools, $25 belongs to Indonesia. There are coals in both Indonesia and Vietnam. Ore minerals, the reserves of which amount to more than $1271 million tons, are found in Burma, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Kampuchea. Among the ores of non-ferrous metals, aluminum and copper ores are known - Indonesia, Vietnam, Kampuchea.
Other types of resources in Overseas Asia
Foreign Asia is rich in its superficial water, but water resources are distributed unevenly across the territory, and the supply decreases from the southeast to the northwest. Water resources are used, usually for irrigation, which helps solve problems associated with drought, soil salinity and wind erosion. In India, for example, $95\%$ of consumed fresh water is coming for irrigation. Mountain rivers contain colossal reserves of hydroelectric energy, which is best provided in the humid tropics. Due to the economic backwardness of mountainous areas, the hydropotential of rivers is poorly used. For example, the hydro potential of the rivers of India and Pakistan is used by approximately $10\%$. Large Asian rivers have basins covering hundreds of thousands of square kilometers. They refer to the most important species natural resources.
Another type of resource is soil. The huge size, varied topography and climate were the conditions for the formation of a complex soil cover. In the temperate climate zone, podzolic, sulfur and brown forest soils were formed. In the steppe regions there are chernozem-like and chestnut soils. In the Mediterranean subtropics, brown soils are dominant, and in monsoon regions, yellow soils and red soils are dominant. Peculiar tropical soils - regur or black soils - formed on the Hindustan Peninsula.
If speak about forest resources, then Foreign Asia is not rich in them. Per capita forest resources account for only $0.3$ hectares, and the world average is $1.2$ hectares per person. Low availability of forest resources is typical for India, Pakistan, Lebanon, and Singapore. The southeast of the region is best provided with forest resources. Here, the areas of forest resources are not only large, but also accessible, which threatens their existence.
Recreational The region's resources began to be studied and used only in the second half of the 20th century. Attractive for tourists are warm seas South-West Asia - Turkey and South-East Asia - Thailand, Malaysia.
Foreign Asia is the largest region in the world in terms of population and area, and has retained its primacy since the ancient times of the birth of the first civilizations. The total area of Foreign Asia reaches 27.5 million km2. The region includes 40 sovereign states, many of which belong to the group developing countries.
All countries of Foreign Asia are quite large in area, two of them, China and India, have the status of giant countries. The borders that separate the states of Foreign Asia are established according to natural and historical boundaries.
The political structure of states is very diverse; in Japan, Thailand, Bhutan, Nepal, Malaysia, and Jordan there are constitutional monarchies, in the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, absolute monarchical regimes have been preserved, all other states have a republican form of government.
Natural conditions and resources
Foreign Asia has a fairly uniform tectonic structure and topography. The region has the largest range of altitudes on the planet: mountain ensembles are combined with vast plains. The territory of Asia is located on the Precambrian platform, some areas on the Cenozoic folding.
Due to this geographical location, the states of Foreign Asia have many natural mineral resources. Rich reserves of coal, manganese and iron ores and other minerals are concentrated within the Hindustan and Chinese platforms.
The main wealth of the region is the gas and oil basins, which are located in most states of South-West Asia. The agroclimatic characteristics of Asia hinder the establishment of agricultural activities.
Population
The population of Foreign Asia is more than 3 billion people. Many states are experiencing a process of so-called “demographic explosion”. Public policy Many countries are aimed at reducing the birth rate; in China and Japan, large families are forced to pay special taxes.
The ethnic composition of Foreign Asia is diverse: representatives of more than 1 thousand ethnic groups and nationalities live here, the most numerous peoples being the Chinese, Bengalis, Hindustanis and Japanese. Only Iran and Afghanistan are among the mononational countries.
The peoples of Asia belong to 15 language families; such linguistic diversity is not found in any region of the world. Foreign Asia is the cradle of all world religions; Christianity, Islam and Buddhism were born here. Shintoism, Confucianism and Taoism also occupy a leading place in the region.
Economy of Foreign Asia
In the last decade, the role of the countries of Foreign Asia in the world economy has increased significantly. The level of economic development here is more contrasting than in any other region of the world. Absolute leadership in industrial development belongs to Japan.
This is the only state in Foreign Asia that is part of the G7. Also among the industrialized countries are China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. The economy of the Gulf states is focused primarily on the oil industry.
Mining and metallurgy are well developed in Mongolia, Jordan, Vietnam and Afghanistan. In most countries, the main share of EAN is engaged in agricultural production. The most popular plant crops are rice, tea, wheat and millet.
From previous courses Geographers, remember in which climatic zones South-West Asia is located. What development problems in these countries are related to climate conditions?
Mineral resources the region has not been explored enough. In addition to the huge reserves of oil (66% of world reserves) and gas (26%), there are significant volumes of chromites (Turkey), mineral salts of the Dead Sea. 206 million people live in the territory of South-West Asia. The population is growing rapidly due to high natural population growth. The countries of the region differ greatly in population size; 2/3 of the region's inhabitants are concentrated in Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan.
The population distribution is also uneven. Its average density in one country does not exceed 100 people/km2, and in desert areas it is less than 1 person/km2. The region is characterized by significant population migrations. Peoples leading a nomadic lifestyle still live here. Israel's population is formed by immigrants. Many Palestinian Arabs are forced to leave their homeland, and a significant number of foreign Muslim workers work in the oil fields. Many Turks work in Western Europe, especially in Germany.
The level of urbanization is generally low, and Afghanistan and Yemen are among the lowest in the world. The urban population is growing rapidly, but individual cities predominate, agglomerations are just being formed (Istanbul, Tehran). The proportion of urban residents is especially high in small oil-producing countries; in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar it exceeds 90% of the population. Some cities arose in ancient times (Damascus, Baghdad, Beirut, Riyadh, etc.). It was in this region that the three main religions of the world originated: Judaism, Christianity, Islam. The cities of Jerusalem, Mecca, Medina are considered sacred, and many pilgrims visit them every year.
The ethnic composition of the population is quite complex. Most homogeneous population The Arabian Peninsula, which is based on Arabs. Türkiye, Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq are multinational countries. Along with Turks, Persians, Afghans (Pashtuns) and Arabs, there live national minorities: Kurds, Azerbaijanis, Uzbeks, Tajiks and others. Ethnic and religious differences create serious political and economic difficulties in each country. I and phosphorites, potassium salts (Jordan, Israel). characteristics of the economy of South-West Asia
By level economic development The countries of South-West Asia belong to two types: Israel, Turkey and Cyprus are moderately developed countries, the rest of the states are developing countries. But these groups are also heterogeneous.
Israel is an industrial-agrarian country, the share of industry in GDP is 30%. The industrial structure is dominated by knowledge-intensive industries: medical electronics, communications, computers. The metalworking, aviation, shipbuilding, electrical, chemical, and diamond-cutting industries are also developing. High specific gravity The economy has a military industry.
The policy of the Cypriot leadership is aimed at transforming the country into a trade, financial and tourist center. The economy of this country is characterized by a high share of the service sector (47% of GDP). The leading industries are the food, clothing, mining, and construction materials industries.
The basis of the economy of developing countries is agriculture, which is still backward and unproductive due to archaic agrarian relations. Constant drought is a real disaster for the population of these countries. There is a lot of irrigated land, but the irrigation systems are mostly primitive. The countries of South-West Asia bring grain, oil, sugar, tea, and livestock products.
IN agriculture crop production predominates. Its basis is consumer crops (wheat, corn, vegetables), cotton. Significant areas are occupied by vineyards and fruit plantings. The region occupies a leading place in the world in the production and export of raisins, dried fruits, almonds and dates.