The Geography of Asia | Geography for Year 6 PDF Download

Where is Asia?

• Asia, the largest continent on Earth, encompasses over forty countries, including some of the world’s most populous and expansive nations, such as China and India. 
• It is primarily located in the Northern Hemisphere, with its northern regions extending into the Arctic Circle and its southern areas crossed by the Tropic of Cancer. 
• Asia is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and the Indian Ocean to the south.

Physical Geography

Features

• The Himalayan mountain range, formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, creates fold mountains and includes Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth.

• Asia is home to three of China’s longest rivers: the Yangtze, the longest, originating in the Himalayas, followed by the Yellow River and the Mekong River. 
• The Brahmaputra River, flowing through China, India, and Bangladesh, is vital for providing freshwater and supporting agricultural irrigation.

Climate

• Asia’s vast size results in diverse climates. Southern regions near the Equator experience a tropical climate, characterized by hot and wet conditions. 
• In contrast, northern areas, such as parts of Russia and the Arctic Circle, have a cold, dry climate with tundra biomes where temperatures can drop to -60°C. 
• Animals like the Arctic fox and Siberian tiger, adapted with white fur for snowy camouflage, inhabit these regions, though some face extinction risks.

The Sundarbans

• Located at the confluence of the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers between India and Bangladesh, the Sundarbans is the world’s largest mangrove forest, spanning an area six times larger than Greater London. 
• Mangrove trees, thriving in salty water, form dense root systems that create habitats and protect coastlines. 
• Local fishers rely on the forest for fish, crabs, and honey. The Sundarbans is renowned for its significant population of Bengal tigers, making it a critical ecosystem.

Human Geography

• As the most populous continent, Asia hosts major cities like Tokyo (Japan), Chongqing (China), New Delhi (India), and Karachi (Pakistan). 
• The continent is also home to some of the world’s largest ports, facilitating global trade through container ship operations. 
• Shanghai Port, situated at the mouth of the Yangtze River in China, is the busiest and largest globally, serving as a hub for both domestic and international trade. 

• Goods manufactured in China, such as broadcasting equipment, computers, office machine parts, and clothing, are exported worldwide from Shanghai. 
• China’s primary trading partners include the United Kingdom, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, Germany, and South Korea.