IE2 Writing #3

Asia
Asia can be distinguished from other areas such as Europe, America and Oceania because it has not only a complete non-white culture but also other unique characteristics. Asia occupies 80% of Eurasia continent and has 60% of the world population. Therefore, it also has a variety of geography, history, people, culture and society. In this sense, it is difficult to describe Asia as a whole, so let me divide it into six regions –East Asia, South East Asia, South Asia, North Asia, Central Asia and West Asia so as to explain the difference in each characteristic.

East Asia is the first of these regions. It accounts for 40% of the whole of Asia and includes Taiwan, Japan, Korea, China and so on. They have the same ancestor called Polynesian Mongoloid. They also share a temperate rainy climate, so people can easily adjust to the environment. China had a great influence on the culture of other East Asian countries in many ways. For instance, character, religion, architecture and the custom of using chopsticks all came from China and still exist to the present day. After World War ∐, Japan and other countries in this region have achieved high economic growth. Especially, China has become developed for the past decade and so many wealthy businessmen can be found in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

South East Asia is the second region. It is made up of Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos and so on. Most of this region has the tropical climate with annual rainfalls. Moreover, thanks to monsoon, rice-growing is the leading industry in Thailand and other countries on Indochina. As you know, they used to be European colonies until the mid-20th century, so they fought for independence with European powers for many years. Thailand is the only country that maintained its freedom. Religious diversity can be found in this region. For instance, Islam is popular in Indonesia and Malaysia, and Buddhism is common in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar, and Christianity is believed in Singapore and the Philippines.

South Asia is the third region. It includes India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Bangladesh and so on. They have long rainy season and three fourths of the total amount of the annual rainfall concentrates this time of the year, so more than 100 million people totally depend on agriculture of this season. On the other hand, small amount of rainfall keeps them from food and water. Therefore, 50 million people suffer from starvation every year. In addition, they have a bunch of serious problems such as poverty, growing population, infectious disease, the low penetration rate of primary school education and so on.

North Asia is the fourth region. It is made up of Mongol and Siberia, the Southern part of Russia. Most of this region has cool-temperate and dry climate, so it is not suitable for agriculture. Therefore, people have continued a nomadic way of life from a distant past. They totally depend on domestic livestock and caravan trade for a living, so productivity of this region is lower than that of agrarian society. However, Turpan which used to be a vital ground of Silk Road is still prosperous as an important oasis town. With the exception of nomadic culture, Mongolian sumo-wrestling has become a part of popular culture and many have come to Japan to become professionals.

Central Asia is the fifth region. It includes Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kirgiz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and some parts of China such as Tibet and East Turkestan Autonomous Region. Most of these countries used to make up the former Soviet Union. After they became independent with dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, this region was classified into “Central Asia.” This region has played an important role as a main artery linking Europe and Asia for thousands of years. Ancient Chinese, Greek and Roman and Indian culture met here and influenced one another. For instance, Gandhara art was created mixed with Hellenism style of art and Indian Buddhist images.

West Asia is the sixth region. It is made up of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Unite Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Palestine, Egypt and so on. This region is also called “Middle and Near East” or “Islam World”. Mesopotamia and Nile civilizations were born in this region. In this sense, West Asia has the longest history in the world. Egypt has a lot of ancient remains and has attracted many tourists. Most countries have been well off by receiving benefits from Persian Gulf oil, so world-class rich people can be found in this region. On the other hand, some countries remain in a constant state of war. Many people are killed at every single moment under these circumstances. In addition, the world is watching the situation and also worries over the reoccurence of terrorism.

In this way, Asia has various aspects of these six-divided regions. The atmosphere in Asia is very different of that of Europe and other Western countries and it is because Asia has an absolute non-white culture and its geographical and cultural uniqueness. From my point of view, South East Asia now represents the image of Asia because the expression of “Asian Taste” always remains me of Thailand or Indonesia. China also gives me a great impression from historical point of view. These six Asian regions have little in common this way, but share the feeling of unity one another as a member of Asia.