Asia is the largest and most populous continent or region, depending on the definition. It covers 8.7 percent of the Earth's total surface area, or 29.8 percent of its land area, and it contains more than 60 percent of the world's human population.

Asia is traditionally defined as part of the landmass of Africa-Eurasia – with the western portion of the latter occupied by Europe – lying east of the Suez Canal, east of the Ural Mountains, and south of the Caucasus Mountains and the Caspian and Black Seas.

Etymology

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The word Asia entered English, via Latin, from Ancient Greek Ασία (Asia; see also List of traditional Greek place names). This name is first attested in Herodotus (about 440 BC), where it refers to Asia Minor; or, for the purposes of describing the Persian Wars, to the Persian Empire, in contrast to Greece and Egypt. Herodotus comments that he is puzzled as to why three different women's names are used to describe a single land mass (Europa, Asia and Libya, referring to Africa), stating that most Greeks assumed that Asia was named after the wife of Prometheus but that the Lydians say it was named after Asias, son of Cotys who passed the name on to a tribe in Sardis.

More on [ Asia ]

BBC News | Asia-Pacific | World Edition

Five shot dead on Pacific island
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:45:30 -0000
At least five people are killed in a shooting incident on Saipan, one of the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific.
Top South Korean model found dead
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:55:17 -0000
South Korean model Daul Kim is found dead at her apartment in Paris, amid speculation she took her own life.
Pacquiao returns to Manila a hero
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:38:09 -0000
Philippine boxing champion Manny Pacquiao returns home to Manila after his latest win, and eyes a political future.
Japan says deflation has returned
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:48:46 -0000
The Japanese government warns that deflation has returned to the country's economy for the first time since 2006.
Student leader on trial in China
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:03:43 -0000
A former leader of the Tiananmen democracy protests, handed over by Hong Kong to China, goes on trial in what his supporters call political persecution.
China 'steps up US cyber-spying'
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:17:28 -0000
Chinese spies are aggressively stealing secrets to help build up China's military and economic power, a US advisory panel says.

NYT > Asia Pacific

China Helps the Powerful in Namibia
By SHARON LaFRANIERE Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:01:31 -0000
Secret scholarships to study in China that were awarded to the offspring of top officials in Namibia have angered the public there.
Karzai Sworn In for Second Term as President
By ALISSA J. RUBIN and MARK LANDLER Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:57:22 -0000
In his inaugural address, President Hamid Karzai said that the Afghan Army should assume full control of the country’s security within five years.
Obama Demands Afghan Reforms Produce Results
By PETER BAKER and MARK LANDLER Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:03:15 -0000
President Obama sent Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to Afghanistan to press President Hamid Karzai to deliver “measurable results” in return for civilian aid.

L.A. Times - Asia

Obama sets the pace in China
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800
For reporters covering him, the sightseeing is just a blur. They can only take it a step at a time -- make that 30. If it's 3:40 p.m., this must be the Great Wall.
Chinese officials rip Obama interview from newspaper
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800
Many copies of the Southern Weekend were missing the page carrying Obama's exclusive interview, even though it didn't cover anything controversial. Even after he left Beijing, President Obama apparently fell afoul of the Chinese censors.
White House calls Obama's Asian tour a success
Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:42:00 -0800
Trying to counter perceptions that the trip failed to bring about solid results, advisor David Axelrod says, 'Things don't change overnight.' Even before President Obama boarded his home-bound flight for Washington, capping a grueling weeklong Asian tour, the White House was scrambling to combat perceptions that the trip failed to produce concrete results.

UN News Centre - Asia Pacific

UN chief congratulates Afghan President on inauguration
Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00 Subscribe to Asia RSS feed