15 Fun Facts about Asia

15 Fun Facts about Asia

For the largest continent in the world, with incredible diversity and rich cultures, Asia has lots of awe-inspiring things to offer. It covers an estimated 44.5 million square kilometers, which is 30% of the earth’s total land area. Is it then too surprising that it’s home to about 60% of the world’s population?  From having countries with some of the largest economies in the world such as China and India to being home to the majority of the billionaires in the world, Asia’s economic muscle is just one of its highlights. From natural features such as active volcanoes, and exotic wild animals like the Komodo dragon, the world’s best street food in Bangkok, to some of the most bizarre festivals, we’ve compiled some fun facts about this continent. Take a look!

1. Both the highest and lowest points on the earth’s surface are in Asia

Aerial view of Mt. Everest. Photo by Babasteve. Wikimedia Commons.

The world’s highest mountain (above sea level) is Mt. Everest, located in the Himalayas, along the China-Nepal border. At 8, 848.86 meters, it’s the highest point on the earth’s surface. The lowest point on the earth’s surface is located in Southeast Asia, at the Jordan-Israeli border. This is the Dead Sea, at 430 meters below sea level. It’s also one of the saltiest, making it difficult for any life to survive in it, hence its name.

Check out the Top 15 Facts about Mt. Everest.

2. 90% of the world’s rice is consumed in Asia

Rice dish by Pan Xiangzhen. Pixabay.

Rice is the staple food for most if not all Asian countries. Its very origin can be traced to East Asia, more than 10,000 years ago. That means, before the rest of the world had a taste of this dish, the Asian continent was already domesticating and cultivating the crop. From fried to steamed rice, rice noodles, or sticky rice, the dish is an essential one in Asian households. Unsurprisingly, nine out of the 10 world’s biggest rice producers are in Asia, with China, India, and Bangladesh at the top of the list.

3. Asia is home to the world’s highest number of active volcanoes

Volcanic lava by USGS.Unsplash.

The ‘Ring of Fire’ region in the Pacific holds more than 70% of the world’s active volcanoes, and the Asia-Pacific region is part of the sum. Most of these are in Indonesia, where millions of people live dangerously near volcanoes. The world’s deadliest volcanic eruptions and related earthquakes have been recorded in Asia as well. In 1815, the eruption of Mt. Tambora in Indonesia killed around 10,000 people and affected global temperatures resulting in grave famine.

Read more on 15 Fascinating Facts about Volcanoes.

4. Over 2300 languages are spoken in Asia

That’s a lot of languages but for a continent with about 60% of the world’s population, 2300 is quite reasonable. The most common one is Mandarin, with over 1.1 billion speakers. It is also the official language in Taiwan, China, and Singapore. Other commonly spoken languages included Arabic, Malay, Persian, Bangla, and Hindi.

See the 10 Very Useful Mandarin phrases you should know before travelling to China.

5. Bangkok holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-place name

A section of Bangkok at night by Mr.Thammarat Pitakchat from Pixabay.

Okay, let me explain. Bangkok is actually not Thailand’s capital’s real name. Its actual full name is quite long, so take a deep breath first. Krung Thep Maha Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit. Phew! There you have it, but I’m pretty sure you’ll just stick to Bangkok. It roughly translates to the great city of angels.

6. Cambodia has the largest religious monument in the world

Angkor Wat by Sharon Wat. Pixabay.

The Angkor Wat Temple Complex, located in Cambodia, is the world’s largest. Although originally built as a Hindu temple, its use has gradually transformed into Buddhist, and the complex is often viewed as a Hindu-Buddhist temple. It sits on a massive 402 acres of land. It was built over a period of 28 years, from 1122-1150 CE. The architectural feat attained, and the decorative aspects of this complex are quite impressive.

7. Two of the Seven Wonders of the World are located in Asia

The Taj Mahal by يسرا توكل from Pixabay .

It’s something to be proud of, featuring two out of the chosen seven. These are the Taj Mahal in India, and the Great Wall of China. The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum, built in 1643 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It’s considered a ‘jewel of Muslim art in India’ and a masterpiece of Mughal architecture. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The Great Wall of China runs an impressive 21, 196 kilometers, an incredible feat.

Read more on: Top 15 Facts about the Great Wall of China, and  Top 15 Facts about the Taj Mahal.

8. Bhutan has no use for GDP!

Image by Gaurav Bagdi-Unsplash.

While the rest of the world uses the Gross Domestic Product index to measure the rate of economic growth, Bhutan is the only country whose national guiding principle in measuring its welfare is Gross National Happiness.  The term was introduced as philosophy in 1972 by the fourth king of Bhutan, King Jigme, who considered it more important than GDP. It’s a philosophy of holistic sustainable development, centered on the people, and not merely material wealth.

9. The world’s largest flower is found in Asia

Rafflesia arnoldii by Colin+Meg-Unsplash.

With an estimated diameter of one meter, the Rafflesia arnoldii is the world’s largest flower. It is found in most rainforests of Southeast Asia, specifically in Indonesia.  It can weigh up to 15 pounds! However, it doesn’t have the best smell. It has been termed a ‘stinking lily’, as its odor can be compared to rotting flesh.

10. Asia is home to the Komodo Dragon; the world’s largest lizard

Komodo dragon by Aniket-Pixabay.

In addition to other exotic species such as the Asian tiger, Asia is also home to the Komodo dragon. It is a member of the monitor lizard family and the largest in the world. The species is found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Gili Motang, Rinca, and Flores. It has an estimated length of 3 meters and can weigh up to 70 kilograms. Komodo dragons are considered endangered species and are protected under Indonesian law.

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about the Komodo National Park, Indonesia.

11. Chinese New Year celebrations last for 15 days

Fireworks by Nick-Pixabay.

Just like anywhere else in the world, New Year comes with the pomp and cheer for new beginnings. In China, the party goes on for a few more days than in most countries. The celebrations are grounded in symbolism and tradition, hence are quite a big deal. Dragon dances, pompous red attire, lanterns, red envelopes with money, and fireworks, just to mention a few, color the celebrations. The Chinese New Year date is worked out by the new moon, hence it doesn’t fall on the same day every year. It is also known as Spring Festival, as it marks the start of spring. The celebrations end with the lantern festival, in which people release lanterns in the sky. Beautiful!

12. South Korea has Valentine’s day for singles!

Image by Photo Mix-Pixabay.

Valentine’s day has some interesting twists in South Korea. Like the rest of the world, February 14^th is Valentine’s day, but here, the ladies gift men as a sign of affection. Then on March 14^th, also known as White Day, the men reciprocate with more gifts. On April 14^th, (known as Black Day), single persons who did not receive anything on the first two dates, are ideally expected to get together over some black noodles, perhaps vent or get lucky. Pretty interesting, I think.

Read more on the History of Valentine’s Day: Everything you should know.

13. Thailand was never colonized by Western powers

Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that escaped colonization by the Europeans when all of its neighbors were either under British or French rule. Interestingly it stood right in the middle of the two powers, but strategically using negotiations and compromise such as ceding some territory to keep off conquest, Thailand managed to stay neutral and evade formal colonization. Western influence is however evident in the country’s modern state.

14. Look out for snake wine in Vietnam!

It’s not an uncommon belief that snakes may have medicinal qualities. It’s however not too common to find a whole snake, preferably venomous for that matter, infused in rice wine as a beverage! Not for most of Southeast Asia, though. Safely prepared snake wine is considered to have health benefits, and it was first recorded as a drink in the Western Zhou Dynasty in 771 BC. In Vietnam, and some parts of China, ordering a shot of snake wine is no big deal. Not my cup of tea though so I’ll pass.

15. Asia has some of the world’s tallest buildings

Burj Khalifa by Wild Pixar-Pixabay.

When it comes to architectural prowess, Asia comes up top quite easily, being home to some of the tallest buildings in the world. Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, is the world’s tallest, towering at an impressive 828 meters in height, with 165 buildings (2 are below ground). China is home to about half of the world’s tallest buildings, including the Shanghai Tower (632 meters), Taipei 101 (508 meters), Shanghai World Financial Center (492 meters), and International Commerce Centre (484 meters).  The Petronas Towers located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, are the world’s tallest twin skyscrapers. 

Check out the 15 Iconic Buildings in Dubai.