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An Overview Of Asia

August 19th, 2010 No comments

Asia is the largest continent when measured by landmass and human population. Following is an overview of Asia.

Asia is considered one of the seven continents. This continental definition, however, is far broader than many people think. Under the seven continent methodology, Asia stretches from Japan in the East through Russia in the West. It encompasses Saudi Arabia and everything above Asia. While it doesn’t always make practical sense, there is no denying this definition of Asia makes it the home of over 60 percent [4 billion] of all humans. China and India, of course, are the locations of a vast majority of these people.

In modern times, geographers recognize there really is no dividing line between Asia to the west and Europe to the East. This has resulted in the entire area being called Eurasia, but thousands of years of terminology aren’t about to pass into antiquity. Today, most people refer to Europe as a continent so far as it extends to the Ural Mountains in Russia. Everything to the east of that mountain range is considered Asia. For instance, Israel is considered a country in Western Asia!

Russia has even picked up on this theme with the two heads on the national flag. The west facing head refers to the European part of Russia while the East facing head refers to the Asian part of the country. Within Russia, it is almost as if there are two countries with Moscow and St. Petersburg having heavy European influences. Cities in the Far East, such as Vladivostok, are much more oriented to China and such.

To resolve the boundary issue, the powers that be have started defining Asia subcontinents. The areas are:

Central Asia – Kazakhstan Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

1. East Asia – China, Japan, Mongolia, Taiwan, North and South Korea.

2. North Asia – Russia.

3. India Subcontinent – India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.

4. Southeast Asia – Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar [Burma], Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

5. Southwest Asia – The Middle East including Turkey, Iran, Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon and sometimes Egypt.

Given the problems defining the boundaries of Asia, you can imagine it is also difficult to define certain characteristics regarding the continent. After all, life in Turkey is much different than in China. Conversely, customs in India are completely different than those in China. In fact, most people living in Asia take offence when someone uses the word “Asians” to refer to them. The word implies a similarity among all people in Asia, which simply isn’t true.

Economically, things are a bit easier to categorize. The largest economy in Asia is China as a measure of gross domestic product. Officially known as the People’s Republic of China, this country remains communist in name only when it comes to economic issues. With massive economic growth over the last 10 years, China is the second largest economy in the world after the United States. Another heavily populated area, India, is now the fourth biggest economy in the world, while relatively small Japan is the third. Put in practical terms, Asia is home to three of the four biggest economies on Earth. The three dominant financial centers are Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore.

With so many countries, it is hardly surprising to find a wide variety of religious practices in Asia. There are a wide variety of belief systems, but Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam have the largest number of adherents.

Figuring out exactly what constitutes Asia is largely a matter of opinion. Among many assertions about Asia, the undisputable one is it is the home to the largest percentage of humans on the planet.

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Adding Mystique To The Railways

October 27th, 2009 No comments

There is something quite magical about the railways. Right from the time when there used to be steam engines to the transcontinental high speed trains that zip across Europe and Asia, trains have captured the imagination of people from across the globe. If you are one of those who just keep flying from place to place, it may make sense to savor the magic of the trains every now and then, just for a change. Whether it is Moscow or Tokyo, Mumbai or London, the common thread happens to be the railways which have tied together huge countries leading to unparalleled connectivity as well as a world of luxury.

Train journeys, especially if they are long in duration are not quite complete without consumption of certain beverages or drinks, either cold or hot. This is where cup holders come in quite handy so that one can keep the cup, bottle or even pouch in the cup holder and take sips from drinks that they would like to savor. It is possible to get quite thirsty in trains, which means that the cup holder’s utility is unquestioned.

Cup holders on trains are quite convenient as these can help hold not only the beverages that you love, but also some chocolate or small packet snacks that you may have purchased from vendors along the way. Some people find this extremely convenient as placing these items on the seat or in flaps in the seat ahead can get rather cumbersome and not the tidiest of options. After all, as the train zips by at dizzying speeds, any imbalanced movements could cause the drink to spill, which is prevented by using cup holders.

Train cup holders come with easy to use Velcro straps which mean that you do not have to fumble as you try and hold the cup holder in place on high speed trains. If you want some coffee, just order it, place it in the cup holder and enjoy sips of this utterly stimulating drink that can help wake you up from a stupor.

If you want to buy cup holders that can be used in trains, you need not really look too far. There are so many websites that you can refer to which list various types of cup holders at various price points too, to meet your needs in terms of style, size and cost.

Cooper “Coop” Shepherd makes his daily commute by rail, to a job where he investigates the usefulness of the drink holder especially in reference to stadium accessories.

Budget Tips For A Tokyo Trip

January 24th, 2009 No comments

It is extremely hard to have a budget holiday in Tokyo. Japan on a whole is an expensive place to live in so cost of living is high. This translates to the same for tourists, but does not rule out the possibility of finding cheaper options in the city.

The tips below will provide some ideas on how you can save on a trip to Tokyo. While it is always sensible to only pay what you can afford, do not shortchange yourself either. Enjoy a nice holiday without spending too much but spoil yourself sometimes when necessary.

Hotels – There is a scarcity of budget hotels in Tokyo for tourists. Many of them cost an arm and a leg. But there are alternative options such as business hotels and hostels that offer cheaper accommodation at an average of 6,000 to 9,000 yen per night. Booking them is tricky though, since the demand exceeds supply.

Ryokan – There is another form of accommodation that tourists can opt for in Tokyo and they are known as ryokans. You will be staying in a Japanese-styled traditional home which means sleeping on futon beds. They are very comfortable and meals are often provided as part of the cost.

Japan Rail Pass – This is a discount rail ticket that allows travel on the rail networks in both Tokyo and other cities in Japan. It can be bought for travel periods starting from 7 days and provides long term savings over purchasing individual tickets per ride.

Vending machines – There is almost nothing in Japan that is not available via a vending machine. You can have cooked ramen, cigarettes, clothes and even restaurants might be operated using these automated sales counters. The biggest advantage is that they provide all these items and services at low prices due to reduced overhead.

Ramen shops – Some of you might have heard stories of food being expensive in Japan. That cannot be further from the truth with ramen shops. You can have a satisfying meal of noodles at only 300 yen. For 900 yen you can also have a choice of tasty ramen with thick slabs of meat included.

Onsen – These are establishments that have hot springs or baths that people normally visit for a relaxing dip. Many of them allow guests to stay overnight at a cost of between 1,500 to 2,000 yen. That is much lower than dormitories and can be a cheap alternative for any tourist or budget traveler.

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The Best Places To Visit In Tokyo

January 11th, 2009 1 comment

Tokyo in Japan offers some of the most beautiful and incredible sights for any tourist. It is made up of over 50 wards and cities in itself, and this huge cultural metropolis is a prime mover of music, fashion, arts and food in the global world. The capital is a mix of the modern and tradition, and visitors are constantly amazed by what they experience.

What are some of the most fascinating and popular places within Tokyo? These will include Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shibuya, Akihabara and many more. Not only are they must visits, but these places also offer insights into the different facets of Japanese life and culture.

The Shinjuku train station has the highest human traffic passing it amongst all its counterparts across the world. With it situated in the middle of a crossroads of business and commercial hubs, there is little surprise that millions of people go through it each day.

There is something for everyone in Shinjuku. The hundreds of restaurants specialize in the best of Japanese food, from sushi to teriyaki. Shinjuku’s nightlife bustles with life, and the red light district provides a view of the other side of Japanese entertainment. The beautiful garden of the Shinjuku Gyoen Imperial Gardens is a haven for busy businessmen or families who seek refuge on a peaceful afternoon.

Moving further up north is Shibuya, the place where the life of young Japanese resides. Shibuya houses everything hip and trendy about Japan, and there are long streets of fashion malls mixed with the ever present restaurants and cafes. This is also the place for people watching in Japan, with great looking Japanese men and women filling the streets.

Harajuku can be found next to Shibuya. It houses some of the best young fashion talents in the Japanese industry, where designers open their own boutiques to showcase their latest clothes. Harajuku is also home to some cultural sights such as the Meiji Shrine, where thousands of Japanese and tourists gather everyday to experience the tranquility it offers and to offer their prayers.

Harajuku is also home to the best of Japanese cosplayers, where they dress up as their favorite anime characters. These cosplayers gather on the Harajuku Bridge on Sundays, although many of them will make appearances on other days too. It is a sub-culture of Japan and one that they take pride in.

Tokyo is known for its high tech gadgets and the world of anime and manga. Akihabara is where fans of all three can get their fill. Whether it is the latest electronic gadgets, new anime toys or manga titles, you can find them all there. Together with the other three areas mentioned above, it is little wonder that Tokyo continues to fascinate and delight tourists who make the trip there.

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The Beauty And Magnificence Of Mount Fuji

January 10th, 2009 No comments

Hundreds of thousands of individuals seek to climb Mount Fuji’s peak every year. The Japanese tourist industry welcomes many times more that number that travel to the country to experience the dormant volcano’s sights. It is common knowledge that Mount Fuji might erupt in due time, yet it has not stopped people from making the trip.

What motivates them to do so? Perhaps the following might explain better why Mount Fuji remains a popular destination with the young and old, all over the world.

First of all, Mount Fuji is a popular tourist destination, but it is also a sacred symbol of Japan. There are legends attached to the mountain that show the respect and awe that it is held in the Japanese people’s eyes. The fact that it is also the tallest peak in the East Asian country has made it all the more formidable.

Did you know that there are hundreds of mini-Mount Fuji’s all over Japan? They are all smaller hills and mountains that are named after the larger version. As many Japanese cannot afford to visit the original peak due to time or money, they resorted to naming nearby mountains in its memory, where they can serve as a pilgrimage of sorts in the nearest town each year.

You can also create your own version of Mount Fuji out of paper. The Japanese have made this possible through the art of Origami. There are complete origami books which cover the many ways of folding a paper Fuji-san, allowing hours of fun. It is another piece of evidence of the high regard with which the Japanese hold for the mountain.

There is a strong reason why Mount Fuji is ever present in the Japanese psyche. The mountain’s snow covered peak is often visible on the skyline of Tokyo, the capital of Japan. While the volcano can be covered by clouds or haze for much of the time, the majestic sight dominates much of the landscape.

To heighten the value and mysticism of Mount Fuji, her peak can only be viewed in its full glory, untouched by weather conditions, for about ten days annually. Even traveling up to the general fifth station of the mountain will not change this fact.

Mount Fuji is not all beauty and elegance though. If the volcano erupts one day, Japan will suffer serious consequences as a country. Much of Tokyo and other nearby cities could be destroyed, resulting in much rebuilding. But this has not deterred the Japanese spirit, and they continue to worship and dedicate much attention to the tallest and majestic mountain in their country, Mount Fuji.

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