Asia +
Asia ( (listen)) is Earth's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the Eastern and Northern Hemispheres. It shares the continental landmass of Eurasia with the continent of Europe and the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with both Europe and Africa. Asia covers an area of 44,579,000 square kilometres (17,212,000 sq mi), about 30% of Earth's total land area and 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area. The continent, which has long been home to the majority of the human population, was the site of many of the first civilizations. Asia is notable for not only its overall large size and population, but also dense and large settlements, as well as vast barely populated regions. Its 4.5 billion people (as of September 2018) constitute roughly 60% of the world's population.In general terms, Asia is bounded on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the south by the Indian Ocean, and on the north by the Arctic Ocean. The border of Asia with Europe is a historical and cultural construct, as there is no clear physical and geographical separation between them. It is somewhat arbitrary and has moved since its first conception in classical antiquity. The division of Eurasia into two continents reflects East–West cultural, linguistic, and ethnic differences, some of which vary on a spectrum rather than with a sharp dividing line. The most commonly accepted boundaries place Asia to the east of the Suez Canal separating it from Africa; and to the east of the Turkish Straits, the Ural Mountains and Ural River, and to the south of the Caucasus Mountains and the Caspian and Black Seas, separating it from Europe.China and India alternated in being the largest economies in the world from 1 to 1800 CE. China was a major economic power and attracted many to the east, and for many the legendary wealth and prosperity of the ancient culture of India personified Asia, attracting European commerce, exploration and colonialism. The accidental discovery of a trans-Atlantic route from Europe to America by Columbus while in search for a route to India demonstrates this deep fascination. The Silk Road became the main east–west trading route in the Asian hinterlands while the Straits of Malacca stood as a major sea route. Asia has exhibited economic dynamism (particularly East Asia) as well as robust population growth during the 20th century, but overall population growth has since fallen. Asia was the birthplace of most of the world's mainstream religions including Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Jainism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, as well as many other religions.
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![Auckland to Shanghai, Beijing and Many Other Chinese Cities from $408 Return on Hainan Airlines [May-Jun] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/56/46656.jpg?h=30b27b70)
![Tokyo, Japan Return on Qantas Airways: AKL from $1066, WLG $1067, CHC $1066, ZQN $1066 via Aus [May-Dec] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/50/46550.jpg?h=5c6edbd0)
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![Tokyo, Japan Return from Auckland $885 on Fiji Airways [May-Mar] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/43/46243.jpg?h=5c6edbd0)
![Auckland to Tokyo, Japan from $934 Return [Sep-Oct, Jan-Mar] on Japan Airlines & Malaysia Airlines via KL @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/75/46075.jpg?h=b903da0f)
![Tokyo, Japan on China Southern Airlines from Auckland from $1055 Return [May-Oct] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/42/46042.jpg?h=b903da0f)
![Qantas Airways: Tokyo, Japan Return from CHC $1237, Q'town $1240, AKL $1246 and WLG $1269 [Apr-Sep] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/29/46029.jpg?h=5c6edbd0)
![Hainan Airlines: Auckland to Hong Kong from $849 Return [Apr-Oct] via Haikou @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/95/45995.jpg?h=9466e702)
![Auckland to Hong Kong from $847 Return on Hainan Airlines [Jul-Oct] via Haikou @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/13/45913.jpg?h=1233decc)
![Seoul, South Korea from $998 Return on China Southern Airlines [Mar-Jun] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/41/45641.jpg?h=fa1e6036)
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![Auckland to Haikou, China from $559 Return on Hainan Airlines (Some Direct) [Feb-Jun] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/83/45483.jpg?h=e6d00f17)