The countries of East and South Asia include. Asian countries and their capitals: list of foreign Asian countries

Southeast Asia is a major world economic center, known to most for its popular tourist destinations. This vast region is very diverse in terms of ethnic composition of the population, culture and religion. All this eventually affected the general life, is of great interest to tourists from all over the world.

Countries South-East Asia- this is a generalized definition referring to a number of states concentrated south of China, east of India And north of australia. Despite this, usually the map of southeast Asia includes 11 states.

From the middle of the last century to the present, this part of the world is actively developing and playing a huge role in the global economy. The population of southeast Asia is about 600 million people, the most populous state is Indonesia, and the most densely populated island- Java.

The length of the region from north to south is 3.2 thousand kilometers, and from west to east - 5.6. The countries of Southeast Asia are:

Sometimes this list includes some other territories controlled by states that are part of Asia, but in general, by location, they are not from among the countries of the southeast. Most often these are islands and territories controlled by China, India, Australia and Oceania, these include:

  • (China).
  • (China).
  • (Australia).
  • (China).
  • Nicobar Islands (India).
  • islands (India).
  • Ryukyu Islands (Japan).

According to various sources, about 40% of the world's population lives in the countries of Southeast Asia, many have united in the Asia-Pacific economic cooperation. Thus, in 2019, almost half of the world's GDP is produced here. Economic characteristics recent years have been marked by high development in the region in many areas.

Tourism sector

The end of the war between the US and Vietnam had a positive impact on the popularization of resorts in the late 60s. They are still actively developing today, especially since the citizens of our country can go to most of these states by a simplified visa regime and many do not require a visa at all. The countries of Southeast Asia, due to the tropical climate, are suitable for beach holiday all year round.

Yet in some parts of this gigantic peninsula, the climate is different time year is different, so it will be useful to study the maps beforehand. In the middle and second half of winter, it is better to go to India to the island or to Vietnam, since at this time of the year there is no constant precipitation inherent in tropical climate. Still suitable for recreation Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

  • south of China;
  • Indonesia;
  • Malaysia;
  • pacific islands.

Most popular destinations among our tourists are Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Peoples and cultures

Racial and ethnic composition Southeast Asia is very heterogeneous. This applies to religion as well. East End the archipelago is mostly inhabited by followers of Buddhism, and there are also Confucians - due to the large number of Chinese immigrants from southern provinces There are about 20 million of them here in China. These countries include Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and a number of other states. It is also not uncommon to meet Hindus and Christians. In the western part of Southeast Asia, Islam is predominantly practiced, it is this religion that ranks first in terms of the number of followers.

The ethnic composition of the region is represented by the following peoples:

And in this list - just not most of all ethnic groups and subgroups, there are also representatives of the peoples of Europe. By and large, the culture of the southeast is a mixture of Indian and Chinese cultures.

The Spaniards and the Portuguese, who colonized the islands in these places, had a great influence on the population. Played a huge role and Arab culture There are about 240 million people practicing Islam here. Over the centuries, common traditions have developed here, almost everywhere in all these countries people eat using Chinese chopsticks, they are very fond of tea.

Yet there are amazing cultural features that will interest any foreigner. One of the most superstitious peoples in the archipelago are the Vietnamese.. For example, it is customary for them to hang mirrors on the outside of the entrance: if a dragon comes, he will immediately run away, frightened by his own reflection. There is still a bad sign to meet a woman in the morning, leaving the house. Or it is considered bad form to lay out cutlery on the table for one person. It is also not customary to touch a person’s shoulder or head, as they believe that good spirits are nearby, and touching them can scare them away.

Demography

In the countries of Southeast Asia for last years the birth rate has declined, yet this part of the world ranks second in terms of population reproduction.

The inhabitants here are settled very heterogeneously, the most densely populated place is the island of Java: density per 1 square kilometer is 930 people. All are settled on the Indochina peninsula, which occupies the eastern part of Southeast Asia, and on the western Malay Archipelago, consisting of many large and small islands. The population prefers to live in deltas numerous rivers, the highlands are less populated, and woodlands practically deserted.

Most of all people live outside the cities, the rest settle in developed centers, more often the capitals of states, the lion's share of the economy of which is replenished due to the tourist flow.

Thus, almost all of these cities have a population of over 1 million, yet most of the population lives outside of them and is engaged in agriculture.

Economy

Looking at the map, the countries of Southeast Asia can be conditionally divided into 2 camps. The first one includes the following:

  • Laos;
  • Cambodia;
  • Vietnam.

In the post-war period, these countries chose the socialist path of development, when, in fact, the territorial division in order to strengthen national sovereignty. Back in the 1980s, these countries had virtually no manufacturing industry, local population predominantly engaged in agriculture. According to UN statistics of those years, these states had a low level of development, per capita income usually did not exceed $500 a year.

The second camp includes the following countries:

  • Indonesia;
  • Malaysia;
  • Singapore;
  • Philippines;
  • Thailand;
  • Brunei.

The countries from this list united in the Association of Southeast Asia (ASEAN) and took the path of a market economy. As a result, the socialist camp achieved less success, although initially the chances for all these countries were almost equal. The income per person per year ranged from 500 to 3 thousand dollars.

Most developed countries of those in ASEAN today are Brunei and Singapore, per capita account for about 20 thousand dollars. Such indicators were achieved due to the fact that Singapore has a well-developed industry, and Brunei acts as an exporter of petroleum products. Several factors helped the emerging ASEAN:

  • Export.
  • Industry.
  • Foreign investments.
  • Creation of corporations with a flexible viable system.
  • Reforms.

The ASEAN countries began to develop successfully due to the presence of a large number of natural resources Moreover, they are constantly engaged in the export of their goods. Even in the countries of Southeast Asia, components are made for various household appliances, electronics and other equipment. Thailand also exports cars.

In countries following the path of socialism, the restructuring of the system began to take place in the late 1980s and produced visible results in just a few years. Vietnam is engaged in oil refining, natural gas production, iron ore, and more. Foreign capital poured into this country from Singapore, a number of European countries. Thailand invested in Laos, and at the end of the 20th century, both states were also able to join ASEAN.

Asia is the largest part of the world in terms of area (43.4 million km², together with adjacent islands) and population (4.2 billion people or 60.5% of the total population of the Earth).

Geographical position

Located in the eastern part of the Eurasian continent, in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres, it borders on Europe along the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles, on Africa along the Suez Canal, on America along Bering Strait. It is washed by the waters of the Pacific, Arctic and Indian oceans, inland seas belonging to the pool Atlantic Ocean. Coastline slightly indented, distinguish such large peninsulas: Hindustan, Arabian, Kamchatka, Chukotka, Taimyr.

Main geographical features

3/4 of the Asian territory is occupied by mountains and plateaus (Himalayas, Pamir, Tien Shan, Greater Caucasus, Altai, Sayan), the rest - plains (West Siberian, North Siberian, Kolyma, Great Chinese, etc.). On the territory of Kamchatka, the islands of East Asia and the Malaysian coast, there is a large number of active, active volcanoes. highest point Asia and the world - Chomolungma in the Himalayas (8848 m), the lowest - 400 meters below sea level (Dead Sea).

Asia can be safely called a part of the world where great waters flow. to the North basin Arctic Ocean include the Ob, Irtysh, Yenisei, Irtysh, Lena, Indigirka, Kolyma, Pacific Ocean- Anadyr, Amur, Huang He, Yangtze, Mekong, Indian Ocean - Brahmaputra, Ganges and Indus, inland Caspian basin, Aral Seas and lakes Balkhash - Amudarya, Syrdarya, Kura. The largest sea-lakes- Caspian and Aral, tectonic lakes- Baikal, Issyk-Kul, Van, Rezaye, Teletskoye Lake, salty - Balkhash, Kukunor, Tuz.

The territory of Asia lies in almost all climatic zones, the northern regions are the Arctic zone, the southern ones are the equatorial zone, the main part is influenced by a sharply continental climate, which is characterized by cold winters with low temperatures and hot, dry summers. Precipitation mainly falls in summer time year, only in the Middle and Near East - in winter.

The distribution of natural zones is characterized by latitudinal zonality: northern regions- tundra, then taiga, a zone of mixed forests and forest-steppe, a zone of steppes with a fertile layer of chernozem, a zone of deserts and semi-deserts (Gobi, Takla-Makan, Karakum, deserts Arabian Peninsula), which are separated by the Himalayas from the southern tropical and subtropical zone, Southeast Asia lies in the zone of equatorial rainforests.

Asian countries

There are 48 sovereign states on the territory of Asia, 3 officially unrecognized republics (Waziristan, Nagorno-Karabakh, the State of Shan,) 6 dependent territories(in the Indian and Pacific Ocean) - 55 countries in total. Some countries are partially located in Asia (Russia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Yemen, Egypt and Indonesia). the largest states Asia are considered Russia, China, India, Kazakhstan, the smallest - Comoros, Singapore, Bahrain, Maldives.

Depending on the geographical location, cultural and regional characteristics, it is customary to divide Asia into East, West, Central, South and Southeast.

List of Asian countries

Major Asian countries:

(with detailed description)

Nature

Nature, plants and animals of Asia

The diversity of natural zones and climatic zones determines the diversity and uniqueness of both the flora and fauna of Asia, a huge number of diverse landscapes allows you to live here the most various representatives plant and animal kingdom...

North Asia, located in the zone of the Arctic desert and tundra, is characterized by poor vegetation: mosses, lichens, dwarf birches. Further, the tundra gives way to the taiga, where huge pines, spruces, larches, firs, Siberian cedars grow. The taiga in the Amur region is followed by a zone of mixed forests (Korean cedar, white fir, Olginskaya larch, Sayan spruce, Mongolian oak, Manchurian walnut, green-bark maple and bearded), which is adjoined by broad-leaved forests (maple, linden, elm, ash, walnut) , in the south turning into steppes with fertile chernozems.

IN Central Asia steppes, where feather grass, vostrets, tokonog, wormwood, forbs grow, are replaced by semi-deserts and deserts, the vegetation here is poor and is represented by various salt-loving and sand-loving species: wormwood, saxaul, tamarisk, dzhuzgun, ephedra. The subtropical zone in the west of the Mediterranean climatic zone is characterized by the growth of evergreen hard-leaved forests and shrubs (maquis, pistachios, olives, juniper, myrtle, cypress, oak, maple), for Pacific coast- monsoon mixed forests (camphor laurel, myrtle, camellia, podocarpus, cunningamia, evergreen species of oak, camphor laurel, Japanese pine, cypress, cryptomeria, arborvitae, bamboo, gardenia, magnolias, azaleas). A large number of palm trees (about 300 species), tree ferns, bamboo, and pandanus grow in the zone of equatorial forests. Vegetation mountainous areas in addition to the laws of latitudinal zonality, it obeys the principles of altitudinal zonality. Coniferous and mixed forests grow at the foot of the mountains, and juicy alpine meadows grow on the peaks.

The fauna of Asia is rich and varied. The territory of Western Asia has favorable conditions for the residence of antelopes, roe deer, goats, foxes, as well as a huge number of rodents, inhabitants of the lowlands - wild boars, pheasants, geese, tigers and leopards. In the northern regions, located mainly in Russia, in North-Eastern Siberia and the tundra, wolves, elks, bears, ground squirrels, arctic foxes, deer, lynxes, wolverines live. Ermine, arctic fox, squirrels, chipmunks, sable, ram, white hare live in the taiga. In dry areas Central Asia ground squirrels, snakes, jerboas, birds of prey live, in South Asia - elephants, buffaloes, wild boars, lemurs, lizards, wolves, leopards, snakes, peacocks, flamingos, in East Asia - elk, bears, Ussuri tigers and wolves, ibises, ducks - tangerines, owls, antelopes, mountain sheep, giant salamanders living on the islands, various snakes and frogs, a large number of birds.

Climatic conditions

Seasons, weather and climate of Asian countries

Peculiarities climatic conditions on the territory of Asia are formed under the influence of such factors as the large extent of the Eurasian continent both from north to south and west to east, a large number of mountain barriers and low-lying depressions that affect the amount of solar radiation and atmospheric air circulation ...

Most of Asia is in sharply continental climate zone, the eastern part is under the influence of marine atmospheric masses of the Pacific Ocean, the north is subject to the invasion of arctic air masses, tropical and equatorial air masses predominate in the south, their penetration into the interior of the mainland is prevented mountain ranges stretched from west to east. Precipitation is unevenly distributed: from 22,900 mm per year in the Indian town of Cherrapunji in 1861 (considered the wettest place on our planet), to 200-100 mm per year in the desert regions of Central and Central Asia.

Peoples of Asia: culture and traditions

In terms of population, Asia ranks first in the world, with 4.2 billion people, which is 60.5% of all mankind on the planet, and three times after Africa in terms of population growth. In Asian countries, the population is represented by representatives of all three races: Mongoloid, Caucasoid and Negroid, the ethnic composition is diverse and diverse, several thousand peoples live here, speaking more than five hundred languages ​​...

Among the language groups, the most common are:

  • Sino-Tibetan. Represented by the most numerous ethnic group in the world - the Han (the Chinese, the population of China is 1.4 billion people, every fifth person in the world is Chinese);
  • Indo-European. Settled throughout the Indian subcontinent, these are Hindustanis, Biharis, Marathas (India), Bengalis (India and Bangladesh), Punjabis (Pakistan);
  • Austronesian. Live in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Philippines) - Javanese, Bisaya, Sunds;
  • Dravidian. These are the Telugu, Kannar and Malayali peoples ( South India, Sri Lanka, some parts of Pakistan);
  • Austroasiatic. The largest representatives are the Vietnamese, Lao, Siamese (Indochina, South China):
  • Altai. Turkic peoples, divided into two isolated groups: in the west - the Turks, Iranian Azerbaijanis, Afghan Uzbeks, in the east - the peoples of Western China (Uighurs). Also, the Manchus and Mongols of Northern China and Mongolia also belong to this language group;
  • Semitic-Hamitic. These are the Arabs of the western part of the continent (west of Iran and south of Turkey) and the Jews (Israel).

Also, peoples like the Japanese and Koreans stand out in a separate group called isolates, this is the name of populations of people who, for various reasons, including geographical location were isolated from the outside world.

Asia, probably, can be considered the brightest, most diverse and contrasting part of the world, in which more than half of humanity lives. Dozens of countries and peoples with a huge variety are concentrated in it. political devices and economic systems different levels life and dissimilar cultural backgrounds. Many of them occupy leading positions among the most powerful economies in the world, while adjoining frankly impoverished states.

Among these countries there are also many leaders in various ratings in terms of the area of ​​occupied territories, the number of population, its general density and growth rate. There are many countries with the fastest growing economies.

It is also surprising that among these countries there are many officially unrecognized states - Waziristan, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, the Shan state, or partially recognized ones - Abkhazia, Azad Kashmir, the Republic of China (Taiwan Island).

Some powers of this part of the world are partially located on the European part of the continent, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Indonesia, Yemen, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Georgia, or are part of other states, for example, the countries of the Asian part of Russia. Surprising is the fact that Cyprus, which is located entirely in Asia, is at the same time a member European Union(EU) and Turkey is a member state of the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO). These are the countries that are included in Asia, amazing and incredible.

In general, Asia knows how to surprise and amaze the imagination with its scale and incredible features.

Historically, Asia is divided into five main parts: Northern (countries that are part of Russia), Central, Eastern, Western (Front) and South Asia. In the Russian geographical literature you can find such a term as "countries of the foreign part of Asia", it means all of Asia, except for its northern part, that is, those countries that are part of Russia.

In the future, it will be indicated Asian countries with a list of their capitals, grouped according to different criteria.

Asian countries with their capitals

West Side:

Central part:

  • Tajikistan (Dushanbe),
  • Kazakhstan (Ankara),
  • Afghanistan (Kabul),
  • Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek),
  • Turkmenistan (Ashgabat),
  • Uzbekistan (Tashkent),

South Asia (countries):

  • Nepal (Kathmandu),
  • Sri Lanka (Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte - official, Colombo - fact.),
  • Bhutan (Thimphu),
  • Pakistan (Islamabad),
  • India (New Delhi),
  • Bangladesh (Dhaka),
  • Maldives (Male),

East End:

  • Japan Tokyo),
  • Democratic People's Republic of Korea - North Korea or North Korea (Pyongyang),
  • Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar),
  • Republic of Korea or South Korea(Seoul)
  • China - China (Beijing).

Countries of Southeast Asia (list):

Northern part:

  • Russia and all its Asian republics (Moscow).

States not recognized by the world community and not fully recognized

Unrecognized states of the region:

  • Waziristan (Vana),
  • Shan State (Taunggyi),
  • Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Stepanakert),

Partially recognized states of the region:

  • State of Palestine (Ramallah),
  • Abkhazia (Sukhum),
  • Republic of South Ossetia (Tskhinvali),
  • Azad Kashmir (Muzaffarabad),
  • Turkish Republic Northern Cyprus(Lefkosha),
  • Taiwan Island - Republic of China (Taipei).

Controlled territories:

  • British territory V Indian Ocean(Diego Garcia)
  • Akrotiri and Dekeria (Episkopi),
  • Christmas Island (Flying Fish Cove),
  • Macau - Macau (Macao - Macau),
  • coconut islands(West Island)
  • Hong Kong - Hong Kong (Hong Kong - Hong Kong).

Conclusion

Now the reader has an idea of ​​what diverse and dissimilar states there are in Asia, where their capitals are located and how many there really are.

And if suddenly you decide to visit one of these states, then approach the choice of a place for further stay with special care, because Asia is not only beautiful and amazing, but also dangerous! Many customs and traditions of the peoples living there may contradict the ideas of the norm and morality of a European inhabitant, and vice versa, an act that seems harmless to you and me, in the East can be regarded as immoral and even illegal. Therefore, be vigilant and attentive.

According to Wikipedia, this moment I managed to visit half of the countries of Southeast Asia. Let's briefly go over where it was interesting, and what could have been missed. If you are interested Southeast Asian countries, in the blocks below you will find links to all sections of interest.

Southeast Asia. Philippines.

I'll start with Philippines, because this country was the first to which he went to travel on his own. Overcoming a heap of doubts and fears, discovered an amazing and new world travel. I realized that the world is not limited to the city in which I was born and how many amazing places. This is where I got my first solo travel experience.


Southeast Asian countries - Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

This was my second trip, which included, in addition to the countries listed, also China. To be honest, it was China that was the main country of that trip and it was there that I spent the most time. But China is not included in the list of countries in Southeast Asia, so today we are not talking about it.

IN Thailand I was only in Bangkok, and even then a couple of days. I can’t say exactly why, but the city left a rather pleasant impression. Markets, narrow streets, friendly Thais, temples. It was interesting to spend some time in this city.

Next was Cambodia, in which the strength was a week. Driving along tourist places such as Angkor Wat and Kampot went straight to Vietnam. In my opinion, the most interesting things in Cambodia are hidden in small non-tourist villages in the north of the country. At that time, I didn't get there.

In Vietnam happened to be twice. The country is pleasant, left a fairly even impression. All of it can be slowly driven in a couple of weeks. Probably the main thing that Vietnam gave me, a few interesting people with whom I still communicate.

Countries of Southeast Asia. India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore.

If we still decide to hook India, I can say that the country is very unusual and unlike anything else. I happened to visit only in the north of the country and go down a little to the south, to Mumbai. Almost all visited places, with the exception of only Delhi, seemed very interesting. Mountains in the north, desert in the west, plains in the central part. It was interesting and memorable.

Malaysia turned out to be a country to which he remained absolutely indifferent. Neither good nor bad ... nothing. True, he didn’t go anywhere further than Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, maybe that’s why nothing was left in his memory.

Singapore, city-country for a couple of days. Very clean, tidy. It's way too calm for me. The second time I would not fly to Singapore.

On Sri Lanka visited in 2018. The country that left positive emotions, but, as for me, also at times.


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The rapidly developing region occupies 30% of the entire earth's land, which is 43 million km². Extends from the Pacific to mediterranean sea, from the tropics to the North Pole. He has very interesting story, rich past and unique traditions. More than half (60%) of the total population lives here. the globe– 4 billion people! What Asia looks like on the world map can be seen below.

All Asian countries on the maps

Asia world map:

political map overseas Asia:

Physical map of Asia:

Countries and capitals of Asia:

List of Asian countries and their capitals

A map of Asia with countries gives a clear idea of ​​their location. The list below is the capitals of Asian countries:

  1. Azerbaijan, Baku.
  2. Armenia - Yerevan.
  3. Afghanistan - Kabul.
  4. Bangladesh - Dhaka.
  5. Bahrain - Manama.
  6. Brunei - Bandar Seri Begawan.
  7. Bhutan - Thimphu.
  8. East Timor - Dili.
  9. Vietnam - .
  10. Hong Kong - Hong Kong.
  11. Georgia, Tbilisi.
  12. Israel - .
  13. - Jakarta.
  14. Jordan - Amman.
  15. Iraq - Baghdad.
  16. Iran - Tehran.
  17. Yemen - Sana'a.
  18. Kazakhstan, Astana.
  19. Cambodia - Phnom Penh.
  20. Qatar - Doha.
  21. - Nicosia.
  22. Kyrgyzstan - Bishkek.
  23. China - Beijing.
  24. North Korea - Pyongyang.
  25. Kuwait - El Kuwait.
  26. Laos - Vientiane.
  27. Lebanon - Beirut.
  28. Malaysia - .
  29. - Male.
  30. Mongolia - Ulaanbaatar.
  31. Myanmar - Yangon.
  32. Nepal - Kathmandu.
  33. United United Arab Emirates – .
  34. Oman - Muscat.
  35. Pakistan - Islamabad.
  36. Saudi Arabia - Riyadh.
  37. - Singapore.
  38. Syria - Damascus.
  39. Tajikistan - Dushanbe.
  40. Thailand - .
  41. Turkmenistan - Ashgabat.
  42. Türkiye - Ankara.
  43. - Tashkent.
  44. Philippines - Manila.
  45. - Colombo.
  46. – Seoul.
  47. - Tokyo.

In addition, there are partially recognized countries, for example, Taiwan separated from China with the capital Taipei.

Attractions of the Asian region

The name is of Assyrian origin and means "sunrise" or "east", which is not surprising. Part of the world is distinguished by rich relief, mountains and peaks, including highest peak world - Everest (Chomolungma), which is part of mountain system Himalayas. Here are all natural areas and landscapes, on its territory is the most deep lake peace - . The countries of foreign Asia in recent years have been confidently leading in terms of the number of tourists. Mysterious and incomprehensible traditions for Europeans, religious buildings, weave ancient culture With the latest technologies attract inquisitive travelers. Not to list all the iconic sights of this region, you can only try to highlight the most famous.

Taj Mahal (India, Agra)

Romantic monument, symbol eternal love and a magnificent building, in front of which people freeze in a daze, the Taj Mahal Palace, listed as one of the new seven wonders of the world. The mosque was erected by a descendant of Tamerlane Shah Jahan in memory of his deceased wife, who died in childbirth, giving birth to the 14th child. Taj Mahal is recognized as the best example of the Great Mughals, including Arabic, Persian and Indian architectural styles. The walls of the building are made of translucent marble and inlaid with gems. Depending on the light, the stone changes color, becoming pink at dawn, silvery at dusk, and dazzling white at noon.

Mount Fuji (Japan)

This iconic place for Buddhists who practice Sintaism. The height of Fujiyama is 3776 m, in fact, it is a dormant volcano, which should not wake up in the coming decades. It is recognized as the most beautiful in the world. Laid up the mountain tourist routes, which are valid only in summer, since most of Fujiyama is covered with eternal snow. The mountain itself and the "5 Lakes of Fuji" area around it are included in the territory national park Fuji-Hakone-Izu.

largest architectural ensemble the world stretched across Northern China at km 8860 (including branches). The construction of the Wall went on in the 3rd century BC. and had the goal of protecting the country from the Xiongnu conquerors. The construction dragged on for a decade, about a million Chinese worked on it and thousands died from exhausting labor in inhuman conditions. All this served as a pretext for the uprising and the overthrow of the Qin dynasty. The wall is extremely organically inscribed in the landscape; it repeats all the curves of the spurs and depressions, encircling the mountain range.

Borobudur Temple (Indonesia, Java)

Among the rice plantations of the island rises an ancient gigantic structure in the form of a pyramid - the largest and most revered Buddhist temple in the world with a height of 34 m. Steps and terraces encircling it lead upstairs. From the point of view of Buddhism, Borobudur is nothing more than a model of the universe. Its 8 tiers mark 8 steps to enlightenment: the first is the world of sensual pleasures, the next three are the world of yogic trance that has risen above base lust. Rising higher, the soul is cleansed of all vain things and gains immortality in the heavenly sphere. The upper step represents nirvana - a state of eternal bliss and peace.

Buddha Golden Stone (Myanmar)

A Buddhist shrine flaunts on Mount Chaittiyo (Mon State). It can be shaken by hands, but no forces can throw it off its pedestal, for 2500 years the elements have not brought down a stone. In fact, it is a granite block covered with gold leaf, and its top is crowned by a Buddhist temple. Until now, the riddle has not been solved - who dragged him up the mountain, how, for what purpose and how he has been balancing on the edge for centuries. Buddhists themselves claim that the stone is held on the rock by the hair of the Buddha, immured in the temple.

Asia is a fertile land for laying new routes, knowing oneself and one's destiny. You need to go here meaningfully, tuning in to thoughtful contemplation. Perhaps you will discover yourself from a new side and find answers to many questions. When visiting Asian countries, you can make a list of sights and shrines yourself.