ABOUT THE BOOK
Although Asia has always captured the imagination of the world, it has especially forced itself on public attention during the last four decades due primarily to the dramatic developments that have taken place within it.
This timely survey of the Asian continent offers systematic studies of its complex physical, cultural, and political patterns, followed by its regional divisions. Discussion is focused on the contemporary scene that highlights the physical environments, historical settings, population problems, mineral and industrial resources, urbanization, ethnic distributions, and regional components of its vast and diverse landscapes. The book, in fact, reflects more than three decades of experience as a traveler, a researcher, and a teacher in Asian geography. It includes latest tables and carefully crafted maps illustrating the material presented in the text.

Intended primarily for the general, all-purpose beginning course on Asian geography, the book would prove of value to the students and lay persons alike.

CONTENTS
The Natural Setting

• Introduction: The Setting and Situation of Asia

• Asia’s Physical Environments

The Development of Asia’s Human and Cultural Landscapes

• Population Patterns and Trends in Asia

• Patterns of Asian Languages

• Asia’s Religions and Religious Landscapes

• Rural Settlement Patterns in Asia

• Urban Settlements and the Urbanization of Asia

Patterns of Economic Activities

• Agriculture and Fishing in Asia

• Asia’s Minerals and Energy Resources

• Industrial Development in Asia

Nations of Asia

• Southwest Asia: An Introduction

• Asia’s Mediterranean Nations

• The Arabian Peninsula

• Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan

• South Asia: Physical, Cultural and Economic Patterns

• Nations and Regions of South Asia

• Southeast Asia: An Introduction

• Mainland Southeast Asia

• Island Nations of Southeast Asia

• East Asia: China and Taiwan

• China: A Regional Survey

• East Asia: Mongolia and Korea

• East Asia: Japan

• Central Asia

• Conclusion: Asia Enters the New Millennium

ABOUT THE AUTHOR / EDITOR
Ranjit Tirthais Professor Emeritus of Geography at the Eastern Michigan University, and has taught in India and the United States since 1958. He is the author of several books, including “Society and Development in India”, “The Science of Maps”, “An Economic Geography of India”, and “Geography of India”.