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.
![Hanoi, Vietnam from Auckland $782 Return [May to Sep] on China Southern (via Guangzhou) @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/70/40370.jpg?h=3d6fa74b)
![Auckland to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from $886 Return on China Southern, Bags Included [May to June] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/86/40186.jpg?h=5eec3bad)
![Wellington to Tokyo, Japan from $708 Return on Fiji Airways [Oct to Dec] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/35/40035.jpg?h=22bdc60c)
![Tokyo, Japan: Auckland $689 Return (Busines $2877), Christchurch from $689 Return on Fiji Airways [Jul-Oct] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/57/39757.jpg?h=6784092c)
![Shanghai, Beijing + More Cities in China from $1175 Return on China Southern [Apr-Jun] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/10/39710.jpg?h=c209b8c1)
![Bali from $381 One Way from Auckland, $464 from Christchurch and $541 from Wellington [AirAsia&Jetstar] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/18/39118.jpg?h=cfa38c30)
![Jetstar: Auckland to Tokyo, Japan from $1030 Return [July to Sep] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/54/38054.jpg?h=0d3db158)
![Jetstar/Scoot Hong Kong from $597 One Way, Return from $1373 [Feb-July] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/06/36606.jpg?h=8e5cce1b)
![Air NZ (Coded as ANA) DIRECT Return Flights from Auckland to Tokyo, Japan from $1378 [Jan-Aug] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/82/36482.jpg?h=78982f2d)
![AirAsia: Flight Sale from Kuala Lumpur from $6 One Way to Island Destinations and More [Jan-Oct] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/37/36437.jpg?h=df0be15d)
![Qantas: Auckland to Tokyo, Japan from $1184 Return [March to July] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/23/36323.jpg?h=d7f5a77d)
![Jetstar/Scoot O/W: Singapore Fr $419, Ho Chi Minh $454, Hawaii $486, Seoul $587, Athens $712 & More [Jan-Mar] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/84/35584.jpg?h=93a053ba)
![Christchurch to Bali, Indonesia from $374 One Way [Sep-Dec] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/44/33244.jpg?h=d4db1537)
![Jetstar One-Way: Auckland to Fiji $217, Bali $279, Bangkok $240, Phuket $244, Hawaii $308 [Specific Dates] @ Beat That Flight](https://files.cheapies.nz/n/88/32888.jpg?h=d4db1537)