Asia is the most populous continent in the world and it is also the largest. The 4393 million inhabitants that the Asian continent has today (according to UN data from 2017), constitute 60% of the world population.
It is also the largest continent at 44.9 million square kilometers. It is indivisibly linked to Europe, forming Eurasia, but is considered a separate continent for cultural and historical reasons.
The average population density is 92.6 inhabitants per square kilometer. This data varies according to the geographical area. On the shores of the China Sea and on the Hindustani Peninsula this density rises to 1000 inhabitants per km2.
Asia is the most populous continent because it includes the two most populous countries in the world. It also has others that are in the top ten.
China
China is the country with the largest population in the world with 1,361 million inhabitants, and a density of 144 inhabitants per km2.
Due to its GDP (Gross Domestic Product), it is the world's leading economic power. It is also the world's leading exporter and importer of goods, and the leading industrial power.
India
It is the second country in terms of population with 1211 million inhabitants and a density of 386 inhabitants per km2.
India's population growth is higher than that of China (17 million births per year), so it is estimated that it will exceed it in the next ten years.
After British control, India inherited extreme poverty, but also a parliamentary state. India is considered the largest democracy in the world.
Indonesia
It is the third most populated country in Asia and the fourth in the world. Its population is 260 million, with a density of 136 inhabitants per km2.
Indonesia consists of 17,508 islands. Despite its large population, it has a lot of uninhabited territory.
It is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, and is on the list of megadiverse countries. Although it has abundant natural resources, its population is mostly poor.
Pakistan
It is the sixth most populated country in the world, with 202 million inhabitants and a density of 254 inhabitants per km2.
Pakistan was initially a British domain, until in 1956 it was transformed into an Islamic republic.
In 1971, a civil war divided it, and the state that split from Pakistan was renamed the People's Republic of Bangladesh. The country currently faces problems such as terrorism, poverty and illiteracy.
Bangladesh
It is the eighth most populated country in the world, with 157 million inhabitants and a density of 1053 per km2.
After independence in 1971, the country was immersed in widespread poverty, famines and natural disasters. In 1991, with the establishment of democracy, it plunged into slow economic progress.
Russia
It is the ninth most populated country in the world with 147 million inhabitants, and a density of 8.6 inhabitants per km2.
The low density is due to the 17.1 million km2 of its surface, which makes it the largest country in the world.
It is a transcontinental country, since 40% of its surface is in Europe and the other 60% occupies all of North Asia.
Asia also has the most densely populated state in the world. It is the Republic of Singapore, with 8,295 inhabitants per km2.
References
- "What is the most populous continent?" in Why, how and where. Recovered in October 2017 from Why, how and where in: becausecomoydonde.net
- "Asia, the most populated continent, faces complicated challenges in each country" in Agencia EFE (July 2016). Recovered in October 2017 from Agencia EFE in: efe.com
- "It is the largest and most populous continent on Earth" in Prezi (May 2015). Retrieved in October 2017 from Prezi at: prezi.com
- "Population of each continent 2017" in Knowing is practical (September 2017). Recovered in October 2017 from Knowing is practical at: saberespractico.com
- "10 characteristics of Asia" in Features. Recovered in October 2017 from Characteristics in: caracteristicas.co