Asia is the largest of the continents of the world.It is larger than African,larger than either of the two Americas,and four times as large as Europe.Asia and Europe form a huge land mass.Indeed Europe is so much smaller than Asia that some geographers regard Europe as peninsula of Asia.
Many geographers says that the Ural Mountains form the dividing line between Europe and Asia.Some think differently.But all geographers agree that Asia was once linked to North America.Or,to be more exact,Alaska was at one time connected with the tip of Siberia.The ancestors of American Indians,geographers say,were Asians.30000 years ago they went across the land bridge and settled down in new homes.
Only a small canal separates Africa from Asia.But before the Suez Canal was cut in 1869 Asia was also linked to Africa.
The highest point of the earth is in Asia.This is the peak of the Himalaya Mountains.It is over 29140 feet high.At this altitude the air is very thin and the weather is uncertain .So the climbing is very difficult.People take great pride in getting to that peak.
The world's great religions originated from Asia:Buddhism from India,Christianity from Palestine,Islam from Arabia.Today Buddhism and Islam are the principal religions of much of Asia.
Asia is also the most popolous continent.China,the country with the largest population in the world,is in Asia.One half of the world's population are Asians.
A Chinese is an Asian,a Japanese is an Asian,and an Indian is an Asian.So is an Iranian,a Palestinian,an Iraqi,a Filipino,a Singaporean.A meeting of Asians is usuallly a large gathering.The Asian Games meet every four years,sometimes with as many as 34 nations taking part.
There was a time when Asia led the world in civilization.Today most of the Asian countries are still developing countries.They are working very hard to catch up in science and technology.They must.They have little time to lose.
DIALOGUE
BACK FROM VACATION
A: Glad you're back.We missde you during the vacation.How have you been?
B: Fine,thanks.I had a wonderful time at home.I did quite a bit of reading.Did you have a good time school?
A: We certainly did.We saw quite a few excellent films.During the Spring Festival we visited the Evergreen People's Commune and had a get-together with the peasants.
B: So we all had a fine vacation.And now we must get down to some good solid work.
