Asia the continent is the largest landmass in the world. There are forty-four countries in Asia and a large number of islands and other land groups. The world’s tallest mountain, located in Nepal is part of Asia; the lowest point in the world, the Dead Sea is located in Israel, which is also part of Asia. Two of the world’s most populated in countries are in Asia: China and India. There are three oceans that surround the continent and there are twenty-three different seas, four gulfs and two bays. It is divided into three political divisions: The Middle East, Southeast Asia and North Asia. European Russia is also considered part of Asia.

The name Asia originated from a Greek word first used by Herodotus, in 440 B.C. Homer also knew of the area before Herodotus mentioned it and he used another Greek word, which loosely translated means marsh. There have been different stories about where the name actually came from and I’m sure the people of Asia have their own story depending on where they are located. There has always been some debate about what is, or what is not part of Asia. Some people say that Europe is part of Asia and others have taken the position that excludes the Middle East, Central Asia and Russia from being considered Asia. Others claim the Far East and Southeast Asia should only be considered the real Asia; whatever the belief, that part of the world plays a major role in the shaping and reshaping of the world, as we move through the 21st century.

As we study the challenges and opportunities that confront us daily, there is always a part of Asia that is involved in some way; whether it is conflicts or new discoveries, Asia is somewhere in the thick of the action. The answers to a plethora of questions are in Asia. When we begin to understand that diversity is the catalyst for change, a new world will emerge and many of those answers will unite the world in the spirit of co-operation and understanding. The old becomes new again and Asia is a good example of how that reality becomes a belief.