Asia is the largest part of the world in terms of area and population. This is the territory of the highest mountains and the longest rivers, deserts and impenetrable jungles, small villages and multi-million megalopolises. In many respects, it is a record holder, but in this article we will talk about the large islands and peninsulas of Asia. Which are the biggest? How are they interesting?
Islands and peninsulas of Asia
Asia covers 43.4 million km 2 , its area is almost six times the size of Australia and three times that of Antarctica. It occupies most of the continent of Eurasia and is separated from Europe by its natural borders, such as the Ural Mountains, the Caspian Sea, the Emba River, and the Kerch Strait.
Asia is washed by the Arctic, Pacific and Indian oceans. A number of inland waters connect it with the Atlantic. Its coastline is indented quite strongly and is characterized by a large number of seas, bays, bays and lagoons. Among the large peninsulas of Asia, Arabian, Korean, Indochina, Hindustan, Asia Minor, Chukotka, Kamchatka, Taimyr stand out. They are dispersed along the entire coast and are present both in the south and in the north and east.
The islands and archipelagos of Asia account for approximately 2 million km 2 . A significant part of them is located near the southern and southeastern shores. The largest of them are the island of Kalimantan, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Java, Honshu.
Arabian Peninsula
The largest peninsula in Asia and around the world covers an area of 3.25 million km 2 . It is located in the southwestern part of the continent of Eurasia and is separated from Africa by the Red Sea. Almost the entire peninsula is occupied by deserts. Its climate is considered the hottest and driest on the planet. There are very few permanent rivers, and the main sources of water are underground waters that come to the surface. Around them, oases with lush vegetation are usually formed, which contrasts sharply with the dry steppes of the remaining territories.
Another feature of the Arabian Peninsula is that it is inhabited mainly by Arabs. All eight states within it are Muslim. In Saudi Arabia, there are two sacred cities of Islam - Mecca and Medina.
Indochina
The Asian peninsula Indochina covers an area of 2 million km 2 and accommodates seven countries on its territory. Despite its name, India and China are not included in this list. It just seemed to Europeans once that the peninsula possesses the features of these two states, which is why it was given such a name.
It is located in southeast Asia and, unlike the Arabian Peninsula, has a warm and humid subequatorial climate. Below +15 degrees, the temperature falls only in the mountains. Huge rainfall falls on this Asian peninsula, so its vast territories are covered by tropical rainforests and mangroves, and rice plantations are located on low hills with terraces.
Kalimantan
Kalimantan, or Borneo, is the largest island in Asia and the third largest in the world. In size it is superior only to New Guinea and Greenland. It occupies a central position in the Malay archipelago and immediately belongs to three countries - Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia. The area of Kalimantan is 743,330 km 2 .
A significant part of the island is occupied by mountain ranges, located mainly in its central and northern regions. Mostly they do not exceed 2,000 meters, but the highest point of Borneo, Mount Kinabalu, reaches 4094 meters. The main attractions of the island are the unique nature and aboriginal tribes living in the mountains. Kalimantan covers several types of rainforests inhabited by crocodiles, orangutans, gibbons, giant flying foxes and elephants. The crown of the local fauna are the nosaki monkeys, inhabiting exclusively the island of Borneo.