ASIA
Asia is the world's largest continent in land area and population, covering over 44 million square kilometres, it represents four-fifths of the giant Eurasian landmass. It is home to over 60% of the world’s human population (4.7 billion). Asia boasts both the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest (8,849 m), and the lowest point, the Dead Sea (approx. 414 m), and features the longest coastline of any continent (over 62,800 km).
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The continent’s extreme geography, with its mountains and plateaus, is the result of tectonic plate collisions. Over 160 million years ago, ancient landmasses merged, and the Indian subcontinent broke away from Africa, drifting northeast. This ongoing collision with Asia continues to raise the highest mountains on Earth, including the Himalayas and the Plateau of Tibet.
Asia also experiences the most extreme climatic variations, contributing to an incredible plant and animal life diversity. Southeast Asia’s tropical rainforests are home to towering trees, orchids, and unique animals like orangutans, tigers, and rhinoceros. Moving north, the temperate forests of China and Japan support species like red pandas and Japanese macaques. Central Asia’s deserts, such as the Gobi, host hardy plants like cacti and animals like camels and desert foxes. The Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau feature alpine plants and animals, including snow leopards and yaks, while Siberia’s tundra supports mosses, lichens, and animals like the Siberian tiger and brown bear, adapted to endure the extreme cold.
Moreover, the people of Asia have developed the widest range of human adaptations, creating a rich mosaic of cultures and ways of life found nowhere else on the planet. Asia is the birthplace of most of the world’s major religions—Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism—and many smaller ones.
Southeast Asia - a part of Asia represented in the photos for now - is characterized by its tropical climate, lush rainforests, and extensive coastlines, which provide habitats for an incredible range of plants and animals, including tigers, orangutans, and unique marine species. Its diverse landscapes— from volcanic mountains to fertile river valleys—support various ecosystems. The region’s cultures reflect this diversity, with a rich blend of languages, traditions, and religions, influenced by Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. Southeast Asia is home to vibrant, interconnected societies, renowned for their festivals, cuisine, and artistic expressions.
A common water monitor lizard, which can grow up to 2 meters long, rests in the shade to escape the afternoon sun at Lumphini Park. (Bangkok, Thailand)
Cockfights at the renowned San Pa Tong Buffalo Market see the victorious birds treated like gods, while the defeated ones face a more grim fate, often ending up as someone's meal. (San Pa Tong, Thailand)
The concept of "sanuk," or enjoying life, is deeply embedded in Thai culture and encourages a joyful and positive attitude. (San Pa Tong, Thailand)
Thung Fha Bod or Kad Wua, as San Pa Tong Buffalo market is called in the local language is one of the largest markets in northern Thailand. (San Pa Tong, Thaniland)
In Thailand, elders are highly respected, and their wisdom is greatly valued. Younger people show deference through respectful gestures, such as the traditional "wai" greeting. (San Pa Tong, Thailand)
Hmong are an indigenous ethnic group primarily found in Southeast Asia, including Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and parts of China. (Chang Mai, Thailand)
Muay Thai, known as "The Art of Eight Limbs," is a traditional Thai martial art that uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. It's a key part of Thai culture and history, emphasizing discipline, respect, and physical skill. (Chang Mai, Thailand)
An emotional end-of-year ceremony at a local school, where village children, who had spent their formative years together, now faced the bittersweet moment of parting ways to continue their journeys. (San Pa Tong, Thailand)
The small village of San Pa Tong is famous for its wood-carving craftsmanship, which serves as the community's primary source of income. (San Pa Tong, Thailand)
A woman of the tribe village near the Nam Na river. (Northern Laos)
Traditional transportation on Nam Ou river, travelling from Nong Khiaw to Muang Ngoi village. (Northern Laos)
Weaving in Ban Houay Sen tribal village. (Northern Laos)
The procession of Lao New Year is set up on the main street from Wat Thatnoy to Wat Xiengthong. (Luang Prabang, Laos)
For participants, it is a way to demonstrate traditional rituals and festivities as they move between these important temples. (Luang Prabang, Laos)
The Alms Giving Ceremony, or Tak Bat, is a traditional practice in Laos where people offer food and essentials to monks at dawn. It is a way for the community to earn merit and show respect to them. (Luang Prabang, Laos)
Mr Vieng’s organic coffee plantation stretches over 2 hectares producing over 2 tons per year and includes three main varieties of coffee: Arabica, Robusta and Liberica. (Bolaven Plateau, Laos=
In the remote village of the Katu people, animist beliefs shape daily life, with traditions such as a unique birth ritual, the belief that spirits influence actions, and tobacco pipe smoking as a form of protection. (Bolaven Plateau, Laos)
Tak Bat procession on the shore of Don Khong island, the biggest of the 4000 island archipelago on the Mekong River. (South Laos)
The Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur where Hinduism is practised by many people, particularly among the Indian-Malay community. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
All three known species of orangutans (Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli) are critically endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and illegal pet trade, with populations primarily found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. Their population more than halved in the past century. (Sarawak, Malaysia)
The proboscis monkey is native to the rainforests of Borneo. Males have a much larger nose, which is believed to play a role in attracting mates. They are endangered due to habitat loss and hunting. (Sarawak, Malaysia)
Sarawak, located on the island of Borneo, has a diverse population with Islam as the dominant religion. The majority of Sarawak's Muslim population are ethnic Malays, who follow Sunni Islam. (Sarawak, Malaysia)
Sunset from Mount Merbabu (3,145m), an active stratovolcano whose name translates to 'the ashy one,' referring to the ash expelled during the mountain's frequent eruptions. (Central Java, Indonesia)
Sumatra is home to diverse ethnic groups, including the Malay, Batak, Minangkabau, and Acehnese, each with their unique cultures, languages, and traditions. (Sumatra, Indonesia)
While trekking for three days through the jungles of Gunung Leuser National Park, a large wild male orangutan began guiding us through the dense forest. It's fitting that in Malay, 'orangutan' means 'man of the forest.' (Sumatra, Indonesia)
The island’s population practices various religions, with Islam being the dominant faith, alongside Christianity, Buddhism, and indigenous beliefs. (Sumatra, Indonesia)
Indonesian fishermen use a variety of traditional and modern methods, including nets, traps, and handlines, to catch fish such as tuna, snapper, and grouper. (Sumatra, Indonesia)
The trade-in of exotic fish for aquarium tanks in Indonesia poses significant environmental concerns, as it often involves the capture of wild species from vulnerable marine ecosystems. (Java, Indonesia)
Miners extract sulfur from the Ijen volcano on Java by hand from the crater, carrying heavy loads through dangerous terrain and toxic fumes. Despite the risks, many miners continue this work due to its economic necessity. (East Java, Indonesia)
Balinese art is an important part of the island's Hindu culture, with traditional forms such as painting, sculpture, wood carving, and dance. (Bali, Indonesia)
Hindu ceremonies blend traditional beliefs with religious practices. Major ceremonies, like temple festivals and offerings to the gods, involve elaborate rituals, music, dance, and vibrant processions. (Bali, Indonesia)
In Balinese Hinduism, happiness is closely linked to spiritual harmony, balance, and living by Dharma, the cosmic law. (Bali, Indonesia)
Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress and UNESCO World Heritage site, rises 200 meters above the surrounding plains. Once the royal residence of King Kashyapa in the 5th century, it holds historical significance in Hinduism and Buddhism. (Dambulla, Sri Lanka)
Sri Lankans are ethnically diverse, with the majority of Sinhalese, Tamil, Moor, and smaller communities. The country is predominantly Buddhist but has significant Hindu, Muslim, and Christian populations. (Sri Lanka)
Buddhism arrived in Sri Lanka around the 3rd century BCE, with the missionary work of Mahinda, the son of Indian Emperor Ashoka. (Dambulla, Sri Lanka)
Grey langurs are often associated with temples due to their cultural and religious significance, as a symbol of Hanuman in Hinduism. (Dambulla, Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka holds an estimated population of around 6,000 wild Asian elephants, a species considered endangered due to habitat loss and human-elephant conflict. (Udawalawe, Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka is famous for high-quality Ceylon tea, and heavily relies on tea pickers, mostly women from Tamil communities. (Lipton Plantation, Sri Lanka)
The train route between Ella and Kandy was built by the British in the 19th century to facilitate tea transport from the highlands. (Ella, Sri Lanka)
Coconut tree climbing is a traditional skill for harvesting coconuts and collecting toddy, a sap for making palm wine and jaggery. Climbers use simple tools like loops or belts made from coconut fibres for support while ascending the tall trees. (Tangalle, Sri Lanka)
Gharial, a fish-eating crocodile. In just three generations, their population has declined by over 96%, due to being hunted for indigenous medicine, skins, trophies or eggs. Now less than 200 individuals remain in the wild. (India)