Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, comprising the eastern part of the Eurasian landmass and home to over 4.6 billion people, making it the most populous continent and accounting for over 60% of the global population. Covering about 30% of the Earth's land area, it is geographically diverse, with climates ranging from Arctic to tropical. It is known for its extreme diversity in geography, climate, and culture. It features towering mountains and mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas, vast deserts, such as the Gobi and the Arabian, extensive river valleys, such as the Yangtze, and numerous peninsulas and island groups. The Arctic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans border it.
It is separated from Africa by the Suez Canal and from Europe by the Ural Mountains and the Caspian Sea, among other features. It is often divided into regions for statistical purposes, including East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Asia is the cradle of several of the world's earliest civilizations, including those in Mesopotamia, the Indus River Valley, and China. It has been a hub for cultural exchange, trade, and innovation throughout history, from the Silk Road to modern-day tech centers. It also includes 50 independent countries, including large nations such as Russia (which is partly in Europe) and China, as well as the smallest country, the Maldives.