This document summarizes the physical characteristics of Asia. It describes the different types of grasslands, forests, and tundra found in North and Central Asia. It notes key geographical features like Lake Baikal and the Himalayan mountain range. West Asia is characterized by mountains and plateaus with important agricultural areas. South Asia contains the Himalayas and Hindu Kush mountains as well as bodies of water. East Asia includes deserts and plateaus. Southeast Asia experiences monsoon seasons.

1. ASIAPHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

2. North or Central AsiaCharacterized by continuous cover of plants or grasslands.Grasslands: lacking in trees

3. North or Central Asia3 types:Steppes: shallow-rooted grassesWestern portion of the Black Sea eastward beyond Lake Balkash.Kyrgyz Steppe; patches can also be found in Manchuria and the Ordos Desert in East AsiaPrairies: tall and deep-rooted grassesLocated on the northern side of the Russian steppes and in ManchuriaSavannas: mingling of forests and grasslandsFound in Southeast Asia and the African continent

5. North or Central AsiaBoreal Forest (Taiga)17% of the total land area of the EarthIn Russia, it means marshy pine forestConiferousUsually located in areas south of tundras and north of grasslandsCan be found in SiberiaClimate is cool, rain and snow occurs less

7. North or Central AsiaTundras:Can also be found in RussiaFinnish word TUNTURIA (treeless plain)Seldom inhabit the place

9. North or Central AsiaHome to the deepest lake in the world LAKE BAIKALMaximum depth: 1,620 meters

10. West asiaIncludes the Northern Tier, Arabian Peninsula and the Fertile CrescentCharacterized by the presence of mountains and plateaus (Turkey and Iran).Anatolian Plateau (supports farming)Iranian plateau: land is dryLarge populationSparse population

12. Northern portion: Hindu Kush and HimalayasSouthern portion: Bodies of water (Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal)Himalayan Mountain rangeMt. EverestMt. KanchenjungaHindu Kush  Khyber pass (Gateway to India)SOUTH ASIA

13. Gobi desert, Mongolian and Tibetan Plateaus, and the HimalayasEAST ASIA

14. Southeast asia

15. monsoonshabagatamihan