This authoritative new series describes the history, landscape, culture, economy and people of this continent.

This title is also packed full of fascinating facts, maps and statistics.

A statistical compendium at the back provides a handy reference guide for key statistical data.

Asia is a truly vast continent. It covers over a third of the world's total land area and contains almost two-thirds of the world's population, including hundreds of distinct ethnic groups.

Asia also contains the world's highest mountain range, the Himalayas, and some of the world's largest rivers including the Yangtze, Ganges, Indus and Mekong.

Economically, Asia is becoming one of the world's most powerful regions and includes Japan, the world's second largest economy.

However, in stark contrast, the continent also has some of the world's poorest countries, where life for many is a daily struggle against disease and malnutrition.