Asia Business

Asian Economy

In Asia there are developed countries, such as Japan, South Korea, Israel, Singapore or Taiwan, which have levels of economic prosperity and quality of life comparable to those in Europe or Anglo-Saxon America. On the other hand, the whole continent is distinguished by its very poor populations, in contrast to elites with enormous wealth.

Asia’s most populous cities

• Mumbai or Bombay in India (18.3 million)
• Kolkata in India (14.7 million)
• Shanghai in China (17.1 million)
• Tokyo in Japan (12.3 million)

Industry

The largest economy in Asia in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) is China, followed by India and Japan. However, by nominal GDP criterion Japan is considered to be the largest Asian economy and the second largest in the world. This country was for a long time the most industrialized of the Asian countries, which excelled in the manufacture of ships, automobiles and high-tech electrical and electronic products.

In China, the industrial park has been destined for the manufacture of items essential to the domestic market. Only from the mid-1970s did the Chinese economy actually start export-oriented production. India, in turn, uses its agricultural production and mineral wealth to supply its textile, food, steel and metallurgical industries. Already in eastern Russia, we find many centers of basic industries.

Agriculture

The most important economic activity in quantitative terms across the continent is agriculture, especially rice cultivation in the monsoon-stricken region and, to the north, wheat; In less fertile areas it is possible to grow barley, maize and other cereals. Also noteworthy are tobacco, tea, jute, cotton, pepper and rubber crops.

Livestock

China is the largest producer of small animals (the world’s first producer of pigs, the third of sheep and the fifth of cattle). In India we find the largest number of cattle in the world, however, due to religious beliefs, that herd is not consumed.

Mining

Among the mineral-producing countries, the highlight is China, a major producer and consumer of oil, coal, iron, lead, zinc and mercury. India is also outstanding for its iron, coal, mica and manganese reserves, as well as its large oil production, although it does not reach that of the Middle East countries defined by Countryaah, which produce more than 30% of the total oil extracted on the planet.

Forestry

Asia has the world’s largest forest land; ca. a quarter of the entire continent is wooded. Especially the temperate forests in Siberia have rather unfavorable climate and soil conditions, and productivity is not very high. Especially in the forest tundra with polar arrow and birch, the slow growth of wood is largely not exploited. The Tajga in Siberia consists mostly of larch and birch, southern of pine and spruce. The coniferous forests are most heavily utilized along roads and rivers. The former large deciduous forests of Southwestern Siberia are now almost chopped off and the land is cultivated. Also in China, forests are greatly reduced. Japan, whose forest percentage (about 67%) is on par with that of Finland, has retained its forest in mountain areas where rice cannot be grown. Temperate forest is also found on the southern side of the Himalayas, but it is also greatly reduced.

The subtropical forests are available in two main types, one Mediterranean and one East Asian. The first consists mainly of conifers, pine and cedar in Lebanon, the second of many species of deciduous trees. Both types have almost disappeared. Tropical forests, partly deciduous monsoon forest and partly rainforest, previously covered vast areas of South and South Asia. In countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, there are still large forest areas, but many have been destroyed as a result of harmful harvesting of rare and valuable trees or cleared for cultivation. Attempts are made to save the very species-rich tropical forests, partly by conservation and partly by the injunction of appropriate harvesting. Tropical wood, and especially hardwood, such as teak and rosewood, is still an important export product from SE Asia, although lesser-known species of wood may replace the classic ones as they are cut away. Major reforestation programs have been launched in several places.

Fishing

Over half of all the world’s fish are caught by Asians, partly in rivers and lakes (Bajkal, Aral, Tonle Sap, etc.), but especially in the seas (including the coastal seas off East Asia). Shallow fishing is mostly done on shores or banks, and especially in the cooler sea areas. Among other things. However, Japan, China and Russia also have large high seas fleets that utilize more distant fishing banks. In East Asia, fish is an important protein supplement to the rice diet. Some fish, including small carp species such as guppies, are kept in ponds and in the flooded rice fields. They live among other things. of mosquito larvae and other insect larvae. In shallow, coastal waters of East Asia, fish and shrimp farming is of increasing importance.