ASIAN Geographic

ASIAN Geographic is the bi-monthly magazine that scours the region to bring readers the most compelling stories and images from the world's largest and most diverse continent. Readers enjoy a unique melting pot of breathtaking photography and in-depth features covering culture, nature, sustainability issues and exploration into the history of this diverse region. A regular 'Exploration' segment follows brave field editors as they travel deep into Asia's unexplored regions to take readers on a journey.

Asian Geographic

EDITOR’S NOTE

Wu Xing: The Five Corners of a Circle • Wu xing – directly translating to “five elements” – is an ancient Chinese philosophy that encompasses five phases of the universe’s ongoing existence and development. The five components are Wood (mu), Fire (huo), Earth (tu), Metal (jin), and Water (shui). Seen as transitional material forces that flow successively, these elements are an inherent part of Chinese principles, beliefs, and culture.

FLOWING THROUGH LIFE: The Water Element • Water is an inherent part of our lives. It covers about 71 percent of Earth’s surface and makes up almost 60 percent of our bodies. In Chinese philosophy, water represents this vital element in all its forms: as the elixir of life, in the vast oceans and its rapid waves, and the rivers that run through the world – like veins that transmit life into cities, homes, and hearts.

The Water Element Across Cultures

THE WATER ELEMENT IN A NUTSHELL:

What Makes a Water Baby

Delving into the Deep EXPLORING THE WATER BODIES OF ASIA • Asia is caught between two huge oceans, the Indian Ocean to the west and the Pacific to the east. In between these water bodies is a complex geography of land and water that has given rise to some of the most fascinating and species-rich seas – and subsequently rivers – in and around the continent. Dive in and explore the vast water bodies of the continent as we take you not only through Asia's oceans, rivers, and island nations, but also their significance in the different cultures and religions around the region.

Oceans, Seas, Rivers – What’s the Difference? • Oceans, seas and rivers are the Earth’s prized assets, influencing the survival of flora and fauna, as well as sustaining organisms and all living creatures alike. The first civilisations were shaped by the presence of these resources, and these bodies of water have also been key factors in the progress of trade and geographic exploration.

Oceans • Asia has both the highest and the lowest points on the surface of the Earth, has the longest coastline of any continent, is subject to the world’s widest climatic extremes, and, consequently, produces the most varied forms of vegetation and animal life on Earth. In addition, the peoples of Asia have established the broadest variety of human adaptation found on any of the continents.

Sustainable Management of Oceans and Coastal Environment • Finding policy solutions that create sustainable societies and help protect our fragile water planet

Amazing Oceanic Discoveries

Unique Finds Underwater

What Makes a Sea a Sea ?

DID YOU KNOW

Asia’s UNESCO Marine World Heritage Sites • The UNESCO World Heritage Marine Programme consists of 50 flagship marine protected areas of Outstanding Universal Value. These are Asia’s “Beacons of Hope in a Changing Ocean”.

Suffocating the Seas

The River Runs Deep

Beneath the Black Sea: An Undersea River

River Pollution: The Dark Waters of Asia

The Water People • Powerful, purifying, and mysterious, water bodies play a vital role in many cultures and religions. Some live and die by the waters, and some believe the deep blue is home to gods and goddesses. Others look to the waves in search of the spirits of their deceased loved ones. The...