ASIA. 



877 



CHAPTER CXXXVIII. GENERAL VIEW OF ASIA. 



1. Boundaries. Asia is bounded on the N. by tlie Arctic Ocean ; on the E. by Behring's 

 Strait and the Pacific Ocean ; on the S. by the Chinese Sea and the Indian Ocean, and on 

 the W. by the Red, Mediterranean, and Black seas, and Europe. It extends from lat. 1° to 

 78'^ N. and from long. 26° E. to 170° W., having an area of 16,100,000 square miles, and a 

 population of about 400 or 500 millions. 



2. Mountains. Asia contains the loftiest summits in the world. The Ural Mountains., 

 between Europe and Asia, and the Ghauls., in Hindostan, run north and south. The Japanese 

 islands are covered with lofiy mountains, containing numerous volcanoes. The numerous 

 chains of the Taurus traverse the country, between the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea, in 

 various directions. Between the Black and Caspian seas, are the Caucasian Mountains, the 

 loftiest chain of which may be considered as the division line of Europe and Asia. The 

 highest summits have an elevation of 18,000 feet. 



Among the numerous groups of mountains, that cover the surface of Central Asia, there are 

 four great chains or systems, which lie almost in a parallel direction, ranging nearly from west 

 to east, or from southwest to northeast. These, beginning with the most northern range, are 

 1st, the Altai ; 2d, the Thinn-chan, or Teen-shan ; 3d, the Kucn-hm, or Kiimnlun ; and 4th, 

 the Himalaya mountains. Between the Altai and the Thian-chan, are comprehended the plain 

 of Zoungarin, and the basin of the river Hi, which falls into lake Balkash ; between the Thian- 



