Asia is the world's biggest and most populated continent. It covers an area of 44,5 mln km², and its population reaches 3539 mln of people (60% of the planet population). With its rich historical background Asia is nicknamed "the cradle of human culture". All ancient civilizations originated in Asian continent, especially in deltas of major rivers as Tigris, Euphrates, Indus and Huang-Ho (the famous Yellow River in China). The continent is diverse both economically and politically. Beside high developed countries like Japan we can find fast developing "Asian Tigers" (Taiwan, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore). Asia is home to world's highest mountain ranges, deepest lake (Baikal Lake) and largest lake (Caspian Sea). It climate differs from polar to tropical, including monsoon tropical climate.