Defining the countries of Asia

‘Asia’ can be defined in geographical terms, but it can also be described in terms of cultural, religious, historical and linguistic boundaries or commonalities.

Students are often familiar with the following regions:

• North-East Asia including China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea and Taiwan

• South-East Asia including Indonesia, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, East Timor, the Philippines and Cambodia

• South Asia including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics includes the countries known as the Middle East in its definition.