The most important features of the geographical specificity of foreign Asia are determined by the huge scale (massiveness) and diversity of its territory and the richest natural resource potential.

The main features of the natural resource potential of foreign Asia

Huge foreign Asia has a powerful resource potential, including its natural component. This is a good prerequisite for the development of a wide variety of types of economy. The main features of the natural resource potential, in addition to their huge size, are regional differences in the set of resources, their territorial combinations, and a high degree of concentration of natural resources within just a few countries.

The region is characterized by the highest degree of territorial concentration of mineral resources: China is not only Asian, but also the world leader in reserves of almost all minerals; the exception is oil and natural gas reserves, which are dominated by the countries of Southwest Asia.

Agro-climatic resources of Asia and agricultural development

You know that agro-climatic resources are characterized by the amount of heat and moisture. Only a small part of the territory of foreign Asia has a sufficient amount of heat and good humidity. Its vast areas are arid or, conversely, waterlogged.

The largest share of cultivated land is in Asian countries such as Bangladesh (2/3 of the territory is plowed up) and; the largest area of ​​arable land is in India (166.1 million hectares, the second largest in the world) and China (92.5 million hectares, the fourth largest in the world).

Water resources of foreign Asia

Foreign Asia accounts for a significant part of the world's fresh water resources. In terms of per capita fresh water reserves, the region significantly exceeds Europe and America, but is much inferior to Australia and Africa. With the last two regions, Asia is brought closer by sharp regional disproportions in the distribution of water resources.

The most abundant regions of overseas Asia are located in the southwest of the peninsula Hindustan, in Indochina and southeast China. On the other hand, in Southwest and Central Asia, where the continental climate prevails, water resources are very small, and their scarcity is a complex economic problem.

Forest resources of foreign Asia

Forests occupy about the area of ​​the region, and most of them are concentrated in the southeast, which is also characterized by the highest degree of forest cover of the territory.

Causes of forest degradation

For many countries in Asia, the forest is a very important resource that provides energy to these regions; up to 3/4 of all cut wood is spent on energy production. The share of wood fuel in Nepal is 70%. The main driver of forest degradation is cutting them down for fuel to generate electricity. Forests are cut down everywhere, even on steep slopes, which leads to soil erosion.

Recreational resources of foreign Asia

The natural recreational resources of foreign Asia began to be actively studied and used only in the second half of the 20th century. The most widely used coastal areas of warm seas in Southwest () and Southeast (Thailand, Malaysia) Asia.

The dynamic development of the economy of the largest Asian countries requires a large amount of natural resources. The problem of resource availability implies the search for ways to rationally use resources.

From previous courses, geographers remember in which climatic zones Southwest Asia is located. What problems of development of these countries are connected with climatic conditions?

The mineral resources of the region are insufficiently explored. In addition to huge reserves of oil (66% of world reserves) and gas (26%), significant volumes of chromites (Turkey), Dead Sea mineral salts are released. 206 million people live in Southwest Asia. The population is growing rapidly due to high natural population growth. The countries of the region differ greatly in terms of population; 2/3 of the region's inhabitants are concentrated in Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan.

The distribution of the population is also uneven. Its average density in one country does not exceed 100 persons/sq. km, while in desert regions it is less than 1 person/sq. km. The region is characterized by significant population migration. Peoples leading a nomadic way of life still live here. Israel's population is formed by immigrants. Many Palestinian Arabs are forced to leave their homeland, a significant number of foreign Muslim workers work in the oil fields. Many Turks work in Western Europe, especially in Germany.

Urbanization is generally low, with Afghanistan and Yemen among the lowest in the world. The urban population is growing rapidly, but individual cities predominate, agglomerations are just being formed (Istanbul, Tehran). The proportion of urban residents is especially high in small oil-producing countries; in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, it exceeds 90% of the population. Some cities arose in ancient times (Damascus, Baghdad, Beirut, Riyadh, etc.). It was in this region that the three main religions of the world were born: Judaism, Christianity, Islam. The cities of Jerusalem, Mecca, Medina are considered sacred, they are visited by many pilgrims every year.

The ethnic composition of the population is quite complex. The most homogeneous population of the Arabian Peninsula, which is based on the Arabs. Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq are multinational countries. Along with Turks, Persians, Afghans (Pashtuns) and Arabs live national minorities: Kurds, Azerbaijanis, Uzbeks, Tajiks and others. Ethnic and religious differences create serious political and economic difficulties in every country. I and phosphorites, potash salts (Jordan, Israel). characteristics of the economy of Southwest Asia

According to the level of economic development, the countries of Southwest Asia are of two types: Israel, Turkey and Cyprus are medium-developed countries, the rest of the states are developing countries. But these groups are also heterogeneous.

Israel is an industrial-agrarian country, the share of industry in GDP is 30%. The structure of industry is dominated by science-intensive industries: medical electronics, communications, computers. The metalworking, aviation, shipbuilding, electrical engineering, chemical, and diamond industries are also developing. The military industry has a high share in the economy.

The policy of the Cypriot leadership is aimed at turning the country into a commercial, financial and tourist center. The economy of this country is characterized by a high share of the service sector (47% of GDP). The leading industries are food, clothing, mining, building materials industry.

The basis of the economy of developing countries is agriculture, which is still backward and unproductive due to archaic agrarian relations. Constant droughts are a real disaster for the people of these countries. Irrigated land is plentiful, but irrigation systems are mostly primitive. The countries of Southwest Asia bring grain, butter, sugar, tea, and livestock products.

Agriculture is dominated by crop production. Its basis is consumer crops (wheat, corn, vegetables), cotton. Significant areas are occupied by vineyards and fruit plantations. The region occupies a leading position in the world in the production and export of raisins, dried fruits, almonds and dates.

The natural conditions of the territory of Asia directly affect the location of agriculture, and indeed all other industries. Diversity and contrast are characteristic features of the natural features of a given territory. The steep slopes of high mountain ranges give way to the flat relief of the lowlands. Climatic conditions are also diverse, especially the degree of moisture fluctuates. The lower parts are provided with sufficient moisture, as they have a characteristic monsoon climate. This includes the southern and eastern parts of Foreign Asia.

The Mediterranean climate prevails in the western part of Asia. Arable land occupies 90% of the entire territory. The southwestern and central parts are arid. Asia is characterized by several climatic zones at once. The southern territory is in the tropics and receives twice as much solar radiation as the north. Temperature regimes in summer and winter are almost the same in Indonesia. In January +25 degrees in this territory, and -28 degrees in the north of Manchuria. Frosts are long enough. Differences in climate are also characteristic of the mountains. This is due to the height of the mountainous regions, their geographical position and exposure of the slopes. Atmospheric pressure circulation directly affects the climatic conditions of South and East Asia. These territories are characterized by a change in air masses in each season.

In summer, the summer monsoon operates, and in winter, the winter monsoon. Hindustan, East Asia, Indochina are located directly in the monsoon circulation zone. The annual rainfall here can be around 2,000 mm. The winter monsoon affects cold continental air masses, which brings with it a cooling almost throughout the entire territory.

But in the southern part of Asia, there are no cold snaps, since this territory is characterized by the Indian monsoon with smaller baric gradients. Also, India in the north is closed by high mountain ranges and this saves it from the cold masses of Central Asia. The continental climate reigns in the interior regions of Asia, which are located in the mountains at high altitudes.

The Asian cyclone comes in winter. With its arrival, a long winter with severe frosts prevails. The low temperature regime contributes to the freezing of the soil and, as a result, areas of permafrost are formed. In summer, the entire area warms up well from the sun and creates an area with low atmospheric pressure. Dry and hot weather prevails. Precipitation practically does not fall during this period due to the highest mountain ranges. Only 50 mm of them can fall out in closed basins. Different availability of heat resources and thermal regime are the cause of internal climatic differences.

Southwest Asia is considered an exceptionally hot area. This is facilitated by the amount of solar radiation. This area is the driest, with deserts and semi-deserts.

Foreign Asia does not have favorable climate conditions for the development of agriculture. Heavily humidified regions are equatorial, and dry regions are plains and plateaus of Central and South-West Asia. Only land reclamation can contribute to agriculture.

The composition of cultivated plants, farming practices, yield, productivity, production location directly depend on the climate. In general, the development of the economy is relatively low, as is the yield. Based on weather conditions and climate, several agro-climatic regions are distinguished on the territory.

Mineral resources of Foreign Asia

The surface is represented mainly by mountainous areas, and lowlands occupy a very small percentage of the total area. They are located on the south and east coasts. The relief and tectonic regions form the mineral deposits. There are enough of them in Asia. It holds leadership positions for reserves of fuel and energy raw materials.

There are deposits of gas, oil and coal. The bowels of Foreign Asia contain significant reserves of antimony, sulfur, zirconium, tin, potassium salts, tungsten, chromites, graphite, mercury, and phosphate raw materials. But they are distributed unevenly across the territory. The Chinese and Hindustan platforms are rich in coal, iron and manganese ore, and non-metallic minerals. The Pacific coast has rich copper deposits. Ore reserves predominate in the Alpine-Himalayan regions.

Gas and oil reserves are the main wealth of this part of the world, which determines the role of the territory in the international geographical labor division. The main hydrocarbon deposits are concentrated in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. If we take into account oil, then its deposits were discovered in Indonesia, Malaysia, that is, in the countries of the Malay Archipelago itself. Also, gas and oil are available in sufficient quantities on the territory of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. Salt reserves are located in the Dead Sea, and sulfur and non-ferrous metals are in the Iranian Highlands.

Asian countries have vastly different mineral reserves. The greatest variety of deposits is concentrated in such states as:

• Kazakhstan;
• Iran;
• Indonesia;
• Saudi Arabia;
• India.

The true picture of the mineral wealth of this territory is not reflected by their known deposits. The search for new deposits is constantly being conducted and new deposits of directly mineral raw materials are found. Shelf zones are becoming more promising in terms of hydrocarbon production, providing new opportunities for the extractive industry.

Each Asian sub-region has its own characteristic set of fossils.

Western Asia. Oil and gas fields are concentrated in this territory. Such reserves make Western Asia the world leader among other regions. If we take into account the data of 1980, then 43 billion tons of oil and about 20 trillion cubic meters of gas were produced here. Coal reserves - 23 billion tons. It is also worth noting that 14 billion tons of ferrous metal ores are concentrated in Iraq and Turkey. As for titanium and chromium ores, the largest reserves are in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Oman and Afghanistan. Gypsum, as a non-metallic building material, is available in the amount of 3 billion tons. Also located are the bowels of ornamental and precious stones, such as: Afghan lapis lazuli, aquamarine, emerald, Iranian turquoise, marble onyx, rock crystal, ruby.

South Asia. This territory occupies a leading position in terms of reserves of pyrite, titanium, muscovite, barite, graphite, beryl, manganese and iron ores. In addition, there are deposits of gold, gas, oil, nickel, copper and tungsten ores. Hard coal, that is, its reserves, are estimated at 115 billion tons and are the main energy raw material for all of Asia. Iron ores amount to 13.5 billion tons and are located in Pakistan, India. Less significant reserves are concentrated in Nepal and Sri Lanka. And India is known for its solid reserves of manganese, aluminum and nickel ores. About 30% of mining and chemical raw materials are located in Nepal, Pakistan, and India. Indian asbestos contains reserves of non-metallic minerals. Gypsum is concentrated in Pakistan, graphite - in Sri Lanka, precious stones (diamonds) - in India. There are also deposits of building sands, limestone, quartz sands, marble, dolomite.

Southeast Asia. Tin brings this territory to the first place in the whole world. It is necessary to note the subsoil: nickel, antimony, cobalt, barite, copper, tungsten, bauxite, oil, gas, chromite. A variety of mineral resources are distributed throughout the territory. On the continental shelf, work is underway to search for hydrocarbons. There are 36 prospective basins in total, 25 of them are concentrated in Indonesia. Vietnam and Indonesia are known for their hard coal deposits. There are many ore minerals in Indonesia, Burma, Kampuchea, and the Philippines. Their size is 1271 million tons. Aluminum and copper ores are located in Kampuchea, Vietnam, Indonesia.

Other types of resources of Foreign Asia

This part of the world is also rich in surface water resources, but they are unevenly distributed. The availability of water becomes less from the southeast directly to the northwest. These resources are used mainly for irrigation, which fights drought, wind and soil salinization. 95% of fresh water in India is used for irrigation. The humid tropics are provided with a large level of hydropower, which is contained in mountain rivers. But, unfortunately, the hydro potential of mountain water resources is used in insufficient quantities due to the economic backwardness of areas in the mountains. For example, only 10% of this potential is used in Pakistan and India. It is worth mentioning also the large Asian rivers. They are important natural resources and form water basins that cover hundreds of thousands of square kilometers.

Soils are also considered an important resource. Climatic conditions, a large area, diverse relief made it possible to form a complex soil cover. The temperate climatic zone contributed to the creation of podzolic, gray, brown forest soils. The steppe regions are characterized by chestnut and chernozem-like soils, the Mediterranean - brown, monsoon - red and yellow soils. There is also a special soil cover - regura and black soils, which are located in tropical latitudes. Such species are formed on the Hindustan peninsula.

Foreign Asia is not famous for its forest resources and has them in a meager amount. If we take into account the calculation, then there is only 0.3 hectares per inhabitant. The average world level is 1.2 hectares per person. This feature is typical for Pakistan, India, Lebanon and Singapore. But the southeastern part is more or less provided with forest resources. In this area, forest areas are accessible and large. These forest areas are under threat of existence.

To date, recreational resources have not yet been sufficiently explored. It was only at the end of the twentieth century that they began to be used and studied. Tourists are directly attracted by the comfortable climatic conditions and the sea coasts of Turkey (South-West Asia) and Malaysia, Thailand (South-East Asia).

Southwest Asia includes Transcaucasia, the Near and Middle East, has an area of ​​7 million square kilometers and a population (as of 2013) of 361 million people.

Southwest Asia is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean, Red Seas and the Persian Gulf. Access to the World Ocean may in the future change the economic and geographical position of such countries as Armenia, Afghanistan and Azerbaijan. The largest states in the region in terms of area and population are Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and the smallest are Bahrain, Cyprus and Qatar.

Israel, Cyprus, Turkey, etc. can be ranked among the relatively developed states of the region, while Yemen and Afghanistan can be counted among the backward ones.

The economy of many Persian Gulf countries is focused on the production and export of oil.

Natural conditions and resources. Southwest Asia is a region with diverse natural conditions and resources.

Some states - Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Armenia - are predominantly mountainous countries. Most of Southwest Asia is dominated by a sharply continental and arid climate. The wide distribution of mountains and deserts hinders the development of industry and agriculture. The exception is the Mesopotamian lowland, where irrigated agriculture is widely developed.

The bowels of Southwest Asia are rich in chromium (Turkey), polymetals (Iran and Turkey), phosphorites and potash salts (Israel and Jordan). However, the main wealth of the region is oil. Oil fields are concentrated in areas adjacent to the Persian Gulf and account for 2/3 of the world's oil reserves.

In terms of oil reserves, the top five countries in the world include: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

Oil production and export determine the place and role of Southwest Asia in the world economy. At the same time, the region is experiencing an acute shortage of water and land resources.

Population. High natural growth rates (25-30 ppm), with the exception of Georgia, Armenia, Israel and Cyprus, are characteristic of Southwest Asia. Iran, Turkey and Iraq account for more than half of the population of Southwest Asia. The average population density is 52 people / sq. km. However, due to uneven settlement, some areas are characterized by a higher population density, while others are characterized by a lower population density. Basically, the population is concentrated in the coastal zone, in intermountain valleys and oases, where the population density reaches 50-100 people/km2. In the mountains and deserts, the population density is 1-10 people / sq. km.

The population is mainly sedentary, except in the deserts of Arabia, Iran and Afghanistan, where millions of people are nomads.

The level of urbanization of Southwest Asia is 70%. In some countries, the urban population does not exceed 50-55%. In Israel, as well as in countries with a hot and dry climate - Yemen, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, the urban population is 91-98%.

In Southwest Asia, there are both mononational (most Arab countries) and multinational states (Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey).

The population of Southwest Asia is represented by Arabs, Iranians, Turks, Jews, etc.

In Southwest Asia, one can meet states with various structures, from the theocratic absolute monarchy (Saudi Arabia) to a democratic republic (Turkey). Countries with a constitutional monarchy - Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait.

In the United Arab Emirates, a federal-monarchist leadership is elected every five years.

Economy, transport and internal differences

Most of the countries of Southwest Asia belong to the category of agro-industrial states. Meanwhile, in terms of the level of economic development, individual states of Southwest Asia differ sharply from each other. Countries such as Israel, Turkey and Cyprus are characterized by a high level of development and a diversified industry. Other countries, and primarily the countries of the Persian Gulf, are characterized by one-sided development, focused on the extraction and export of oil and oil products. In fairness, it should be noted that a number of countries, namely Iran, have been making efforts in recent years to create a diversified and modern industry. The third group of countries (Afghanistan and Yemen) lag behind their neighbors in the region in economic development.
Industry. Most of the states of Southwest Asia are distinguished by oil production and the oil refining industry. The role of oil and the oil refining industry in the economy of the Persian Gulf countries can be judged by the following indicators. Annual oil production averages 0.6 tons per capita of the Earth, and in the countries of the Persian Gulf (where the annual oil production, according to data for 2012, is 1,150 million tons) - 3,300 tons of oil per capita. Naturally, most of the oil produced in the countries of the Persian Gulf is exported, and, first of all, to the countries of Western Europe, Japan and the USA.
Large oil refineries, which process 500 million tons of oil, or 45%, have been built in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran and Iraq.
Oil fields and refineries in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates employ people from East Africa and South Asia. About 90-95% of the oil produced in the Persian Gulf is exported.
The manufacturing industry is developed in Turkey, Israel, Iran and the Transcaucasian republics. Along with light and food industries, heavy industries are also developing in the states mentioned above. For example, the metallurgical industry has developed in Turkey, Georgia and Iran; mechanical engineering - in Turkey and Israel; chemical industry - in Turkey, Azerbaijan and Iran. The petrochemical and fuel and energy industries are developing rapidly in the countries of the Persian Gulf. The light and food industries are almost universally developed.
The light industry of Southwest Asia is represented mainly by the textile, leather and footwear, as well as knitwear industries. Iran, Turkey and the Transcaucasian republics supply the world market with handicraft products: carpets, artistic metal products, etc.
Agriculture is developed everywhere and occupies an important place in the economy of the countries of Southwest Asia. However, a number of these countries, due to water shortages, do not provide themselves with food, as a result of which they are forced to import food from abroad.

Israel has achieved high results in agricultural production, which was one of the first to cultivate the drip irrigation method. Israel not only provides itself with food, but also exports it, in particular, to Western Europe. Desalination of sea water is practiced (Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia).
Agriculture is mainly developed in Turkey, Israel, Lebanon, Cyprus and the Transcaucasian republics, and animal husbandry - in the Arab countries, most of whose territory is occupied by deserts and semi-deserts.
In Southwest Asia, mainly cereals are cultivated (wheat, oats, rice, corn, millet), in Turkey, Iran, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Industrial crops (cotton, sunflower, etc.) are cultivated mainly in Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Azerbaijan and Iran, sugar beet - in Turkey and the Transcaucasian republics.
Transport. The low level of industrial development explains the low level of the transport system in Southwest Asia. Rail transport is developed mainly in Turkey, Iran and the Transcaucasian republics and is practically absent in Afghanistan and a number of Arab states. Road transport is developed in Turkey, the Mediterranean and the Transcaucasian republics. Maritime transport is developed only in Turkey.
internal differences. According to the level of economic development, the countries of Southwest Asia are divided into diversified and highly specialized countries.
A diversified economy is characteristic of Turkey, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Cyprus, the Transcaucasian republics and partly Syria. In these countries, the manufacturing industry is relatively well developed. Accordingly, these countries have achieved good results in agricultural production and in the development of transport.
In each of the countries of Southwest Asia, along with relatively developed areas, there are areas with a low level of economic development.

Attention! If you find an error in the text, select it and press Ctrl+Enter to notify the administration.

Farming, especially rural, will depend on the natural conditions of the territory. And the conditions of Asia are distinguished by great diversity and contrasts. The highest mountain ranges with steep slopes coexist with lowlands and the monotony of their flat relief. Large contrasts are also characteristic of the climate, especially for moisture. The low-lying areas are well supplied with moisture, because they are located in the monsoon climate - these are the eastern and southern parts of the region.

The western part of Foreign Asia lies in the region of the Mediterranean climate. $90\%$ of all arable land is concentrated in these parts of Asia. The central and southwestern parts are arid. The Asian part of the world lies in several climatic zones. The south of the territory lies in tropical latitudes and receives $2$ times more total solar radiation than the northern regions. Summer and winter temperatures on the islands of Indonesia are almost the same, the average January temperature is +$25$ degrees, and the north of Manchuria, for example, has a January temperature of -$24$, -$28$ degrees. Yes, the cold weather is long there. Significant climatic differences are also characteristic of mountainous regions and even within the mountainous territories themselves. This is due to the height of the mountains, their position, the exposure of the slopes. The circulation of the atmosphere has a very pronounced effect on the climate of East and South Asia, where the seasonal change of air masses is clearly expressed.

Winters in these areas are characterized by the winter monsoon, while the summer monsoon operates in summer. All of East Asia, Hindustan and Indochina are in the monsoon circulation zone, where annual precipitation can reach $2000$ mm per year. Associated with the winter monsoon are cold continental air masses that cause cooling in East Asia and partly in the tropics of Northern Indochina.

In the southern part of Asia, winter cooling does not occur, because the territory is under the influence of the Indian monsoon, which has smaller baric gradients. On the other hand, India is closed in the north by the highest mountain ranges from the cold air masses of Central Asia. The interior regions of Asia, located at high altitudes and surrounded by mountains, have a sharply continental climate.

In winter, the Asian anticyclone dominates here and a severe and long winter sets in. At low temperatures, the soil freezes deeply, which leads to the formation of permafrost areas. In summer, the territory warms up well and an area of ​​low atmospheric pressure is formed. The weather is hot and dry. Precipitation is very small, high mountain ranges prevent their penetration. In closed basins, only up to $50$ mm falls out. But even this inland region has its own internal climatic differences. The reason for this lies in the different availability of thermal resources and thermal regime.

An exceptionally hot region is Southwest Asia. It receives the largest amount of solar radiation, therefore it is the driest part of the mainland. Deserts and semi-deserts are common here.

Remark 1

For the development of agriculture, a significant part of Asia Abroad has unfavorable climatic conditions. The equatorial regions are highly humid, while the vast plateaus and plains of Southwestern and Central Asia are too dry. Agriculture in these areas is possible only with land reclamation.

The location of agricultural production, the composition of cultivated plants, the peculiarities of farming methods, and the productivity of crops largely depend on climatic conditions. The level of agricultural development in the countries of Foreign Asia is relatively low, so the yield is highly dependent on weather conditions. Based on climatic features, several agro-climatic regions are distinguished in foreign Asia.

Mineral resources of Foreign Asia

The surface of Foreign Asia is represented by vast mountainous territories and lowlands, the areas of which are small. Low-lying areas are located on the outskirts of Asia - these are the eastern and southern coasts. Mineral deposits are associated with the relief and with the main tectonic regions, with which the bowels of Foreign Asia are rich. In terms of reserves of fuel and energy raw materials, Asia occupies a leading position in the world.

These are, first of all, huge deposits of coal, oil and gas. The bowels of this part of the world contain world reserves of tin, antimony, mercury, graphite, sulfur, muscovite, zirconium, phosphate raw materials, potassium salts, chromites, tungsten. True, from a geographical point of view, these resources are distributed unevenly. Coal, iron and manganese ores, non-metallic minerals were formed within the Chinese and Hindustan platforms. There is a copper belt along the Pacific coast. In the Alpine-Himalayan folded region, ores are predominant.

A decisive role in the international geographical division of labor in Asia is played by oil and gas reserves, which are the main wealth of the region. The main hydrocarbon deposits are concentrated in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Large oil fields have been discovered in the countries of the Malay Archipelago - Indonesia, Malaysia. There is oil and gas in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. The Dead Sea is known for its large salt reserves, and the Iranian Highlands for sulfur and non-ferrous metals.

Of all Asian countries, the greatest diversity and reserves of minerals are concentrated on the territory of the following states:

1. India;
2. Indonesia;
3. Iran;
4. Kazakhstan;
5. Turkey;
6. Saudi Arabia.

Remark 2

Those mineral deposits that are well known today do not reflect the true picture of the richness of the subsoil of this region. The ongoing prospecting works open up new deposits of mineral raw materials. In terms of hydrocarbon production, offshore zones are becoming promising, which provide the extractive industry with new opportunities.

Different subregions of Asia have their own set of minerals.

Western Asia. Here, first of all, the largest oil and gas fields are concentrated, in terms of reserves of which Western Asia is a leader among other regions of the world. According to $1980 data, there are $43 billion tons of oil in this area and more than $20 trillion. cube m of gas. Coal reserves are more than $23 billion tons. The reserves of ferrous metal ores amount to $14 billion tons and they are located on the territory of Turkey and Iraq. Reserves of titanium ores in Saudi Arabia and chromium ores in Turkey and Iran, Afghanistan and Oman. Non-metallic building materials are represented by gypsum, the reserves of which amount to $3 billion tons. In some countries of the region there are deposits of precious and ornamental stones, for example, Iranian turquoise, Afghan lapis lazuli, ruby, emerald, rock crystal, aquamarine, marble onyx.

South Asia. She holds a leading position in the reserves of muscovite, barite, titanium, pyrite, beryl, graphite, iron, manganese ores. This part also has significant reserves of oil and gas, as well as gold, copper, nickel, and tungsten ores. The most important energy raw material for South Asia is hard coal, whose reserves are estimated at $115 billion tons. The total iron ore reserves are over $13.5 billion tons. They are concentrated in India, Pakistan. There are small reserves in Sri Lanka and Nepal. The extraction of manganese ores has long been going on in India. There are aluminum and nickel ores in this region. Here is about $30\%$ of the total reserves of mining and chemical raw materials - India, Pakistan, Nepal. Non-metallic raw materials are represented by Indian asbestos - India, gypsum - Pakistan, graphite - Sri Lanka. There are quartz, building sands, dolomites, limestone and marble. Precious stones are only in India - diamonds.

Southeast Asia. In terms of tin reserves, the region ranks $1 in the world and has significant reserves of nickel, cobalt, tungsten, copper, antimony, and barite. In addition, there are oil, gas, bauxites, chromites and other mineral resources. Exploration for hydrocarbons is being carried out on the continental shelf. Of the $36$ promising basins, $25$ belong to Indonesia. Hard coals are also found in Indonesia and Vietnam. Ore minerals, the reserves of which amount to more than $1271 million tons, are found in Burma, Indonesia, the Philippines, Kampuchea. Of the ores of non-ferrous metals, aluminum and copper ores are known - Indonesia, Vietnam, Kampuchea.

Other types of resources of Foreign Asia

Foreign Asia is rich in its superficial waters, but water resources are unevenly distributed over the territory, and the availability decreases from the southeast to the northwest. Water resources are used, usually for irrigation, which helps to solve the problems associated with drought, soil salinization and wind blowing. In India, for example, $95\%$ of fresh water consumed goes to irrigation. Mountain rivers contain colossal reserves of hydropower, which is best provided in the humid tropics. Due to the economic backwardness of the mountainous regions, the hydro potential of the rivers is poorly used. For example, the hydro potential of the rivers of India and Pakistan is used by about $10\%$. Large Asian rivers have basins covering hundreds of thousands of square kilometers. They are among the most important types of natural resources.

Another type of resource is soil. The huge size, diverse relief and climate were the conditions for the formation of a complex soil cover. Podzolic, sulfur and brown forest soils have formed in the temperate climate zone. In the steppe regions - chernozem-like and chestnut soils. In the subtropics of the Mediterranean, brown soils are dominant, and in the monsoon regions, yellow and red soils. Peculiar tropical soils - regura or black soils formed on the Hindustan peninsula.

If speak about forest resources, foreign Asia is not rich in them. There is only $0.3$ ha of forest resources per capita, and the average world level is $1.2$ ha per person. Low availability of forest resources is typical for India, Pakistan, Lebanon, and Singapore. The south-east of the region is best provided with forest resources. Here, the areas of forest resources are not only large, but also accessible, which threatens their existence.

recreational the resources of the region began to be studied and used only in the second half of the $XX$ century. Attractive for tourists are the warm seas of Southwest Asia - Turkey and Southeast Asia - Thailand, Malaysia.