Southeast Asia interesting facts. Interesting facts about Asia

Asia influenced western world in many ways, but with all the enormous advantages that we have received, we have hardly even managed to touch the surface of the cultural layer of the East.

Asia has influenced the Western world in many ways, but for all the tremendous benefits we have received from the East, we have barely even been able to touch the surface of the cultural layer of this diverse continent. From centuries-old traditions and modern trends, we have collected 10 unusual facts about Asia that is left at a loss.

Vietnamese New Year - Every Vietnamese's Birthday

Vietnamese New Year or Tet, celebrated annually, around the end of winter, and lasts three weeks.

The holiday begins on the first lunar day of the first lunar month, which usually occurs at the beginning of February or at the end of January.

Among the many traditions of Tet - New Year in Vietnam, it is also considered the birthday of all Vietnamese people.

Along with Koreans, Vietnamese counts the age of the Tet they have lived, so a child will officially be considered one year old even if he was born a few days before the event.

Sonkran - New Year in Thailand

Continuing the theme of New Year's traditions, Thai New Year is celebrated for several days lunar calendar in the hottest month in Thailand - April.

The Sonkran Festival is a Thai "astrological transition", the main attraction of which is pouring water from head to toe to everyone you meet and sprinkling talcum powder on passers-by, too, is not forbidden.

Initially, the celebration had spiritual connotations - water was poured over Buddha statues, and people collected the water that flowed down to sprinkle it on their loved ones for good luck.

Now the rhythm of the holiday is more intense and perky - these are large-scale battles from water pistols, which are sold at every corner, and people standing along the roads poured over everyone who passes or drives by.

Largest shopping mall in a ghost town

In 2005, Chinese billionaire Alex Hu Guirong began construction of the world's largest shopping center in Dongguan city, China.

The New South China Mall is located on more than 2.5 million square meters, with a capacity of 2,350 stores, not to mention a full-size covered slide, a one and a half kilometer canal with gondolas and a copy of the Arc de Triomphe.

But there is one problem - no one wants to open their own store there.

Since 2005, 99% of the retail space has never been used - never, they just gather dust under the cloth of the roof, and the only people who really work are the guards of this strange super center.

There is only one explanation why the mall is unprofitable - the city where it is built - Dongguan has a population of only 10 million, the majority of whose inhabitants are poor factory workers and it takes several hours to get to the mall.

North Korea celebrates its version of Christmas

In North Korea, citizens don't celebrate Christmas. Christmas in North Korea is still more an act of war than a holiday.

Therefore, instead of joining the Christmas holidays, North Koreans celebrate the birthday of Kim Jong Il's mother, who was born on December 24th.

Government North Korea maintains strong hold over religious groups within their borders.

They continue to demonize Western influence with their patriotic Christmas cards.

In addition to Kim Jong's birthday, North Koreans celebrate Constitution Day on December 27, and on New Year's Day they hold marches in front of Kim Il Sung's mausoleum.

A sense of Chinese unity in one time zone

China is about 5,200 km wide - a fairly wide area that can cover 5 time zones.

Despite this, China has only had one national time zone since the Chinese Civil War in 1949.

The reason for this decision - Chinese politics - after the civil war people wanted to instill a sense of unity.

Unfortunately, in reality it looks something like this: at the time when the inhabitants of Beijing meet the dawn at 6 a.m., the western regions of Xinjiang will not yet see the sun for two hours.

This system is still relevant today, although Xinjiang took a firm stand and created its own unofficial time zone, which has a difference of two hours from the zone national time China.

The Chinese government does not recognize this step.

Japanese overweight law

Japan is currently the slimmest industrialized country in the world and there are good reasons for that - the law against being fat.

Japanese law prescribes that men over 40 cannot have a waist of more than 85 cm, women were given a little more freedom - a waist up to 90 cm.

Why? The official reasoning is that slim people are healthier, they have normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

People who violate legal waist measurements should go through counseling and start a government-approved diet.

Companies that have a large number of overweight employees will have to pay the healthcare penalty for older Japanese people.

India and China make up one third of the world's population

It is well known that China has a large population, but the actual number of its inhabitants is simply staggering.

The population of one province of Sichuan is the number of inhabitants of Greece, Portugal, Holland, Guatemala, Austria, Malaysia, New Zealand, Austria and Canada combined. And this is not the largest province, but only the fourth largest.

In fact, India and China together make up over a third of the population the globe as of 2012 - 2,500,000,000 people. And all these people fit into the area, a little more than the United States.

Indian ritual giving good luck, courage and health to the baby

In the mountain temple of Solapur in India, newborns are led through a ritual that should make the baby happy, strong and healthy.

Apart from hotels or restaurants serving Western diners, in fact, all over India it is difficult to find a bathroom with a roll of toilet paper - why paper when you have a good left hand, right?

And not only to eat, but also to do anything with the left hand is considered offensive, for example, transferring money with the left hand or shaking hands with each other in greeting.

Chinese children are named after an important event

You will not surprise Russians with such a fact, in our history and literature there is "Heart of a Dog" and the names Vilor or Vladlen. Over the 100 years since the revolution, the admiration for the leaders faded away and everything fell into place. It is in Russia.

In 1992, China applied to host the 2000 Olympics. In the same year, 680 Chinese people named their children Aoyun, which literally translates to "Olympic Games". More than 4,000 people continued to give this name to their children for the next 15 years.

Another spike came when it was announced that China would host the 2008 Games.

It is not too strange for Chinese people to name their children after political events or movements. These are just a couple of ways to choose a name for your child, but there are many others.

For example, according to the Chinese registry, the common names are "Defend China" or "Build a Nation".

Some children are simply called "Space Travel", with the name "Civilization" almost 300,000 Chinese people now live in the country. For comparison, it would be if the Russians named their daughter " Russian Federation"or" International Space Station ".

Asia is the largest part of the world, home to many ancient cultures and a center of attraction for tourists. There are densely populated urban centers with towering skyscrapers and secluded islands with picturesque beaches. Foreign blog ITsGR9 chose 10 most interesting places in Asia worth visiting.

10. Boracay Island, Philippines

The beach of Boracay Island with the fine white sand is a favorite place for relaxation among locals and visitors, one of the. Carefree atmosphere, exhilarating night life, beach parties, culinary delights, luxury spas, exciting extreme views sports - if you miss this island, a tourist will make a big mistake.

9. Phu Quoc Islands, Vietnam

The coast of Nha Trang province is the resting place of most local residents, they are located here. And tourists may be more interested in Phu Quoc Islands with their elegant beaches and clean water, in which the coral reefs surrounding the island and their colorful inhabitants are perfectly visible. The 99 Summits mountain range is replete with waterfalls, plants and rare animal species.

8. "Rabbit Island" (Khao Tonsei), Cambodia

The island is located close to the mainland, a 20-minute drive from the town of Kep. In local bungalows there is no TV, no internet, no air conditioning, this allowed the island to become one of the most in the world. The aim of the resort is to give modern man the opportunity to feel the unity with nature, which modern technologies can only interfere with.

7. Bangkok, Thailand

One of the best, teeming with chic beaches and first-class restaurants. In this fast-growing capital of Thailand, ancient Buddhist temples sit side by side with glass and steel malls. There is also a huge statue of the Golden Buddha four and a half meters high, a stunning aquarium inside a multi-storey shopping center and the world's largest outdoor market.

6. Seoul, Korea

Most Westerners imagine something futuristic when they say "Seoul", but South Koreans themselves are true to their cultural heritage... In the city center, next to towers of concrete and steel, are the ancient witnesses of the country's past. One of them is Gyeongbokgung Palace, the oldest and largest monument of the Joseon Dynasty. However, there was a place for entertainment, in Seoul there is one of the world's.

5. Bali, Indonesia

This island has a unique vibe: a whimsical mixture sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and volcanoes on the horizon makes tourists feel like heroes of the magazine "Around the World". Here the weary traveler finds tropical paradise where you can just lie down on a sun lounger and not worry about anything. You can visit the spa centers, do aquatic species sports, chat with macaques in the monkey forest or visit the "land in the sea" - a temple on a sheer cliff. Bali is one of the year round holiday destinations!

4. Tokyo, Japan

Rating most interesting places Asia could not do without the Japanese capital. The word "Tokyo" brings to mind the latest technological advances, manga, anime and the Harayuzuku quarter. Indeed, this huge, bubbling cauldron is where the latest trends in technology or fashion are born. Tokyo is also famous for its green space, huge shopping centers and excellent museums.

3. Hong Kong, China

Here the tourist enjoys luxurious parks and is in awe of breathtaking cityscapes from the tops of skyscrapers. It also has great beaches, museums, and world-class restaurants.

2. Singapore

This modern metropolis, and at the same time, is the perfect combination of scenic landscapes and high technology. There is a fountain of wealth in Singapore, which got into the Guinness Book of Records as the most big fountain from the existing ones. Those who want to increase their capital need to make sure that the upper jets of the fountain are turned off, then go around the fountain three times clockwise, make a wish and touch the water with your palm.

1. Beijing, China

The cultural and political capital of China topped the list of the most interesting cities for tourists in Asia. Some of the most significant places- Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City palace complex. There are also secluded Lamaist monasteries in the heart of world-renowned stadiums, and restaurants of astounding local cuisine.

It may very well be that you hear about it for the first time.

In contact with

Classmates

Asia certainly has a huge impact on the Western world in many ways, but despite this, we see only a small part of what is really going on there. Having looked the truth in the eyes, we will understand that we do not know anything about this amazing part of the world, it continues to remain a secret for us behind seven locks.

Here are some of the many centuries-old traditions and modern trends in Asia that will make you scratch your head in bewilderment.

1. Universal birthday.

Fact: Vietnamese New Year is everyone's birthday.

The Vietnamese New Year (or Tet) is celebrated annually at the end of winter and lasts several days. It starts on the first day of the lunar calendar.

In addition to many other traditions of this holiday, it is considered a birthday. Just like Koreans, Vietnamese count their age by the number of Lunar New Years they have experienced.

So the child will officially turn one year old on his first Tet, even if he was born a few days before.

2. Thailand's watering festival.

Thai New Year (Songkran) is celebrated from 13 to 15 April and is the oldest festival that marks the change of the year and the Thai "astrological transition".

The main ritual during the celebration is pouring a mixture of water, flour or talcum over each other. Initially, the celebration had a spiritual meaning: people poured water on the statues of Buddha, and then collected the water that flowed from the statues and poured it on their loved ones for good luck.

Nowadays, this ritual is performed with the help of water pistols, from which everyone who passes by is watered.

3. The largest shopping center.

In 2005, Chinese billionaire Alex Hu Guirong began building the world's largest shopping mall in Dongguan City.

On seven million square feet, there was room for 2,350 stores, not to mention a full-size indoor roller coaster, a 1.3-mile water channel (complete with gondolas) and an 82-foot replica of the Arc de Triomphe.

The only problem is that no one wanted to open their own store in this center. From 2005 to the present, only about 1% of the retail space has been occupied.

One of the most compelling reasons for this failure is the location of the mall: Dongguan County has a population of just 10 million, most of whom are poor factory workers.

4. Merry Christmas!

Fact: North Korea celebrates its own version of Christmas. In North Korea, Christmas is not celebrated in its usual sense.

Instead of Christmas holidays, North Koreans celebrate the birth of Kim Jong Il's mother, who was born on December 24th.

On December 27, celebrations on the occasion of Constitution Day are held here, and on New Year's, marches are held to the tomb of Kim Il Sung, where the body of the leader rests in an imperishable form.

5. China has only one time zone.

Although China has 5 time zones, there has been only one national time zone since the 1949 Chinese Civil War.

This was done in order to give the population a sense of unity and cohesion. When the sun rises at 6 a.m. in Beijing, the western territories do not see daylight for another 2 hours, so they created their own unofficial time zone. The Chinese government does not recognize him.

6. It is illegal to be fat in Japan.

The Japanese are considered to be the thinnest industrialized nation in the world, and this is because it is illegal to be fat here!

Japanese law requires that the waist of men over 40 years old should not exceed 85 cm in girth.Women are given a little more freedom: their waist should not be more than 90 cm.

By official version, thin people are healthier, thus the law is aimed at combating high cholesterol and hypertension.

People who violate this law must undergo counseling, following which they are assigned a government-approved diet.

And companies that employ a large number of overweight people are required to pay fines. This money will be transferred to a health fund: for medical care for the elderly.

7. World population.

Fact: China and India are one third of the world's population. It is well known that China has a huge population, but the evidence is overwhelming!

The population of one province of Sichuan is larger than the population of Greece, Portugal, Holland, Guatemala, Austria, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia and Canada combined.

And Sichuan is the country's fourth largest province! In fact, India and China make up more than a third of the world's population and have 2.5 billion people, which fit in an area slightly larger than the United States.

8. Throwing children - for good luck.

In the holy mountains in India, newborns are subjected to a ritual designed to bring the child good luck, courage and health.

The children are carried to the top of the 50-meter tower and then thrown down onto a stretched cloth held by the monks. This Muslim custom has been practiced for over 500 years and continues to this day.

While many people are terrified of the ritual, locals claim that no one has been hurt yet.

9. Watch your hands.

Fact: Hindus eat with their right hand, dry themselves with their left.

One of the most interesting customs in India is that the locals eat with their right hand only. The fact is that they don't use toilet paper in the toilets, they pour some water into their left hand and use it to dry themselves off.

In India, it is quite difficult to find a restroom with toilet paper, apart from hotels and restaurants serving Western customers.

It is also considered offensive to do anything with your left hand, such as handing over money or holding out to greet.

10. Chinese children.

Fact: Chinese children are named after events.

In 1992, China applied to host the 2000 Olympic Games. In the same year, 680 Chinese people named their newborn babies Aoyun (literally translated as "Olympic Games").

More than 4,000 people gave their children this name over the next 15 years. According to the Chinese registry, other common names are "Protecting China" and "Building a Nation". Some of the kids are called Space Travel.

Liked these amazing facts about Asia? Share with your friends!

North Korea's official name: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The local population calls it "Joseon" ("Country of morning freshness").

Fun facts about India

India is the "big paradise" in Asia. Exotic culture, priceless art, modern cities, national natural parks and friendly people - all this makes it possible to call the country excellent tourist destination with vast expanses of indescribable beauty. Until the 21st century, India has managed to maintain a traditional lifestyle. It regularly hosts the Festival of Laxmi, one of the most famous Hindu religious festivals. Laxmi is the goddess of peace and prosperity. This festival plays a significant role in the lives of many Indians. India has gone down in history as the birthplace of Mohandas K. Gandhi, whose legacy is democracy. Once Gandhi said: "We ourselves must become the changes that we want to see in the world."

Turkey is a Eurasian country stretching from the peninsula of Asia Minor (or Anatolia) in western Asia to Thrace (Rumelia) in the Balkan region of southeastern Europe. It is thanks to its strategic location that Turkey is famous for its unique blend of Eastern and Western traditions. Turkey is surrounded by eight countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq and Syria. From the south of Turkey are the Mediterranean Sea and Cyprus, from the west - the Aegean Sea and its archipelago, and from the north - the Black Sea. Continue reading this article to get more interesting information about Turkey.

The Philippines (officially the Republic of the Philippines) is an archipelago of 7,107 islands lying in Pacific... it Island state in Southeast Asia it is surrounded by countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Palau and the Republic of China. The Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia that does not have common land borders with its neighbors.

Singapore today is a developed city-state, a capital and a republic at the same time, but only 50 years ago this country was considered one of the poorest, and the majority of the population sympathized with the communists. Local political leader Lee Kuan Yew took power into his own hands and, with a handful of patriotic saratniks, brought order to the country.

As the Japanese poet Murasaki Shikibu, who lived in the 9th century, said, “It's hard to find someone who really understands you. Usually people judge only by their own yardsticks. " The hardest thing for us to understand is the Japanese themselves.

Let's take a look at 7 interesting facts about Laos.

Thailand is amazing and wonderful country... Therefore, our interesting facts will now be about Thailand.

We offer seven facts about Singapore according to 7factov.ru.

Facts about India

India has everything from saris to spicy dishes, beautiful beaches and heavy snowfalls! In this article, we will tell you interesting and surprising facts about India that will give you a better understanding of the different cultures and lifestyles of this country.

Indonesia is considered today one of the most popular places in the world. The name "Indonesia" comes from the Latin word "Indus" ("India") and the Greek "nesos" ("islands"). Indonesia became popular in the 1900s. Now this beautiful country ranks fourth among the most visited countries in the world. In this article, you can read some interesting information about Indonesia.

Goddess girls are not uncommon in Nepal. They are the living embodiment of the goddess Taleju. To get into the goddess, you need to go through a competitive selection according to 32 parameters. The selected one lives in the palace without any problems. But as soon as the girls start menstruating, they are expelled from the palace.

Incredible facts

Asia- the largest and most populated part of the world our planet, which is part of the continent of Eurasia. Asia's area surpasses all total area Moon: 37 versus 44.5 million square kilometers respectively.

In India alone lives more people than North, South and Central America combined! Lives in Asia 60 percent of all people on Earth. More than half of the entire population of Asia lives in China and India... Today, Asians flock to cities, so by 2025 it is projected 7 out of 10 most major cities the world will be located in Asia.

Contrasts of Asia

One of the most unusual cities in the world - Istanbul in Turkey located partly in Asia and partly in Europe. The European and Asian parts are crossed by the famous Bosphorus, through which hundreds of ships sail every day. The city can rightfully be called "city of contrasts" as it has harbored incredibly overlapping cultures of the East and West.

Photo from the European part of Istanbul with a view of the historical center, the Golden Horn Bay and the Sea of ​​Marmara

Bridge from Europe to Asia. One of the bridges over the Bosphorus in Istanbul - Sultan Mehmed Fatih Bridge

Asia has always been considered a world of contrasts, where one can meet the poorest and richest people in the world. The richest and luxury cities and the resorts of the planet, the poorest slums, the most technologically advanced countries and even the countries where primitive tribes live - you will find all this in Asia.

Shanghai garbage man, filmed in the process

The taming of nature by man: artificial Palm islands In Dubai

Typical public transport in North Korea's capital city of Pyongyang

One of the most luxurious hotels in the world Marina Bay Sands in Singapore with a giant rooftop pool and the most expensive casino

Neighborhoods of the cultural capital of Pakistan, the city of Islamabad

Asian landscapes of incredible beauty, which became the inspiration for the creators of the world of Pandora in the movie "Avatar"

The most polluted cities in the world are in Asia, more specifically in China. In some places, people have to wear masks like this.

Not all Eastern women are modest. If in the Muslim countries of the East a woman cannot even show her face, then in other countries sexual liberation breaks all records... In Thailand, for example, number of prostitutes per capita more than any other country in the world.

Cultural barrier: unusual oriental traditions

Residents of some European countries may feel the shock having visited Asia, there is such a dissimilar culture, customs, traditions. However, Asians themselves are no less shocked when they first come to Europe.

For example, some Japanese have a so-called "Paris syndrome", a mental disorder that manifests itself after visiting France... The problem is mainly caused by inconsistency of views Asians about Europeans. Coming to Europe, they expect hospitality and good attitude, but they meet rudeness, arrogance and lack of culture.

Inemuri- a practice adopted at work in Japanese institutions that allows employees take a nap during the working day... If you sleep at your workplace, no one will judge you or fire you, on the contrary, by doing so you will show that you work so much that you don't even have time to sleep at home... Moreover, it has been proven that short-term sleep during the day helps to rest and gain strength, therefore, a person will work more efficiently.

It is known that in Asia some animals are highly revered, and in some cultures they don't eat them at all... In the old days, due to the vegetarian diet, it was impossible even to use animal manure as fertilizer in agriculture, so in Japan they got the hang of using human excrement... The faeces of the rich people were valued more and cost more than the faeces of the poor, since the rich ate more varied foods.

Sacred cow in India

Moreover, in India, for example, in some places you can buy cow urine in bottles- with cows everything is sacred. People buy it to drink, rub it into their skin, like oil, and even bathe children!

Cows on the streets of Indian cities and towns are as common as we have stray dogs and cats.

Snake spell

A very ancient profession in India - the spell of snakes... However, the cobras, which are often seen in performances, are completely do not hear the pipe snake charmer. The snake does not move to the music, but to the beat of the instrument. The caster strikes the snake with a pipe, and she, fearing to receive a new blow, tries to be on the alert. Today, the profession of snake charmers is no less popular, as attracts a large number of tourists.

These cobras are completely safe, since the poison is removed from them in advance.

Famous Japanese dish sushi was born in South Asia, and it is prepared with the main ingredients of oriental cuisine - rice and fish. For generations, the Japanese have become so accustomed to this dish that they even have there are unique microbes in the intestines, which process the carbohydrates of seaweed better than people of other nationalities.

The largest sushi and roll mosaic made by the Chinese ... they love sushi too

Eastern festivals and holidays

In Japan, every year you can get to the festival ... of crying children... The festival is a competition among sumo athletes who must take the children in their arms and make them cry as quickly and louder as possible. In Japan, it is believed that evil spirits are afraid of children's crying, so the child will be healthy and happy.

The Crying Children Festival has been held annually in Tokyo for over 400 years

In February, Japan hosts Hadaka Matsuri Festival – Festival of naked men who want to attract good luck in the new year. There are many rituals and fights, for example, in a cramped room you need to find a sacred scented stick thrown into the crowd and swim in the icy water of the Yesii River.

Have dwarfs of China there is a great chance to find Good work- in the amusement park "Kingdom of little people"... This theme park employs some dwarfs to amuse and entertain the public. Some people criticize the organizers for organizing a human zoo, but if not for this park, more 100 dwarfs would be unemployed.

An original tradition exists in Thailand. In one of the provinces, local residents annually throwing a banquet for ... monkeys... The tradition is connected with the legend that the army of monkeys helped the god Rama to defeat enemies. Monkeys are loved and revered here, so they organize a holiday in their honor. Monkeys don't complain.

In Japan, the day of majority is 20 years... On the second Monday of January, the national holiday Day of Majority is celebrated. On this day, newly minted adults put on traditional clothes, visit temples, where they pray and make wishes.

It's sad to part with childhood

New Year in China celebrated on the second new moon after the winter solstice, usually in late January - early February. In 2013, the New Year in China will be celebrated February 10.

Oriental bazaars

Oriental bazaars and street food- an integral part of the culture of Asian countries. The tastiest street food is said to be found in capital of Thailand Bangkok... Especially successful with Thais rice noodles with eggs, sauces and lemon... And although they say that Asians with might and main adore all sorts of exotic dishes, such as fried spiders and beetles, National cuisine nevertheless, it was created on the basis of products that are very familiar to us.

Worms and caterpillars are Asian delicacies. So many people, and everyone needs to be fed with something ...

Cat cafes

If Japanese homeowners not allowed to have a cat, you can play, hold it in your hands and stroke it in specially designated places. Enterprising Japanese have come up with the so-called "cat cafe" where cats communicate freely with visitors.

Cats are allowed to do anything: beg for food from guests, sleep on tables and in the kitchen, scratch furniture ... if only they attract visitors

In response to Japanese cat cafes in South Korea, Busan opened dog cafe, in which visitors are invited to mingle with more than 20 dogs of different breeds and sizes.

For Busan residents, having a dog is a luxury, they work hard and can only communicate with dogs in such establishments.

Some Asians are so committed to their faith that they are ready prove it in many different ways, including very original ones. For example, a Hindu from New Delhi named Mahant Amar Bharti Ji lives with his hand raised up and does not lower it, day or night, since 1973. The monk became a saint to many followers who followed his example.

The Indian dedicated the raised hand to the god Shiva, for 40 years it has not descended

Oriental fashion

And here Apatani, which also in India, mutilate themselves not at all out of religious convictions. Back in the first half of the 20th century, women of this tribe inserted into the nose wooden plugs that have been worn all my life. Ear piercing may seem cruel to someone, but plugs that change the shape of the nose are too much! However, the women of this tribe were forced to do this, because they were once beauties and could become victims of abductions, because the men of the neighboring tribes wanted them.

In another Asian tribe that lives in Thailand and Myanmar, women wear brass rings around their neck that artificially lengthen their necks. Rings begin to be worn at the age of 5 and until the end of life. Many believe that the rings are not removed and the poor woman is forced to wear such a collar all her life until the end of her days, but this is not the case. Women can take off and put on their rings whenever they want.

The Padaug tribe believes that the longer the neck, the prettier woman... Such jewelry also attracts tourists who buy souvenirs, due to which the representatives of the tribe live.

Korean fashion 17-19 centuries allowed and even encouraged outfits that exposed women to their breasts. This "squeak of fashion" existed until the beginning of the 20th century, after which, apparently, the Koreans decided to follow the fashion trends of the rest of the civilized world.

In New Guinea, men of some tribes do not wear loincloths or swimming trunks: they cover their penis with a special case - kitty, which is made from the dried fruits of local trees. Already from the age of 4-5 years boys are starting to wear this accessory.

The size of the koteka can be any and does not depend on the social status of a person or the size of his organ.

There are a great many in Asia a wide variety of religious movements... One of the eastern religious and philosophical teachings - Jainism requires followers to renounce worldly life and do no harm to any living thing... Some monks wear gauze bandages and filter the water, and also sweep the road in front of them so as not to step on anyone or kill a small insect.

The most beautiful temple of the followers of Jainism in Palitana, northwestern India

Bhutan in the Himalayas Is a poor and rather closed country that has preserved its age-old traditions. For example, local residents, and very decent people, paint on their houses phalluses for…. attracting good luck... Phalluses are even found in churches, where they beat childless women on the head during rituals so that they can become pregnant.

Some depictions of male penises on the walls of houses are very realistic.

Features of the nature of Asia

The nature of Asia is incredibly beautiful, here you can find unique species of plants and animals... For example, in Asia, the tallest grass in the world which reaches a length of up to 30 meters! it bamboo... The longest plant also grows in Asia - Indian rattan liana, the length of the stem of which can reach 300 meters... In the mountains of India, there is vegetation even at an unprecedented height - 6400 meters above sea level.

Islands South-East Asia Java and Sumatra have similar natural conditions but in Java 30 times the population than Sumatra though last island much larger. This is primarily due to the fact that there are about 120 volcanoes in Java, and almost every fourth of them is active. The island's soils are very fertile due to volcanic activity. The inhabitants of these places, it seems, are not at all afraid of eruptions.

Many tourists come to Java solely to watch the eruptions

It is sometimes very difficult to survive in Asia, and not because there are too many people living here, and poverty is a common thing. Asian nature is often ruthless: floods, tsunamis, earthquakes and other natural disasters are not uncommon here.

Animals of Asia

The variety of animals in Asia is simply amazing, and some representatives of the animal world have unusual features... For example, heikegani crabs living off the coast of Japan have special shells that look like ... the faces of evil samurai... Apparently, the species developed such unusual features of appearance for a reason. Many generations of fishermen released crabs with this "emblem" on their shells back to the sea, and "normal" ones were caught and eaten. Over time, crabs with "human face" had more chances to produce offspring.

The sailors released these crabs, as they believed that the samurai who died in the 12th century were reborn in them.

In Asia, you can also find spiders with unusual appearance... Their abdomen has the shape of a flat disc with an original pattern, which makes it like a seal... This structure of the abdomen helps the spider hide in the burrow. The flat disc serves as a kind of "plug", and the unusual pattern allows for good camouflage.

Spider of the species Cyclocosmia truncata from the genus Cyclocosmia

Fighting of animals such as fish is a popular pastime in Asia. Beautiful fish species Betta splendens very belligerent and aggressive, so if 2 males are placed in one aquarium, a fight begins. Thais use this feature to entertain the public.

Technologies and inventions

When the Japanese were asked about the most important, in their opinion, inventions of the 20th century, they replied that it was such things as karaoke, mini camcorder, player and computer games. But in the first place, oddly enough, it was not a technological miracle at all, but a culinary dish, more precisely, instant noodles.

Robot restaurant

The world's first robot restaurant appeared in Asia. Convenience lies in the fact that all orders are received automatically by the chef, and robots take on the role of waiters delivering orders and cleaning dishes. Some restaurants even have their own robotic chefs, saving on labor costs. However, it is not a fact that such innovations pay off very quickly. Similar restaurants are already available in China, Japan, Thailand, and also in some Western countries.

The most alpine Railway located in China. On the most high point the way passengers are on top 5 thousand meters above sea level... Some passengers may have difficulty breathing, which is why the trains have special carriages that are supplied with oxygen. Each passenger can wear oxygen masks at will.

Qinghai-Tibet Railway connects Xining and Lhasa

The first paper money in China

The first paper money, which began to be used with might and main, appeared in China in 1165, although there are suggestions that the invention took place as early as 500 years before. Paper bills came into circulation during the the Sunn Empire... The money bore an official red seal confirming its authenticity, and a design depicting the value of the bill in silver bars.

An ancient Chinese paper bill was 20 by 30 centimeters in size.

Toothbrush, it turns out, was also invented by the Chinese. The first mentions of this personal hygiene item were found in the Chinese encyclopedia 1498 year... The toothbrush was made from pig bristles inserted into a bamboo stick. Toothbrushes only made it to Europe 150-200 years later.

Yoga not only means a system of exercises and breathing techniques, it is a concept in Indian culture that combines a variety of practices, spiritual and physical. Yoga was invented and developed in ancient times during the Harappan civilization, who lived in 4-2 millennia BC, off the banks of the Indus River. Today yoga has gained fame as a popular health gymnastics.

Asians have always been good at building. The architecture of Asia is sometimes quite striking. For example, in the city of Osaka, Japan, there is an unusual building, through which passes ... the city expressway... The city authorities planned to build a road in 1983, but the landowners had other plans in this regard. In the end, both sides came to an agreement, and the highway had to be led directly through some floors of the building (from 4th to 8th floors). Everyone was satisfied.

The Gate Tower building with an overground highway underneath.

Another example of compromise: the owners of this building did not want to sell the plot for the construction of the road... The elderly couple who owned the building were reluctant to sign an agreement to demolish it, as the amount of compensation was not sufficient to build a new home. I had to get out ... Later, the building was nevertheless demolished, when it was possible to agree about a higher amount of compensation.

Road near Wenling City, Zhejiang Province, China with a stubborn house