Asia

Asia - Introduction

The Silk Road was a series of land and sea routes connecting Asia to Southern Europe and Eastern Africa. The name is derived from the silk cloth hauled from China to the western markets. The Han Dynasty of China, being the primary supplier of the goods traveling along the Silk Road, played an important role in laying the foundation and promoting the various routes. It was in their interest to secure a lucrative position from this trade and resulted in the construction of the Great Wall of China. The Persians, Greeks, Romans, Indians, and Arabs became involved and benefitted from the exchange of goods and information passing in both directions. Powerful city states and empires grew and prospered along the Silk Road, each vying for a larger share of the profits and often resulted in hostilities. The Silk Road began to fall into decline in the 15th century.

Marco Polo Sheep - Afghanistan

Afghanistan has reaped rewards and suffering based on its geographic location in Central Asia. The “Silk Road” served as a vital connection in the advancement of prosperity between European and Asian merchants, but unfortunately it also attracted ancient and modern invaders determined to control Afghanistan.

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Ovis ammon polii - The Marco Polo sheep is a sub-species of the mountain goat, a wild sheep found throughout Central Asia. Marco Polo sheep are known for their long spiraling horns. Attaining lengths of 55 centimeters, they have the longest horns of any sheep. The horns have the greatest growth during the first year of the ram’s life. Each new season produces an offset from earlier seasons and creates a ring pattern similar to trees. This allows the age of male sheep to be accurately determined; females do not carry horns.

Flaky Juniper - Afghanistan

Juniperus squamata - Flaky juniper is found throughout the Himalayan Plateau stretching from Afghanistan across to Central China and ranging between 1,300 to 4,800 meter in altitudes. The cone of the flaky juniper has the appearance of a berry and contains only one seed. Cones are the structures of conifer trees containing either the seeds or pollen for reproduction. The woody cones are the female structures holding the seeds. The males cones are less conspicuous and carry the pollen.

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The Kushan Empire was founded by Kujula Kadphises in the 1st century and was based near the Amu River and later at Kabul. The Kushan Empire reached its peak under Kanishka the Great. Under his reign, the boundaries of the empire were pushed from Southern Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to Northern India and from Pakistan to Western China. The empire began to fracture into semi-independent kingdoms in the 3rd century and fell into permanent decline with the arrival of the Sassanians.

Wild Goat - Armenia

Early humans achieved an important milestone 25 to 40 thousands years ago when they began making shoes. In 2008, a leather shoe was found in a cave near the village of Areni in Southern Armenia. Scientists have dated the shoe to being about 5,500 years old, making it the oldest leather shoe ever discovered.

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Capra aegagrus - The ancestor of the domesticated goat can be found in Europe and Central Asia. Wild goats prefer mountainous regions, especially areas with scree slopes, slopes with a mass of loose stones. It is an agile animal and uses the rocky cliffs when escaping from predators such as leopards or wolves. It is usually found in arid environments, but the wild goat of the Caucasus region inhabits wooded areas. Herds are large, consisting of females and their young. Males are solitary, but join the herds during the rutting season.

Armenian Poppy - Armenia

Papaver lateritium - The Armenian poppy is a native of the mountains in Lazistan, an area in Turkish Armenia. It inhabits rocky places, preferring cliff crevices and screes lying between an altitude of 1,200 to 3,000 meters. The Armenian poppy flowers in July and August. There are approximately 750 species of poppies in the papaveraceae family. Poppies are grown for varies reasons: ornamental purposes, medicinal purposes, and as a food source. 

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Greater Armenia was a kingdom flourishing as an independent entity from 321 BC to 69 BC. It served as a Roman province or client state until 12 AD and was partitioned into Byzantine Armenia in 387 AD and Persian Armenia in 428 AD. The kingdom achieved its highest level of regional influence under Tigranes the Great, who reigned from 95 to 55 BC. Under his leadership, the Kingdom of Armenia briefly existed as the most powerful state east of the Roman Empire.

Common Nightjar - Azerbaijan

The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest lake, large enough to be labeled as a sea. The Caspian Sea has a surface area of 370,000 square kilometers. It is an endorheic basin, a body of water without an outflow system. The Caspian Sea is fed almost exclusively from the Volga and Ural Rivers.

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Caprimulgus europaeus - The list of crepuscular and nocturnal birds is short; the nightjar is one such bird. These birds are specially adapted for their twilight, dusk or night time activities. The plumage of both sexes is usually dull, lacking the brighter and bolder colors visible in daylight. They tend to have camouflaged or mottled colors to help shield them when they are roosting during daylight hours. Larger eyes are a must for enhanced vision in finding prey. Those birds active at night also have a keen sense of hearing and smell.

Little Bustard - Azerbaijan

Tetrax tetrax - The little bustard can be found from Southern Europe to western regions of Central Asia. It prefers open areas with tall grass to provide cover. Once common throughout its native range, the little bustard is facing a decline in numbers as a result of habitat degradation and loss from hunting. Azerbaijan hosts the largest wintering population of little bustards with thousands of birds migrating into the Adjinohur Valley and the Shirvan National Park of Eastern Azerbaijan.

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Following the Russian Revolution, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia formed the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic. The union lasted from February to May of 1918. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was declared in May of 1918, and was the first democratic and secular republic in the world with a Muslim majority. The Soviet Union reasserted its control over Azerbaijan in 1920, and it was not until 1991, with the demise of the Soviet Union, when Azerbaijan became independent again.

Common Bottlenose Dolphin - Bahrain

The nation of Bahrain consists of several islands located in the Persian Gulf. The island of Bahrain, the largest of the archipelago, is connected to Saudi Arabia through the King Fahd Causeway. Construction on the 25 kilometers of bridges and elevated causeways began in 1981 and was completed in 1986.

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Tursiops truncatus - Except for the polar regions, the common bottlenose dolphin is found throughout the world. Locally, they travel in pods of 10 to 15 individuals, but can aggregate to form large groups exceeding several hundred individuals when migrating over long distances. Their diet consists of squid, eels, shrimp, and fish from the pelagic zone; pelagic describes an open sea area.  Although bottlenose dolphins have teeth, they swallow their food whole; the teeth help to keep food in the mouth, preventing it from escaping.

White-cheeked Bulbul - Bahrain

Aves Tennantus - The white-cheeked bulbul is one of about 130 species within the bulbul family and is distributed from Africa and the Middle East to tropical Asia and as far north as Japan. It inhabits wooded or brushy surroundings, often in areas featuring berry producing shrubs, one of their preferred foods. The female assumes the nest building duties and constructs a small cup shaped nest. Three eggs are usually deposited and are hatched after a brief incubation period of 12 days.

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Dilmun, a civilization considered one of the earliest in the Middle East, existed from 4000 BC to 2000 BC. It controlled much of the trading routes running through the Persian Gulf in linking commercial centers from the Indus Valley to Mesopotamia. Archaeological findings have placed Dilmun in three modern states: Bahrain, Kuwait, and a sliver of land from Eastern Saudi Arabia. Dilmun began to fall into decline as a result of piracy and was absorbed into the Babylonian state in 600 BC.

Bengal Tiger - Bangladesh

Bangladesh lies on a flat river delta where the Ganges, Jamuna, Padma, and Meghna Rivers meet. The river sediments help to replenish the soil and the heavy monsoons nurture the fertile fields, but there are no natural protective barriers against the destructive cyclones passing through the area on a consistent basis.

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Panthera tigris - The Bengal tiger is the largest member of the cat family and has the largest living population of the 10 tiger subspecies. The tiger's range extended from Eastern Turkey to Indochina, but has been sharply  reduced, placing the tiger on the critically endangered list. Most members of felidae are solitary animals and the tiger is no exception. The basic social group is limited to mother and cubs. Males will grant sub-males temporary passage through their territory and females will share overlaps in their territory with other females.

Aama Mango - Bangladesh

Mangifera indica - A species of mango growing in Bangladesh is known as “aama.” It is the tallest fruit tree in the world, growing to heights of over 30 meters. The species is native to India, was first cultivated over 4,000 years ago, and has become an important food source throughout Eastern Asia. Mango trees have exceptionally long life spans; some species are able to produce fruit after 300 years. Ripe mangoes vary in size and color, but each fruit contains a single pit.

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In 1947, the British Raj was partitioned into two sovereign states; Pakistan and India. Pakistan consisted of two distinct regions separated by India: West and East Pakistan. It is estimated over 14 million people were displaced by this partition, a division falling along religious or cultural lines. Tensions between the two separate wings of Pakistan culminated in armed conflict beginning in March of 1971 and ending in December of the same year; an independent Bangladesh emerged from the war.

Indian Tortoiseshell - Bhutan

The smoking of tobacco first occurred in the Americas and was primarily used for ceremonial purpose rather than recreation. Science has determined tobacco use as one of the biggest causes of preventable deaths. Bhutan has taken this fact seriously and in 2004, it became the first modern country to ban tobacco products.

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Aglais kaschmirensis - There are three species of nymphalid butterflies found in the Himalaya Mountains: the Ladakh, the mountain, and Indian tortoiseshell. The Indian tortoiseshell, with a wingspan of 50 to 60 centimeters, occupies a zone between 1,000 to 4,000 meters of altitude. There are about 20,000 butterfly species contained in six families. The Nymphalidae family, with 6,000 species, is the largest. The one distinct feature separating the Nymphalidae family from the other five butterfly families, is the anatomy of the antenna.

Himalayan Woodland Poppy - Bhutan

Cathcartia villosa - The Himalayan woodland poppy is native to the higher elevations of the Himalayan Plateau stretching eastwards from Nepal to Bhutan. It prefers altitudes from 2,900 to 4,480 meters and is usually found in woodland glades or along the banks of small streams. Despite the high altitudes, the woodland poppy is equipped to handle the cold. A thin coat of fine hairy fibers cover the plant and serves as an insulation against the frigid temperatures.

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The early history of Bhutan consists of several small fiefdoms engaged in a perpetual cycle of battles against each other. Unification and an end to tribal friction was achieved in the early 17th century when Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, a Tibetan military leader, took control of the area. A serious of dzongs, military fortifications, were built to protect Bhutan from outsiders. To establish and strengthen a centralized form of government, the Tsa Yig, a code of uniform laws, was promoted.

Flying Dragon - Cambodia

The Cambodian flag is the only national flag incorporating a building into its design. Ankor Wat is spread over 200 hectares and is the largest temple structure in the world. It is constructed from sandstone blocks and was built from 1113 to 1150. The structure has been in continuous use since its completion.

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Draco volans - The flying dragon is an arboreal lizard and can be found in the rainforests of India and Southeast Asia. The lizard does not have the ability to fly, but can achieve gliding distances of 8 meters by spreading skin flaps attached to elongated ribs acting as struts. This ability to glide from tree to tree is not a means of escaping predators, but an easier method for moving from one feeding area to another. When threatened, the lizard will extend the skin flaps and puff out its bright yellow dewlap to appear larger.

Greater Adjutant - Cambodia

Leptoptilos dubius - The greater adjutant once roamed throughout Asia, but is now limited to Cambodia and India. The adjutant has a distinctive pouch hanging from its throat. This pouch is not used for storing food; it is not connected to the digestive tract. The neck pouch can be inflated and  used during courtship displays. The greater adjutant is monogamous for each breeding season, but does not pair for life. Both parents share in the task of building the nest and feeding the hatchlings.

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Jayavarman II, the founder of the Khmer Kingdom, reigned from 802 to 850. The kingdom existed for over 600 years and was the most powerful state in the region, exerting its influence throughout Southeast Asia. The Khmer Kingdom eventually succumbed to the Siamese Kingdom of Ayutthaya. Cambodia was then divided and ruled as a vassal state by its neighbors. In 1863, Cambodia fell to French colonial rule lasting for almost 100 years. Cambodia became independent in 1953.

Giant Panda - China

Limestone caves were ideal shelters for early hominids. The best known location in China is the Zhoukoudian Cave, located west of Beijing. This large cave is 171 meters long, 49 meters wide, and was occupied 700,000 years ago by an early subspecies of homo erectus referred to as Homo erectus pekinensis.

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Ailuropoda melanoleuca - The Chinese name for the giant panda is “daxiongmao,” translating as “large bear-cat.” For many years there has been debate within the scientific community to decide if the panda was more closely related to raccoons or bears. The panda’s appearance suggests it is a bear; a relative short and stocky body, powerful legs, and plantigrade feet, describing feet turned inwards when the animal is walking. Recent molecular studies have classified the giant panda as part of the Ursidea family, the bear family.

Ginkgo Tree - China

Ginkgo biloba - Ginkgo trees are native to China. It has no living relative and can be traced back through fossil records to over 270 million years. The tree grows to heights of 20 to 35 meters and has an extended root system to protect against severe winds and to tap deep water sources. Ginkgo trees can live for several hundred years; some trees are reported as being 2,500 years old. This longevity is attributed to the insect resistant wood and the tree’s ability to ward off most diseases.

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The first historical records of a Chinese civilization reveals the Shang Dynasty, a loosely assembled feudal state situated along the eastern section of the Yellow River. It is estimated the Shang Dynasty existed from 1600 BC to 1046 BC and though it is not the oldest Chinese state, it is the first to leave a record of its existence. The ruins of Yin, the last capital of the Shang Dynasty, have yielded bone fragments covered in an ancient script; it is the earliest known example of Chinese writing.

Junk - Hong Kong

Hong Kong was ceded to Great Britain following China’s defeat in the First Opium War, 1839 to 1842. The tiny hamlet had less than 10,000 inhabitants when handed over to the British, but has since grown into a thriving metropolis. Hong Kong ranks as the fourth most densely populated area in the world; Macau is first.

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The junk, a sailing vessel found throughout Asia, came into widespread use during the Song Dynasty, 960 to 1279. Junks vary in size and purpose, but the one shared feature is their use of a batten sail fastened to a mast lacking shrouds or stays. The sail is held rigid through the use of battens, light weight wood, passing horizontally along the vertical length of the sail. Large junks capable of traveling the open seas were used in Asia during the 16th and 17th century; some were three-masted and required crews of more than 100 sailors.

Sacred Lotus - Macau

Hong Kong and Macau are both located along the Pearl River estuary. With its source rising in the province of Yunnan, the Pearl River, known as the Zhujiang River in China, flows for 2,400 kilometers before emptying into the South China Sea. The drainage basin for the Pearl is over 400,000 square kilometers.

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Nelumbo nucifera - The sacred lotus is one of two extant species in the Nelumbo family; the other is Nelumbo lutea, the yellow lotus. Being an aquatic plant, the sacred lotus seed takes root in the calm waters of a pond or river bottom and extends a stalk, up to 150 centimeters, to the surface. The buoyant leaves support the plant and a single flower. Coming into bloom in June and July, the large flowers are either pink or white in color and measure 20 to 25 centimeters in diameter. Often confused with water lilies, the two plants are not related.