The process of occupation and exploration of the Asian continent by European powers took place in the 19th century. However, this process did not happen equally within Asia; it varied from one region to another. Until the 19th century, Asians hardly maintained contact with European peoples, except for business travelers.
The distinction in relation to the exploration process in the interior of the continent was due to the occupation of Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The insertion of a new culture based on European colonization has had a direct impact on the way of life of many civilizations.
The traditional cultivation of rice aroused a great interest in Europeans in the lands of Southeast Asia, where the cultivation of this culture was developed for many centuries. Given the interest of Europeans in this region of Asia, there were many conflicts to determine ownership and exploitation. With climatic conditions (hot and rainy) feasible for planting tropical crops, the Europeans implanted plantations (export monoculture). In territories dominated by French rice was produced. In English domains the extraction was of rubber and, in regions controlled by Dutch, the cultivation of sugarcane was developed.
During the colonization process in Asia, Europeans faced resistance from some nations, including India and China. Both had a very organized social structure, in addition to a large army. Fidelity to religious principles and the moral conduct of the aforementioned civilizations further strengthened resistance to the insertion of another culture.
Despite the efforts of these civilizations to protect their identity and wealth, they were defeated by Europeans. This is explained by the fact that European nations are experienced in combat and by having a well-trained army. Thus, European nations dominated and exploited these territories. The continent was decolonized after World War II.
- The ABBREVIATIONFINDER provides most commonly used abbreviations and initials containing the continent name of Asia.
Macao
The small island of Macao is located at the mouth of the Perola River off Xianggang ( Hong Kong). As early as 1557, the Portuguese created a port on the island, which was part of the entire chain of Portuguese-controlled ports that stretched from Europe across Africa, India and the Malay Peninsula to Nagasaki, Japan. Portugal paid rent for the island until 1849, when they declared it independent territory. China first accepted this residents 1887, when Portugal pledged “never to transfer Macao or its territory to others without China’s approval”. Macao was declared Portuguese overseas province residents 1951.
For hundreds of years, Macao was the main point of contact for the cultural and economic relations between Europe and the vast Chinese kingdom. With the establishment of the nearby British colony residents Xianggang (Hong Kong) and Portugal’s decline as a colonial power, Macao lost importance.
Following the collapse of the Salazar dictatorship residents Portugal residents 1974, the Portuguese offered China to return the colony, but the Chinese refused. Portugal, therefore, unilaterally declared Macao: “Chinese territory administered by Portugal”. residents 1985, Beijing entered into an agreement with the Portuguese, after which Macao reunited with the mother country residents 1999, following the same guidelines as Xianggang and maintaining some form of autonomy.
In 1991, the new governor, Vasco Rocha Vieira, opened the public administration for Chinese nationals and made Chinese the official language – next to Portuguese. residents the 1992 Legislative Assembly elections, the procincinese organizations won the majority of seats.
In 1993, a law was passed to act as a constitution when the territory of 1999 became a Special Administrative Region residents China with a government appointed by a local electoral college and a legislative council whose mandate runs until 2001.
At least for that period, the text guarantees the continuation of the market economy and the existence of casinos, prohibits Chinese orders, and also prohibits the death penalty and life imprisonment otherwise prevalent residents the rest of the country.
As of December 20, 1999, Macao became another of the special economic zones established by Teng Xiaoping residents the provinces of Canton, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shantou, and where there is a form of market economy. Until 2049, the island will continue to have extensive autonomy with regard to the mother country.
The state monopoly on gaming casinos was abolished residents 2002, and since then several Las Vegas-owned casinos have entered the scene. The island is also a financial center, tax haven and free port. It plays an important role residents money laundering from criminal activities. The island’s currency – the Pataca – is linked to the Hong Kong dollar, and is therefore very stable.
Browse a collection of historical maps. Check out the maps of Afghanistan and Persia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Lahore, Tibet, world war II and the first Afghan war.
1UpTravel.com – Maps of Asia
Browse through political and reference maps of the Asian continent.
Website: http://www.1uptravel.com/worldmaps/asia-con.html
Asia – AskAsia Map Library
Browse political and historical maps of Asia as a whole, or view various countries, including Bhutan and Vietnam.
Website: http://www.askasia.org/image/maps/maps.htm
Asia – Far East Broadcasting Company
Broadcasting company offers maps detailing the people and areas it serves. Helpful for locating ethnic groups and technological centers.
Website: http://www.febc.org/mapindex_frames.html
Asia – Map Index
Extensive index provides brief descriptions of links to maps of Asia, Asian countries, specific regions, cities, and natural landmarks.
Website: http://www.inweh.unu.edu/unuinweh/Mapdatabase/Maps%20of%20As
Asia – Maps of Russia and Former Soviet Union Republics
Explore an extensive map resource detailing the entire area that the former USSR encompassed. Explore countries such as Crimea and Turkmenistan.
Website: http://users.aimnet.com/~ksyrah/ekskurs/maps.html
Asia – Outline Map
Presented by Worldatlas.com for public domain use, this blank outline map of Asia is useful for students and educators in learning geography.
Website: http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/asia/asoutl.htm
Asia – ReliefWeb East Asia Maps
Find regional maps of the Korean peninsula and the northwest Pacific, and browse through geographic and thematic maps of China and Korea.
Website: http://www.reliefweb.int/mapc/asi_east/index.html
Asia – ReliefWeb South Asia Maps
Browse this index of regional and country maps of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Provides interactive, road, and zipped maps.
Website: http://www.reliefweb.int/mapc/asi_sth/index.html
Asia – ReliefWeb Southeast Asia Maps
View Southeast Asia through maps presenting Philippine volcanoes, Laotian provinces, Indonesian fire maps, and area deforestation.
Website: http://www.reliefweb.int/mapc/asi_se/index.html
Asia – ReliefWeb Southwest Asia Maps
View a wide variety of maps, including an Afghanistan earthquake area map, a detail of the UNHCR’s presence in the region, and map sets.
Website: http://www.reliefweb.int/mapc/asi_afg/index.html
Asia – Travel.com Map
View a large, clickable map of Asia and locate countries of interest to access travel information and tips.
Website: http://www.travel.com.hk/region/asiamap.htm
Asia – University of Texas Library Historical Maps
Browse through historical maps of the entire Asian continent and specific locations, including Tokyo when it was known as Edo.
Website: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map_collection/historical
Asia – University of Texas Library Index
Comprehensive guide provides country, city, political, historical, and topographical maps for all the countries of Asia.
Website: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map_collection/asia.html
Asia – Virtual Tourist Maps
Click on a country for detailed maps and links to travel, business, and cultural information. Includes a chat room and news.
Website: http://www.vtourist.com/Asia/
Askasia.org – Country Maps & Profiles
Easily obtain Asian country maps and geographical facts from an alphabetized directory.
Website: http://www.askasia.org/image/maps/
CountryWatch.com – Asia
Features a well-rendered graphical map of Asia with each country separated by different colors. Excellent for studying the geography of Asia.
Website: http://www.countrywatch.com/cw_regions.asp?RID=2
Graphic Maps – Map of Asia
Browse a colorful map of Asia with its different countries. Highlighting Indian & Pacific ocean also.
Website: http://www.graphicmaps.com/webimage/countrys/asia/asiaall.ht
Laos – Map Room
Browse through multiple Laotian maps, both national and regional. Includes a partial city map of Vientiane.
Website: http://www.incentives-asia.com/maps/laos.htm
Laos – Maps.com
Store offers country maps of Laos. Purchase the .gif or vector version.
Website: http://www.maps.com/cgi-bin/magellan/Maps___Asia___LaosLAOS?
Oriental Institute Map Series
Resource provides historical and current maps of the Asian continent in sizes convenient for browsers and printers.
Website: http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/INFO/MAP/ANE_Maps.html
