The Geography of Asia
by Owen Borville
From the largest mountains in the world, the Himalaya mountains and the Plateau of Tibet form the roof of the skyline of Asia. Deserts are to the north until frozen tundra of Siberia dominates the landscape. In southeast Asia, limestone rock towers cover the landscape and a diverse plateau exists in India. Large lakes and rivers dominate in central Asia below the north Asian lowlands and east of the Ural mountains. Fertile river valleys line east Asia from the Himalayas to the Pacific Ocean.
Asia is the world's largest continent. The Himalaya mountains, the world's largest, the Central Asian steppes, the Gobi Desert, Indian Desert, Iranian Desert, Mount Ararat, the Fertile Crescent, the Russian plains, the Siberian tundra, rivers, Yellow, Yangtze, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Lena River, lakes, Lake Baikal, world's deepest, coasts, south Asia limestone rock towers, island towers of limestone southeast Asia, volcanoes in Japan, Indonesia and Philippines, volcanic traps in Siberia and India, plateaus, canyons, geysers in East Russia.
by Owen Borville
From the largest mountains in the world, the Himalaya mountains and the Plateau of Tibet form the roof of the skyline of Asia. Deserts are to the north until frozen tundra of Siberia dominates the landscape. In southeast Asia, limestone rock towers cover the landscape and a diverse plateau exists in India. Large lakes and rivers dominate in central Asia below the north Asian lowlands and east of the Ural mountains. Fertile river valleys line east Asia from the Himalayas to the Pacific Ocean.
Asia is the world's largest continent. The Himalaya mountains, the world's largest, the Central Asian steppes, the Gobi Desert, Indian Desert, Iranian Desert, Mount Ararat, the Fertile Crescent, the Russian plains, the Siberian tundra, rivers, Yellow, Yangtze, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Lena River, lakes, Lake Baikal, world's deepest, coasts, south Asia limestone rock towers, island towers of limestone southeast Asia, volcanoes in Japan, Indonesia and Philippines, volcanic traps in Siberia and India, plateaus, canyons, geysers in East Russia.
Natural Wonders of India and Nepal: Caves, Waterfalls, Gorges, Canyons, Mountains, Rock Formations, Limestone, Lakes, Rivers, Springs, Beaches, Volcanics, Deserts, Salt Pans, Islands, Biodiversity
The Himalaya Mountains in north India and Nepal
The India Escarpment
Western Ghats Mountains, India
The Ganges River, India
The Brahmaputra River, India
Goa waterfalls, India
Indus River Valley Civilization
Manu: Ancient India Flood Story
India: First Apostles
Lonar Lake, India, impact crater meteorite
Borra Caves, India, limestone, Araku Valley
Nighoj Riverine potholes, India, basalt-rock riverbed, Kukdi River
Gandikota Canyon, India, “India’s Grand Canyon” Pennar River
Loktak Lake, northeast India, large, natural freshwater lake, biodiversity, floating islands
Hogenakkal Falls, Cauvery River, India “smoking rocks” “Niagara Falls of India”
Athirappilly Falls, India
Root Bridges, India, built from natural tree roots
Marble Rocks of Bhedagat, Narmada river gorge
Sangetsar Lake, India, high altitude, formed by earthquake
Valley of Flowers, India, Uttarakhand
Chandipur Beach, India, disappearing sea from tides
Yana Rocks, India, limestone vertical monoliths
Reverse Waterfall, Sinhagad, India
Mud Volcanoes, Baratang Island, India
India Ancient Volcanic Activity
Umngot River, India, “clear water”
St. Mary’s Island, India, columnar basalt
Belum Caves, India, limestone on the plains
Barren Island, Andaman Islands, India’s only active volcano
Magnetic Hill, Ladakh, India
Needle Hole Point, India rock formations
Balancing Rock, India, Krishna’s Butterball, 20 ft tall
Balancing Rock, Jabalpur, India
Salt Marshes, Rann of Kutch, India, salt deserts
Amarnath Cave, India, western
Majuli Island, Assam, India, river island biodiversity
Chembra Peak, India, heart-shaped lake
Tirumala, Natural Arch, India
Manikaran Natural Hot Springs, India
Tigers, Gibbons
West Bengal tigers, mangroves
Rain Forests of India
Akal Fossil Wood Park
Banni Grasslands Reserve
Chitrakote waterfall, India’s widest
Reefs, Nicobar and Andaman Islands
Courtallam Waterfall, south India
Deodar Forest, cedars, western Himalayas, India
Gurudongmar Lake, India, high elevation
Dinosaur Fossil Park, India, fossilized dinosaur eggs
Shivalik Fossil park, India
Jog waterfall, Gerosoppa Falls, India
Kas Plateau, India, biodiversity
Khandadhar waterfall, India
Sambhar salt lake, India
Glaciers, western India
Sri Lanka Natural Wonders
Lions Rock (granite) Sri Lanka
Thailand Natural Wonders
Bay, Islands, waterfalls, tropical beaches, tropical forests, limestone formations
Phang Nga Bay limestone towers and green waters, Thailand
Khao Sok, limestone towers and forest, Thailand
Similan Islands, beaches, large boulders, Thailand
Phi Phi Islands
Erawan Falls, Thailand
Khao Yai, Thailand, mountains, valleys, waterfalls, biodiversity
Thi lo su waterfall, Thailand
Tham Lot cave, Thailand
Doi Inthanon Par, Thailand, mountains, rivers, falls
Ang Thong Marine Park, archipelago, Thailand, limestone mountains, islands
Cambodia Natural Wonders
Yeak Laom, Cambodia, circular volcanic lake
Vietnam Natural Wonders
Limestone formations, hills, rainforest, mountain rivers, falls, caves, island beaches
Halong Bay limestone peaks, islands
Phong Nha-Ke Bang
Ba Be park, limestone towers, forest, falls, caves
Marble Mountains, caves
Mui Ne sand dunes red and white dunes
Ninh Binh, limestone towers on land along river
Sa Pa colorful terraced rice pads on mountainous terrain
Malaysia Natural Wonders
The Malaysia Peninsula and Borneo Island
Beaches, rainforests, caves, mountains, islands, wildlife, limestone, falls
Mount Kinabalu
Batu Caves
Mulu Caves, mountain, rock formations
Perhentian Islands
Philippines Natural Wonders
Subterranean River-Puerto Princesa
Philippines limestone (Chocolate Hills)
Philippine reefs, lagoons
Mountains, volcanos, caves, underground rivers, islands, waterfalls
Mount Pinatubo volcano, crater lakes
Mount Pulag
Indonesia Natural Wonders
Volcanoes, mountains, waterfalls, caves, rainforests
Krakatoa Volcano
New Island Formation
Komodo Island National Park, Indonesia
Islands, reefs, beaches, wildlife, waterfalls
Crater lakes
Japan Natural Wonders
Mount Fuji, Japan
Volcanic mountains in interior, caves, gorges, islands
Wind and ice caves
Japanese Atlantis
Red hot spring
Tunnel of flowers
Hell Valley thermal steam and waters
South Korea Natural Wonders
Mountains, waterfalls, caves-lava tubes
Jeju Island-volcanic
China Natural Wonders: Rivers, Rock Formations, Limestone, Gorges, Deserts, Dunes, Cliffs, Tower Rocks, Colorful Soil, Biodiversity
Yellow River
Waterfalls in China
Yangtze River gorges, China
Stone Forest, China (limestone)
Tower rock formations, China
Tiger Leaping Gorge, China
Blue Moon Valley turquoise, China
Gobi Desert, China
Badain Jaran Desert dunes, lakes, China
Sand Dunes, China
Yuncheng Salt Lake (rainbow colored), China
Blue lake, China saltwater high elevation
Taroko Gorge, Taiwan marble cliffs
Red Beach Grass, China
Red soil, China
Mount Danxia, China
Natural Bridges, China
Crescent Lake, China
Waterfalls, China
Travertine pools, southern China
Moon Hill-Yangshuo, China
Huashan mountain, China
Sea of Cloud on Yellow Mountain
Crater Lakes, China
Colorful terraces
Rainbow Mountain, China
South China karst
Yushan NP Taiwan
Hong Kong Rocks view
Mongolia Natural Wonders
Gorkhi Terelj National Park, mountains with hot springs
Steppe grassland landscape with hills and mountains
Nomadic Culture
Flaming Cliffs sandstone cliffs and fossil site
Mountains, glaciers
Gobi Desert dunes and wildlife
Lakes
Khorgo Mountain and volcano
Canyons, gorges, rivers
Russia and Siberia Natural Wonders
Salt Mines with colorful layered walls, Yekaterinburg, RUS
Forest with twisted tree trunks
Volgograd balls a mystery
Urup Island
Lake Baikal and seals-only freshwater seals, world’s deepest lake, unique fauna
Lena River stone pillars
Geysers, volcanoes, calderas of East Russia-Kamchatka
Golden Mountains of Altai, southern Siberia
Mount Elbrus 18K ft highest mountain in Europe
Uvs Lake Basin diverse landscapes and biodiversity
Volga River, biggest river in Europe and western Russia
Ural Mountains, virgin forests, reindeer, ice caves
Stone pillars rock formations near Urals, Komi
Central Siberian Plateau
Putorana Plateau, basalt formation, lakes, waterfalls, reindeer
The Middle East of West Asia
Bosphorus Strait
Bu Tinah Shoals, UAE, coral archipelago
Jerusalem
Galilee
Capernaum
Dead Sea, Israel
Mt Carmel
Jeita Grotto, Lebanon, limestone caves
Tyre
Sidon
Byblos
Phoenicia
Cedars of Lebanon
Maldives, Islands Indian Ocean
Larnaca Salt Lake Cyprus
Wadi Rum Desert Jordan
Ein Avdat Oasis, Israel
Lut Desert, Kerman, Iran
Colorful terraces, Iran
Petra, Jordan
Mt Nebo, Jordan
Petra tou Romiou, Cyprus
Mount Ararat
White Desert, Egypt rock formations
Sahara Desert
Nile Valley
Syria
Damascus
Alleppo
Antioch
Babylon
Tigris R
Euphrates R
Persia
Susa
Persepolis
The Silk Road of Asia was an ancient network of trade routes that extended over 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) from the Mediterranean Sea of Europe through Turkey to Persia and eventually to China. Alternate routes diverged southward to India. With modern transportation methods today, the routes are used less but many parts of the routes still exist and can be used today.
Central Asia Natural Wonders Himalaya Mountains, glaciers, glacial lakes
Turkmenistan: Dinosaur Footprints, in Turkmenistan
Darvaza Gas Crater, in Turkmenistan
Yangykala Canyon, in Turkmenistan eroded
Kazakhstan: Almaty Lake, Kazakhstan
Snow Mountains, canyons, and sand dunes, Kazakhstan
Charyn Canyon NP, Kazakhstan’s Grand Canyon
Rock carvings and paintings, Kazakhstan
Ustyurt Plateau eroded plateaus of central Asia
Banyanaul NP mountains rock formations
Sherkala eroded mountain
Valley of Balls, western Kazakhstan
Lake Kaindy, Kazakhstan dead trees turquoise waters
The Candy Cane mountains of Azerbaijan are part of the Greater Caucasus mountains. The colors are produced when water mixes with the iron rich rocks.
The Holy Land Travel Geography and Natural Wonders
West Asia and the Middle East Natural Wonders The Land of Israel contains coastal plains, mountains, caves, deserts, lakes, and rivers, along with a major north-south fault boundary as part of the western end of the ancient Fertile Crescent.
The Ancient Dead Sea Scrolls recent discovery near the Dead Sea provide much evidence and confirmation of Old Testament Biblical scripture.
Ancient Clay Seals and their discovery confirm the existence of Biblical kings and prophets. The Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) in northern Israel, is the most important and largest freshwater lake and one of the major locations where Jesus taught his ministry and selected disciples. Mount Arbel gives a view of the Sea of Galilee.
Capernaum, town on the north shores of the Sea of Galilee was where Jesus taught. Masada is an ancient plateau and fortress near the Dead Sea and Judean Desert.
The Dead Sea, a saltwater body fed by the Jordan River, separates Israel from Jordan, and is below sea level, the lowest water surface on Earth, 430 m. below sea level. Sinkholes line the banks. One of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth.
The Great Rift Valley-Jordan Rift runs through the Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee north-south and causes many earthquakes. The Jordan River flows north to south through Galilee and empties into the Dead Sea. The river also forms the border with Jordan. The Coastal Plain of Israel along the Mediterranean contains fertile land, part of the "Fertile Crescent." The Judean Mountains. The Chalk Cliffs are located on the northern Israel coast. Limestone and Sandstone layers form the Israeli mountains. Natural Springs around Dead Sea form an oasis, including Ein Gedi and Ein Bokek. Ein Gedi, an oasis in the Judean Desert west of the Dead Sea near Masada, where David hid from Saul. Ein Avdat, an oasis stream through a gorge in the Negev desert, Be'er Sheva. Wadi Qelt, a desert oasis with historical artifacts, a stream running through a narrow gorge in the Judean desert. Israeli caves, natural limestone caves and man-carved caves. Many tunnels were built in Israel for infrastructure needs. Grottos feature blue waters inside natural caves.
The Northern Mountains Mount Carmel, northern Israel near Haifa (546 m.) the site of the Biblical account (Kings 18) where the prophet Elijah successfully challenged 450 prophets of Baal during the rule of Ahab and Jezebel to determine who controls Israel.
Mount Tabor, lower Galilee, northern Israel, (575 m.) site of the Battle of Mount Tabor where Judge Barak led the Israelites and the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus.
Mount Hermon, northeast (Golan Heights) the highest elevation (2,236 m.) between Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. Mt. Hermon is mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh being split. Mount Meron, upper Galilee, northern Israel, (1,208 m.) the highest point in Israel outside the Golan Heights
Jerusalem Mount of Olives, East Jerusalem, (826 m.), is important to Biblical history, where Jesus and his disciples worshiped, and a 3,000 year Jewish cemetery, including Biblical kings. Jesus ascended to heaven here (Acts 1:9).
The Negev Desert of Southern Israel is 12,000 sq. km. and occupies more than half of Israel-the southern half-and is adjacent north to the Sinai Desert. Beersheba is the largest city in the Negev. Mount Ramon, Negev, the highest point of the Negev Mountains. The Judean Desert is northeast of the Negev. Mysterious Craters: Makhtesh Ramon, a large crater in the Negev desert, is believed to be formed by water erosion, both by the global flood and later by stream erosion. This is the largest of many mysterious craters in Israel. Wildlife is also present, including the ibex. Red Canyon, Eilat Mountains, southern Negev, a narrow, colorful canyon
Timna Valley Park, southern Israel Negev near Eilat features unusual eroded rock formations, likely formed from floodwaters.
Russia----------------------------------------------------------------------
Russia=Man-Pupu-Ner Rock pillars hoodoos (nw); Lake Baikal; Lena Pillars; Siberia; Kamchatka Volcanoes and Geysers; Siberian volcanic traps
Georgia (Europe)=Katskhi Rock Column
Armenia=Garni Gorge with basalt cliffs (central); Goris Rock Forest (se)
Azerbaijan=Gobustan rock art (e)
Cyprus=Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite Rock) (sw); Kapparis mushroom rock in sea
Turkey=Cappadocia and Goreme NP hoodoos, fairy chimneys (central)
Syria
Lebanon=Pigeon Rock, Raouche, Beirut Lebanon rocky coast
Israel=Horns of Hattin twin peak extinct volcanoes (n); Rosh Hanikra grottoes (cave human settlement) and white cliffs on rocky coast (nw); Timna Valley rocks (s)
Jordan=Petra city carved in Red Mountain Rock (s); Wadi Rum desert mushroom rock (s)
Persian Gulf States------------------------------------------------------------
Saudi Arabia=Judah Thumb Inselberg (e)
Yemen=Socotra tree
Oman
UAE
Iraq
Iran=Colorful mountains red sandstone (nw)
Kuwait
Bahrain
Qatar
Central Asia---------------------------------------------------------
Turkmenistan=Yangykala Canyon (nw)
Uzbekistan
Kazakhstan=concretion balls (w)
Tajikistan
Kyrgyzstan=Jeti-Oguz red rock outcrops
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Southeast Asia---------------------------------------------------------------------------
India=Planation surface (s); Valley of Flowers np=alpine flora and rare animals; Western Ghats mountains and karst; Yana rocks (karst) in Western Ghats; Hogenakkal water falls and river cliffs (s); Great escarpment (s)
Sri Lanka
Nepal
Bhutan
Bangladesh
China=Yehliu rocks hoodoos Taiwan (n); Avatar mts (Zhangjiajie national forest park) tall rock tower pillars in Hunan (se); South China limestone rock towers karst; Huangshan “Yellow” Mountain (se); Mong Fu Shek rock in Hong Kong (se); Lion Rock Hong Kong (se); Danxia Rainbow mountains (north central); Shilin Stone Forest (se); Yehliu geopark=mushroom hoodoos Taiwan beach rocks (se China, n island)
Mongolia=Gorkhi Terelj NP rock formations, hot springs, rivers; Gobi desert; Altai mts
S. Korea=Seoraksan NP (ne) hiking and wildlife
Japan=Candle Island (Rosoku-jima, sw)
Philippines=Burgos Rock Formation; Punta Matagar Rock; Apo Island rock; Chocolate hills karst limestone mounds
Myanmar Burma=Pagoda Golden Rock (se) converted into a temple
Laos
Cambodia
Thailand=limestone rock towers
Vietnam=Ha Long Bay limestone islands and towers (ne)
Malaysia=Penang NP beaches wildlife
Singapore
Indonesia=Tanah Lot Bali (sw) beach
The Himalaya Mountains in north India and Nepal
The India Escarpment
Western Ghats Mountains, India
The Ganges River, India
The Brahmaputra River, India
Goa waterfalls, India
Indus River Valley Civilization
Manu: Ancient India Flood Story
India: First Apostles
Lonar Lake, India, impact crater meteorite
Borra Caves, India, limestone, Araku Valley
Nighoj Riverine potholes, India, basalt-rock riverbed, Kukdi River
Gandikota Canyon, India, “India’s Grand Canyon” Pennar River
Loktak Lake, northeast India, large, natural freshwater lake, biodiversity, floating islands
Hogenakkal Falls, Cauvery River, India “smoking rocks” “Niagara Falls of India”
Athirappilly Falls, India
Root Bridges, India, built from natural tree roots
Marble Rocks of Bhedagat, Narmada river gorge
Sangetsar Lake, India, high altitude, formed by earthquake
Valley of Flowers, India, Uttarakhand
Chandipur Beach, India, disappearing sea from tides
Yana Rocks, India, limestone vertical monoliths
Reverse Waterfall, Sinhagad, India
Mud Volcanoes, Baratang Island, India
India Ancient Volcanic Activity
Umngot River, India, “clear water”
St. Mary’s Island, India, columnar basalt
Belum Caves, India, limestone on the plains
Barren Island, Andaman Islands, India’s only active volcano
Magnetic Hill, Ladakh, India
Needle Hole Point, India rock formations
Balancing Rock, India, Krishna’s Butterball, 20 ft tall
Balancing Rock, Jabalpur, India
Salt Marshes, Rann of Kutch, India, salt deserts
Amarnath Cave, India, western
Majuli Island, Assam, India, river island biodiversity
Chembra Peak, India, heart-shaped lake
Tirumala, Natural Arch, India
Manikaran Natural Hot Springs, India
Tigers, Gibbons
West Bengal tigers, mangroves
Rain Forests of India
Akal Fossil Wood Park
Banni Grasslands Reserve
Chitrakote waterfall, India’s widest
Reefs, Nicobar and Andaman Islands
Courtallam Waterfall, south India
Deodar Forest, cedars, western Himalayas, India
Gurudongmar Lake, India, high elevation
Dinosaur Fossil Park, India, fossilized dinosaur eggs
Shivalik Fossil park, India
Jog waterfall, Gerosoppa Falls, India
Kas Plateau, India, biodiversity
Khandadhar waterfall, India
Sambhar salt lake, India
Glaciers, western India
Sri Lanka Natural Wonders
Lions Rock (granite) Sri Lanka
Thailand Natural Wonders
Bay, Islands, waterfalls, tropical beaches, tropical forests, limestone formations
Phang Nga Bay limestone towers and green waters, Thailand
Khao Sok, limestone towers and forest, Thailand
Similan Islands, beaches, large boulders, Thailand
Phi Phi Islands
Erawan Falls, Thailand
Khao Yai, Thailand, mountains, valleys, waterfalls, biodiversity
Thi lo su waterfall, Thailand
Tham Lot cave, Thailand
Doi Inthanon Par, Thailand, mountains, rivers, falls
Ang Thong Marine Park, archipelago, Thailand, limestone mountains, islands
Cambodia Natural Wonders
Yeak Laom, Cambodia, circular volcanic lake
Vietnam Natural Wonders
Limestone formations, hills, rainforest, mountain rivers, falls, caves, island beaches
Halong Bay limestone peaks, islands
Phong Nha-Ke Bang
Ba Be park, limestone towers, forest, falls, caves
Marble Mountains, caves
Mui Ne sand dunes red and white dunes
Ninh Binh, limestone towers on land along river
Sa Pa colorful terraced rice pads on mountainous terrain
Malaysia Natural Wonders
The Malaysia Peninsula and Borneo Island
Beaches, rainforests, caves, mountains, islands, wildlife, limestone, falls
Mount Kinabalu
Batu Caves
Mulu Caves, mountain, rock formations
Perhentian Islands
Philippines Natural Wonders
Subterranean River-Puerto Princesa
Philippines limestone (Chocolate Hills)
Philippine reefs, lagoons
Mountains, volcanos, caves, underground rivers, islands, waterfalls
Mount Pinatubo volcano, crater lakes
Mount Pulag
Indonesia Natural Wonders
Volcanoes, mountains, waterfalls, caves, rainforests
Krakatoa Volcano
New Island Formation
Komodo Island National Park, Indonesia
Islands, reefs, beaches, wildlife, waterfalls
Crater lakes
Japan Natural Wonders
Mount Fuji, Japan
Volcanic mountains in interior, caves, gorges, islands
Wind and ice caves
Japanese Atlantis
Red hot spring
Tunnel of flowers
Hell Valley thermal steam and waters
South Korea Natural Wonders
Mountains, waterfalls, caves-lava tubes
Jeju Island-volcanic
China Natural Wonders: Rivers, Rock Formations, Limestone, Gorges, Deserts, Dunes, Cliffs, Tower Rocks, Colorful Soil, Biodiversity
Yellow River
Waterfalls in China
Yangtze River gorges, China
Stone Forest, China (limestone)
Tower rock formations, China
Tiger Leaping Gorge, China
Blue Moon Valley turquoise, China
Gobi Desert, China
Badain Jaran Desert dunes, lakes, China
Sand Dunes, China
Yuncheng Salt Lake (rainbow colored), China
Blue lake, China saltwater high elevation
Taroko Gorge, Taiwan marble cliffs
Red Beach Grass, China
Red soil, China
Mount Danxia, China
Natural Bridges, China
Crescent Lake, China
Waterfalls, China
Travertine pools, southern China
Moon Hill-Yangshuo, China
Huashan mountain, China
Sea of Cloud on Yellow Mountain
Crater Lakes, China
Colorful terraces
Rainbow Mountain, China
South China karst
Yushan NP Taiwan
Hong Kong Rocks view
Mongolia Natural Wonders
Gorkhi Terelj National Park, mountains with hot springs
Steppe grassland landscape with hills and mountains
Nomadic Culture
Flaming Cliffs sandstone cliffs and fossil site
Mountains, glaciers
Gobi Desert dunes and wildlife
Lakes
Khorgo Mountain and volcano
Canyons, gorges, rivers
Russia and Siberia Natural Wonders
Salt Mines with colorful layered walls, Yekaterinburg, RUS
Forest with twisted tree trunks
Volgograd balls a mystery
Urup Island
Lake Baikal and seals-only freshwater seals, world’s deepest lake, unique fauna
Lena River stone pillars
Geysers, volcanoes, calderas of East Russia-Kamchatka
Golden Mountains of Altai, southern Siberia
Mount Elbrus 18K ft highest mountain in Europe
Uvs Lake Basin diverse landscapes and biodiversity
Volga River, biggest river in Europe and western Russia
Ural Mountains, virgin forests, reindeer, ice caves
Stone pillars rock formations near Urals, Komi
Central Siberian Plateau
Putorana Plateau, basalt formation, lakes, waterfalls, reindeer
The Middle East of West Asia
Bosphorus Strait
Bu Tinah Shoals, UAE, coral archipelago
Jerusalem
Galilee
Capernaum
Dead Sea, Israel
Mt Carmel
Jeita Grotto, Lebanon, limestone caves
Tyre
Sidon
Byblos
Phoenicia
Cedars of Lebanon
Maldives, Islands Indian Ocean
Larnaca Salt Lake Cyprus
Wadi Rum Desert Jordan
Ein Avdat Oasis, Israel
Lut Desert, Kerman, Iran
Colorful terraces, Iran
Petra, Jordan
Mt Nebo, Jordan
Petra tou Romiou, Cyprus
Mount Ararat
White Desert, Egypt rock formations
Sahara Desert
Nile Valley
Syria
Damascus
Alleppo
Antioch
Babylon
Tigris R
Euphrates R
Persia
Susa
Persepolis
The Silk Road of Asia was an ancient network of trade routes that extended over 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) from the Mediterranean Sea of Europe through Turkey to Persia and eventually to China. Alternate routes diverged southward to India. With modern transportation methods today, the routes are used less but many parts of the routes still exist and can be used today.
Central Asia Natural Wonders Himalaya Mountains, glaciers, glacial lakes
Turkmenistan: Dinosaur Footprints, in Turkmenistan
Darvaza Gas Crater, in Turkmenistan
Yangykala Canyon, in Turkmenistan eroded
Kazakhstan: Almaty Lake, Kazakhstan
Snow Mountains, canyons, and sand dunes, Kazakhstan
Charyn Canyon NP, Kazakhstan’s Grand Canyon
Rock carvings and paintings, Kazakhstan
Ustyurt Plateau eroded plateaus of central Asia
Banyanaul NP mountains rock formations
Sherkala eroded mountain
Valley of Balls, western Kazakhstan
Lake Kaindy, Kazakhstan dead trees turquoise waters
The Candy Cane mountains of Azerbaijan are part of the Greater Caucasus mountains. The colors are produced when water mixes with the iron rich rocks.
The Holy Land Travel Geography and Natural Wonders
West Asia and the Middle East Natural Wonders The Land of Israel contains coastal plains, mountains, caves, deserts, lakes, and rivers, along with a major north-south fault boundary as part of the western end of the ancient Fertile Crescent.
The Ancient Dead Sea Scrolls recent discovery near the Dead Sea provide much evidence and confirmation of Old Testament Biblical scripture.
Ancient Clay Seals and their discovery confirm the existence of Biblical kings and prophets. The Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) in northern Israel, is the most important and largest freshwater lake and one of the major locations where Jesus taught his ministry and selected disciples. Mount Arbel gives a view of the Sea of Galilee.
Capernaum, town on the north shores of the Sea of Galilee was where Jesus taught. Masada is an ancient plateau and fortress near the Dead Sea and Judean Desert.
The Dead Sea, a saltwater body fed by the Jordan River, separates Israel from Jordan, and is below sea level, the lowest water surface on Earth, 430 m. below sea level. Sinkholes line the banks. One of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth.
The Great Rift Valley-Jordan Rift runs through the Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee north-south and causes many earthquakes. The Jordan River flows north to south through Galilee and empties into the Dead Sea. The river also forms the border with Jordan. The Coastal Plain of Israel along the Mediterranean contains fertile land, part of the "Fertile Crescent." The Judean Mountains. The Chalk Cliffs are located on the northern Israel coast. Limestone and Sandstone layers form the Israeli mountains. Natural Springs around Dead Sea form an oasis, including Ein Gedi and Ein Bokek. Ein Gedi, an oasis in the Judean Desert west of the Dead Sea near Masada, where David hid from Saul. Ein Avdat, an oasis stream through a gorge in the Negev desert, Be'er Sheva. Wadi Qelt, a desert oasis with historical artifacts, a stream running through a narrow gorge in the Judean desert. Israeli caves, natural limestone caves and man-carved caves. Many tunnels were built in Israel for infrastructure needs. Grottos feature blue waters inside natural caves.
The Northern Mountains Mount Carmel, northern Israel near Haifa (546 m.) the site of the Biblical account (Kings 18) where the prophet Elijah successfully challenged 450 prophets of Baal during the rule of Ahab and Jezebel to determine who controls Israel.
Mount Tabor, lower Galilee, northern Israel, (575 m.) site of the Battle of Mount Tabor where Judge Barak led the Israelites and the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus.
Mount Hermon, northeast (Golan Heights) the highest elevation (2,236 m.) between Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. Mt. Hermon is mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh being split. Mount Meron, upper Galilee, northern Israel, (1,208 m.) the highest point in Israel outside the Golan Heights
Jerusalem Mount of Olives, East Jerusalem, (826 m.), is important to Biblical history, where Jesus and his disciples worshiped, and a 3,000 year Jewish cemetery, including Biblical kings. Jesus ascended to heaven here (Acts 1:9).
The Negev Desert of Southern Israel is 12,000 sq. km. and occupies more than half of Israel-the southern half-and is adjacent north to the Sinai Desert. Beersheba is the largest city in the Negev. Mount Ramon, Negev, the highest point of the Negev Mountains. The Judean Desert is northeast of the Negev. Mysterious Craters: Makhtesh Ramon, a large crater in the Negev desert, is believed to be formed by water erosion, both by the global flood and later by stream erosion. This is the largest of many mysterious craters in Israel. Wildlife is also present, including the ibex. Red Canyon, Eilat Mountains, southern Negev, a narrow, colorful canyon
Timna Valley Park, southern Israel Negev near Eilat features unusual eroded rock formations, likely formed from floodwaters.
Russia----------------------------------------------------------------------
Russia=Man-Pupu-Ner Rock pillars hoodoos (nw); Lake Baikal; Lena Pillars; Siberia; Kamchatka Volcanoes and Geysers; Siberian volcanic traps
Georgia (Europe)=Katskhi Rock Column
Armenia=Garni Gorge with basalt cliffs (central); Goris Rock Forest (se)
Azerbaijan=Gobustan rock art (e)
Cyprus=Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite Rock) (sw); Kapparis mushroom rock in sea
Turkey=Cappadocia and Goreme NP hoodoos, fairy chimneys (central)
Syria
Lebanon=Pigeon Rock, Raouche, Beirut Lebanon rocky coast
Israel=Horns of Hattin twin peak extinct volcanoes (n); Rosh Hanikra grottoes (cave human settlement) and white cliffs on rocky coast (nw); Timna Valley rocks (s)
Jordan=Petra city carved in Red Mountain Rock (s); Wadi Rum desert mushroom rock (s)
Persian Gulf States------------------------------------------------------------
Saudi Arabia=Judah Thumb Inselberg (e)
Yemen=Socotra tree
Oman
UAE
Iraq
Iran=Colorful mountains red sandstone (nw)
Kuwait
Bahrain
Qatar
Central Asia---------------------------------------------------------
Turkmenistan=Yangykala Canyon (nw)
Uzbekistan
Kazakhstan=concretion balls (w)
Tajikistan
Kyrgyzstan=Jeti-Oguz red rock outcrops
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Southeast Asia---------------------------------------------------------------------------
India=Planation surface (s); Valley of Flowers np=alpine flora and rare animals; Western Ghats mountains and karst; Yana rocks (karst) in Western Ghats; Hogenakkal water falls and river cliffs (s); Great escarpment (s)
Sri Lanka
Nepal
Bhutan
Bangladesh
China=Yehliu rocks hoodoos Taiwan (n); Avatar mts (Zhangjiajie national forest park) tall rock tower pillars in Hunan (se); South China limestone rock towers karst; Huangshan “Yellow” Mountain (se); Mong Fu Shek rock in Hong Kong (se); Lion Rock Hong Kong (se); Danxia Rainbow mountains (north central); Shilin Stone Forest (se); Yehliu geopark=mushroom hoodoos Taiwan beach rocks (se China, n island)
Mongolia=Gorkhi Terelj NP rock formations, hot springs, rivers; Gobi desert; Altai mts
S. Korea=Seoraksan NP (ne) hiking and wildlife
Japan=Candle Island (Rosoku-jima, sw)
Philippines=Burgos Rock Formation; Punta Matagar Rock; Apo Island rock; Chocolate hills karst limestone mounds
Myanmar Burma=Pagoda Golden Rock (se) converted into a temple
Laos
Cambodia
Thailand=limestone rock towers
Vietnam=Ha Long Bay limestone islands and towers (ne)
Malaysia=Penang NP beaches wildlife
Singapore
Indonesia=Tanah Lot Bali (sw) beach