Asia (Yesterday's Classics)

As the largest continent, Asia is full of contrasts, with frozen tundra in the north and scorching heat in the south. It is home to the Himalayas, the tallest mountains in the world, as well as the Gobi Desert, the coldest desert. Join author Nellie B. Allen as she uses various means of transport to travel across the entire continent, beginning her journey on one of China's long rivers and then traveling on the Trans-Siberian Railroad through the desolate region of Siberia.

Much emphasis is placed on how the people in the various regions produce food for themselves. In the north, they tend to rely on animal products. Where the climate is warmer, and water flows freely for much of the year, grain crops such as wheat and rice are grown, along with vegetables of various kinds. Networks of canals and other irrigation systems direct water to where it is needed. Along the way, you see the cultivation of some specialty products such as tea in China, silk in Japan, Persian rugs in Iran, and teak in Burma. With each country she visits, the author tells you about the people that live there: what they typically eat, how they dress, what their homes are like, and the pastimes they enjoy. Questions throughout the text and suggested activities at the end of each chapter encourage the reader to think further about the material.