The largest continent by area is Asia. Spanning approximately 44.58 million square kilometers (17.21 million square miles), Asia covers about 30% of the Earth's total land area. It is home to a diverse range of cultures, languages, and ecosystems, featuring the most populous countries, China and India. Asia also includes various geographical features, such as the Himalayas, the Gobi Desert, and extensive river systems like the Yangtze and the Indus. Its size significantly influences climate, biodiversity, and global geopolitics.