East Asia
Map
East Asia
Welcome to East Asia
East Asia stretches across island nations, over great mountains and through huge continental countries. Its empires and dynasties have influenced everything from art and culture to politics.
Today, many East Asian countries are developing very quickly. China, for example, is the fastest growing economy in the world.
But as many people become wealthy, millions of others remain trapped in poverty. Skyscrapers tower over slums; fast cars zoom past people who can’t even afford a bicycle; pollution clogs the air because of rapid development.
East Asia has the second highest number of people living in slums in the world, with 194 million slum-dwellers in 2001. About 580 million people in the region live on less than $2 a day, often without access to education, clean water or proper health care.
These people need your help. Get to know East Asia’s history, its people and its challenges so you can lend a hand.