Northeast Asia facts for kids

Coastal Northeast Asia, including Northeast China

The countries and regions of East Asia are part of Northeast Asia, along with the Russian Far East.

Northeast Asia is a special part of Asia. It includes land and islands next to the Pacific Ocean. This area is very important for many reasons.

The name "Northeast Asia" became popular in the 1930s. An American historian named Robert Kerner helped make it well-known. He said Northeast Asia included the Mongolian Plateau, the Northeast China Plain, the Korean Peninsula, the Japanese archipelago, and the mountains of the Russian Far East. This area stretched from the Lena River in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east.

What is Northeast Asia?

The exact definition of Northeast Asia can change. It often depends on what people are talking about.

Where is Northeast Asia?

Most often, Northeast Asia includes Northern China. It also covers the Russian Far East, Mongolia, Japan, North Korea, and South Korea.

Some groups, like the Economic Research Institute for Northeast Asia, define the region as Russia, Mongolia, Japan, Korea (both North and South), and China.

The Yellow Sea, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the East China Sea are also part of this region.

Why is Northeast Asia Important?

Northeast Asia is one of the world's most important economic areas. In 2019, it produced about 25% of the world's total economic output. This was even more than the United States.

A Global Economic Powerhouse

This region is also a major center for global politics. It has a big impact on international events. By the late 1990s, Northeast Asia used 12% of the world's energy. This amount is growing quickly. Experts believe that by 2030, energy use here could double or even triple. This is because the region's economy is growing so fast.

Nature and Climate in Northeast Asia

In terms of nature, Northeast Asia usually means the area covering Japan, the Korean Peninsula, Northeast China, and the Russian Far East. This goes from Lake Baikal in Central Siberia to the Pacific Ocean.

Different Landscapes and Weather

Northeast Asia has many different natural areas. You can find temperate forest, thick taiga forests, and wide grasslands. In the far north, there is also tundra, which is very cold and treeless.

The weather here changes a lot between summer and winter. Summers can be warm, while winters are very cold. The region is also quite mountainous.