The largest and most populated continent, Asia extends over more than eight percent of the worlds total surface area and nearly thirty percent of the land area. Asia is defined as the area east of the Suez Canal and Ural Mountains, south of the Kuma-Manych Depression as well as the Caspian Sea and Black Sea. To the east is the Pacific Ocean, the south the Indian Ocean and to the north is the Arctic Ocean. Given its vast expanse, Asia affords a large range of different cultures, ethnic groups, historical loyalties, governments, climates and environments.