The Myth of Continents

I have studied maps in school for as long as I can remember. The highlight of my elementary school experience, at least academically, was studying for “map quizzes” with my mom, who has a remarkable ability to come up with witty acronyms and easily-memorizable associations for each place. In fourth grade, she told me to think of Malta as a little malted milk ball, and I can identify the tiny European country on a map to this day.?

We had a map quiz for each continent and territory, and by the end of elementary school I had learned the location of every country in the world.?

For centuries, the way we view the world has been shaped by the cartographic traditions of Western powers. From the concept of continents to the way nations are grouped and labeled, these maps have ingrained in us a particular way of understanding geography and, subsequently, culture and identity. Yet, as more scholars and thinkers challenge traditional concepts, it has become increasingly obvious that the geographical categories we were taught in school don't always provide an accurate representation of the world, nor do they reflect how people in those regions actually perceive themselves. The idea of "continents" is, in many ways, a myth–arguably a necessary simplification, perhaps, but a simplification nonetheless. Nowhere is this myth more evident than in the way we think about Asia as a continent.

The Illusion of Unity

The University of Chicago Press stated that, "Asia is a 'peculiarly European nation.'" This statement obviously seems rather paradoxical. After all, Asia is a massive region, home to the world’s largest population and a vast diversity of cultures, religions, languages, and histories. But the key point the statement is making is that the concept of "Asia" as a single, unified entity is a Western invention. In reality, the people living in this region hardly think of themselves as part of some collective "Asian" identity.

Asia, at least in the Western eye, is often seen as a homogeneous entity—a monolithic space where people share common traits or characteristics. But in truth, Asia is a mosaic of cultures with little in common beyond the geographical area they occupy. From the deserts of the Middle East to the dense jungles of Southeast Asia, to the high mountains of the Himalayas, the cultural and historical divides are profound. In many ways, these divisions are accentuated by natural topographical barriers like the Himalayas, the Gobi Desert, and the Arabian Peninsula, which historically made communication and interaction between people in these regions not only difficult, but sometimes impossible.

Historically, these topographical barriers rendered any notion of a unified Asia nearly unfeasible. The idea that there is a singular "Asian" identity is an oversimplification—a byproduct of European imperialism and colonial cartography, where the convenience of grouping people together based on geography was seen as more important than acknowledging the diversity and complexity of the cultures within.

The Problem with the Concept of Continents

The very idea of a continent—defined as a large, continuous landmass separated by oceans—is itself problematic.?

The cartographic term "Asia" lumps together vast regions that are, in reality, separated by language, religion, and culture. China, India, Japan, and the Middle East all occupy different corners of the globe and are divided by significant geographic, linguistic, and cultural divides. Yet, the idea of "Asia" persists, a term that was shaped during European colonialism, when mapping the world was as much about imposing order as it was about exploration.

Geography Divides

What the concept of "Asia" also overlooks is the profound geographical diversity that shapes the way people live and think across the continent. Take, for instance, the vast differences between the high-tech metropolises of Japan, the agricultural heartland of India, and the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula. These are vastly different environments that have influenced the development of distinct cultures, technologies, and social structures. Even within a single country—such as China—there are regions that might as well be their own countries, with languages, customs, and histories that are dramatically different from those in other parts of the nation.

The "Myth of Continents" in a Globalized World

So why does the idea of Asia persist, and why is it so entrenched in our collective understanding? The answer lies in the simplifications made by colonial cartography. By labeling such a vast area "Asia," Western powers were able to impose a sense of unity where there was initially none, creating an illusion of a singular, monolithic continent.

Yet, as the world becomes more interconnected, and as global travel, technology, and cultural exchange continue to erase physical barriers, the idea of the "continent" as a meaningful category begins to fade. The concept of Asia, like other geographical categories, fails to capture the true complexities of the people and cultures that inhabit it. Understanding Asia—or any part of the world—requires moving beyond oversimplified categories and embracing the rich, diverse histories and identities that shape the lives of individuals within it.

Ultimately, the myth of the continent is not just an academic exercise—it's a lens through which we have historically viewed the world. But by examining how these concepts are constructed and what they omit, we can begin to see the world in a more nuanced and accurate way, one that recognizes the diversity of human experience rather than forcing it into predefined, inconsiderate boxes.?

Article link:

https://press.uchicago.edu/books/hoc/HOC_V2_B2/HOC_VOLUME2_Book2_chapter2.pdf