Asia’s huge size (a third of Earth's global land mass) influences both local and regional climates. Gordon Orians, ecologist and biogeographer, guides our exploration of how Asia’s ancient and stable land mass, all in the Northern Hemisphere, led to Asia’s uncertain climates, unique plant and animal life histories in Asia’s tropical forests, world migratory bird patterns, and the role of Africa in global biogeography. Far from oceans, most of Asia escaped recent glaciations and is home to the world's most ancient lakes. There is a lot to learn from a fresh look at Asia.