Asia-Pacific

The region of the globe known as Asia-Pacific (APAC) is located close to the western Pacific Ocean. In general, the Asia-Pacific region encompasses East Asia, Oceania, the Russian Far East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia; nevertheless, the region's precise borders might shift depending on the circumstances.

The word may refer to nations in South America and North America that are located on the coast of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. For instance, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation organisation is made up of the United States of America, Canada, Chile, and Mexico in addition to Peru. Alternately, the word may refer to the whole continents of Asia and Australasia in addition to the countries that are located in the Pacific Ocean (the Asia-Pacific area and the Australian continent)—for instance, when dividing the globe into major sections for the sake of economic trade (e.g., into APAC, EMEA, LATAM, and NA). The regions of Central Asia and Western Asia are quite seldom included.

The term "Asia-Pacific" does not have a single, universally accepted meaning, and the areas that are considered part of it might shift depending on the circumstances. Since the late 1980s, the phrase has gained widespread use in the worlds of trade, banking, and politics. In spite of the fact that the economies of the regions are diverse, the majority of the countries that make up the zone are developing markets that are undergoing significant expansion (compare the acronym APEJ, "Asia-Pacific excluding Japan").