Here's a breakdown of the major regions where paddy is cultivated:
Asia:
* East Asia: China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Vietnam
* Southeast Asia: Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos
* South Asia: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Other regions:
* Africa: Madagascar, Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal, Guinea
* Latin America: Brazil, Colombia, Cuba
* North America: United States (mainly California and Arkansas)
Key factors influencing paddy cultivation:
* Climate: Rice needs warm temperatures (25-30°C) and high humidity.
* Water availability: Paddy requires abundant water for flooding the fields.
* Soil type: Rice grows best in fertile, well-drained soils.
It's important to note that paddy cultivation is not restricted to these regions, but these are the areas where it is most prevalent.