Japan+Geography

=Japan's Physical Geography = toc
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Japan lies off the eastern coast of Asia. Japan has four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, and has over 4,000 other small islands that make up the country. All of the islands that make up Japan lie between latitudes 24° and 46°N, and longitudes 122° and 146°E. Japan is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire which is a volcanic zone. Around 15 million years ago Japan was attached to the eastern coast of the Eurasian continent, however, the plate movements began pulling Japan eastward and separated the country from the rest of Asia. Currently, Japan has 108 active volcanoes and in the past has suffered from several earthquakes and tsunamis. Japan's eastern coastline borders the Pacific ocean while the western coastline borders the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea; these two seas on Japan's western coast separate the country from the rest of Asia. (Wikipedia, 2011)





Area of Japan
377, 835 sq. km. (145,902 sq. mi.); slightly smaller than California.

Highest Point of Japan
Mount Fuji; 3,776 m (12,388 ft)

Lowest Point of Japan
Hachiro-gata; 4 m (−13 ft)

Japan's longest river
Shinano River; 367 km (228 mi) Do you know which river is the longest in Illinois?



Regions/Prefectures of Japan
Japan has 47 prefectures (subnational jurisdictions). These prefectures are divided into eight regions: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu-Okinawa.You will find that each region is unique and different than each of the other ones. Their culture, traditions, dialect, and customs vary a great amount. (web-japan.org)

Japan's Terrain
(nationsencyclopedia.com)
 * Rugged and mountainous.
 * Mountains cover over 75% of the lands surface.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">The Hida and Akaishi Mountains are the two principal mountain ranges.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">Japan has 265 volcanoes (including the dormant Mt. Fuji), of which about 20 remain active today.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">The plains of Japan cover about 29% of Japan's surface.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">Most plains are located along the seacoast and are composed of alluvial lowlands, diluvial uplands, and low hills.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">The largest plain is the Kanto Plain, about 6,500 sq km (2,500 sq mi).
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">Rivers tend to be short and swift.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">The largest lake is Lake Biwa, with an area of 672 sq km (259 sq mi).

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">*Is Illinois' terrain similar or different than Japan's? How is it the same or different?



<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">Japan's climate
<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">Japan's climate is similar to the weather in parts of the United States. Just like we experience here in Illinois, Japan experiences the four seasons like we do! Japan experience cool temperatures in the North and subtropical climates in the South; just like in the United States how Minnesota is cooler during the winter than Florida is. Two primary factors influence Japan's climate: a location near the Asian continent and the existence of major oceanic currents. Japan is known for having high humidity and heavy rainfall. Because Japan experiences the four seasons, many climatologists refer to Japan as having a temperate climate. Southern Japan experiences a subtropical climate while northern Japan faces a frigid and cold climate. (asianinfo, 2010)

Japan's natural resources
Japan does not have very many natural resources. Less than 15% of Japan's land is arable and is the fourth largest market for U.S. agricultural exports. Japan relies heavily on imported energy. One of Japan's most important resources is its access to the oceans which provides both internal communications and access to the rest of the world. The Japanese have used this maritime location in order to become a leader in world trade. Japan's proximity to the ocean is one of the main reasons why fish and shipbuilding are some of Japan's most pompous natural resources. Another one of Japan's major resources is forestry; forests occupy 65% of the land area, however wood products exceed supply and Japan is forced to import it. Most importantly, Japan is known for their human resources. Japan's economic success is highly related to its well-educated and well-trained labor force. (harpercollege.edu)



=Japan's Biological Geography=

Popular plants found in Japan
>> ngevity. Pine trees are used to create Bonsai, which is the art of cultivating little trees.
 * Sakura (Cherry)
 * Japan's unofficial national flower and symbol is the cherry blossom. There are many different varieties of cherry trees in Japan and the Japanese celebrate a few days during the spring by having parties and viewing under the trees; this is called Hanami.
 * Ume (Japanese plum) [[image:2122_07.jpg width="210" height="156" align="right" caption="Japan's Ume" link="@http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2013.html"]]
 * Plum blossoms are an early sign of spring and bloom several weeks before the cherry blossoms. Ume also have a plethora of different varieties. The ume has a very strong fragrance unlike the cherry blossom. Umeboshi, a sour, pickled plum is one of Japan's favorite dishes with rice.
 * Momiji (Japanese Maple)
 * These trees are beautiful and give autumn its vivacious colors. These trees are widely used in Japan's gardens.
 * Matsu (Pine)
 * Matsu trees are green throughout of the year and symbolize youth and lo-[[image:momiji-garden-enkoji-31.3.jpg width="231" height="409" align="right" caption="Japan's Momiji "]]
 * Take (Bamboo)
 * Quickly growing everglade is used for construction and arts and crafts. The Japanese have used Bamboo for many centuries and will continue to. Bamboo shoots (takenoko) are very popular spring delicacies. (japan-guide, 2011)

Popular animals found in Japan
(kidswebjapan.org)
 * There are 188 types of wild mammals in Japan.
 * In southern parts of Japan such as Okinawa, the iriomote wildcat and amami are common animals.
 * On the main island of Honshu, the Japanese serow, the giant flying squirrel, the Japanese bear, the Japanese macaque, and the wild boar are found.
 * In the northern region of Hokkaido live the Ezo brown bear, sable, striped squirrel, and the sakhalin red fox.
 * There are 665 species of birds found in Japan.
 * The most common birds are the bush warbler, the swallow, common pheasant, and the copper pheasant.
 * The swan migrates from Siberia and makes Northern Japan it's seasonal home.
 * There are 28,720 species of insects found in Japan.
 * The Japanese tiger beetle, and the Giant wood spider are two of Japan's most common insects.



=Japan's Human Geography= Human geography is very similar to the term culture. Japan has many aspects of human geography that will become more apparent on the following tab (culture). I will discuss several unique aspects of Japan's culture on the following page. Continue browsing the site in order to find out about Japan's culture.

Population
Japan has a little over 127 million people living there.