Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Dec 25, 2012 4:37:51 GMT -5
As most of you probably know, Japan is a large chain of volcanic islands in East Asia. There are four main islands, which, from north to south, are: Hokkaidō, Honshū, Shikoku and Kyūshū. Aside from these, the archipelago consists of several thousand smaller islands, although they are not all inhabited. Japan's population in the 16th century isn't precisely known, but see here for various estimates and more information concerning demographics.
In total, modern Japan is about 145,800 sq mi (377,700 sq km), but keep in mind during the 16th century both Hokkaidō and the Ryūkyū Islands were independent.
Japan's highest mountain: Mount Fuji, which is 12,388ft (367km) tall.
Longest river: Shinano River, 228 miles (367 km)
Largest lake: Lake Biwa, 260 sq mi (674 sq km)
Japan is a mountainous country, to the say the least, and they cover nearly 73% of the country. Ranges can be found on all four of the main islands, and hot springs abound due to Japan's location in the ring of fire. This also means the country is subject to frequent tremors and the occasional volcanic activity. Typhoons in late summer are another natural hazard.
Many of the mountains are forested, with around 68% of the country's lands consisting of forests/woodlands. But given the lack of flat land, it's not uncommon for hills or mountainsides to be cultivated.
Climatically, while it has four distinct seasons, there are large regional differences because of Japan's wide latitude (compared with the North American east coast, its range would stretch from Nova Scotia, Canada to Georgia, USA). The far south is subtropical, whereas the far north can get cold enough during the winter for the sea to freeze over. Generally the country is divided into six climate zones: Hokkaidō, Sea of Japan, Central Highland, Seto Inland Sea, Pacific Ocean, and Ryūkyū Islands. More on info on that can be found here.
Honshū, the largest of the islands at ~88,017 sq mi (~227,962.59 km2), is sometimes called the archipelago's "mainland". Its name means "Main Province". Accordingly, it is also Japan's most populous island. It is about 810 miles (1300km) long and ranges from around 31 to 140 miles (50 to 230km) wide. A series of mountain ranges, the Japanese Alps, run across the whole island, diving it into several climate zones. Its western half, along the Sea of Japan, has heavy snowfall in the winter, especially in the northwest. Summers are warm, but there is less rain. Conversely, eastern Honshū has cold winters, but little snow. Summers are hot and humid, with heavy precipitation, especially in the south. The central highlands have a humid continental climate.
The Kanto Plain, located in central Honshū, is Japanese largest plain. The remote Shimokita Peninsula can be found at Honshū's northern extreme, and is the location of Mount Osore ("Mount Fear").
Honshū's highest point is Mt. Fuji, and its longest river is Shinano River.
Japan has several sand dunes, the most notable of which are theTottori Dunes, located in southern Honshū (Inaba Province, to be more specific).
Hokkaidō, also know as Ezochi, is the second largest of the main islands, and north of Honshū. They are separated by the Tsugaru Strait. As mentioned above, it is home to the indigenous Ainu people, who possess a distinct culture.
Much of the island's central regions are covered by rugged mountains, forests, and volcanic plateaus, whereas there are lowlands and plains lining the coast. It has an area of approx. 32,221 sq mi (83,454 sq km). It has a humid continental climate, with a large difference in temperatures. Summers are short, but relatively warm, though not overly humid. Winters are long and cold, often seeing heavy snowfall.
Its highest point is Mount Asahi, at 7,510ft (2,290m). It's largest river is Ishikari River.
Kyūshū is the third largest of the main islands, at roughly 13,761 sq mi (35,640sq km). Its name means "Nine Provinces". It is separated from Honshu by the Kanmon Straits (which connects the Inland Sea and the Sea of Japan), and from Shikoku by the Bungo Channel (which connects the Inland Sea to the Pacific Ocean).
Mount Aso, Japan's most active volcano can be found in central Kyūshū. The island has many hot-springs, including those at Beppu, the largest in Japan by the volume of water it discharges (and second only to Yellowstone Park in the USA).
The island has a relatively warm subtropical climate, especially in the south. Summers are hot, and quite humid, seeing heavy precipitation. Winters are very mild, and see little to no snow.
Kyūshū is the closest of the main islands to the Asian mainland. Historically it has served as a trade link between Japan and China, via, the Ryūkyū Islands. Tanegashima, an island south of Kyūshū, was the location of Japan's first known contact with Europeans (Portuguese, to be more specific), in 1543.
Its longest river is the Chikugo River. Its highest point is Mount Kujū
The smallest of the main islands, Shikoku, is about 7,260sq mi (18,800sq km) in area. Its name means "Four Provinces". It is separated from Honshu by the Kii Channel, and Awaji island by the Naruto Strait. Mountain ranges running east to west split the island into northern and southern sub-regions, and offer rugged but spectacular scenery. It's highest point is Mount Ishizuchi, one of the tallest in western Japan, and important to the Shugendō sect. Because of these mountains Shikoku is somewhat shielded, and enjoys a rather mild and pleasant climate.
The Naruto strait is often difficult to cross, historically anyway, and Shikoku was seen as somewhat cutoff from the main islands. But continuing even into the present, its numerous temples are a well known destination for pilgrams.
In total, modern Japan is about 145,800 sq mi (377,700 sq km), but keep in mind during the 16th century both Hokkaidō and the Ryūkyū Islands were independent.
Japan's highest mountain: Mount Fuji, which is 12,388ft (367km) tall.
Longest river: Shinano River, 228 miles (367 km)
Largest lake: Lake Biwa, 260 sq mi (674 sq km)
Japan is a mountainous country, to the say the least, and they cover nearly 73% of the country. Ranges can be found on all four of the main islands, and hot springs abound due to Japan's location in the ring of fire. This also means the country is subject to frequent tremors and the occasional volcanic activity. Typhoons in late summer are another natural hazard.
Many of the mountains are forested, with around 68% of the country's lands consisting of forests/woodlands. But given the lack of flat land, it's not uncommon for hills or mountainsides to be cultivated.
Climatically, while it has four distinct seasons, there are large regional differences because of Japan's wide latitude (compared with the North American east coast, its range would stretch from Nova Scotia, Canada to Georgia, USA). The far south is subtropical, whereas the far north can get cold enough during the winter for the sea to freeze over. Generally the country is divided into six climate zones: Hokkaidō, Sea of Japan, Central Highland, Seto Inland Sea, Pacific Ocean, and Ryūkyū Islands. More on info on that can be found here.
Honshū, the largest of the islands at ~88,017 sq mi (~227,962.59 km2), is sometimes called the archipelago's "mainland". Its name means "Main Province". Accordingly, it is also Japan's most populous island. It is about 810 miles (1300km) long and ranges from around 31 to 140 miles (50 to 230km) wide. A series of mountain ranges, the Japanese Alps, run across the whole island, diving it into several climate zones. Its western half, along the Sea of Japan, has heavy snowfall in the winter, especially in the northwest. Summers are warm, but there is less rain. Conversely, eastern Honshū has cold winters, but little snow. Summers are hot and humid, with heavy precipitation, especially in the south. The central highlands have a humid continental climate.
The Kanto Plain, located in central Honshū, is Japanese largest plain. The remote Shimokita Peninsula can be found at Honshū's northern extreme, and is the location of Mount Osore ("Mount Fear").
Honshū's highest point is Mt. Fuji, and its longest river is Shinano River.
Japan has several sand dunes, the most notable of which are theTottori Dunes, located in southern Honshū (Inaba Province, to be more specific).
Hokkaidō, also know as Ezochi, is the second largest of the main islands, and north of Honshū. They are separated by the Tsugaru Strait. As mentioned above, it is home to the indigenous Ainu people, who possess a distinct culture.
Much of the island's central regions are covered by rugged mountains, forests, and volcanic plateaus, whereas there are lowlands and plains lining the coast. It has an area of approx. 32,221 sq mi (83,454 sq km). It has a humid continental climate, with a large difference in temperatures. Summers are short, but relatively warm, though not overly humid. Winters are long and cold, often seeing heavy snowfall.
Its highest point is Mount Asahi, at 7,510ft (2,290m). It's largest river is Ishikari River.
Kyūshū is the third largest of the main islands, at roughly 13,761 sq mi (35,640sq km). Its name means "Nine Provinces". It is separated from Honshu by the Kanmon Straits (which connects the Inland Sea and the Sea of Japan), and from Shikoku by the Bungo Channel (which connects the Inland Sea to the Pacific Ocean).
Mount Aso, Japan's most active volcano can be found in central Kyūshū. The island has many hot-springs, including those at Beppu, the largest in Japan by the volume of water it discharges (and second only to Yellowstone Park in the USA).
The island has a relatively warm subtropical climate, especially in the south. Summers are hot, and quite humid, seeing heavy precipitation. Winters are very mild, and see little to no snow.
Kyūshū is the closest of the main islands to the Asian mainland. Historically it has served as a trade link between Japan and China, via, the Ryūkyū Islands. Tanegashima, an island south of Kyūshū, was the location of Japan's first known contact with Europeans (Portuguese, to be more specific), in 1543.
Its longest river is the Chikugo River. Its highest point is Mount Kujū
The smallest of the main islands, Shikoku, is about 7,260sq mi (18,800sq km) in area. Its name means "Four Provinces". It is separated from Honshu by the Kii Channel, and Awaji island by the Naruto Strait. Mountain ranges running east to west split the island into northern and southern sub-regions, and offer rugged but spectacular scenery. It's highest point is Mount Ishizuchi, one of the tallest in western Japan, and important to the Shugendō sect. Because of these mountains Shikoku is somewhat shielded, and enjoys a rather mild and pleasant climate.
The Naruto strait is often difficult to cross, historically anyway, and Shikoku was seen as somewhat cutoff from the main islands. But continuing even into the present, its numerous temples are a well known destination for pilgrams.