Japan Land of the Rising Sun

Area: total: 377,835 sq km land: 374,744 sq km water: 3,091 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than California Japan

I.Archipelago Chain of Islands

A. Four Main Islands 1.Honshu 2.Hokkaido 3.Kyushu 4.Shikoku

B.Thousands of Smaller Islands 1.Ryukyu Islands 2.Iwo Jima 3.Kuril Islands

II.The Sea

A. The Monsoons 1.Summer

A. The Monsoons 1.Summer 2.Winter Monsoons

B.Typhoons- severe tropical hurricanes

C.Trade-no part of Japan lies more than 70 miles from the coast.

D.Food- fish, kelp

E.17,000 miles of coastline

F.Tsunami

III. Climate

A.The Four Seasons 1.Hot humid summers throughout the nation 2.Cold winters in the north; mild in the south

B.Major influences on Japan’s weather 1.Asian landmass 2.Pacific Ocean currents

C.No part of Japan receives less than 40 inches of rain per year and some parts receive more than 100.

D.Japan lies along the same latitudes as the east coast of the United States.

IV.The Mountains

A.70% of Japan’s landscape is rugged mountains and steep hills.

B.Pacific Rim of Fire 1.Many volcanoes 2.Many earthquakes

C.Mount Fuji

D.Many thousands climb each year

V.Rivers and Streams

A.Hundreds of rivers B.Shinano: longest river (229 miles) C.Limited Navigation D.Often barriers to trade and travel

E.Irrigation (rice paddies) F.Hydroelectric power

VI.Conclusion A.Many people; little space 127 Million People 10 th Largest Country in the world

VI.Conclusion A.Many people; little space B.< 20% arable land

VI.Conclusion A.Many people; little space B.< 20% arable land C.Rice D.Narrow coastal plains