I think that says it all right there Japan -- Geography I think that says it all right there

Series of Islands Archipelago – chain of islands Peaks of Japan are underwater mountain range 13% of land is arable (capable of supporting crops) Geographical impact?

Water Water is a natural barrier protecting Japan 13th Century, Mongol naval invasion prevented by Kamikaze (divine wind). US occupation after WWII is the only successful invasion in Japanese History BTW, history is 1400 years old

Lonely or not lonely Japan? Country population of 127,000,000 Isolation affects Japan’s culture Absorbed foreign cultural aspects (China especially) and adapt them to Japanese needs Homogeneous culture – very little immigration to Japan. No importing foreign culture Strong cultural identity

Volcanoes Japanese islands formed by volcanoes Distance from coast to coast is usually less than 200 miles Effects: little land to grow crops, create human habitats, small and short rivers Japan roughly size of California

Islands Four main islands, thousands of lesser ones Four Islands = 98% of total land area Hokkaido, Honshu (main island), Shikoku, Kyushu 4K islands – uninhabitable, rocky Okinawa Islands (south) are peopled Kuriles (north) – disputed with Russia

Ocean Currents Japan Current – ocean flows south to north on east side of islands Kuroshio (Black Current) purplish color due to high salt content Kurile Current – north to south on north side of islands Where currents meet = nice fishing grounds

Capitals Tokyo (now) since 1868 Population – 12,380,000 Kyoto 784-1868 Nara 710-783 Capitals were moved because different ruling lines/families ruled Japan 651 cities in Japan, Tokyo has 23 districts

Land Rocky coasts, flat plains, deep valleys, numerous mountains, rushing rivers 72% of land is mountainous 500 mtns over 2k meters high Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san) is highest – 3,776 meters

Rivers, earthquakes and typhoons, oh my! Due to mtns, rivers too fast (short distances), but they’re good for dam power Longest R. is Shinano R. (229 miles) 1,500 earthquakes each year Typhoon season brings seasonal rains for crops 15% of land is used for Agr.

Earthquakes Tectonic Plates – moveable plates of land along the earth’s crust Seismograph – device used to measure earthquakes Ring of Fire – Japan’s location along the Pacific and Eurasian Plates, along with the rest of SE Asia, make it vulnerable to earthquakes Hot Spots – Volcanoes lie along fault lines. Volcanoes spew magma which becomes new land Japan’s island chain were formed by hot spots

World Tectonic Plates

Finish 68% of land is forested and inclined Average family farm? Three acres. Climate – varies due to islands Winter = 60F in south, 22F in north Summer = 83F in south, 68F in north Middle belt of US is comparable

Geography Review Questions Chapter 32 Section 1 Review Questions 1-5 Chapter 32 Section 2 Review Questions1-5 Due Tuesday!