Geography: The Korean Peninsula

I. Peninsula  Korea is located on a peninsula that juts SOUTH from the Asian mainland with its tip pointing towards Japan.  Mountains and the YALU river separate Korea from China.

II. Mountains and Seas  Low but steep MOUNTAINS cover nearly 70 % of the land.  The most important mountain range, T’ABEK, runs from the north to the south along the east coast.

T’aebaek Mountain Range

III. Farming  Since farming is difficult on the mountains, most people live along the western COASTAL PLAINS, which is Korea’s major farming region.

Coastal Plains

IV. Coastline  Korea has a 5,400 mile coastline with hundreds of good HARBORS.  Since its earliest times, Koreans have depended upon SEAFOOD for most of the protein in their diet.

V. The impact of location  Korea’s location on CHINA’S doorstep has played a key role in its development.  From China, Korea received many cultural and technological INFLUENCES.

 At times, China had political control of Korea.  Throughout its history, Korea has also served as a CULTURAL BRIDGE linking China and Japan.

 From early times, Koreans adapted and transformed Chinese TRADITIONS before passing them on to Japan.  Some examples of this would be writing styles, RELIGION and government.

Japan’s Geography: The land  Archipelago - a chain of islands.

Hokkaido Honshu ShikokuKyushu Location: Japan consists of several thousands of islands, of which Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku HokkaidoKyushu Shikoku are the four largest. Japan's closest neighbors are Korea, Russia and China. The Sea of Japan separates the Asian continent from the Japanese archipelago.

 Japan is land is over 50% mountainous. This affects where the Japanese live and how they make their living. Less than 20% of Japan is arable. This leads to terrace farming being used in the mountainous areas. arable. terrace farming arable. terrace farming

Very Mountainous: Where would you live? Little Arable Land

Mt. Fuji

Mt. Aso -- Active Volcano

Global Tectonic Plates Japan -- On the “Fire Rim of the Pacific”

Japan’s Sub-Oceanic Trenches

 Natural hot springs (onsen) are numerous and highly popular across Japan. Every region of the country has its share of hot springs and resort towns, which come with them. region  There are many types of hot springs, distinguished by the minerals dissolved in the water. Different minerals provide different health benefits, and all hot springs are supposed to have a relaxing effect on your body and mind.

Nature  Mountains, hills and forests cover over two thirds of Japan, while residential and industrial areas account for less than ten percent of land area. This is a little known fact among foreign travelers, who tend to visit mainly the heavily urbanized and industrialized regions around Tokyo and Osaka and along the Tokaido and Sanyo coasts. TokyoOsakaTokyoOsaka

Japanese Earthquakes:

Ginza Ruins After The Great Kanto Earthquake -- Tokyo, 1923 Over 100,000 dead!

Kobe Earthquake -- January 17, 1995 ► 7.2 Richter scale ► 5,500 deaths

Tsunamis – Tidal Waves

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Different Climates and Seasons in Japan

The Japanese Farm the Sea Tokyo Fish Market