1. Japan Land of the Rising Sun

2. Physical Characteristics  Archipelago of islands 100 miles off the shore of East Asia.  Honshu is the largest island in the Japanese chain.  Japan is the peaks of underwater mountains  Most of Japan’s land is mountainous due to this fact.

3. The ring of fire Japan  Japan has a record of 7,500 earthquakes each year.  Japan experiences more seismic activity than any other country in the world  In Japan, 75 of the 170 volcanoes are active, however, they rarely erupt

4. Climates  The climates reflect the latitude of the area  The north of Japan, has a very similar climate to New England which is about the same latitude.  Monsoons affect Japan’s seasons with winds.  Ocean currents changes the climate of Japan by warming or cooling the air.

5. People and culture  One of the most densely populated countries  The cities are very crowded  Capsule Hotels  Japan has problems with pollution and trash  Grown from 35 million to 127 million since 1880  Japan has a structured class order  Japan has a large middle class  Shinto and Buddhism beliefs have impacted Japan’s culture

6. History  From 1639 to 1853 Japan isolated itself from the West  A new government then took control  Japan became an industrial power from the lack of natural resources

7. Military  Japan joined Germany and Italy in WWII  Japan surrendered in August of 1945 after the bombing of Hiroshima  Japan was forbidden to ever rebuild its military

8. Economy  After World War II, Japan’s economy grew faster than any other economy in the world  Japan has a surplus of people  Japan also has a very educated nation

9. works cited "Google Image Result for Http://www.pajamadeen.com/images/hiroshima-little-boy-atomic-bomb.jpg." Google. Web. 08 Feb. 2011.. "Google Image Result for Http://www.portaloha.com/aukipa/gallery/images/PHnavalHist/h97398.jpg." Google. Web. 08 Feb. 2011.. "Google Image Result for Http://www.uncommonthought.com/mtblog/linked_files/OceanCurrents.gif." Google. Web. 08 Feb. 2011.. "Japan Capsule Hotel Tips and Tricks." Travel Guides, Luxury Travel Destinations & Hotels. Web. 08 Feb. 2011.. "Japanese Writing - Google Search." Google. Web. 08 Feb. 2011. <http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&gbv=2&tbs=isch:1&&sa=X&ei=KcRRTYrWF4mesQOX89m9Bg&ved=0CDMQvwUoAQ&q=japanese writing&spell=1&biw=1280&bih=803>.

10. Works cited (cont. 1) " Google Image Result for Http://www.mapsofworld.com/images/world-countries-flags/japan-flag.gif." Google. Web. 08 Feb. 2011.. "Google Image Result for Http://www.intercarto.com/EN/produits_image/image_1507_BDM_Japan_GB.gif." Google. Web. 08 Feb. 2011.. "Google Image Result for Http://www.liveworldtours.com/tokyo/tokyo7.jpg." Google. Web. 08 Feb. 2011.. "Google Image Result for Http://www.individualglobalinvestor.com/images/Blog_pics/October_13_Japanese_Trade_3.gif." Google. Web. 08 Feb. 2011.. "Google Image Result for Http://www.gold101.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/yen1.jpg." Google. Web. 08 Feb. 2011..

11. Works cited (cont. 2) "Google Image Result for Http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/graphics/Fig22.gif." Google. Web. 08 Feb. 2011.. "Google Image Result for Http://travellingboard.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/akihabara-hotel1.jpg." Google. Web. 08 Feb. 2011.. "Google Image Result for Http://www2m.biglobe.ne.jp/%7eZenTech/English/Climate/Japan/Japan_Climate_Map.gif." Google. Web. 08 Feb. 2011.. Baerwald, Thomas John., and Celeste Fraser. World Geography: Building a Global Perspective. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2009. Print.