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

2. 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?

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. World Tectonic Plates

14. 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

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