Geography and how it affects Japan

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Geography and how itaffects Japan

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Geography of Japan

• Japan has been influenced by several geographic
  factors
• Islands (Archipelago)
• Mountains
• Ring of Fire
• Proximity to China and Korea
• Lack of natural resources for industrialization

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Japan is an archipelago

• An archipelago is a chain of islands, which is
  made up of many islands that are close together.

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How does being an island nation affect Japan?

• 1. Japan was isolated from the rest of Asia
  because of the sea. This allowed Japan to develop
  a unique culture and society.
• 2. The seas surrounding Japan have provided Japan
  with an important source of food.

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Most of Japan is covered in mountains
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How do mountains affect Japan?

• Mountains are not good for farming. As a result
  of this there is a limit to how much available
  farmland there is in Japan.
• Mountains made it difficult to travel throughout
  Japan. Different regions of Japan were isolated
  from each other because of the mountains.
• The majority of Japans major cities are located
  near the coast.

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One way Japan has adapted to the mountains is by
terracing

• Terracing is the process of creating farmland in
  the mountains by carving terraces into the
  mountainside.
• This technique is also used in the Andes
  mountains of South America.

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Japan is part of the ring of fire

• The ring of fire is a region around the pacific
  ocean that has heavy volcanic activity and
  frequents earthquakes.

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Geography makes life in Japan dangerous

• Japan experiences frequent earthquakes that vary
  from very weak to very strong
• In the summer Japan experiences very strong and
  dangerous storms called Tai Funs. These storms
  create massive amounts of rain and winds capable
  of destroying buildings
• Tsunamis are massive waves that can destroy
  coastal areas. These waves are a frequent threat
  in Japan.

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Impact on religion

• This dramatic and often deadly geography led the
  Japanese to develop a great respect for nature.
• This respect can be seen in their belief system,
  Shinto.
• Japanese belief system that worships spirits
  found in all living and non-living things.

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Geography and Cultural Diffusion

• Japan is located near China and Korea.

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Geography and Cultural Diffusion

• Its location near these countries has caused
  cultural diffusion to occur.
• Japanese culture is a unique blend of its own
  original traditions and ideas borrowed from China
  and Korea.
• Korea is often referred to as a bridge between
  China and Japan.

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Geography and Imperialism

• Japan is an island nation with few natural
  resources needed for industrial factories.
• In order to get the resources they needed, Japan
  practiced a policy of IMPERIALISM.

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Geography and Imperialism

• Imperialism is when one country takes over or
  controls another for social, political, or
  economic reasons.
• Japan basically took control of other countries
  to access their resources.

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Summary

• Japan is an island nation heavily influenced by
  geography.
• The major geographic features that have
  influenced Japan are
• The sea
• Mountains
• Volcanoes
• Geographic location near China and Korea
• Natural resources