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Geography of JapanJapan has been influenced by

several geographic factors:Islands (Archipelago)MountainsRing of FireProximity to China and KoreaLack of natural resources for industrialization

Japan is an archipelago

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

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.

Most of Japan is covered in mountains

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.

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.

Japan is part of the ring of fireThe ring of fire is a

region around the pacific ocean that has heavy volcanic activity and frequents earthquakes.

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.

Impact on religionThis 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.

Geography and Cultural DiffusionJapan is located near China and Korea.

Geography and Cultural DiffusionIts 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.

Geography and ImperialismJapan 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.

Geography and ImperialismImperialism 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.

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