Basic Info about Japan
Japan is a small island nation located in East Asia, between China and the United States. From Memphis, it is roughly 6,606 miles away. That's pretty far! It is an island nation, containing more than 6,852 islands make up the entirety of Japan, yet, only about 430 islands are actually inhabitable. Japan is mostly mountainous, with over 100 active volcanoes scattered about, making up 10% of the world's active volcanoes. Actually, Japan's most famous mountain, Mt. Fuji, is an active volcano!
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Japan is known for its temperate climate, consisting of four seasons. Summers are hot and humid, and winters can get quite cold and windy. Due to its unfortunate location in a ring of tectonic plates, Japan experiences many earthquakes and tsunamis. They are not always major disasters, but in two particular cases (Tohoku Tsunami and Great Hanshin Earthquake) there were many fatalities. However, each time, the Japanese people rebuild and make their buildings stronger against natural disaster, further preventing such tragic losses.
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Japan also has one of the most dense populations in the world. As of July 1st, 2014, Japan's population was estimated to be 126,999,808. Even though that is a pretty large number, it is actually declining because the birth rate is slowly declining. However, with the announcement of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, there might be a positive increase.
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What is Japan Famous For?
Tradition Japan has very close ties to their history. They actively incorporate it into their daily lives, and actively preserve near-ancient traditions that make up a country that is equal parts old and new.
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Technology When one thinks of Japan, they think of all the new kinds of electronics that come from there. From the most simple machine to a complex human-like robot, Japan is a world leader in technological advancement.
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Popular Culture Steadily gaining global popularity throughout each decade, Japanese pop culture has spread across the world. From Hello Kitty to Pokemon, Japanese pop culture icons are known worldwide.
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