Geography of Kyushu (Japan)

The third-largest and most southwesterly of Japan's four main islands is Kyushu. The nine prehistoric provinces (kuni) into which the island was divided are referenced in the name. The island's hilly terrain is made up of a number of volcanic ranges, including Mount Aso, the largest active volcano in the world. The island is well recognized for both its abundant rainfall and subtropical vegetation. Rice, tea, tobacco, sweet potatoes, soy beans, fruits, and wheat are the main crops.

The northern region of Kyushu is home to a concentration of heavy industry, including Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, and Omuta. The island also features mining for copper, zinc, and coal.

Geographical Regions

Its name alludes to the nine prehistoric districts (kuni) that the island was previously divided into. The Shimonoseki Strait, or Eastern Channel, divides Kyushu from the island of Honshu in the north, while the Tsushima Strait, or Eastern Channel, divides it from Korea in the northwest. The island is made up of an intricate network of volcanic mountains. Subtropical weather prevails in the south, and Kyushu is renowned for its subtropical vegetation and copious rains. It is home to Mount Aso, the biggest active volcanic crater in the world, as well as the national parks of Aso-Kuju, Kirishima-Yaku, and Unzen-Amakusa. A well-known hot springs resort is Beppu.

Subtropical weather can be found in several areas of Kyushu, particularly in Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures. Rice, tea, tobacco, sweet potatoes, and soy are important agricultural crops. Silk is also produced in large quantities. The northern region of the island, near Beppu, has a substantial amount of mud hot springs in addition to the volcanic region in the south. Some extremophile microbes, or those that can survive in extremely hot settings, are found in the springs. Yakushima (registered in 1993) and Amami-shima Island, Tokunoshima Island, the northern section of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island (registered in 2021) are two World Natural Heritage sites in Kyushu.

Physical Features

The southernmost and third-largest of Japan's four main islands is Kyushu. It is flanked on the west and east by the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and is divided from Shikoku and Honshu by the Bungo Strait and the Shimonoseki Strait, respectively. Kyushu and Honshu are connected via the Kanmon Bridge and Tunnel, a train tunnel beneath the Shimonoseki Strait and a bridge. With a total area of 14,201.75 sq mi (36,782.37 km2), it ranks as the 37th largest island in the world. 35,808 km2 (13,826 sq mi) is about as big as Taiwan Island. Mount Kuj has the maximum elevation of 1791 meters (5876 feet).

The origin of the island is primarily volcanic. The tallest of its 23 summits, Mount Kuju, rises to a height of 5,886 feet (1,794 m) in the interior's rocky terrain. On Kysh sits Mount Aso, the largest active volcano in the world. Other tectonic activity indicators include a large number of hot springs. The most well-known of these are in and around Mt. Aso in central Kyushu, as well as Beppu on the east coast. Kyushu is home to four national parks, including Aso-Kuju, Kirishima-Yaku, and Unzen-Amakusa, as well as one of Japan's two space centres. Kyushu, the 37th-largest island in the world by area, is bigger than New Britain and Taiwan but smaller than Spitsbergen. It ranks 13th in terms of population, having more people than Cuba and Salsette but fewer than Borneo or Sulawesi.

Biodiversity

The longest river on the island, the Chikugo (88 mi; 142 km), supplies water to a sizable rice-growing region in the northwest. The Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures in particular have a subtropical climate, and Kyush is famed for its subtropical vegetation and copious amounts of precipitation. Rice, tea, tobacco, sweet potatoes, soy beans, fruits, and wheat are the main crops. Copper, zinc, and coal are all mined in Kyushu, and raw silk is widely manufactured there. In North Kyushu, close to Japan's oldest coal deposit, heavy industry, including chemicals and metal processing, is concentrated; Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, and Omuta are significant industrial hubs.

Satsuma and Hizen ware, two types of porcelain, are famous in Kyushu. The historic village of Arita produced the renowned Imari porcelain. Fukuoka, which has 1.4 million residents and is home to one of Japan's five stock exchanges, is the island's largest city by population. Fukuoka is a significant business hub. With somewhat fewer than a million residents, Kitakyushu is a designated city and a significant hub for heavy industries. With approximately 500,000 inhabitants apiece, Kumamoto and Kagoshima are the third and fourth largest cities on the island.

Mountain

The hilly island is home to Mount Aso, Japan's most active volcano, which rises to a height of 1,591 meters (5,220 feet) on Kyushu. Numerous hot springs and other tectonic activity indicators are present. The most well-known of these are in and around Mt. Aso in central Kyushu, as well as Beppu on the east coast. The Kanmon Straits divide the island from Honshu. It was historically the entry point to Japan because it is the island closest to the Asian continent.

The biggest active volcano in Japan and one of the biggest in the world is Mount Aso. On the island of Kysh, in Kumamoto Prefecture, it is located. The elevation of its peak is 1592 meters. East to west and north to south, its caldera measures 25 km and 18 km, respectively. The caldera is approximately 120 kilometres (75 miles) in circumference, though sources disagree on the precise measurement.

Conclusion

Kyushu, the third-largest and most populous of Japan's four main islands, is a captivating blend of volcanic landscapes, subtropical weather, and rich biodiversity. Kyushu displays its volcanic origin and tectonic activity with Mount Aso, the largest active volcano in the world, and a complex network of hot springs. Rice, tea, tobacco, and soybeans are just a few of the agricultural commodities that the island's diversified nature and plentiful rains make a success of.

The northern part of Kyushu is also well recognized for its heavy industries, which adds to the island's economic importance. The distinctive porcelain adds to the island's cultural history, including Satsuma and Hizen pottery. Kyushu has a distinctive place in the geography and history of the nation due to its historical importance as a gateway to Japan and its ties to the Asian continent.

FAQs

1. Where is Kyushu located?

One of Japan's four main islands, Kyushu is located in the southwest of the nation. East China Sea on the west and Pacific Ocean on the east surround it.

2. What is the size of Kyushu?

Kyushu is the third-largest island in Japan and the 37th-largest island in the world, with a total size of roughly 14,201.75 square miles (36,782.37 km2).

3. What are some natural features of Kyushu?

With Mount Aso being the largest active volcano in Japan and one of the largest in the world, Kyushu is known for its volcanic ranges. The island also has a complex system of hot springs.

4. What crops are grown in Kyushu?

The agriculture of Kyushu includes the production of wheat, sweet potatoes, soybeans, tobacco, rice, tea, and other crops. The island is renowned for its silk production as well.

5. Which cities are prominent in Kyushu?

The largest city on the island, Fukuoka, is renowned for its commercial and industrial importance. Other significant cities in Kyushu include Kagoshima, Kumamoto, and Kitakyushu.

6. What is Kyushu famous for?

Kyushu is well-known for its heavy industry, hot springs, subtropical climate, and volcanic landscapes. Along with notable porcelain varieties like Satsuma and Hizen china, it has a rich cultural heritage.