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Hiroshima Prefecture

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Hiroshima Prefecture is a major administrative division of Japan. It is located within the Chūgoku region on the island of Honshu.

Map of Hiroshima Prefecture Ja
Map of Hiroshima Prefecture Ja

The prefecture covers a total geographic area of 8,479 square kilometers. As of June 2019, it held a population of 2,811,410 people. It serves as a vital regional center for industry, education, and culture. The prefecture is bordered by several other regions. Okayama Prefecture lies to the east. Tottori Prefecture is to the northeast. Shimane Prefecture sits to the north. Yamaguchi Prefecture is to the southwest. It also borders Ehime Prefecture across the water on Hyōtanjima.

The physical geography of the region is diverse. Most of the land consists of mountains that lead toward Shimane Prefecture. Rivers flow from these heights to create rich, flat plains near the coast. The prefecture faces the island of Shikoku across the Seto Inland Sea.

Mihara
Mihara

Hiroshima Bay opens directly onto this sea. The Inland Sea is a sheltered body of water. This sheltered nature results in a very mild climate for the area. The prefecture also includes many small islands scattered throughout the water. While much of the land is mountainous, 4% of the area is designated as Natural Parks. These include the Setonaikai National Park and several others like the Hiba-Dōgo-Taishaku Quasi-National Park.

Historically, the region was divided into two distinct areas. These were known as Bingo Province and Aki Province. This location has served as a center for trade and culture since the beginning of Japan's recorded history. The area was once the seat of the Mōri clan until the Battle of Sekigahara. The prefecture is also famous for its role in modern history. In 1945, the city of Hiroshima was the site of an atomic bombing. Since that time, the region has undergone a massive reconstruction. It has transformed from a site of destruction into a major hub for the Chūgoku region.

The prefecture contains fourteen distinct cities. Hiroshima is the capital and the largest city. It has a population of 1,199,391 people.

Fukuyama-city photo
Fukuyama-city photo

Other major urban centers include Fukuyama, Kure, and Higashihiroshima. Each city serves different roles within the regional structure. For example, Fukuyama has a population of 468,812. Kure is another significant city with 28,030 residents. The cities are connected by various transportation networks. These include the San'yō Shinkansen high-speed railway and many local lines like the Kure Line. The area is also served by the Hiroshima Airport and several major ports.

The economy of Hiroshima is highly developed and relies on several sectors. The economic output is divided into primary, secondary, and tertiary industries. In 2015, the tertiary industry made up 66.2% of the economy. The secondary industry, which includes manufacturing, accounted for 32.6%. The primary industry made up only 0.6%.

Onomichi city huukei
Onomichi city huukei

Manufacturing is a massive part of the local wealth. The value of manufacturing production was 10,343 billion yen in 2016. This makes it the 10th largest manufacturing sector in Japan. A famous example of this industrial strength is the automobile company Mazda. Mazda is headquartered in this prefecture.

Cultural significance is highlighted by its UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Hiroshima is one of only three prefectures in Japan with more than one such site. The first is the Atomic Dome in Hiroshima city. This structure is one of the few remnants left from the prewar city after the 1945 bombing.

Saijyo-cho
Saijyo-cho

The second site is the Itsukushima Shrine located on Miyajima. This shrine is famous because it appears to float on the water during high tide. These sites draw many visitors to the region every year. The prefecture also hosts many local festivals. These include the Onomichi Port Festival in April and the Saijo Sake Festival in October.

Demographic studies often focus on the population trends in Hiroshima. The city has experienced dramatic population reconstruction following World War II. It also went through the demographic transitions linked to Japan's rapid economic growth. Today, the prefecture faces modern social challenges. These include low fertility rates and an aging population. There is also a trend of gradual population decline. These factors make the prefecture an important area for studying how modern societies change over time.

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🖼️ Images & Media (55)
File:Map of Hiroshima Prefecture Ja.svg
Map of Hiroshima Prefecture Ja.svg
File:Fukuyama-city photo.jpg
Fukuyama-city photo.jpg
File:Onomichi city huukei.jpg
Onomichi city huukei.jpg
File:Saijyo-cho.jpg
Saijyo-cho.jpg
File:Mihara.jpg
Mihara.jpg
File:Flag of Akitakata, Hiroshima.svg
Flag of Akitakata, Hiroshima.svg
File:Akitakata in Hiroshima Prefecture Ja.svg
Akitakata in Hiroshima Prefecture Ja.svg
File:Flag of Etajima, Hiroshima.svg
Flag of Etajima, Hiroshima.svg
File:Etajima in Hiroshima Prefecture Ja.svg
Etajima in Hiroshima Prefecture Ja.svg
File:Flag of Fuchu city, Hiroshima.svg
Flag of Fuchu city, Hiroshima.svg
File:Fuchu in Hiroshima Prefecture Ja.svg
Fuchu in Hiroshima Prefecture Ja.svg
File:Flag of Fukuyama, Hiroshima.svg
Flag of Fukuyama, Hiroshima.svg

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