Geography: The Korean Geography: The Korean PeninsulaPeninsula

I. PeninsulaI. Peninsula

Korea is located on a Korea is located on a peninsula that juts peninsula that juts SOUTH from the SOUTH from the Asian mainland with Asian mainland with its tip pointing its tip pointing towards Japan.towards Japan.

Mountains and the Mountains and the YALU river separate YALU river separate Korea from China.Korea from China.

II. Mountains and SeasII. Mountains and Seas

Low but steep Low but steep MOUNTAINS cover MOUNTAINS cover nearly 70 % of the nearly 70 % of the land.land.

The most important The most important mountain range, mountain range, T’ABEK, runs from T’ABEK, runs from the north to the south the north to the south along the east coast.along the east coast.

T’aebaek Mountain T’aebaek Mountain RangeRange

III. FarmingIII. Farming

Since farming is Since farming is difficult on the difficult on the mountains, most mountains, most people live along the people live along the western COASTAL western COASTAL PLAINS, which is PLAINS, which is Korea’s major Korea’s major farming region.farming region.

Coastal PlainsCoastal Plains

IV. CoastlineIV. Coastline

Korea has a 5,400 Korea has a 5,400 mile coastline with mile coastline with hundreds of good hundreds of good HARBORS.HARBORS.

Since its earliest Since its earliest times, Koreans have times, Koreans have depended upon depended upon SEAFOOD for most of SEAFOOD for most of the protein in their the protein in their diet.diet.

V. The impact of locationV. The impact of location

Korea’s location on Korea’s location on CHINA’S doorstep CHINA’S doorstep has played a key role has played a key role in its development.in its development.

From China, Korea From China, Korea received many received many cultural and cultural and technological technological INFLUENCES.INFLUENCES.

At times, China had At times, China had political control of political control of Korea.Korea.

Throughout its Throughout its history, Korea has history, Korea has also served as a also served as a CULTURAL BRIDGE CULTURAL BRIDGE linking China and linking China and Japan.Japan.

From early times, From early times, Koreans adapted and Koreans adapted and transformed Chinese transformed Chinese TRADITIONS before TRADITIONS before passing them on to passing them on to Japan.Japan.

Some examples of this Some examples of this would be writing would be writing styles, RELIGION and styles, RELIGION and government.government.

Japan’s Geography: The Japan’s Geography: The landland ArchipelagoArchipelago - a chain of islands. - a chain of islands.

Hokkaido

Honshu

ShikokuKyushu

Location: Japan consists of several thousands of islands, of which Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku are the four largest. Japan's closest neighbors are Korea, Russia and China. The Sea of Japan separates the Asian continent from the Japanese archipelago.

Japan is land is over 50% Japan is land is over 50% mountainous. This affects where mountainous. This affects where the Japanese live and how they the Japanese live and how they make their living. Less than 20% make their living. Less than 20% of Japan is of Japan is arablearable. This leads to. This leads to terrace farmingterrace farming being used in the being used in the mountainous areas.mountainous areas.

Very Mountainous: Where would you live? Very Mountainous: Where would you live? Little Arable LandLittle Arable Land

Mt. FujiMt. Fuji

Mt. Aso -- Active VolcanoMt. Aso -- Active Volcano

Global Tectonic PlatesGlobal Tectonic PlatesJapan -- On the “Fire RimJapan -- On the “Fire Rim

of the Pacific”of the Pacific”

Japan’s Sub-Oceanic Japan’s Sub-Oceanic TrenchesTrenches

Natural hot springs Natural hot springs (onsen) are numerous (onsen) are numerous and highly popular and highly popular across Japan. Every across Japan. Every region of the country has region of the country has its share of hot springs its share of hot springs and resort towns, which and resort towns, which come with them. come with them.

There are many types of There are many types of hot springs, hot springs, distinguished by the distinguished by the minerals dissolved in the minerals dissolved in the water. Different minerals water. Different minerals provide different health provide different health benefits, and all hot benefits, and all hot springs are supposed to springs are supposed to have a relaxing effect on have a relaxing effect on your body and mind. your body and mind.

NatureNature Mountains, hills and Mountains, hills and

forests cover over two forests cover over two thirds of Japan, while thirds of Japan, while residential and residential and industrial areas industrial areas account for less than account for less than ten percent of land ten percent of land area. This is a little area. This is a little known fact among known fact among foreign travelers, who foreign travelers, who tend to visit mainly the tend to visit mainly the heavily urbanized and heavily urbanized and industrialized regions industrialized regions around Tokyo and around Tokyo and Osaka and along the Osaka and along the Tokaido and Sanyo Tokaido and Sanyo coasts. coasts.

Japanese Earthquakes: 1961-Japanese Earthquakes: 1961-19941994

Ginza Ruins After The Great Ginza Ruins After The Great Kanto Earthquake -- Tokyo, Kanto Earthquake -- Tokyo,

19231923

Over 100,000 dead!Over 100,000 dead!

Kobe Earthquake -- January Kobe Earthquake -- January 17, 199517, 1995

► 7.2 Richter 7.2 Richter scalescale

► 5,500 deaths5,500 deaths

Tsunamis – Tidal WavesTsunamis – Tidal Waves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRDpTEjumdo

Different Climates and Different Climates and Seasons in JapanSeasons in Japan

The Japanese Farm the The Japanese Farm the SeaSea

TokyoTokyoFish MarketFish Market