About Japan

H Name of Japan in Japanese are Nihon or Nippon

Area: 377,800 square. kilometers. The area of ​​Japan is slightly larger than Italy and Norway. It consists of more than 6.800 Islands, of which the main ones are: Honshu (Honshu), Hokkaido (Hokkaido), Kyushu (Kyushu) and Shikoku (Shikoku). These four islands are the 98% the total area of ​​the country.

Population: According to the data of September 2003, The Japanese population is in 127,5 million people (It is the ninth most populous country in the world). The population has doubled since the first national census 1920 (about 56 million inhabitants). In recent years the rate of population growth has slowed. The growth rate of the 2001 calculated in 0,29%, well below the world average in the period of 1990-95. Japan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with 341,4 residents (2000) per square kilometer. The average lifespan is to men the 77 years and for women the 84 years (1998).

Cities: The 11 major Japanese cities is: Tokyo (12.059.000), Yokohama (3.426.000), Osaka (2.598.000), Nagoya (2.171.000), Sapporo (1.822.000), Kobe (1.493.000), Kyoto (1.464.000), Fukuoka (1.290.000), Kawasaki (1.208.000), Hiroshima (1.113.000), και Kitakyushu (1.020.000).

Climate: The Japanese archipelago stretches 1800 miles, from north to south so the Japanese climate has great variety. The northernmost part of Japan has the same latitude as the Quebec while the southern has the same latitude as the United States Florida. Most areas in Japan have rainy season, from mid-June to mid-August. Also often presented hurricanes, from August to October.

Religion: The two main religions in Japan are Buddhism and Shinto.

Constitution: Constitutional monarchy.

Symbol of State: According to the Japanese Constitution, Emperor is the symbol of the state. There have powers relating to the governance of the country and only performs operations defined by syntagma.O current emperor is Akihito, born on 23 December 1933 and is the eldest son of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagkako.

Legislative authority: The Japanese parliament is the legislative organ of state. It consists of two parts, of Representatives (500, 4-year tenure) and Directors (252, 6year term).

Flag and national anthem: The Japanese flag called Chinomarou (Hinomaru). The sun is depicted on the flag of the 17th century. The national anthem of Japan called Kimigkagio (Kimigayo). The composition of music was about a century ago, but the lyrics were written for 1000 years.

Education: The Japanese education is based 6-3-3-4 system. Compulsory schooling extends from the age of 6 up to age 15 years. The 94.6 % teenagers then still in high school and more than 1/3 students follow higher education (Universities and professional schools).