Shikoku
The island of Shikoku, Japan
Geography
Location	East Asia
Archipelago	Japanese Archipelago
Area	18,800 km² (7,259 sq mi)
Highest point	Mount Ishizuchi 1,982 m (6,503 ft)
Administration
Japan
Prefectures	Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, Tokushima
Largest city	Matsuyama (512,982)
Demographics
Population	4,141,955 (as of 2005)
Indigenous people	Japanese

Shikoku (四国, Shikoku^? "four provinces") is the smallest (225 km long and between 50 and 150 km wide) and least populous (4,141,955 as of 2005) of the four main islands of Japan, located south of Honshū and east of Kyūshū island. Before the modern prefecture system was established the land of Japan was divided into tens of kuni (国 countries) usually known in For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. or Honshu is the largest Island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaidō across the Tsugaru Strait, north of or Kyushu is the third-largest Island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its ancient names include Iyo-no-futana-shima (伊予之二名島), Iyo-shima (伊予島), and Futana-shima (二名島). The current name refers to the four former provinces which made up the island: Awa, Tosa, Sanuki, and Iyo. Before the modern prefecture system was established the land of Japan was divided into tens of kuni (国 countries) usually known in Awa (阿波国 -no kuni was an old province of Japan in the area that is today a part of Tokushima prefecture on Shikoku. is the name of a fomer province of Japan in the area that is today Kochi prefecture on Shikoku. was an old province of Japan on the island of Shikoku, with the same boundaries as modern Kagawa Prefecture. was an old province of Japan in the area that is today Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku.

Geography

The Shikoku region, comprising Shikoku and its surrounding islets, covers about 18,800 square kilometres (7,259 sq mi) and consists of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. The prefectures of Japan are the country's 47 sub-national Jurisdictions one "metropolis" (都 to) Tokyo; one " circuit "Ehime" redirects here For the school ship see Ehime Maru and USS Greeneville collision. WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines --> is a prefecture of Japan located on the south Coast of Shikoku. WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines--> is a prefecture of Japan located on Shikoku Island. Across the Inland Sea lie Wakayama, Osaka, Hyōgo, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi Prefectures on Honshū. An inland sea is a shallow Sea that covers central areas of continents during high stands of Sea level that result in marine transgressions In modern days WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines --> is a prefecture of Japan located on the Kii Peninsula in the Kansai region WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines --> is a prefecture located in the Kinki region on Honshū, the main island of WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines --> is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kinki region on Honshū Island WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines --> is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines --> is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines--> is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū or Honshu is the largest Island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaidō across the Tsugaru Strait, north of To the west lie Ōita and Miyazaki Prefectures on Kyūshū. WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines --> is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyūshū Island. WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines --> is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyūshū. or Kyushu is the third-largest Island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands.

The 50th largest island by area, Shikoku is smaller than Sardinia and Bananal, but larger than Halmahera and Seram. This is a list of Islands in the world ordered by area. It includes all islands with an area greater than 2500 km² (970 square miles Sardinia (sɑrˈdɪnɪə Sardegna Sardigna or Sardinnya is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily) Bananal Island (Ilha do Bananal is a large Island bordered with Araguaia rivers (Araguaia and Braço Menor do Araguaia) in Tocantins, Halmahera (also Jilolo or Gilolo is the largest Island in the Maluku Islands. Seram (formerly Ceram, also called Seran or Serang is an Island in the Maluku province of Indonesia. By population, it ranks 23rd, having fewer inhabitants than Sicily or Pulau Ujong, but more than Puerto Rico or Negros. Land masses Afro-Eurasia &mdash 5500 million people Americas &mdash 900 million people Australia &mdash 21 million people Sicily ( Italian and Sicilian: Sicilia) is an autonomous region of Italy. Pulau Ujong ( Malay: literally 'island at the end the [[Malay Peninsula|peninsula]]' or Singapore Island is the main Island of the Island country Puerto Rico (ˌpwertoˈriko officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ("Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico" {{lang-en|"Associated Free State of Puerto Rico"}} Negros is an island of the Philippines located in the Visayas, at.

Mountains running east and west divide Shikoku into a narrow northern subregion, fronting on the Inland Sea, and a southern part facing the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth 's Oceanic divisions Most of the 4. 5 million inhabitants live in the north, and all but one of the island's few larger cites are located there. Mount Ishizuchi (石鎚山) in Ehime at 1,982 m (6,503 ft) is the highest mountain on the island. is a 1982 meter high Mountain on the border of Saijō and Kumakōgen, in Ehime, Japan. Industry is moderately well developed and includes the processing of ores from the important Besshi copper mine. The was a rich source of Copper in Niihama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. Land is used intensively. Wide alluvial areas, especially in the eastern part of the zone, are planted with rice and subsequently are double cropped with winter wheat and barley. Fruit is grown throughout the northern area in great variety, including citrus fruits, persimmons, peaches, and grapes. Because of wheat production Sanuki udon (讃岐うどん) became an important part of the diet in Kagawa Prefecture (former Sanuki Province) in the Edo period. is a type of thick Wheat -based Noodle popular in Japanese cuisine. The, also referred to as the Tokugawa period (徳川時代 Tokugawa-jidai) is a division of Japanese history running from 1603 to 1868

Shikoku in relation to the Inland Sea and Honshū. An inland sea is a shallow Sea that covers central areas of continents during high stands of Sea level that result in marine transgressions In modern days or Honshu is the largest Island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaidō across the Tsugaru Strait, north of

The larger southern area of Shikoku is mountainous and sparsely populated. The only significant lowland is a small alluvial plain at Kochi, the prefectural capital. is the capital city of Kōchi Prefecture on Shikoku island of Japan. The area's mild winters stimulated some truck farming, specializing in growing out-of-season vegetables under plastic covering. Two crops of rice can be cultivated annually in the southern area. The pulp and paper industry took advantage of the abundant forests and hydroelectric power.

Shikoku has four important capes. Gamōda in Anan, Tokushima is the easternmost point on the island, and Sada in Ikata, Ehime the westernmost. is a city located in Tokushima, Japan. As of 2008 the city has an estimated Population of 76723 and the density of 275 persons is a small town located in Nishiuwa District, Ehime, Japan Following a recent merger with the neighboring towns of Misaki and Seto Muroto in Muroto, Kochi and Ashizuri, the southern extreme of Shikoku, in Tosashimizu, Kochi, jut into the Pacific Ocean. is a city located in Kōchi, Japan. As of 2008 the city has an estimated Population of 17388 and the density of 70 persons per km² is a city located in Kōchi, Japan.As of 2008, the city has an estimated Population of 17232 and a density of 64 The island's northernmost point is in Takamatsu, Kagawa. is located in central Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku in Japan, and is the seat of the prefectural government

Transportation

Shikoku is connected to Honshū by three expressways. or Honshu is the largest Island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaidō across the Tsugaru Strait, north of The expressways (高速道路 kōsokudōro, lit high-speed road) of Japan make up a large network of Freeway -standard toll roads.

• Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway (Eastern Shikoku)
• Seto-Chūō Expressway (Central Shikoku)
• Nishiseto Expressway (Western Shikoku)

The eastern gateway to Shikoku, Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture has been linked to the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway since 1998. The Honshū-Shikoku Bridge Project is a system of Bridges connecting the islands of Honshū and Shikoku across the Inland Sea of Japan The Honshū-Shikoku Bridge Project is a system of Bridges connecting the islands of Honshū and Shikoku across the Inland Sea of Japan The, often called the Shimanami Kaidō (trans islands and sea highway is an expressway in Japan that connects Onomichi Hiroshima and Imabari Ehime, is a city located in Tokushima, Japan. As of 2008 the city has an estimated Population of 62453 and the density of 461 persons per WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines--> is a prefecture of Japan located on Shikoku Island. The Honshū-Shikoku Bridge Project is a system of Bridges connecting the islands of Honshū and Shikoku across the Inland Sea of Japan This line connects Shikoku to the Kansai area which has a large population, including the large conurbations of Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. The or the lies in the southern-central region of Japan 's main island Honshū. is a city in Japan, located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, in the Kansai region of the main island of Honshū (IPA /kʲoːto / is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture and a prominent port city in Japan with a population of about 1 Therefore, the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway carries a large traffic volume. Many highway buses are operated between Kansai and Tokushima Prefecture. The or the lies in the southern-central region of Japan 's main island Honshū. WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines--> is a prefecture of Japan located on Shikoku Island.

The central part of Shikoku is connected to Honshū by ferry, air and since 1988, by the Great Seto Bridge network. or Honshu is the largest Island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaidō across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) The, or Seto-Ohashi Bridge, is a series of double deck Bridges connecting Okayama and Kagawa prefectures in Japan across a series of five small Until completion of the bridges, the region was isolated from the rest of Japan. The freer movement between Honshū and Shikoku was expected to promote economic development on both sides of the bridges, which has not materialized yet.

Within the island, a web of national highways connects the major population centers. Japan has a nationwide system of distinct from the expressways. These include Routes 11, 32, 33, 55, and 56. National Route 11 is a Japanese highway on the island of Shikoku. National Route 32 is a national highway connecting Takamatsu and Kochi in Japan. also known as the Tosa Kaidō, is a Japanese highway on the island of Shikoku.

The Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku) serves the island. commonly known as, is one of the constituent companies of Japan Railways Group (JR Group JR lines include:

• Yosan Line
• Dosan Line
• Kōtoku Line
• Tokushima Line
• Mugi Line
• Naruto Line
• Uchiko Line
• Yodo Line
• Honshi Bisan Line
• Seto Ōhashi Line

Private railway lines operate in each of the four prefectures on Shikoku. The is a railway line serving the island of Shikoku, Japan. Part of the Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku network it runs along the Inland Sea, connecting is a Japanese Railway line of Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku between Tadotsu Station in Tadotsu, Kagawa and Kubokawa Station The is one of the main railway lines of the Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku in Japan. Basic data Distance 675 km Gauge: 1067 mm Stations 24 Track single Traction internal The is a Japanese Railway line operated by Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku that runs between Shimanto Town in Kōchi Prefecture and is a Japanese Railway service across the Inland Sea via the Great Seto Bridge between Okayama Station, Okayama and Takamatsu

Shikoku lacks a full international airport but has 4 regional airports (Tokushima, Takamatsu, Kochi-Ryoma and Matsuyama Airport). All of these airports have flights to Tokyo and other major Japanese cities such as Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, and Fukuoka. officially, is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and located on the eastern side of the main island Honshū. is a city in Japan, located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, in the Kansai region of the main island of Honshū is the third-largest incorporated city and the fourth most populous urban area in Japan. is the fifth-largest city in Japan by population It is the capital of Hokkaidō Prefecture, located in Ishikari Subprefecture, and an is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture and is situated on the northern shore of the island of Kyūshū in Japan, across International flights to Seoul, South Korea are serviced by Asiana Airlines from Matsuyama and Takamatsu. Seoul ( soʊl is the Capital and largest City of South Korea. South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea and often referred to as Korea ( Korean: 대한민국 tɛː Asiana Airlines (; formerly Seoul Airlines) is an Airline based in Seoul, South Korea and is one of South Korea 's two major is located in central Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku in Japan, and is the seat of the prefectural government There are periodic international charter flights as well.

Ferries link Shikoku to destinations including Kyūshū and islands around Shikoku. or Kyushu is the third-largest Island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands.

Movements

Pioneering organic farmer Masanobu Fukuoka, author of The One-Straw Revolution, developed his methods here on his family's farm. Organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on Crop rotation, Green manure, Compost, Biological pest control, and mechanical Cultivation Masanobu Fukuoka (福岡 正信 Fukuoka Masanobu February 2, 1913 &ndash August 16, 2008) author of The One-Straw Revolution The One Straw Revolution is a book by Masanobu Fukuoka concerning his methods of natural Farming.

Traditions

Shikoku is also famous for its 88-temple pilgrimage of temples associated with the priest Kūkai. The is a pilgrimage of eighty-eight temples on the island of Shikoku, Japan. Kūkai (ja 空海 or also known posthumously as Kōbō-Daishi (ja 弘法大師 774&ndash835 CE was a Japanese monk, Scholar Most modern day pilgrims travel by bus, rarely choosing the old-fashioned method of going by foot. They are seen wearing white jackets emblazoned with the characters reading dōgyō ninin meaning "two traveling together".

Tokushima Prefecture also has its annual Awa Odori running in August at the time of the Obon festival, which attracts thousands of tourists each year from all over Japan and from abroad. The is held from 12 to 15 August as part of the Bon festival in Tokushima city (徳島市 Tokushima-shi the capital city of Tokushima Prefecture on For the spanish municipality see Obón. or just is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the departed (deceased Spirits

References

• This article contains material from the Library of Congress Country Studies, which are United States government publications in the public domain. The Country Studies are works published by the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress ( USA) freely available for use by researchers The federal government of the United States is the central United States Governmental body established by the United States Constitution. The public domain is a range of abstract materials &ndash commonly referred to as Intellectual property &ndash which are not owned or controlled by anyone - Japan

See also

• Geography of Japan
• Regions of Japan

External links

• Wikitravel: Shikoku
• Notes from Shikoku