Location
* Japan is located in East Asia, off the coast of the continent of Asia.
* It is an archipelago, made up of thousands of islands.
* The four main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
* Japan is bordered by the Sea of Japan to the west, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and the East China Sea to the south.
Size
* Japan has a land area of 377,975 square kilometers (145,937 square miles).
* It is the 61st largest country in the world.
Climate
* Japan has a temperate climate, with four distinct seasons.
* The climate is affected by the country's location near the ocean and by the warm Kuroshio Current, which flows along the Pacific coast of Japan.
* The average temperature in January is 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit), while the average temperature in August is 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit).
* The rainy season in Japan lasts from June to July.
Terrain
* Japan is a mountainous country, with about 75% of its land area covered by mountains.
* The highest mountain in Japan is Mount Fuji, which is 3,776 meters (12,388 feet) high.
* The other major mountain ranges in Japan include the Japanese Alps, the Hida Mountains, and the Akaishi Mountains.
Rivers and Lakes
* Japan has many rivers and lakes.
* The longest river in Japan is the Shinano River, which is 365 kilometers (227 miles) long.
* The largest lake in Japan is Lake Biwa, which is 670 square kilometers (259 square miles) in area.
Population
* Japan has a population of about 126 million people.
* It is the 11th most populous country in the world.
* The population density of Japan is 336 people per square kilometer (870 people per square mile).
* The majority of the population lives in urban areas, such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.
Economy
* Japan has a highly developed economy, with a GDP of about $5 trillion.
* It is the third largest economy in the world, after the United States and China.
* Japan is a leading producer of automobiles, electronics, and steel.
* The country also has a strong service sector, including finance, tourism, and healthcare.