Continent
in: Asia
Capital
: Tokyo
Currency: Yen
Area: 377,801
sq. km
Population: 123,612,000
Literacy: 99%
GNP: $5149.2
billion
International Dialling Code: +81
Time Zone: IST
+ 3 1/2 (GMT + 9) |
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| Geography |
| Japan
is made up of four large islands - Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu
- and nearly 4000 small ones. |
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Since most of Japan is mountainous with steep slopes and volcanoes,
the population is limited to the cramped cities.
Honshu is the largest island and more than 75% of the Japanese
population lives here.
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is the fourth largest city in the
world. It is so crowded that even the rich live in very small
flats! |
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| Religion
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Most
Japanese are Buddhists. But Confucianism, which originated in China
is a very strong influence.
| Fundu
Fact |
|
The Japanese writing system is very complicated. Unlike English,
that uses only 26 characters, the Japanese system has more
than 3000 characters. |
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| Economy
|
Rice
is the staple diet of the Japanese.
Being an island nation, the Japanese fishing industry is one
of the largest in the world.
You must have seen the 'Made in Japan' tag on some electronic
goods at home. Japan is famous for its electronic goods, which
it exports to every part of the world. Japan also makes more
cars than any country in the world. |
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| Did
you know? |
| Japan
has the longest tunnel in the world. This is the Seiken railway tunnel
which connects the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido. The tunnel extends
54 kilometers. |
| |
| Government |
For
centuries, Japan was ruled by an emperor. However, from 1254
to 1868, strong military leaders called shoguns ruled Japan.
Each shogun had his army of warriors called samurai.
After 1946, Japan became a democracy, following a similar system
of voting and election we have in India. |
|
Japan
is one of the richest countries in the world today. |
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| Dress |
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The
Kimono is the traditional dress of Japan, still worn on formal
occasions.
Kimono styles have changed significantly from one period of
Japan's history to another, and today there are many different
types of kimono worn by men, women, and children.
The cut, colour, fabric, and decorations of a kimono may vary
according to the sex, age, and marital status of the wearer,
the season of the year, and the occasion for which the kimono
is worn.
Kimonos are divided into two main parts: the robe (called Kimono)
and belt (called Obi). Both are made of 100% silk. They are
designed, dyed, woven and sewn by hand by experts. These days,
machines are sometimes used. For a beautiful finish, gold leaf
and embroidery are added. |
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| Sumo |
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Sumo
is Japan's national sport. This wrestling game originated
in ancient times as a series of religious performances
to the Japanese gods. Even now, many rituals are followed
during a Sumo wrestling bout.
In this game, the wrestler who is the first to either
touch the floor with something other than his sole or
leave the ring, loses.
The fights themselves usually last only a few seconds
and in rare cases up to one minute or more.
Six tournaments are held every year. Each one lasts
15 days. On the top of the Sumo wrestler hierarchy stands
the Yokozuna.
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Once
a wrestler has reached the rank of Yokozuna, he cannot lose it anymore.
However, he is expected to retire as soon as his results are starting
to worsen.
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Sumo
Fact
Most elite wrestlers are highly trained athletes between 18
to 35 years old.
Sumo wrestlers are huge and very fat. This is because besides
working out, the wrestlers eat large amounts of food and go
to bed right after eating in order to gain mass. The heaviest
Sumo wrestler is Salevaa Atisance. He weighs 274 kgs!
The wrestlers live in special sumo houses where they have
to follow strict rules.
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