Hiroshima Prefecture


Hiroshima Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. Hiroshima Prefecture has a population of 2,811,410 and has a geographic area of 8,479 km2. Hiroshima Prefecture borders Okayama Prefecture to the east, Tottori Prefecture to the northeast, Shimane Prefecture to the north, and Yamaguchi Prefecture to the southwest. Hiroshima Prefecture also borders Ehime Prefecture for on Hyōtanjima.
Hiroshima is the capital and largest city of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region, with other major cities including Fukuyama, Kure, and Higashihiroshima. Hiroshima Prefecture is located on the Seto Inland Sea across from the island of Shikoku, and is bounded to the north by the Chūgoku Mountains. Hiroshima Prefecture is one of the three prefectures of Japan with more than one UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known globally for the atomic bombing of 1945, Hiroshima has since rebuilt into a major regional center of industry, education, and culture. Its demographic profile is particularly significant from a population-studies perspective: the city has undergone dramatic population reconstruction after WWII, experienced the demographic transitions associated with Japan’s rapid economic growth, and now faces the contemporary challenges of low fertility, population aging, and gradual population decline.

History

The area around Hiroshima was formerly divided into Bingo Province and Aki Province. This location has been a center of trade and culture since the beginning of Japan's recorded history. Hiroshima is a traditional center of the Chūgoku region and was the seat of the Mōri clan until the Battle of Sekigahara.
Together with Nara and Tokyo, Hiroshima is one of the three prefectures with more than one UNESCO World Heritage Site. The two such sites in Hiroshima Prefecture are:
Hiroshima prefecture lies in the middle of Japan. Most of the prefecture consists of mountains leading towards Shimane Prefecture; and rivers produce rich plains near the coast.
The province faces Shikoku across the Seto Inland Sea. Hiroshima Bay opens on the Inland Sea. The prefecture also includes many small islands.
The sheltered nature of the Inland Sea makes Hiroshima's climate very mild.
As of 1 April 2014, 4% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks, namely Setonaikai National Park; Hiba-Dōgo-Taishaku and Nishi-Chūgoku Sanchi Quasi-National Parks; and six Prefectural Natural Parks.

Cities

Fourteen cities are located in Hiroshima Prefecture:

Towns

These are the towns in each district:

Mergers

Economy

Hiroshima's main industries include automobiles and tourism in two World Heritage Sites: the A-Bomb dome and Itsukushima Shrine.
Components of the economy are primary industry, secondary industry, and tertiary industry, which compose 0.6%, 32.6%, and 66.2% in 2015. There is 0.6% of unclassified production.
Value of production of manufacturing is 10,343 billion yen in 2016, which is the 10th largest in Japan. After 2012, production of manufacturing is continuously increasing in 2015.

Education

University

*
Similar to the rest of Japan, most people in the Hiroshima Prefecture are Shinto or Buddhist. In 1996, 51.2% of the population was Buddhist, 2% were affiliated with Shinto Sects, 44.8% practiced Folk Shinto, and 2% were Christian.

Transportation

Railway

  • JR West
  • *Fukuen Line
  • *Geibi Line
  • *Kabe Line
  • *Kure Line
  • *San'yō Main Line
  • *San'yō Shinkansen
  • Ibara Railway

    People movers

  • Astram Line
  • Skyrail Service

    Streetcars

  • Hiroshima Electric Railway

    Roads

Expressways

  • Chūgoku Expressway
  • Hamada Expressway
  • Hiroshima Expressway
  • Hiroshima Expressway
  • Shimanami Expressway
  • Onomichi Expressway
  • San'yō Expressway

    National highways

  • Route 2
  • Route 31
  • Route 54
  • Route 182
  • Route 183
  • Route 185
  • Route 186
  • Route 191
  • Route 261
  • Route 313
  • Route 314
  • Route 317
  • Route 375
  • Route 432
  • Route 433
  • Route 434
  • Route 486
  • Route 487
  • Route 488

    Ports

  • Fukuyama Port - International Container hub port
  • Hiroshima Port - Ferry route to Miyajima, Edajima, Matsuyama, and Beppu, and also International Container hub port
  • Kure Port - Ferry route to Edajima, Matsuyama
  • Mihara Port
  • Onomichi Port

    Airports

  • Hiroshima Airport

    Sports

The sports teams listed below are based in Hiroshima.
American Football