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Kyushu (Kyushu) is the third largest island of Japan and most
southerly of the main islands. It is considered the birthplace of Japanese
civilization. The population is about 13.44 million (1995). The area
is 35,640 km².
The island is mountainous, and Japan's largest active volcano, Aso at
1592m, is on Kyushu. There are many other signs of tectonic activity,
including hot springs.
The Kyushu region includes eight prefectures -
Fukuoka,
Kagoshima,
Kumamoto,
Miyazaki,
Nagasaki,
Oita,
Okinawa and
Saga. The major city on the
island is Fukuoka - a port and major centre for heavy industry. Kitakyushu
and Omuta are also industrial centers. Nagasaki is the main port.
Kyushu has a subtropical climate. Major agricultural products are
rice, tea, tobacco, sweet potatoes, and soy; silk is also widely produced.
The island is noted for two types of porcelain - Satsuma and Hizen. Heavy
industry is concentrated in the north and includes chemicals and metal
processing.
The name Kyushu literally means nine (九) provinces (州) and gets its
meaning from the nine ancient provinces that once made up the island. The
central government, behind the Meiji Emperor, in 1871 abolished this and the
feudal system of government and established prefectures (Haihan Chiken) in
their place.
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