Naoshima Island

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Naoshima
Native name: 直島

Naoshima
Geography
Archipelago Nakamian Archipelago
Area 31,192 km2 (12,043.3 sq mi)
Area rank 72
Length 650 km (404 mi)
Width 120 km (75 mi)
Highest elevation 2388 m
Highest point Mount Fukuyama
Country
Prefectures Mikawa, Kinai, Fukuhara, Kochi, Maezaki, Kosuge.
Largest city Mikawa (pop. 2,049,929)
Districts 23 School Districts
Largest city Academy City (2,300,000)
Demographics
Population 15,825,738 (as of 2010)
Ethnic groups Nakamian

Naoshima (直島 Naoshima?) is the 3rd largest after Maejima Island and Nankai Island and 2nd most populous island of Nakahara. Located in the west of Maejima Island, within the border between Sanhe Sea in the north and Nakami Sea in the south, This island played very important role for the history of Nakami Region. Fukuhara, Mihara and Mikawa the capital of the Meishin prior to the split of Nanami and Nakahara located in this island while Fukuhara, Mikawa and Koshi Prefecture of Nakahara host many historical figures in medieval period of Nakahara.

It has 15 millions population in 2011 mostly concentrated in the northern part of island. Mikawa-Kinai Metropolitan area, home to 5 millions Nakaharan is the largest metropolitan area of Naoshima also Nakahara's 5th largest metropolitan area with Mikawa as the largest city on Nakahara side while the actual current largest city within this island is Academy City

Currently, Naoshima consist of Naoshima Region of Nakahara with a small enclave within its area, Academy City.

Geography

Southwestern part of Sawasaki Plains featuring Mikawa City in the distant

Naoshima island covers the area within the Sanhe Sea bordering it with Nakami sea in the east. Naoshima has ratherly flat terrain in northeast while most of south and west area are mountainous. Tallest mountain in the Naoshima Island is Mount Fukuyama (福山) with its elevation at 2388m above sea level, a rather active volcano located in the south of Fukuhara Prefecture. Most area in Kosuge Prefecture are covered by hilly terrain which is rich with its natural resources including iron ores, gold, copper and some other natural resources. Sawasaki Plain, the largest flat region in Naoshima and 2nd largest in Nakahara located alongside the northern coast of Naoshima Island from Mikawa City toward the Maezaki Cape in Maezaki Prefecture. This plain notable for its fertility and endless rice fields giving Maezaki Prefecture as the largest rice producers in Nakahara.

Major river runs toward Naoshima includes Nakagawa River (167km) from Fukuhara toward Mikawa, Kasukawa River (193km) crossing from Koshu Prefecture, Kinai and ends in Mikawa bay. Minor Ichikawa River (47km) in Mikawa are known for its historical importance providing Mikawa city border protection from the enemy with its fort alongside the river during the early Nakahara history.

Naoshima prone to earthquake hazard due to the subduction boundary of Sanhe plate and Nanbara Plate in south of the island. Major megathrust earthquake including Taika 245 Earthquake (estimated 8.2), Great Koshu Naoshima Earthquake 1001 (estimated 8.6), Momochi Earthquake 1563 (8.0) and Naoshima Yamaguchi Earthquake 1860 (9.0). Some major intraplate earthquake also reported such as 1970 Kinai Earthquake with 7.1 magnitude scale devasting Kinai city and leaving Mikawa and some neighboring cities great shock.

Climate

Snowfall in Mikawa

Naoshima island mostly consist of temprate Humid Subtropical Climate with several Humid Continental climate in the mountainous area at Kosuge Prefecture. As most of Nakahara, rainfall are almost all year in Naoshima with higher probability in April-October.

Naoshima located within the snow belt of Nakami region where the snowfall are heavy alongside the northern coast of Naoshima. This high snowfall during winter happened due to the Hiyashiro current alongside the Sanhe sea and Nakami sea.

History

Transportation

Culture