Hiroshima Prefecture (広島県, Hiroshima-ken; Japanese pronunciation: [çi.ɾo.ɕi.ma, -maꜜ.keɴ]) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. Hiroshima Prefecture has a population of 2,811,410 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of 8,479 km2 (3,274 sq mi). 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 74 metres (243 ft) 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.
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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:
The Atomic Dome in Hiroshima, one of the few remnants of prewar Hiroshima following the atomic bombing in 1945;
The Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima, famed for filling with water and appearing to "float" during high tide.
Geography
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 (the lowest percentage of any prefecture), 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:
Economy
Hiroshima's main industries include automobiles (Mazda is headquartered there) 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
Eikei University of Hiroshima
Elisabeth University of Music
Fukuyama City University
Fukuyama Heisei University
Fukuyama University
Hijiyama University
Hiroshima Bunka Gakuen University
Hiroshima Bunkyo Women's University
Hiroshima City University
Hiroshima Institute of Technology
Hiroshima Jogakuin University
Hiroshima Kokusai Gakuin University
Hiroshima Shudo University
Hiroshima University of Economics
Hiroshima University
Japan Coast Guard Academy
Onomichi City University
Prefectural University of Hiroshima
Yasuda Women's University
Religion
Similar to the rest of Japan, most people in the Hiroshima Prefecture are Shinto and 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
Chūgoku Expressway
Hamada Expressway
Hiroshima Expressway (urban expressway)
Hiroshima Expressway (West Nippon Expressway Company)
Shimanami Expressway
Onomichi Expressway
San'yō Expressway
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
Hiroshima Hawks (Hiroshima City)
Football
Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Hiroshima city)
Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina (Hiroshima city)
Baseball
Hiroshima Toyo Carp (Hiroshima city)
Volleyball
JT Thunders (Hiroshima city)
Basketball
Hiroshima Dragonflies
Hiroshima Lightning (Defunct)
Handball
Akitakada Handball Club (Akitakada)
Hiroshima Maple Reds (Hiroshima city)
Cycling
Victoire Hiroshima
Famous festivals and events
Onomichi Port Festival - held in April
Hiroshima Flower Festival - held from May 3 to 5
Fukuyama Rose Festival - held in May
Enryuji Tokasan Festival - held in June
Gion Festival of Onomichi - held in July
Innoshima Water-naval Festival - held in August
Miyajima Under-water Firework Festival - held on August 14
Yassa Festival of Mihara - held in August
Saijo Sake Festival - held in October
Onomichi Becher Festival - held on November 3
Hiroshima Ebisu Festival - held from November 18 to 20
International sister relations
Hawaii, United States of America
Sichuan Province, China