Japanwhereintheworldscavangerhuntmapphysicalgeography 2 | PDF ... - Free Printable

Here are the answers and explanations to help you complete your worksheet on the Physical Geography of Japan.

Explanation: How to Label the Map

Since I cannot draw directly on your paper, here is a guide on where to place each label using the compass directions (North, South, East, West) shown on the map.

1. The Four Main Islands:
* Hokkaido: This is the large island at the very top (North) of Japan. It looks like a diamond shape.
* Honshu: This is the biggest, longest island in the middle. It curves like a banana. Most of Japan's major cities are here.
* Shikoku: This is the smallest of the four main islands. It is located south of Honshu and east of Kyushu.
* Kyushu: This is the island at the bottom left (Southwest). It is closest to Korea and China.

2. Bodies of Water:
* Sea of Okhotsk: Look for the water north of Hokkaido and east of Russia.
* East China Sea: Look for the water between Kyushu (Japan) and the Asian mainland (China/Korea).
* Sea of Japan (East Sea): This is the large body of water sandwiched between the Japanese islands and the Asian mainland (Korea/Russia).
* Pacific Ocean: This is the vast ocean on the right side (East) of the entire country.
* Philippine Sea: This is the ocean area south of Japan, below Kyushu and Shikoku.

3. Physical Features:
* Mt Fuji: This is a famous volcano. On your map, look at the central part of the big island (Honshu). It is usually marked near the "bulge" on the southern coast of central Honshu.
* Flat Lands (Plains): In your key, pick a light color (like green or yellow). Color the small flat areas along the coasts, especially around Tokyo Bay (east coast of Honshu) and Osaka Bay. Japan is mostly mountains, so plains are rare!
* Mountains: In your key, pick a darker color (like brown). Color almost the entire inside of all the islands. Japan is about 70-80% mountainous.

4. Question 11: Other Physical Features
You need to name three other features. Here are good options to write down:
* A. Japanese Alps (A high mountain range in central Honshu).
* B. Lake Biwa (The largest lake in Japan, located in Shiga Prefecture on Honshu).
* C. Inland Sea (Also called the Seto Inland Sea; it is the calm water between Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu).

5. Question 12: Geography and Diet
* The Logic: Japan is an island nation surrounded by ocean, but it has very little flat land for farming cows or growing wheat.
* The Result: Because they live next to the sea, seafood (fish, seaweed, shellfish) became the main source of protein. Because the land is steep and wet, it is perfect for growing rice in terraced fields, so rice became the main staple food. They eat less beef and dairy than Western countries because there isn't enough grassy land for large herds of cattle.

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Final Answer:

Map Labels Guide:
1. Hokkaido: Northernmost island.
2. Kyushu: Southwestern island.
3. Shikoku: Small island south of Honshu/east of Kyushu.
4. Honshu: Largest central island.
5. Sea of Okhotsk: North of Hokkaido.
6. East China Sea: Between Kyushu and China.
7. Sea of Japan: Between Japan and Korea/Russia.
8. Mt Fuji: Central Honshu (near the coast).
9. Pacific Ocean: East of Japan.
10. Philippine Sea: South of Japan.

Question 11 (3 Other Features):
A. Japanese Alps
B. Lake Biwa
C. Seto Inland Sea

Question 12 (Geography and Diet):
Japan’s geography affected the diet because it is an island nation with limited flat land. Being surrounded by the ocean made seafood (fish and seaweed) the primary source of protein. The mountainous terrain and rainy climate were ideal for wet-rice cultivation, making rice the staple food, while the lack of grazing land meant less meat and dairy in the traditional diet.