Hiroshima
About Hiroshima
Hiroshima has been the principal city of the Chugoku Region for hundreds of years.
When the first atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, the city became known worldwide for this unenviable distinction. The destructive power of the bomb was tremendous and obliterated nearly everything within a 2 km radius. One of the few buildings that remained standing afterwards has been preserved; known today as the A-Bomb Dome, it is a monument to the bomb's dreadful power.
After the war, great efforts were taken to rebuild the city. Predictions that the city would be uninhabitable proved false. Destroyed monuments of Hiroshima's historical heritage, like Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden, were reconstructed. In the center of the city a large park was built and given a name that would reflect the aspirations of the re-born city: Peace Memorial Park.
Hiroshima city is located along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea in the western Chugoku region of Japan. It has 7 channel outlets of the Ota River dividing the city into six islands. It is almost flat and above the sea level. The city has an area around 905.01 km².
Demography
As of 2006, the city has an estimated population of 1,154,391, while the total population for the metropolitan area was estimated as 2,043,788 in 2000. The population density is 1275.4 persons per km².
Economy and Culture
Hiroshima is a modern and culture-rich city. Though Hiroshima is famous as the site of the world's first atomic bomb attack in World War II, it has totally changed. Today it is a cosmopolitan city with a lot of energy, great food and beautiful nightlife.
Manufacturing, service, wholesale and retail trade are the main industries in Hiroshima. It is experiencing an expansion of finance and insurance businesses in recent years. Mazda Motor Company, now under control of the Ford Motor Company is situated in Hiroshima and it is one of the major company of the city. The Mazda company produces many models inside the city to export worldwide. It has manufacturing industries of car parts, industrial equipment, general machinery and some research and design industry also.
The main reason of the business in Hiroshima is its fundamental technologies and the skilled manpower and also the city has a very low business setup cost. It has a good sea port and international airport to handle all transport and trading. The lifestyle of the workers is also good as this city has the lower cost of living than the other larger cities in Japan such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto or Fukuoka.
Hiroshima has many national, public and industrial research institutions to promote the technological development of companies. High-tech industries like electronics, electronic parts and telecommunications also playing a significant role in the economy of Hiroshima.
Weather
Hiroshima is also known as the 'city of water' because six rivers flows into its delta. It experiences four distinct seasons and mild temperate climate like other cities in Japan. Spring is the most comfortable season with the full of cherry blossoms while summer brings the rain from about mid-june to mid-july. There is an increase in the temperature and humidity during this season. Fall is also comfortable season and the winter is always sunny and cool.
Hiroshima is situated between the Chugoku and Shikoku mountain ranges, and thus is affected little by snow or rain clouds, having clear weather and fine days for most of the year. Combined with annual daylight hours of sunshine exceeding 2000 hours, this makes Hiroshima an extremely agreeable location. Hiroshima also embraces the Setonaikai (Seto Inland Sea) which, with its gentle waves and beautiful islands, is blessed with a warm climate. Moreover, as for water, essential for any undertaking or activity for business, you need never worry about shortage of this resource, as Hiroshima has first-class rivers, including the Otagawa River.
Administrative Divisions
Hiroshima has eight wards (ku):
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