Hiroshima Prefecture (広島県 Hiroshima-ken) is located in the Chugoku region on Honshu island, Japan. The capital is the city of Hiroshima.

History

The area around Hiroshima, formerly divided into Bingo and Aki provinces, has been a center of trade and culture since the beginning of Japan's recorded history. Hiroshima is a traditional center of the Chugoku region and was the seat of the Mori clan until the Battle of Sekigahara.

Hiroshima is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites:

1. the Atomic Dome in Hiroshima, one of the few remnants of prewar Hiroshima following the atomic bombing of 1945
2. Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima, famed for filling with water and appearing to "float" during high tide

Geography

Hiroshima prefecture lies in the middle of Chugoku, facing Shikoku across the Seto Inland Sea. Most of the prefecture consists of mountains leading towards Shimane Prefecture, but rivers produce rich plains near the coast, and the prefecture also includes many small islands in the Inland Sea. The sheltered nature of the Inland Sea makes Hiroshima's climate very mild.

Cities

• Akitakata
• Etajima
• Fuchu
• Fukuyama
• Hatsukaichi
• Higashihiroshima
• Hiroshima
  • Aki-ku
  • Asakita-ku
  • Asaminami-ku
  • Higashi-ku
  • Minami-ku
  • Naka-ku
  • Nishi-ku
  • Saeki-ku
• Innoshima
• Kure
• Mihara
• Miyoshi
• Onomichi
• Otake
• Shobara
• Takehara

Towns

Mergers

Mihara expansion

On March 22, 2005, the town of Daiwa from the former Kamo District (dissolved by this action), the town of Kui from Mitsugi District, and the town of Hongo from Toyota District merged into the expanded city of Mihara .

Kure expansion

On March 20, 2005, the towns of Ondo, Kurahashi, Kamagari from Aki District and the towns of Yasuura, Toyohama and Yutaka from Toyota District merged into the expanded city of Kure.

Higashihiroshima expansion

On February 7, 2005, Fukutomi, Kochi, Kurose, and Toyosaka from Kamo District and Akitsu from Toyota District merged into the expanded city of Higashihiroshima.

Fukuyama expansion

On February 1, 2005, Numakuma from Numakuma District (dissolved by this action) merged with the expanded city of Fukuyama.

Kitahiroshima merger

On February 1, 2005, Chiyoda, Geihoku, Oasa, and Toyohira from Yamagata District merged, creating the town of Kitahiroshima.

Jinsekikogen merger

On November 5, 2004, the towns of Jinseki, Sanwa, and Yuki and the village of Toyomatsu from Jinseki District merged, creating the town of Jinsekikogen.

Etajima merger

On November 1, 2004, the town of Etajima from Aki District merged with the towns of Nomi, Ogaki, and Okimi from Saeki District forming the city of Etajima.

Akiota merger

On October 1, 2004, Kake, Togouchi, and Tsutsuga from Yamagata District merged, creating the town of Akiota.

Sera expansion

On October 1, 2004, the towns of Kozan and Seranishi from Sera District merged into the expanded town of Sera.

Kure expansion

On April 1, 2004, the town of Kawajiri from Toyota Distrcit merged into the expanded city of Kure.

Fuchu expansion

On April 1, 2004, the town of Joge from Konu District merged with the expanded city of Fuchu.

Miyoshi expansion

On April 1, 2004, Funo, Kimita, Kisa, Mirasaka, Miwa, and Sakugi from Futami District (dissolved by this action) and Konu from Konu District merged into the expanded city of Miyoshi.

Akitakata merger

On March 1, 2004, Kōta, Midori, Mukaihara, Takamiya, Yachiyo, and Yoshida from Takata District (dissolved by this action) merged, creating the city of Akitakata.

Fukuyama expansion

On February 3, 2003, Shin'ichi from Ashina District (dissolved by this action) merged into the expanded city of Fukuyama.

Economy

Hiroshima's main industries include automobiles (Mazda is headquartered in Hiroshima Prefecture) and shipbuilding (Kure was one of the main naval bases of the Imperial Japanese Navy and remains a major commercial yard).

Demographics

Culture

Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima, Hiroshima

Tourism

Prefectural symbols

Miscellaneous topics

External links

• Official Hiroshima Prefecture homepage
• Life in Hiroshima and other Japan-related Articles
• Hiroshima Weather Forecast