Setouchi region

For other uses, see Setouchi.
Setouchi region
瀬戸内地方
Region
The Setouchi region in Japan
The Setouchi region in Japan
CountryJapan
Area
 • Total
29,259.08 km2 (11,296.99 sq mi)
Population
 (10 October 2016)[1]
 • Total
8,495,907
 • Density290.4/km2 (752/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (JST)

The Setouchi region (瀬戸内地方, Setouchi chihō), or simply Setouchi, is a geographic region of Japan. Setouchi includes the Seto Inland Sea and the adjacent coastal areas of Honshū, Shikoku, and Kyūshū, three of the four main islands of Japan.

Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, Okayama, Hyōgo, Osaka, Kagawa, Ehime, Fukuoka, and Ōita prefectures all have coastlines in Setouchi; the cities of Hiroshima, Iwakuni, Takamatsu, and Matsuyama are also located within the region.

History

Since the 1980s, the sea's northern and southern shores have been connected by the three routes of the Honshū–Shikoku Bridge Project, including the Great Seto Bridge, which serves both railroad and automobile traffic.

Geography

The Setouchi region is known for its moderate climate, with a stable year-round temperature and relatively low rainfall levels. The sea is also famous for its periodic red tides (赤潮, akashio) caused by dense aggregations of certain phytoplankton that result in the deaths of large numbers of fish.

See also

References

  1. ^ Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Statistics Bureau (26 October 2011). "平成 22 年国勢調査の概要" (PDF). Retrieved 6 May 2012.