The city of Hiroshima is a part of the island of Honshu where it lies in the Chugoku region and is the largest of the cities in that region. Hiroshima is the capital of the Hiroshima prefecture but today it is more popular as the first city in history being the place where the infamous atomic bombings of the most crucial war in human history, the second World War, took place.
Hiroshima's historical origins date back to 1589 when it was established as a major center beside the Seto Inland Sea during the Meiji period by Mori Motonari. The city lies on the Ota river delta whose 7 channels divide the city into 6 separate islands all of whom extend into the Hiroshima bay and hence, the city almost lies on the same level as the sea. The city was again serving as the capital of Hiroshima han during the Edo period after whose abolition the city was given the status of the capital of the entire Hiroshima prefecture. Finally on April 1, 1889 the city gained a municipal status but it would be 100 years more before it would be granted a government ordinance.
Hiroshima is more famous however, in history, because of the atomic bombings during the second World War. The bombings are still recorded as the greatest tragedy in modern human history where about 80000 people were killed and demolishing the city into complete ruins. The poisonous gas has had after-effects on numerous lives even after several years of the war. Out of regard for the bombings and also due to genuine human responsibility the city has made abolition of all nuclear weapons compulsory.
After the demolition of the city during the atomic bombings it was again restructured and today sky rises dot the city's skyline. Owing largely to the impact it had on human history, Hiroshima was proclaimed the city of peace and ever since has served as the most desirable location for holding peace conferences. One of Hiroshima's most beautiful sights which is also a part of Japanese tradition are the streetcars that have not gone out of use on Hiroshima's roads. The economy of the place depends largely on the manufacture of cars, the Mazda motor Company, now regulated by the Ford motor Company is the largest. It has a large economy and is also the economic capital of the Chugoku-Shikoku region. The city is also the center of many traditional Japanese sports.
