Kyushu is the southernmost of the four major islands of Japan.
It is the third largest amongst the group of four major islands. The place is considered to be the cradle spot of the Japanese civilization. The alternate names of Kyushu are Kyukoku, Chinzei and Tsukushi-no-shima. More than 1,400 surrounding islands together make up the region of Kyushu.
Kyushu region is divided into seven prefectures and has the Okinawa prefecture lies on the south. The prefectures of Kyushu are as follows:
- Fukuoka Prefecture
- Kagoshima Prefecture
- Miyazaki Prefecture
- Nagasaki Prefecture
- Saga Prefecture
- Oita Prefecture
- Kumamoto Prefecture
Some parts of Kyushu region have a subtropical type of climate, like the Miyazaki and Kagoshima areas. The climate is slightly warmer and tropical than that of Honshu. The southern and eastern parts of the Kyushu island are regularly affected by typhoons every year.
In terms of population density, Fukuoka is the largest city in Kyushu and is also a major business center and international airport. Kitakyushu city is a major hub for heavy industries. The city of Nagasaki has one of the oldest international ports. Heavy industries of chemicals and metal processing are concentrated in the northern parts around the cities of Nagasaki, Kitakyushu and Oita.
The island of Kyushu is generally mountainous with very fertile valleys like the other areas of Japan. There are plain areas along the coast and the island also has hot springs and volcanoes. The most active volcano of Japan, Mt. Aso is located on the island of Kyushu.
There are many famous universities on the island of Kyushu like Kyushu University, Kumamoto University, University of Kitakyushu, Miyazaki Municipal University and others. Some of these universities are private, while others are run by local governments.
The island of Kyushu is connected to Honshu by a bridge, submarine tunnels, by rail and road. Kyushu also has seven airports. With the help of these seven airports, Kyushu is connected with major cities of Japan and 18 cities around the globe. Kyushu has excellent ports. Expressways and railways ply throughout Kyushu island and inter-connect its major cities. The high-speed bullet train, Shinkansen, provides easy and quick access to the regions of Tokyo and Osaka and facilitates business activities in the region.
