> Location and Natural Setting
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Shikoku, one of the four main islands of Japan, is located in the southwestern part of the Japanese archipelago at a latitude of 34°Ｎ, the same latitude as Los Angeles in the Ｕ. Ｓ. and Xi’an in China. The island faces the Pacific Ocean to the south and the Seto Inland Sea to the north. In general, Shikoku’s climate falls within the temperate rain zone (warm and humid), although the climate differs somewhat from north to south due to topographical features. The Shikoku Mountains run through the center of the island from east to west, causing heavy precipitation in the south which faces the Pacific Ocean, and low precipitation in the north which faces the Seto Inland Sea. The ample rainfall coupled with high mountain peaks such as Mt. Ishizuchi and Mt. Tsurugi, also mean that Shikoku is blessed with many rivers, the largest of which are the Yoshino and Shimanto rivers originating in the Shikoku Mountains. The island boasts a rich variety of tourist attractions and beautiful scenery. In addition to three bridges connecting Shikoku with Honshu, such transportation infrastructures as expressways, key seaports and airports within Shikoku are being rapidly improved.
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note:average temperatures 2003
souce:japan meteorological agency
> Location and Natural Setting
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