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Geography Stats: compare key data on Japan & New Zealand

Definitions

  • Area > Comparative: The area of various small countries expressed in comparison to various areas within the United States of America.
  • Area > Land: Total land area in square kilometres
  • Area > Land > Per capita: Total land area in square kilometres Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Area > Total: Total area in square kilometers
  • Average precipitation in depth > Mm per year: Average precipitation in depth (mm per year). Average precipitation is the long-term average in depth (over space and time) of annual precipitation in the country. Precipitation is defined as any kind of water that falls from clouds as a liquid or a solid.
  • Average rainfall in depth > Mm per year: Average rainfall is the long-term average in depth (over space and time) of annual precipitation in the country. Precipitation is defined as any kind of water that falls from clouds as a liquid or a solid.
  • Climate: A brief description of typical weather regimes throughout the year.
  • Coastline: The total length of the boundary between the land area (including islands) and the sea.
  • Geographic coordinates: This entry includes rounded latitude and longitude figures for the purpose of finding the approximate geographic center of an entity and is based on the Gazetteer of Conventional Names, Third Edition, August 1988, US Board on Geographic Names and on other sources.
  • Land area > Sq. km: Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes."
  • Land area > Square miles: Country land area.
  • Location: The country's regional location, neighboring countries, and adjacent bodies of water.
  • Natural resources: A country's mineral, petroleum, hydropower, and other resources of commercial importance.
  • Surface area > Sq. km: Surface area is a country's total area, including areas under inland bodies of water and some coastal waterways.
  • Terrain: A brief description of the topography
  • Geographic location: Geographic location of island countries.
  • Area > Comparative to US places: This entry provides an area comparison based on total area equivalents. Most entities are compared with the entire US or one of the 50 states based on area measurements (1990 revised) provided by the US Bureau of the Census. The smaller entities are compared with Washington, DC (178 sq km, 69 sq mi) or The Mall in Washington, DC (0.59 sq km, 0.23 sq mi, 146 acres).
  • Population density > People per sq. km: Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes.
  • Elevation extremes > Highest point: Highest point above sea level
  • Total area > Sq. km: Surface area is a country's total area, including areas under inland bodies of water and some coastal waterways."
  • Land use > Arable land: The percentage of used land that is arable. Arable land is land cultivated for crops that are replanted after each harvest like wheat, maize, and rice
  • Irrigated land: The number of square kilometers of land area that is artificially supplied with water.
  • Natural hazards: Potential natural disasters.
  • Rural population density > Rural population per sq. km of arable land: Rural population density is the rural population divided by the arable land area. Rural population is calculated as the difference between the total population and the urban population. Arable land includes land defined by the FAO as land under temporary crops (double-cropped areas are counted once), temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow. Land abandoned as a result of shifting cultivation is excluded.
  • Maritime claims > Territorial sea: territorial sea - the sovereignty of a coastal State extends beyond its land territory and internal waters to an adjacent belt of sea, described as the territorial sea in the LOS Convention (Part II); this sovereignty extends to the air space over the territorial sea as well as its underlying seabed and subsoil; every State has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles. A full and definitive definition can be found in the Law of the Sea (LOS) Convention.
  • Area > Land per 1000: Total land area in square kilometres. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Elevation extremes > Lowest point: This entry is derived from Geography > Elevation extremes, which includes both the highest point and the lowest point.
  • Coastline per 1000: The total length of the boundary between the land area (including islands) and the sea. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Population density: People per square kilometre, in 1999. At this time the world average was 14.42.
  • Maritime claims > Exclusive economic zone: Exclusive economic zone (EEZ) - the LOS Convention (Part V) defines the EEZ as a zone beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea in which a coastal State has: sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natura
  • Land area > Sq. km > Per capita: Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes." Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Map references: The name of the CIA World Factbook reference map on which a country may be found. The entry on Geographic coordinates may be helpful in finding some smaller countries.
  • Capital city with population: Capital cities including most recent population (estimates included). Populations are figures only within the city limits, unless otherwise specified. All populations are from 2001 t0 2005 unless otherwise specified.
  • Largest city with population: Largest cities including most recent population (estimates included). Populations are figures only within the city limits, unless otherwise specified. All populations are from 2001 t0 2005 unless otherwise specified.
  • Forest area > Sq. km: Forest area is land under natural or planted stands of trees of at least 5 meters in situ, whether productive or not, and excludes tree stands in agricultural production systems (for example, in fruit plantations and agroforestry systems) and trees in urban parks and gardens."
  • Geologic location: Geologic location of island countries.
  • Surface area > Sq. km per 1000: Surface area is a country's total area, including areas under inland bodies of water and some coastal waterways. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Environment > Current issues: This entry lists the most pressing and important environmental problems. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry:
    Acidification - the lowering of soil and water pH due to acid precipitation and deposition usually through precipitation; this process disrupts ecosystem nutrient flows and may kill freshwater fish and plants dependent on more neutral or alkaline conditions (see acid rain).
    Acid rain - characterized as containing harmful levels of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide; acid rain is damaging and potentially deadly to the earth's fragile ecosystems; acidity is measured using the pH scale where 7 is neutral, values greater than 7 are considered alkaline, and values below 5.6 are considered acid precipitation; note - a pH of 2.4 (the acidity of vinegar) has been measured in rainfall in New England.
    Aerosol - a collection of airborne particles dispersed in a gas, smoke, or fog.
    Afforestation - converting a bare or agricultural space by planting trees and plants; reforestation involves replanting trees on areas that have been cut or destroyed by fire.
    Asbestos - a naturally occurring soft fibrous mineral commonly used in fireproofing materials and considered to be highly carcinogenic in particulate form.
    Biodiversity - also biological diversity; the relative number of species, diverse in form and function, at the genetic, organism, community, and ecosystem level; loss of biodiversity reduces an ecosystem's ability to recover from natural or man-induced disruption.
    Bio-indicators - a plant or animal species whose presence, abundance, and health reveal the general condition of its habitat.
    Biomass - the total weight or volume of living matter in a given area or volume.
    Carbon cycle - the term used to describe the exchange of carbon (in various forms, e.g., as carbon dioxide) between the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial biosphere, and geological deposits.
    Catchments - assemblages used to capture and retain rainwater and runoff; an important water management technique in areas with limited freshwater resources, such as Gibraltar.
    DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane) - a colorless, odorless insecticide that has toxic effects on most animals; the use of DDT was banned in the US in 1972.
    Defoliants - chemicals which cause plants to lose their leaves artificially; often used in agricultural practices for weed control, and may have detrimental impacts on human and ecosystem health.
    Deforestation - ...
    Full definition
  • Land use > Other: The percentage share of used land that is not arable or under permanent crops. This includes permanent meadows and pastures, forests and woodlands, built-on areas, roads, barren land, etc.
  • Area > Total per 1000: Total area in square kilometers. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Land use > Permanent crops: The percentage share of used land on which permanent crops are grown. This is land cultivated for crops that are not replanted after each harvest like citrus, coffee, and rubber. It includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees, and vines, but excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber.
  • Road density > Km of road per 100 sq. km of land area: Road density (km of road per 100 sq. km of land area). Road density is the ratio of the length of the country's total road network to the country's land area. The road network includes all roads in the country: motorways, highways, main or national roads, secondary or regional roads, and other urban and rural roads.
  • Google Street View, year added: Year in which country was first covered by Google Street View.
  • Maritime claims > Contiguous zone: This entry is derived from Geography > Maritime claims, which includes the following claims, the definitions of which are excerpted from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which alone contains the full and definitive descriptions:
    territorial sea - the sovereignty of a coastal state extends beyond its land territory and internal waters to an adjacent belt of sea, described as the territorial sea in the UNCLOS (Part II); this sovereignty extends to the air space over the territorial sea as well as its underlying seabed and subsoil; every state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles; the normal baseline for measuring the breadth of the territorial sea is the mean low-water line along the coast as marked on large-scale charts officially recognized by the coastal state; where the coasts of two states are opposite or adjacent to each other, neither state is entitled to extend its territorial sea beyond the median line, every point of which is equidistant from the nearest points on the baseline from which the territorial seas of both states are measured; the UNCLOS describes specific rules for archipelagic states.
    contiguous zone - according to the UNCLOS (Article 33), this is a zone contiguous to a coastal state's territorial sea, over which it may exercise the control necessary to: prevent infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws and regulations within its territory or territorial sea; punish infringement of the above laws and regulations committed within its territory or territorial sea; the contiguous zone may not extend beyond 24 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured (e.g., the US has claimed a 12-nautical mile contiguous zone in addition to its 12-nautical mile territorial sea); where the coasts of two states are opposite or adjacent to each other, neither state is entitled to extend its contiguous zone beyond the median line, every point of which is equidistant from the nearest points on the baseline from which the contiguous zone of both states are measured.
    exclusive economic zone (EEZ) - the UNCLOS (Part V) defines the EEZ as a zone beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea in which a coastal state has: sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources, whether living or non-living, of the waters superjacent to the seabed and of the seabed and its subsoil, and with regard to other ...
    Full definition
  • Environment > International agreements > Party to: This entry is derived from Geography > Environment > International agreements, which separates country participation in international environmental agreements into two levels - party to and signed, but not ratified. Agreements are listed in alphabetical order by the abbreviated form of the full name.
  • Surface area > Sq. km > Per capita: Surface area is a country's total area, including areas under inland bodies of water and some coastal waterways. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Precipitation: Average Annual Precipitation in Largest City (mm, 1931-1960)
  • Highest point: Name of country’s highest point.
  • Irrigated land > Per capita: The number of square kilometers of land area that is artificially supplied with water. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Note: This entry includes miscellaneous geographic information of significance not included elsewhere.
  • Irrigated land per million: The number of square kilometers of land area that is artificially supplied with water. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Capital: Country capital.
  • Border to area ratio: The ratio of a country's land border to its surface area.
  • Marine Coastline: Length of each country's coastline in kilometers.
  • Highest point elevation: Name of country’s highest point.
  • Environment > International agreements > Signed, but not ratified: This entry is derived from Geography > Environment > International agreements, which separates country participation in international environmental agreements into two levels - party to and signed, but not ratified. Agreements are listed in alphabetical order by the abbreviated form of the full name.
  • Highest town: Name of country’s highest permanent settlement, which is occupied year-round.
  • Countries on other side of the world: Countries diametrically opposite of each other. For instance, if one were to draw a straight line though the center of the earth in Argentina it would end in China. These countries are considered antipodes.
  • Forested Land: Forested land as a proportion of total land area, estimate by FAO
  • Maritime claims > Contiguous zone per million people: This entry is derived from Geography > Maritime claims, which includes the following claims, the definitions of which are excerpted from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which alone contains the full and definitive descriptions:
    territorial sea - the sovereignty of a coastal state extends beyond its land territory and internal waters to an adjacent belt of sea, described as the territorial sea in the UNCLOS (Part II); this sovereignty extends to the air space over the territorial sea as well as its underlying seabed and subsoil; every state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles; the normal baseline for measuring the breadth of the territorial sea is the mean low-water line along the coast as marked on large-scale charts officially recognized by the coastal state; where the coasts of two states are opposite or adjacent to each other, neither state is entitled to extend its territorial sea beyond the median line, every point of which is equidistant from the nearest points on the baseline from which the territorial seas of both states are measured; the UNCLOS describes specific rules for archipelagic states.
    contiguous zone - according to the UNCLOS (Article 33), this is a zone contiguous to a coastal state's territorial sea, over which it may exercise the control necessary to: prevent infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws and regulations within its territory or territorial sea; punish infringement of the above laws and regulations committed within its territory or territorial sea; the contiguous zone may not extend beyond 24 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured (e.g., the US has claimed a 12-nautical mile contiguous zone in addition to its 12-nautical mile territorial sea); where the coasts of two states are opposite or adjacent to each other, neither state is entitled to extend its contiguous zone beyond the median line, every point of which is equidistant from the nearest points on the baseline from which the contiguous zone of both states are measured.
    exclusive economic zone (EEZ) - the UNCLOS (Part V) defines the EEZ as a zone beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea in which a coastal state has: sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources, whether living or non-living, of the waters superjacent to the seabed and of the seabed and its subsoil, and with regard to other ...
    Full definition. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Area > Note: This entry includes three subfields. Total area is the sum of all land and water areas delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Land area is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Water area is the sum of the surfaces of all inland water bodies, such as lakes, reservoirs, or rivers, as delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines.
  • Area > Total > Per capita: Total area in square kilometers Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Lowest point altitude: Altitude.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Lowest point: Lowest point.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Forest area > % of land area: Forest area is land under natural or planted stands of trees of at least 5 meters in situ, whether productive or not, and excludes tree stands in agricultural production systems (for example, in fruit plantations and agroforestry systems) and trees in urban parks and gardens."
  • Terrestrial protected areas > % of total land area: Terrestrial protected areas (% of total land area). Terrestrial protected areas are totally or partially protected areas of at least 1,000 hectares that are designated by national authorities as scientific reserves with limited public access, national parks, natural monuments, nature reserves or wildlife sanctuaries, protected landscapes, and areas managed mainly for sustainable use. Marine areas, unclassified areas, littoral (intertidal) areas, and sites protected under local or provincial law are excluded.
  • Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Per capita per million people: This entry provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Total: This entry provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal.
  • Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Per capita: This entry provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal.
  • Continent or sub continent: Within Continent / Subcontinent.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Total per million people: This entry provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Population living in areas where elevation is below 5 meters > % of total population: Population living in areas where elevation is below 5 meters (% of total population). Population below 5m is the percentage of the total population living in areas where the elevation is 5 meters or less.
  • Agricultural land > % of land area: Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable, under permanent crops, and under permanent pastures. Arable land includes land defined by the FAO as land under temporary crops (double-cropped areas are counted once), temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow. Land abandoned as a result of shifting cultivation is excluded. Land under permanent crops is land cultivated with crops that occupy the land for long periods and need not be replanted after each harvest, such as cocoa, coffee, and rubber. This category includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees, and vines, but excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber. Permanent pasture is land used for five or more years for forage, including natural and cultivated crops.
  • Low-lying areas > Elevation under 5 metres > % of land area: Land area where elevation is below 5 meters (% of total land area). Land area below 5m is the percentage of total land where the elevation is 5 meters or less.
  • Arable land > % of land area: Arable land (% of land area). Arable land includes land defined by the FAO as land under temporary crops (double-cropped areas are counted once), temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow. Land abandoned as a result of shifting cultivation is excluded.
  • Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Total: This entry is derived from Geography > Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural , which provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal.
  • Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Per capita per million people: This entry is derived from Geography > Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural , which provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Total per million people: This entry is derived from Geography > Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural , which provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Terrestrial and marine protected areas > % of total territorial area: Terrestrial and marine protected areas (% of total territorial area). Terrestrial protected areas are totally or partially protected areas of at least 1,000 hectares that are designated by national authorities as scientific reserves with limited public access, national parks, natural monuments, nature reserves or wildlife sanctuaries, protected landscapes, and areas managed mainly for sustainable use. Marine protected areas are areas of intertidal or subtidal terrain--and overlying water and associated flora and fauna and historical and cultural features--that have been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment. Sites protected under local or provincial law are excluded.
  • Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Per capita: This entry is derived from Geography > Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural , which provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal.
STAT Japan New Zealand HISTORY
Area > Comparative slightly smaller than California about the size of Colorado
Area > Land 374,744 sq km
Ranked 60th. 40% more than New Zealand
268,021 sq km
Ranked 73th.

Area > Land > Per capita 2.94 sq km per 1,000 people
Ranked 190th.
64.22 sq km per 1,000 people
Ranked 36th. 22 times more than Japan

Area > Total 377,915 sq km
Ranked 63th. 41% more than New Zealand
267,710 sq km
Ranked 77th.

Average precipitation in depth > Mm per year 1,668
Ranked 47th.
1,732
Ranked 43th. 4% more than Japan

Average rainfall in depth > Mm per year 1,668
Ranked 46th.
1,732
Ranked 42nd. 4% more than Japan
Climate varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north temperate with sharp regional contrasts
Coastline 29,751 km
Ranked 6th. 97% more than New Zealand
15,134 km
Ranked 11th.

Geographic coordinates 36 00 N, 138 00 E 41 00 S, 174 00 E
Land area > Sq. km 364,500 sq km
Ranked 59th. 36% more than New Zealand
267,710 sq km
Ranked 73th.

Land area > Square miles 145,894 square miles
Ranked 24th. 40% more than New Zealand
104,454 square miles
Ranked 33th.
Location Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia
Natural resources negligible mineral resources, fish natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone
Surface area > Sq. km 377,910 km²
Ranked 61st. 40% more than New Zealand
270,530 km²
Ranked 75th.

Terrain mostly rugged and mountainous predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains
Geographic location Pacific Ocean , East Asia Pacific Ocean , Polynesia
Area > Comparative to US places slightly smaller than California about the size of Colorado
Population density > People per sq. km 350.55 people/m²
Ranked 21st. 23 times more than New Zealand
15.29 people/m²
Ranked 168th.

Elevation extremes > Highest point Fujiyama 3,776 m Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m
Total area > Sq. km 377,930
Ranked 59th. 41% more than New Zealand
267,710
Ranked 73th.

Land use > Arable land 11.26%
Ranked 94th. 6 times more than New Zealand
1.76%
Ranked 186th.

Irrigated land 25,000 sq km
Ranked 1st. 4 times more than New Zealand
6,190 sq km
Ranked 50th.

Natural hazards many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity
Rural population density > Rural population per sq. km of arable land 1,002.26 people/km² of arable lan
Ranked 5th. 27 times more than New Zealand
37.42 people/km² of arable lan
Ranked 177th.

Maritime claims > Territorial sea 12 nautical mile
Ranked 50th. The same as New Zealand
12 nautical mile
Ranked 86th.

Area > Land per 1000 2.93 sq km
Ranked 173th.
62.78 sq km
Ranked 33th. 21 times more than Japan

Elevation extremes > Lowest point Hachiro-gata -4 m Pacific Ocean 0 m
Coastline per 1000 0.233 km
Ranked 71st.
3.44 km
Ranked 18th. 15 times more than Japan

Population density 336.72 people per sqkm
Ranked 31st. 25 times more than New Zealand
13.63 people per sqkm
Ranked 193th.
Maritime claims > Exclusive economic zone 200 nautical mile
Ranked 31st. The same as New Zealand
200 nautical mile
Ranked 63th.

Land area > Sq. km > Per capita 2.86 per 1,000 people
Ranked 177th.
64.15 per 1,000 people
Ranked 32nd. 22 times more than Japan

Map references Asia Oceania
Capital city with population Tokyo - 12,527,115 Wellington - 370,000
Largest city with population Tokyo - 12,527,115 Auckland - 1,241,800
Total renewable water resources None None
Forest area > Sq. km 248,648
Ranked 24th. 3 times more than New Zealand
83,422
Ranked 60th.

Geologic location Continental shelf Continental shelf
Surface area > Sq. km per 1000 2.96 km²
Ranked 178th.
65.44 km²
Ranked 35th. 22 times more than Japan

Environment > Current issues air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by invasive species
Land use > Other 87.93%
Ranked 125th.
97.98%
Ranked 52nd. 11% more than Japan

Area > Total per 1000 2.96 sq km
Ranked 177th.
62.94 sq km
Ranked 34th. 21 times more than Japan

Land boundaries 0 0
Natural hazards > Volcanism both Unzen (elev. 1,500 m) and Sakura-jima (elev. 1,117 m), which lies near the densely populated city of Kagoshima, have been deemed "Decade Volcanoes" by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Asama, Honshu Island's most active volcano, Aso, Bandai, Fuji, Iwo-Jima, Kikai, Kirishima, Komaga-take, Oshima, Suwanosejima, Tokachi, Yake-dake, and Usu significant volcanism on North Island; Ruapehu (elev. 2,797 m), which last erupted in 2007, has a history of large eruptions in the past century; Taranaki has the potential to produce dangerous avalanches and lahars; other historically active volcanoes include Okataina, Raoul Island, Tongariro, and White Island
Land use > Permanent crops 0.81%
Ranked 128th. 3 times more than New Zealand
0.27%
Ranked 163th.

Road density > Km of road per 100 sq. km of land area 89.06 sq. km
Ranked 31st. 3 times more than New Zealand
35.22 sq. km
Ranked 51st.

Google Street View, year added 2,008
Ranked 71st. The same as New Zealand
2,008
Ranked 68th.
Maritime claims > Contiguous zone 24
Ranked 49th. The same as New Zealand
24
Ranked 57th.

Environment > International agreements > Party to Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
Surface area > Sq. km > Per capita 2.96 km² per 1,000 people
Ranked 183th.
66 km² per 1,000 people
Ranked 35th. 22 times more than Japan

Precipitation 1,406 mm
Ranked 19th. 26% more than New Zealand
1,120 mm
Ranked 29th.
Highest point Mount Fuji Aoraki/Mount Cook
Irrigated land > Per capita 0.203 sq km per 1,000 people
Ranked 79th.
0.711 sq km per 1,000 people
Ranked 32nd. 4 times more than Japan

Note strategic location in northeast Asia almost 90% of the population lives in cities; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world
Irrigated land per million 202.95 sq km
Ranked 83th.
707.69 sq km
Ranked 32nd. 3 times more than Japan

Capital Tokyo Wellington
Border to area ratio 0.0
Ranked 169th.
0.0
Ranked 179th.
Marine Coastline 29,751 km
Ranked 6th. 97% more than New Zealand
15,134 km
Ranked 11th.
Freshwater > Withdrawal > Per capita 690 524
Freshwater > Withdrawal > Total 88.43 2.11
Highest point elevation None
None
Environment > International agreements > Signed, but not ratified none of the selected agreements Antarctic Seals, Marine Life Conservation
Highest town Fujikawaguchiko National Park Village
Countries on other side of the world (Ryukyu) Brazil, Paraguay Mainland: Spain , Portugal , Morocco , UK ( Gibraltar ) Chatham Islands : France Kermadec Islands : Algeria Niue : Niger Tokelau : Nigeria Cook Islands : Chad , (Penrhyn) Central African Republic , (Mangaia) Libya , (Pukapuka) Cameroon , (Nassau) Nigeria
Forested Land 64%
Ranked 16th. 2 times more than New Zealand
29.7%
Ranked 84th.
Maritime claims > Contiguous zone per million people 0.189
Ranked 74th.
5.5
Ranked 30th. 29 times more than Japan

Area > Note includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto) includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands
Area > Total > Per capita 2.97 sq km per 1,000 people
Ranked 195th.
64.38 sq km per 1,000 people
Ranked 38th. 22 times more than Japan

Area > A note includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto) includes Antipodes Islands, <a href=/encyclopedia/Auckland,-New-Zealand><a href=/encyclopedia/Auckland,-New-Zealand>Auckland</a></a> Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands
Lowest point altitude \u22124 m (\u221213 ft) \u22122 m (\u22126.6 ft)
Lowest point Hachiro-gata Kirks Drain Road, agricultural land north of Dunedin International Airport on Taieri Plain
Forest area > % of land area 68.22%
Ranked 14th. 2 times more than New Zealand
31.16%
Ranked 88th.

Terrestrial protected areas > % of total land area 16.54%
Ranked 87th.
27.26%
Ranked 32nd. 65% more than Japan

Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Per capita per million people 5.59 cu m/yr
Ranked 11th.
274.74 cu m/yr
Ranked 3rd. 49 times more than Japan

Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Total 90.04 cu km/yr
Ranked 7th. 19 times more than New Zealand
4.75 cu km/yr
Ranked 66th.

Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Per capita 714.3 cu m/yr
Ranked 4th.
1,200 cu m/yr
Ranked 5th. 68% more than Japan

Continent or sub continent Asia Oceania
Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Total per million people 0.708 cu km/yr
Ranked 37th.
1.09 cu km/yr
Ranked 17th. 54% more than Japan

Population living in areas where elevation is below 5 meters > % of total population 16.23%
Ranked 42nd. 29% more than New Zealand
12.56%
Ranked 56th.

Agricultural land > % of land area 12.76%
Ranked 164th.
45.89%
Ranked 76th. 4 times more than Japan

Low-lying areas > Elevation under 5 metres > % of land area 5.88%
Ranked 64th. 2 times more than New Zealand
2.74%
Ranked 101st.

Arable land > % of land area 11.67%
Ranked 93th. 7 times more than New Zealand
1.79%
Ranked 176th.

Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Total 90.04 cu km/yr
Ranked 7th. 19 times more than New Zealand
4.75 cu km/yr
Ranked 66th.

Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Per capita per million people 5.59 cu m/yr
Ranked 11th.
274.74 cu m/yr
Ranked 3rd. 49 times more than Japan

Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Total per million people 0.708 cu km/yr
Ranked 37th.
1.09 cu km/yr
Ranked 17th. 54% more than Japan

Terrestrial and marine protected areas > % of total territorial area 10.97%
Ranked 104th.
21.32%
Ranked 49th. 94% more than Japan

Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Per capita 714.3 cu m/yr
Ranked 4th.
1,200 cu m/yr
Ranked 5th. 68% more than Japan

SOURCES: CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011; Food and Agriculture Organization; Food and Agriculture Organisation, electronic files and web site.; All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008; British Broadcasting Corporation 2014; World Development Indicators database; Wikipedia: List of island countries (Sovereign states); CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013; Heal The World Foundation.; United Nations World Statistics Pocketbook and Statistical Yearbook, City Population, CIA World Factbook, World Gazetteer, Official government websites.; World Development Indicators database. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; International Road Federation, World Road Statistics and electronic files, except where noted.; Wikipedia: Google Street View (Coverage); United Nations World Statistics Pocketbook and Statistical Yearbook; Wikipedia: List of countries by highest point (Sovereign, fully recognized countries); Wikipedia: List of countries and territories by border/area ratio (Border/area ratio); CIA Factbook: List of countries by coastline size; Wikipedia: List of highest towns by country (Sovereign, fully recognized countries); Wikipedia: Antipodes (Countries); FAO; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbook, December 2003; Wikipedia: List of countries by lowest point; United Nations Environmental Program and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre; CIA World Factbook 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbook 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013; Wikipedia: List of political and geographic borders (Countries); Center for International Earth Science Information Network; Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site.

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