Japan's unique environment is among the most important aspects of its culture and history. If we trace back from some well-known and iconic symbols of Japan—sushi, for instance—we can see how the natural resources of the land and sea have contributed to the modern-day image of Japanese culture. Though Japan is technically comprised of 6,852 islands, there are five "main" islands that really make up the country, similar to how states operate in the U.S. They are: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa (though Okinawa was only annexed in 1879; before then, it was known as the Ryukyu Kingdom.)
Where some countries are spread out laterally (East to West) and have a similar climate from coast to coast, the Japanese islands are arranged longitudinally (North to South), meaning the northernmost island of Hokkaido can be incredibly cold while the southernmost island of Okinawa is still experiencing a warm day for the beach. Though Japan may be small relative to the U.S., each of its islands holds a unique culture, climate and geographic landscape, making it feel like a whole world unto itself!
