Hiroshima
Hiroshima (広島市, Hiroshima-shi, /ˌhɪroʊˈʃiːmə/, also UK: /hɪˈrɒʃɪmə/,[3] US: /hɪˈroʊʃɪmə/, Japanese: [çiɾoɕima]) is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan. As of June 1, 2019[update], the city had an estimated population of 1,199,391. The gross domestic product (GDP) in Greater Hiroshima, Hiroshima Urban Employment Area, was US$61.3 billion as of 2010.[4][5] Kazumi Matsui has been the city's mayor since April 2011.
Hiroshima
広島市 | |
|---|---|
| The City of Hiroshima[1] | |
Clockwise from top left: Hiroshima skyline within A-Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Castle, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum, Tramways in Kamiyacho–Hatchobori area, and the Shukkei-en Garden of Peace | |
 Flag  Seal | |
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 Location of Hiroshima in Hiroshima Prefecture | |
  Hiroshima  Hiroshima Hiroshima (Asia) .svg) Hiroshima Hiroshima (Earth) | |
| Coordinates: 34°23′29″N 132°27′07″E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Chūgoku (San'yō) |
| Prefecture | Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Kazumi Matsui |
| Area | |
| • Designated city | 906.68 km2 (350.07 sq mi) |
| Population (June 1, 2019) | |
| • Designated city | 1,199,391 |
| • Density | 1,300/km2 (3,400/sq mi) |
| • Metro [2] (2015) | 1,431,634 (10th) |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
| Tree | Camphor Laurel |
| Flower | Oleander |
| Phone number | 082-245-2111 |
| Address | 1-6-34 Kokutaiji, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi 730-8586 |
| Website | www |
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| Hiroshima | |||||
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| Japanese name | |||||
| Kyūjitai | 廣島 | ||||
| Shinjitai | 広島 | ||||
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Hiroshima was founded in 1589 as a castle town on the Ōta River delta. Following the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Hiroshima rapidly transformed into a major urban center and industrial hub. In 1889, Hiroshima officially gained city status. The city was a center of military activities during the imperial era, playing significant roles such as in the First Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War, and the two world wars.
Hiroshima was the first city targeted by a nuclear weapon. This occurred on August 6, 1945, at 8:15 a.m., when the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) dropped the atomic bomb "Little Boy" on the city.[6] Most of the city was destroyed, and by the end of the year between 90,000 and 166,000 had died as a result of the blast and its effects. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) serves as a memorial of the bombing.
Since being rebuilt after the war, Hiroshima has become the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu.