RSS
|
|
|
As of 1 January 2010, the city had an estimated population of 605,855 and a density of 1,107.49 persons per km2. The total area is 546.71 km2. In 2003, the city had an estimated population of only 554,136 and density of 1,911.41 persons per km2. The total area was 289.91 km2. The city's total area nearly doubled between 2003 and 2005 as a result of five towns-the towns of Kōriyama and Matsumoto, both from Hioki District, the town of Kiire, from Ibusuki District, and the towns of Sakurajima and Yoshida, both from Kagoshima District-merging into Kagoshima on November 1, 2004. Kagoshima is approximately 40 minutes from Kagoshima Airport, and the city features large shopping districts and malls, is served by trams, and has many restaurants featuring Satsuma Province regional cuisine: kibi (a kind of tiny fish), tonkatsu (caramelized pork, as opposed to the breaded version encountered elsewhere in Japan), smoked eel, and karukan (sweet cakes made from steamed yams and rice flour). A large, modern aquarium has been installed on the old docks overlooking the volcano. The Sengan-en (Isoteien) Japanese garden is just outside the city. The St. Xavier church is a reminder of the first Christians who came to Japan. One of the best places to see the city (and the active volcano across the bay) is from the Amuran Ferris wheel on top of Amu Plaza Kagoshima, the shopping centre attached to the main Kagoshima-Chūō Station. |
![The Sakurajima volcano erupts, throwing debris far and wide ! [03-2009] * * * * * The volcano is one of Japan's most active volcanoes with thousands of minor explosions reported each year. It is not thought there was any damage caused by the latest eruption. Sakura Island, Japan -- The Sakurajima volcano, near the city of Kagoshima in southern Japan, erupted in the early hours of Tuesday morning, spewing out lava and a thick plume of black smoke into the air. A fixed camera set up by the Japanese Transport Ministry captured the action as the Showa crater erupted around 05:30 local time (16:30 ET). Reports from Japan claimed debris from the eruption landed as far as two kilometres (1.3 miles) away. An eruption had been expected since a series of smaller explosions began over the weekend. Since reawakening in 1955 the volcano has been one of Japan's most active, recording thousands of minor explosions a year. There were no immediate reports of any damage caused by Tuesday's eruption. [ MARCH 10 2009 ] en.wikipedia.org](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dpHeNdE5w2Q/0.jpg)
