Kobe << KOH bee >> (pop. 1,525,152) is one of the most important seaports of Japan. It stands on the south coast of Honshu Island.
Kobe was built on a narrow, fan-shaped plain that stretches between the sea and a row of high mountains to the north. The mountains protect the city from severe winters. Kobe has long rows of docks, and is an important center of heavy industry and shipbuilding. It also produces aircraft and textiles. Many people worship at the ancient Buddhist temple of Nofukuji, which houses a wooden statue carved about 794.
Kobe was founded in the 1100’s. Commerce became important to the city after Japan began trading with other countries in the mid-1800’s. In 1956, construction of new buildings and repair of harbor facilities made Kobe the leading export and import center of Japan. On Jan. 16, 1995, a major earthquake struck the Kobe area. It caused over 6,000 deaths and enormous property destruction and damage.
