is a prefecture

Prefectures of Japan

The prefectures of Japan are the country's 47 subnational jurisdictions: one "metropolis" , Tokyo; one "circuit" , Hokkaidō; two urban prefectures , Osaka and Kyoto; and 43 other prefectures . In Japanese, they are commonly referred to as...

 of Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

 located in the Chūgoku region

Chugoku region

The , also known as the , is the westernmost region of Honshū, the largest island of Japan. It consists of the prefectures of Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori and Yamaguchi. It has a population of about 7.8 million.- History :...

 on Honshu

Honshu

is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...

 island. The capital is the city of Hiroshima

Hiroshima

is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M...

.

History

The area around Hiroshima was formerly divided into Bingo Province

Bingo Province

was a province of Japan on the Inland Sea side of western Honshū, comprising what is today the eastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture. It was sometimes called , with Bizen and Bitchu Provinces. Bingo bordered Bitchū, Hōki, Izumo, Iwami, and Aki Provinces....

 and Aki Province

Aki Province

or Geishū was a province in the Chūgoku Region of western Honshū, comprising the western part of what is today Hiroshima Prefecture.When Emperor Shōmu ordered two official temples for each province , two temples were founded in Aki Province...

. This location has been a center of trade and culture since the beginning of Japan's recorded history. Hiroshima is a traditional center of the Chūgoku region and was the seat of the Mōri clan

Mori clan

The Mōri clan was a family of daimyō, descended from Ōe no Hiromoto and established themselves in Aki Province. Their name was derived from a shōen in Mōri, Aikō District, Sagami Province. The generation of Hiromoto began to name themselves Mōri.After the Jōkyū War, Mōri was appointed to the jitō...

 until the Battle of Sekigahara

Battle of Sekigahara

The , popularly known as the , was a decisive battle on October 21, 1600 which cleared the path to the Shogunate for Tokugawa Ieyasu...

.

Hiroshima is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites:

• The Atomic Dome
  Hiroshima Peace Memorial
  Hiroshima Peace Memorial, commonly called the Atomic Bomb Dome or , in Hiroshima, Japan, is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The ruin serves as a memorial to the people who were killed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6,...
  
   in Hiroshima, one of the few remnants of prewar Hiroshima following the atomic bombing
  Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
  During the final stages of World War II in 1945, the United States conducted two atomic bombings against the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, the first on August 6, 1945, and the second on August 9, 1945. These two events are the only use of nuclear weapons in war to date.For six months...
  
   in 1945;
• The Itsukushima Shrine
  Itsukushima Shrine
  Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima in the city of Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan...
  
   in Miyajima
  Itsukushima
  is an island in the western part of the Inland Sea of Japan, located in the northwest of Hiroshima Bay. It is popularly known as , the Shrine Island. The island is one of . Itsukushima is part of the city of Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture...
  
  , famed for filling with water and appearing to "float" during high tide.

Geography

Hiroshima prefecture lies in the middle of Chūgoku. Most of the prefecture consists of mountains leading towards Shimane Prefecture

Shimane Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is Matsue. It is the second least populous prefecture in Japan, after its eastern neighbor Tottori. The prefecture has an area elongated from east to west facing the Chūgoku Mountain Range on the south side and to...

; and rivers produce rich plains near the coast.

The province facing Shikoku

Shikoku

is the smallest and least populous of the four main islands of Japan, located south of Honshū and east of the island of Kyūshū. Its ancient names include Iyo-no-futana-shima , Iyo-shima , and Futana-shima...

 across the Seto Inland Sea. Hiroshima Bay

Hiroshima Bay

is a bay in the Inland Sea, Japan. Administratively, the bay is divided between Hiroshima and Yamaguchi Prefectures. The bay's shore is a Ria. Its surface area is about 1,000 km², with a mean depth of 25 meters.-Municipalities:*Kure, Hiroshima...

 opens on the Inland Sea. The prefecture also includes many small islands.

The sheltered nature of the Inland Sea makes Hiroshima's climate very mild.

Cities

Fourteen cities are located in Hiroshima Prefecture:

Akitakata Akitakata, Hiroshima is a city located in north-central Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.As of April 1, 2011, the city has a population of 31,565, with a household number of 13,223, and an area of 538.17 km².... Etajima Etajima, Hiroshima is a city located on the island of Etajima in Hiroshima Bay in southwestern Hiroshima, Japan.The city was formed on November 1, 2004 from the merger of the town of Etajima from Aki District with three towns from Saeki District: Nōmi, Ōgaki, and Okimi.As of March 1, 2008 population data, the city... Fuchū Fukuyama Fukuyama, Hiroshima is a city located on the Ashida River in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.As of January 31, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 465,238 and a population density of 898.02 persons per km². The total area is 461.23 km². After Hiroshima City, it is the largest city in Hiroshima Prefecture... Hatsukaichi Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima is a city of some 120,000 people located in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The name derives from a market traditionally held on the 20th of each month with hatsuka meaning "20th day" and ichi translating to "market"... Higashihiroshima Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima is a city located in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.Higashihiroshima is a university town of Hiroshima University. Higashihiroshima is adjacent to Hiroshima, and so also forms a commuter town of Hiroshima....

Hiroshima (capital) Aki-ku Aki-ku, Hiroshima is one of the eight wards of the city of Hiroshima, Japan.As of November 1, 2005, the ward has an estimated population of 76,858 and a density of 817.55 persons per km². The total area is 94.01 km².... Asakita-ku Asakita-ku, Hiroshima is one of the eight wards of the city of Hiroshima, located in the North of Asa-gun and the South of Takata-gun: now-defunct districts .Asa-gun was consisted of Kabe-cho, Kōyō-cho, Asa-cho. Takata-gun was including Shiraki-cho... Asaminami-ku Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima is one of the eight wards of the city of Hiroshima, located in the south of the former district of Asa.Asa-gun consisted of Gion-cho, Yasufuruichi-cho, Sato-cho, Numata-cho. After being merged with Hiroshima in 1973, this ward was named Asaminami-ku.... Higashi-ku Higashi-ku, Hiroshima is one of the eight wards located in Hiroshima, Japan. It is located on the uppermost delta of the Ōta River.Within Higashi-ku is the Fudoin Temple in Ushita-shinmachi. Fudoin dates back to the 14th century and was built by Shogun Takauji Ashikaga as one of 60 Ankoku-ji temples which were... Minami-ku Minami-ku, Hiroshima is one of the eight wards of the city of Hiroshima, Japan.... Naka-ku Naka-ku, Hiroshima is the heart of Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Naka-ku is home to Hiroshima's central business district and Peace Memorial Park. Major attractions include the Hondori shopping arcade, a covered mall-like street of shops extending east from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to Hacchobori... Nishi-ku Nishi-ku, Hiroshima is one of the eight wards of the city of Hiroshima, Japan. The Hiroshima-Nishi Airport is located in Nishi-ku.... Saeki-ku Saeki-ku, Hiroshima is one of the eight wards of the city of Hiroshima, Japan.The Hiroshima Branch of the Japan Mint is located here.The ward added the former town of Yuki from Saeki District on April 25, 2005....

Kure Kure, Hiroshima is a city in Hiroshima prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 240,820 and a population density of 681 persons per km². The total area is 353.74 km².- History :... Mihara Mihara, Hiroshima is a city located in Hiroshima, Japan.The city was founded on November 15, 1936.On March 22, 2005 the town of Daiwa, from Kamo District, the town of Kui, from Mitsugi District, and the town of Hongō, from Toyota District, merged with the old city of Mihara to form the new city of Mihara.As of March... Miyoshi Miyoshi, Hiroshima is a city located in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.The city was founded on March 31, 1954.On April 1, 2004, Miyoshi City absorbed the towns of Kisa, Mirasaka and Miwa, the villages of Funo, Kimita and Sakugi, all from Futami District, and the town of Kōnu, from Kōnu District, to form the new city of... Onomichi Onomichi, Hiroshima is a city located in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, facing the Inland Sea.As of January 1, 2008, the city has an estimated population of 148,085 and a population density of 520 persons per km². The total area is 284.85 km²... Ōtake Otake, Hiroshima is a city located in Hiroshima, Japan.As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 30,471 and the density of 390.90 persons per km². The total area is 77.95 km².-History:* 5th century - Okudano-sato - Okudano-eki on the San'yōdō.... Shōbara Shobara, Hiroshima is a city located in northeastern corner of Hiroshima, Japan. The city was founded on March 31, 1954.On March 31, 2005 the towns of Hiwa, Kuchiwa, Saijō, Takano, and Tōjō, all from Hiba District , and the town of Sōryō, from Kōnu District , were merged into the expanded city of Shōbara.The entire... Takehara Takehara, Hiroshima is a city located in Hiroshima, Japan., the city has an estimated population of 29,093 and a density of 246 persons per km². The total area is 118.30 km².The city was founded on November 3, 1958....

Towns and villages

These are the towns and villages in each district

Districts of Japan

The was most recently used as an administrative unit in Japan between 1878 and 1921 and is roughly equivalent to the county of the United States, ranking at the level below prefecture and above city, town or village. As of 2008, cities belong directly to prefectures and are independent from...

:

Aki District Aki District, Hiroshima Aki is a district located in Hiroshima, Japan.As of 2004 population data but counting decreases due to the March 20, 2005 merger, the district has an estimated population of 116,573 and a density of 1588 persons per km²... Fuchū Kaita Kaita, Hiroshima is a town located in Aki District, Hiroshima, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 29,904 and a population density of 2,165.39 persons per km². The total area is 13.81 km².-External links:*... Kumano Kumano, Hiroshima is a town located in Aki District, Hiroshima, Japan.Kumano-cho is famous for the manufacture of brushes called "Kumano-fude" .The town is adjacent to Hiroshima, Kure and Higashihiroshima, so it's also one of commuter towns of those cities.... Saka Saka, Hiroshima is a town located in Aki District, Hiroshima, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 12,059 and a density of 771.04 persons per km². The total area is 15.64 km².-External links:*...

Jinseki District Jinsekikōgen Jinsekikogen, Hiroshima is a town located in Jinseki District, Hiroshima, Japan. The town was created on November 5, 2004 from the merger of all three towns and the one village from the district... Sera District Sera District, Hiroshima Sera is a district located in Hiroshima, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 19,213 and a density of 69.04 persons per km². The total area is 278.29 km².-Merger:... Sera Sera, Hiroshima is a town located in Sera District, Hiroshima, Japan.On October 1, 2004 the towns of Kōzan and Seranishi, both from Sera District, were merged into the expanded town of Sera....

Toyota District Ōsakikamijima Osakikamijima, Hiroshima is a town located in Toyota District, Hiroshima, Japan.This small island located in Seto Inland Sea, which separates Hiroshima Prefecture and Ehime Prefecture.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 9,502 and a density of 219.75 persons per km²... Yamagata District Yamagata District, Hiroshima Yamagata is a district located in Hiroshima, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 29,978 and a density of 30.34 persons per km²... Akiōta Akiota, Hiroshima is a town located in Yamagata District, Hiroshima, Japan.Akiōta was formed on October 1, 2004 from the merger of the towns of Kake and Togouchi, and the village of Tsutsuga, all from Yamagata District.... Kitahiroshima Kitahiroshima, Hiroshima is a town located in Yamagata District, Hiroshima, Japan.Kitahiroshima was formed on February 1, 2005 from the merger of the towns of Chiyoda, Geihoku, Ōasa and Toyohira, all from Yamagata District....

Economy

Hiroshima's main industries include automobiles (Mazda

Mazda

is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...

 is headquartered in Hiroshima Prefecture) and shipbuilding (Kure

Kure, Hiroshima

is a city in Hiroshima prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 240,820 and a population density of 681 persons per km². The total area is 353.74 km².- History :...

 was one of the main naval bases of the Imperial Japanese Navy

Imperial Japanese Navy

The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...

 and remains a major commercial yard).

University

• Hiroshima University
  Hiroshima University
  , located in the Japanese cities of Higashihiroshima and Hiroshima, was established 1949 by the merger of a number of national educational institutions.-History:Under the National School Establishment Law, Hiroshima University was established on May 31, 1949...
  
  
• Hiroshima Shudo University
  Hiroshima Shudo University
  is a private university in Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan. The predecessor of the school, Hiroshima Domain's Han school, was founded in 1725. It was chartered as a junior college in 1952 and became a four-year college in 1960. The school adopted the present name in 1973.-External links:*...
  
  
• Prefectural University of Hiroshima
  Prefectural University of Hiroshima
  is a public university in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, established in 2005.It has three campuses, located in these cities:* Hiroshima * Shōbara* Mihara-External links:*...
  
  
• Hiroshima University of Economics
  Hiroshima University of Economics
  is a private university in Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan, established in 1967.-External links:*...
  
  
• Hiroshima International University
• Hiroshima Bunka Gakuen University
  Kure University
  is a private university in Kure, Hiroshima, Japan. The school first opened as a junior women's collegein 1986 and became a four-year college in 1995.-External links:*...
  
  
• Hiroshima Bunkyo Women's University
  Hiroshima Bunkyo Women's University
  is a private women's college in Asakita, Hiroshima, Japan. The predecessor of the school was founded in 1948 by Miki Takeda. It was chartered as a junior women's college in 1962 and became a four-year college in 1966.-External links:*...
  
  
• Hiroshima Cosmopolitan University
• Hiroshima Institute of Technology
  Hiroshima Institute of Technology
  is a private university in Saeki, Hiroshima, Japan. It was established by Tsuru Gakuen in 1961 as a two-year college, and became a four-year university in 1963, taking its present name....
  
  
• Hiroshima Kokusai Gakuin University
  Hiroshima Kokusai Gakuin University
  is a private university in Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan. The predecessor of the school was founded in 1927. It was chartered as a junior college in 1964 and became a four-year college in 1967.-External links:*...
  
  
• Hiroshima City University
  Hiroshima City University
  is a public university at Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan, founded in 1994, educating both undergraduates and graduate students. HCU is especially distinctive for its Peace Studies program, in line with Hiroshima's status as an international city of peace....
  
  
• Hiroshima Jogakuin University
  Hiroshima Jogakuin University
  is a private women's college in Asaminami, Hiroshima, Japan. The predecessor of the school was founded in 1886, and it was chartered as a university in 1949.-External links:*...
  
  
• Hijiyama University
  Hijiyama University
  is a private university in Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan. The predecessor of the school was established in 1939, and it was chartered as a university in 1994.-External links:*...
  
  
• Elisabeth University of Music
  Elisabeth University of Music
  is a private university in Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan. The predecessor of the school was founded in 1948, and it was chartered as a university in 1963.-External links:*...
  
  
• Fukuyama University
  Fukuyama University
  is a private university in Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan, established in 1975.-External links:*...
  
  
• Fukuyama City University
  Fukuyama City University
  is a public co-educational university in Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan. In April 2011 it was established by reorganizing Fukuyama City Junior College for Women .The university is located in a new campus next to Fukuyama Port...
  
  
• Fukuyama Heisei University
  Fukuyama Heisei University
  is a private university in Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan, established in 1994.-External links:*...
  
  
• Yasuda Women's University
  Yasuda Women's University
  is a private women's college in Asaminami, Hiroshima, Japan. The predecessor of the school was established by Riyou Yasuda and others in 1915 and was chartered as a junior women's college in 1955.-External links:*...
  
  
• Onomichi University
  Onomichi University
  is a municipal university in Japan. It is located in Hisayamada-cho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture.- History :The university was founded in 1946 as , a three-year college for ages 17-20 or above...
  
  
• Japan Coast Guard Academy
  Japan Coast Guard Academy
  The is a university-level academy established within the Japan Coast Guard for the purpose of training students to become officers. It is located in Kure, Hiroshima prefecture.Students have the status of public employees...
  
  

Railway

• JR West
  West Japan Railway Company
  , also referred to as , is one of the Japan Railways Group companies and operates in western Honshū. It has its headquarters in Kita-ku, Osaka.-History:...
  
  
  • Sanyo Shinkansen
    Sanyō Shinkansen
    The is a line of the Japanese Shinkansen high-speed rail network, connecting Shin-Ōsaka in Osaka with Hakata Station in Fukuoka, the two largest cities in western Japan...
    
    
  • Sanyo Main Line
  • Kabe Line
    Kabe Line
    The is a rail line operated by JR West within the city of Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. It begins at Hiroshima Station and terminates at Kabe Station in Asakita-ku. It is one of the commuter lines to Hiroshima. Prior to December 1, 2003, the line was connected to Sandankyō Station from...
    
    
  • Kure Line
    Kure Line
    The is a rail line operated by JR West within Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. It begins at Mihara Station in Mihara and terminates at Kaitaichi Station in Kaita. It's one of the main lines of JR West. The section between Mihara Station to Hiro Station is nicknamed "Setouchi Sazanami Line" as the...
    
    
  • Geibi Line
    Geibi Line
    The is a railway line operated by West Japan Railway Company in the mountainous area of the Chūgoku region. It begins at Bitchū Kōjiro Station on the west side of Niimi, Okayama Prefecture, connecting through Miyoshi Station in Miyoshi, Hiroshima Prefecture, and terminating at Hiroshima Station...
    
    
  • Fukuen Line
    Fukuen Line
    is a railway line of West Japan Railway Company between Fukuyama and Miyoshi all within Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.-Stations:...
    
    
• Ibara Railway
  Ibara Railway Ibara Line
  The is Japanese railway line between Sōja Station, Sōja and Kannabe Station, Fukuyama. This is the only railway line operates. Japanese National Railways started the construction of the line in 1966, but halted it later in 1980...
  
  

Expressways

• Chugoku Expressway
  Chugoku Expressway
  The is an expressway in Japan from Suita, Osaka to Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi. It connects Kansai and Chūgoku regions in the western Honshū, Japan's largest island. Other major cities on the expressway are Tsuyama, Kobe and Hiroshima...
  
  
• Sanyo Expressway
  Sanyo Expressway
  The is an expressway in Japan, running from Kobe through Hiroshima along the Inland Sea and terminating in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The entire length of the expressway was opened in 1997...
  
  
• Shimanami Expressway
  Nishiseto Expressway
  The , often called the is an expressway in Japan that connects Onomichi, Hiroshima and Imabari, Ehime, going through nine of the Geiyo Islands together, including Ōshima, Umashima, and Innoshima...
  
  
• Hamada Expressway
• Onomichi Expressway
• Hiroshima Expressway
  Hiroshima Expressway
  The is a network of urban expressways serving the greater Hiroshima area in Japan. It is owned and managed by Hiroshima Expressway Public Corporation.-Routes:# # # # # -External links:*...
  
  

National highways

• Route 2
• Route 31
  Japan National Route 31
  National Route 31 is a national highway connecting Kaita, Hiroshima and Kure in Japan.-Route Data:*Length: 20.1 km *Origin: Kaita, Hiroshima *Terminus: Kure...
  
  
• Route 54
  Japan National Route 54
  National Route 54 is a national highway of Japan connecting Naka-ku, Hiroshima and Matsue, Shimane in Japan, with a total length of 174.5 km ....
  
  
• Route 182
• Route 183
• Route 185
• Route 186
• Route 191
• Route 261
• Route 313
• Route 314
• Route 317
• Route 375
• Route 432
• Route 433
• Route 434
• Route 486
• Route 487
• Route 488

Ports

• Kure Port - Ferry route to Edajima, Matsuyama
• Hiroshima Port - Ferry route to Miyajima, Edajima, Matsuyama and Beppu, and also International Container hub port
• Mihara Port
• Onomichi Port
• Fukuyama Port - International Container hub port

Tourism

• Hiroshima Peace Memorial
  Hiroshima Peace Memorial
  Hiroshima Peace Memorial, commonly called the Atomic Bomb Dome or , in Hiroshima, Japan, is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The ruin serves as a memorial to the people who were killed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6,...
  
  
• Hiroshima Castle
  Hiroshima Castle
  ', sometimes called ' is a castle in Hiroshima, Japan which was the home of the daimyō of the Hiroshima han . Originally constructed in the 1590s, the castle was destroyed in the atomic bombing in 1945...
  
  
• Shukukeien Garden
• Mitaki Temple
• Itsukushima Shrine
  Itsukushima Shrine
  Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima in the city of Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan...
  
  
• Momiji-dani Park
• Mt. Misen
  Mount Misen (Miyajima)
  is the holy mountain on the holy island Itsukushima in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, Japan; it is situated within the World Heritage area of Itsukushima Shrine.The sea around the island and all of the island are within Setonaikai National Park....
  
  

• Miyajima Aquarium
• Senkō-ji Temple
  Senko-ji (Onomichi)
  is a historic Japanese temple in Senko-ji Park in Onomichi, Hiroshima, Japan.-Overview:Senko-ji was founded in the year 806, the 1st year of the Daidō era.Senko-ji is the 10th site of the Chūgoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage....
  
  
• Jodo-ji Temple
• Saikoku-ji Temple
• Onomichi City Art Museum
• Fukuyama Castle

Famous for festival and event

• Fukuyama Rose Festival - held on May
• Onomichi Becher Festival - held on November 3
• Onomichi Port Festival - held on April
• Gion Festival of Onomichi - held on July
• Innoshima Water-naval Festival - held on August
• Yassa Festival of Mihara - held on August
• Hiroshima Flower Festival - held on May 3 to 5
• Hiroshima Ebisu Festival - held on November 18 to 20
• Enryuji Tokasan Festival - held on June
• Miyajima Under-water Firework Festival - held on August 14

External links

• Official Hiroshima Prefecture homepage
• Life in Hiroshima and other Japan-related Articles
• Hiroshima Weather Forecast
• National Archives of Japan ... Hiroshima map (1891)
• National Archives of Japan: Itsukushima kakei, illustrated scroll describing Itsukushima, text by Kaibara Ekiken (circa 1720)