Japan proper is divided geographically into nine “circuits,” called Gokinai, Tōkaidō, Tōsandō, Hokurikudō, Sanindō, Sanyōdō, Nankaidō, Saikaidō, Hokkaidō. The word _dō_, which appears in all the names except the first, means “road” or “highway.” Some of these appellations are not much used at present; but others are retained in various connections, especially in the names of railways, banks, companies, or schools. A common official division of the largest island (_Hondo_) is into Central, Northern, and Western. Japan proper was also subdivided into 85 _Kuni_ (Province), the names of which are still retained in general use to some extent. But, for purposes of administration, the empire is divided into 3 _Fu_ (Municipality) and 43 _Ken_ (Prefecture), besides Yezo (or Hokkaidō) and Formosa, each of which is administered as a “territory” or “colony.” The distinction between _Fu_ and _Ken_ is practically one in name only. These large divisions are again divided: the former into _Ku_ (Urban District) and _Gun_ (Rural District); and the latter into _Gun_. There are also more than 50 incorporated Cities (_Shi_) within the _Fu_ and _Ken_.[8] Moreover, the _Gun_ is subdivided into _Chō_ (Town) and _Son_ (Village). But, while the prefix “great” does not apply to Japan with reference to its extent, it is certainly appropriate to the contents of that country. Within the Empire of Japan are great mountains with grand scenery, great and magnificent temples, great cities, and a great many people. For, while the area of Japan is only one-twentieth of that of the United States, the population is about one-half as numerous. Even in the country districts the villages are almost continuous, so that it is an infrequent experience to ride a mile without seeing a habitation; and in the large cities the people are huddled very closely together. The latest official statistics, those of 1909, give the total population of Japan as 53,500,000, of whom the males exceed the females by about 600,000; and as of late years the annual increase has amounted to about 700,000, the present population (1912) may fairly be estimated at more than 55,000,000.[9] The number of foreigners resident in Japan in 1909 exceeded 17,000, of whom more than half were Chinese, and less than a quarter were British and American. The number of Japanese in 1909 living abroad was 301,000, of whom 100,000 were in the United States (chiefly in Hawaii), 97,000 in China, and only a few in British territory.