Hokkaidō Prefecture
Hokkaidō Prefecture (北海道, Hokkaidō) is a special Japanese prefecture in Hokkaidō region on the island Hokkaidō.[2] It is the most northern prefecture of Japan.
Hokkaidō
北海道 | |
|---|---|
| Japanese transcription(s) | |
| • Romaji | Hokkaidō |
 Flag  Symbol | |
 Location of Hokkaidō in Japan | |
| Coordinates: 43°3′51″N 141°20′48″E / 43.06417°N 141.34667°E | |
| Country |  Japan |
| Region | Hokkaido |
| Island | Hokkaidō |
| Capital | Sapporo |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Naomichi Suzuki |
| Area | |
| • Total | 83,453.57 km2 (32,221.60 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 1st |
| Population (2010-10-01[1]) | |
| • Total | 5,507,456 |
| • Rank | 8th |
| • Density | 66/km2 (170/sq mi) |
| ISO 3166 code | JP-01 |
| Prefectural flower | Hamanasu (Rugosa Rose, Rosa rugosa) |
| Prefectural tree | Ezomatsu (Jezo Spruce, Picea jezoensis) |
| Prefectural bird | Tanchō (Red-crowned Crane, Grus japonensis) |
| Prefectural bird | Sea Bream |
| Number of districts | 68 |
| Number of municipalities | 180 |
| Website | www |
Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido.[2]
History
changeUntil the Meiji Restoration, the island was called Ezo, Watari-shima, Yeddo, and Yezo. Since 1869, it has been called Hokkaidō.[2]
The population expanded in the late 19th century.[2]
Timeline
change- 2008 (Heisei 20): The 34th G8 summit was held in Toyako.[4]
Geography
changeHokkaidō is the 2nd largest island of Japan[2] The island is between the Sea of Japan to the west, the Sea of Okhotsk to the northeast, the Pacific Ocean to the southeast, and the Tsugaru Strait to the south.
Hokkaidō is separated from Honshu by the Tsugaru Strait; however, it is connected by the underwater Seikan tunnel.
Some of the Chishima Islands are occupied by Russia, but Japan still considers the islands to be Japanese.
National Parks
changeNatural Parks are established in about 10% of the total land area of the prefecture.[5]
Shrines and Temples
changeHokkaidō jingū was the chief Shinto shrine (ichinomiya) of Ezo, which was an ancient name for the Hokkaidō region.[6]
Related pages
changeReferences
change- ↑ National Census 2010 Preliminary Results
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2002). "Hokkaido" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 343.
- ↑ Travel-around-Japan.com, "Former Hokkaido Government office building"; retrieved 2012-2-14.
- ↑ Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA): 34th G8 summit, overview.
- ↑ Japan Ministry of the Environment, "General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture"; retrieved 2012-3-14.
- ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1963). The Vicissitudes of Shinto, p. 328.
Other websites
change
