Ishikawa Prefecture

prefecture of Japan

Ishikawa Prefecture (石川県, Ishikawa-ken) is a prefecture in the Chūbu region of Japan on the island of Honshū.[1] The capital is Kanazawa.[2]

Ishikawa
石川県
Japanese transcription(s)
 • RomajiIshikawa-ken
Flag of Ishikawa
Official seal of Ishikawa
Location of Ishikawa in Japan
Location of Ishikawa in Japan
Coordinates: 36°38′N 136°39′E / 36.633°N 136.650°E / 36.633; 136.650
Country Japan
RegionChūbu, Hokuriku
IslandHonshū
CapitalKanazawa
Government
 • GovernorHiroshi Hase
Area
 • Total4,185.22 km2 (1,615.92 sq mi)
 • Rank35th
Population
 (February 1, 2011)
 • Total1,168,929
 • Rank34th
 • Density280/km2 (720/sq mi)
ISO 3166 codeJP-17
Prefectural flowerBlack lily (Fritillaria camtschatcensis)
Prefectural treeHiba (Thujopsis dolabrata)
Prefectural birdGolden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
Number of districts5
Number of municipalities19
Websitehttp://www.pref.ishikawa.lg.jp/foreign/en/

History

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Ishikawa was formed merging Kaga Province and the smaller Noto Province.[3]

Geography

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Ishikawa is on the Sea of Japan coast. Toyama Prefecture and Gifu Prefecture are on the eastern border of the prefecture. The southern border of Ishikawa meets Fukui Prefecture.

The Noto Peninsula is in the northern part of the prefecture. The southern part is mostly of mountains.

Kanazawa is in the coastal plain.

The prefecture includes some islands in the Sea of Japan, including Notojima, Mitsukejima, Hegurajima.

Cities

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National Parks

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National Parks are established in about 13% of the total land area of the prefecture.[4]

Shrines and Temples

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Shirayamahime jinja and Keta jinja are the chief Shinto shrines (ichinomiya) in the prefecture. [5]

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References

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  1. Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Chūbu" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 126.
  2. Nussbaum, "Kanazawa" at p. 467.
  3. Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" at p. 780.
  4. Japan Ministry of the Environment, "General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture"; retrieved 2012-3-13.
  5. "Nationwide List of Ichinomiya," p. 3 Archived 2013-05-17 at the Wayback Machine; retrieved 2012-2-9.

Other websites

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  Media related to Ishikawa prefecture at Wikimedia Commons