Shizuoka Prefecture

prefecture of Japan

Shizuoka Prefecture (静岡県, Shizuoka-ken) is a prefecture in the Chūbu region of Japan on the island of Honshu.[1] The capital is the city of Shizuoka.[2]

Shizuoka
静岡県
Japanese transcription(s)
 • RomajiShizuoka-ken
Flag of Shizuoka
Official seal of Shizuoka
Location of Shizuoka in Japan
Location of Shizuoka in Japan
Coordinates: 34°55′N 138°19′E / 34.917°N 138.317°E / 34.917; 138.317
Country Japan
RegionChūbu
IslandHonshu
CapitalShizuoka, Shizuoka
Government
 • GovernorHeita Kawakatsu
Area
 • Total7,779.63 km2 (3,003.73 sq mi)
 • Rank13th
Population
 (July 1, 2010)
 • Total3,774,471
 • Rank10th
 • Density490/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
ISO 3166 codeJP-22
Prefectural flowerAzalea (Rhododenron)
Prefectural treeSweet Osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus)
Prefectural birdJapanese Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone atrocaudata)
Number of districts5
Number of municipalities35
Websitewww.pref.shizuoka.jp/
a_foreign/english/

History change

Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi Province, Suruga Province and Izu Province provinces.[3]

Timeline change

Geography change

Shizuoka is on the east coast of Honshu facing the Pacific Ocean. The prefecture is bordered on the west by Aichi Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture. The northern borders of Shuzuoka are shared with Yamanashi Prefecture and Kanagawa Prefecture.

Mount Fuji is on the northern border of Shizuoka.

Suruga Bay is its main coastal feature. The Izu Peninsula forms the eastern side of the bay.

Throughout history, every 100 to 150 years, an earthquake of disastrous proportions called the Tokai Earthquake has hit Shizuoka.[4]

National Parks change

National Parks are established in about 11% of the total land area of the prefecture.[5]

Shrines and Temples change

Oguni jinja, Kotonomamahachimangū, Sengen jinja and Mishima taisha were the chief Shinto shrines (ichinomiya) of Suruga. [6]

Related pages change

Notes change

  1. Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Shizuoka-ken" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 876; "Chūbu" at p. 126.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Nussbaum, "Shizuoka" at p. 876.
  3. Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" at p. 780.
  4. "Japan's Prime Minister Shuts Nuclear Plant in Earthquake Danger Zone," Archived 2011-12-01 at the Wayback Machine Environmental News Service, May 6, 2011; retrieved 2011-11-28.
  5. Japan Ministry of the Environment, "General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture"; retrieved 2012-8-28.
  6. "Nationwide List of Ichinomiya," p. 1 Archived 2013-05-17 at the Wayback Machine; retrieved 2012-8-28.

Other websites change

  Media related to Shizuoka prefecture at Wikimedia Commons