Kōchi Prefecture

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Kōchi Prefecture
Japanese transcription(s)
 • Japanese 高知県
 • Rōmaji Kōchi-ken

Symbol of Kōchi Prefecture
Coordinates: 33°26′N 133°26′E / 33.433°N 133.433°E / 33.433; 133.433Coordinates: 33°26′N 133°26′E / 33.433°N 133.433°E / 33.433; 133.433
Country Japan
Region Shikoku
Island Shikoku
Capital Kōchi
Government
 • Governor Masanao Ozaki
Area
 • Total 7,104.87 km2 (2,743.21 sq mi)
Area rank 14th
Population (December 1, 2011)
 • Total 757,914
 • Rank 45th
 • Density 106.68/km2 (276.3/sq mi)
ISO 3166 code JP-39
Districts 6
Municipalities 34
Flower Yamamomo (Myrica rubra)
Tree Yanase Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica)
Bird Fairy pitta (Pitta nympha)
Website www.pref.kochi.lg.jp/english
Map of Kōchi Prefecture

Kōchi Prefecture (高知県 Kōchi-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located on the south coast of Shikoku.[1] The capital is the city of Kōchi.[2]

Contents

History [edit]

Prior to the Meiji Restoration, Kōchi was known as Tosa Province and was controlled by the Chosokabe clan in the Sengoku period and the Yamauchi family during the Edo period.[3]

Geography [edit]

Kōchi Prefecture comprises the southwestern part of the island of Shikoku, facing the Pacific Ocean. It is the largest but least populous of Shikoku's four prefectures. Most of the province is mountainous, and in only a few areas such as around Kōchi and Nakamura is there a coastal plain. Kōchi is famous for its many rivers. Inamura-yama in Tosa-cho is the highest peak in Kochi prefecture with an altitude of 1,506 meters above sea level.

As of 1 April 2012, 7% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks, namely the Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park; Ishizuchi, Muroto-Anan Kaigan, and Tsurugisan Quasi-National Parks; and eighteen Prefectural Natural Parks.[4]

Cities [edit]

Eleven cities are located in Kōchi Prefecture:

Towns and villages [edit]

These are the towns and villages in each district.

Mergers [edit]

Tourism [edit]

Sports [edit]

The sports teams listed below are based in Kōchi.

Baseball [edit]

Football [edit]

See also [edit]

Notes [edit]

  1. ^ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Kōchi prefecture" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 538 at Google Books.
  2. ^ Nussbaum, "Kōchi" at p. 538 at Google Books.
  3. ^ Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" at p. 780 at Google Books.
  4. ^ "General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture". Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 19 August 2012. 

References [edit]

External links [edit]