Ehime Prefecture 愛媛県 |
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Prefecture | |||
Japanese transcription(s) | |||
• Japanese | 愛媛県 | ||
• Rōmaji | Ehime-ken | ||
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Country | Japan | ||
Region | Shikoku | ||
Island | Shikoku | ||
Capital | Matsuyama | ||
Government | |||
• Governor | Tokihiro Nakamura (since December 2010) | ||
Area | |||
• Total | 5,676.44 km2 (2,191.69 sq mi) | ||
Area rank | 26th | ||
Population (November 1, 2010) | |||
• Total | 1,430,086 | ||
• Rank | 27th | ||
• Density | 251.93/km2 (652.5/sq mi) | ||
ISO 3166 code | JP-38 | ||
Districts | 7 | ||
Municipalities | 20 | ||
Flower | Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu) | ||
Tree | Pine (Pinus) | ||
Bird | Japanese robin (Erithacus akahige) | ||
Fish | Red sea bream (Pagrus major) | ||
Website | www |
Ehime Prefecture (愛媛県 Ehime-ken?) is a prefecture in northwestern Shikoku, Japan. The capital is Matsuyama.
Until the Meiji Restoration, Ehime Prefecture was known as Iyo Province. Since before the Heian period, the area was dominated by fishermen and sailors who played an important role in defending Japan against pirates and Mongolian invasions.
After the Battle of Sekigahara, the Tokugawa shogun gave the area to his allies, including Kato Yoshiaki who built Matsuyama Castle, forming the basis for the modern city of Matsuyama.
The name Ehime comes from the kuniumi part of the Kojiki where Iyo Province is mythologically named Ehime "lovely princess."
In 2012, a research group from the University of Tokyo and Ehime University said they had discovered rare earth deposits in Matsuyama.
Located in the northwestern part of Shikoku, Ehime faces the Seto Inland Sea to the north and is bordered by Kagawa and Tokushima in the east and Kōchi in the south.