Toyama Prefecture 富山県 |
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Prefecture | |||
Japanese transcription(s) | |||
• Japanese | 富山県 | ||
• Rōmaji | Toyama-ken | ||
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Country | Japan | ||
Region | Chūbu (Hokuriku) | ||
Island | Honshu | ||
Capital | Toyama | ||
Government | |||
• Governor | Takakazu Ishii | ||
Area | |||
• Total | 4,247.22 km2 (1,639.86 sq mi) | ||
Area rank | 33rd | ||
Population (Estimated as of February 1, 2008) | |||
• Total | 1,104,239 | ||
• Rank | 38th | ||
• Density | 260/km2 (700/sq mi) | ||
ISO 3166 code | JP-16 | ||
Districts | 2 | ||
Municipalities | 15 | ||
Flower | Tulip (Tulipa) | ||
Tree | Tateyama Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) | ||
Bird | Ptarmigan | ||
Fish |
Japanese amberjack Pasiphaea japonica Firefly squid |
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Website | pref.toyama.jp |
Toyama Prefecture (富山県 Toyama-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Hokuriku region on the main Honshu island. The capital is the city of Toyama.
Toyama is the leading industrial prefecture on the Japan Sea coast, and has the industrial advantage of cheap electricity from abundant hydroelectric resources. It also contains East Asia’s only known glaciers outside Russia, first recognized in 2012.
Historically, Toyama Prefecture was Etchū Province. Following the abolition of the han system in 1871, Etchū Province was renamed Niikawa Prefecture, but Imizu District was given to Nanao Prefecture. In 1872 Imizu District was returned by the new Ishikawa Prefecture.
In 1876, Niikawa Prefecture was merged into Ishikawa Prefecture but the merger was void in 1881 and the area was re-established as Toyama Prefecture.
The Itai-itai disease occurred in Toyama around 1950.
Toyama Prefecture is bordered by Ishikawa Prefecture to the west, Niigata to the northeast, Nagano to the southeast, Gifu to the south and Sea of Japan to the north.
As of April 1, 2012, 30% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks, namely the Chūbu-Sangaku and Hakusan National Parks; Noto Hantō Quasi-National Park; and six Prefectural Natural Parks.