Shiga Prefecture
Prefecture of Japan / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Shiga Prefecture (滋賀県, Shiga-ken) is a landlocked prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu.[1] Shiga Prefecture has a population of 1,412,916 (1 October 2015) and has a geographic area of 4,017 km2 (1,551 sq mi). Shiga Prefecture borders Fukui Prefecture to the north, Gifu Prefecture to the northeast, Mie Prefecture to the southeast, and Kyoto Prefecture to the west.
Shiga Prefecture
滋賀県 | |
|---|---|
| Japanese transcription(s) | |
| • Japanese | 滋賀県 |
| • Rōmaji | Shiga-ken |
The floating pavilion of Mangetsu-ji on the shores of Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan, located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture | |
 Flag  Symbol | |
| Anthem: Shiga kenmin no uta | |
 | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kansai |
| Island | Honshu |
| Capital | Ōtsu |
| Subdivisions | Districts: 3, Municipalities: 19 |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Taizō Mikazuki |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4,017.38 km2 (1,551.12 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 38th |
| Population (October 1, 2015) | |
| • Total | 1,412,916 |
| • Rank | 28th |
| • Density | 350/km2 (910/sq mi) |
| ISO 3166 code | JP-25 |
| Website | http://www.pref.shiga.lg.jp |
| Symbols of Japan | |
| Bird | Little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) |
| Flower | Rhododendron (Rhododendron metternichii var. hondoense) |
| Tree | Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) |
Ōtsu is the capital and largest city of Shiga Prefecture, with other major cities including Kusatsu, Nagahama, and Higashiōmi.[2] Shiga Prefecture encircles Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan, and 37% of the total land area is designated as Natural Parks, the highest of any prefecture. Shiga Prefecture's southern half is located adjacent to the former capital city of Kyoto and forms part of Greater Kyoto, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Japan. Shiga Prefecture is home to Ōmi beef, the Eight Views of Ōmi, and Hikone Castle, one of four national treasure castles in Japan.