- Okushiri Island
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Okushiri Native name: 奥尻島, Okushiri-tō Geography Location East Asia Coordinates 42°08′57″N 139°28′02″E / 42.14917°N 139.46722°ECoordinates: 42°08′57″N 139°28′02″E / 42.14917°N 139.46722°E Archipelago Japanese archipelago Area 142.97 km2 (55.201 sq mi) Length 27 km (16.8 mi) Width 11 km (6.8 mi) Coastline 84 km (52.2 mi) Highest elevation 584 m (1,916 ft) Highest point Mount Kamui Country JapanPrefectures Hokkaidō Subprefectures Hiyama Subprefecture District Okushiri District Demographics Population 3343 (as of 2009-03-31) Density 23.4 /km2 (60.6 /sq mi) Ethnic groups Japanese Okushiri Island (奥尻島 Okushiri-tō ) is an island in Hokkaidō, Japan. It has an area of 142.97 square kilometres (55.20 sq mi). The town of Okushiri and Hiyama Prefectural Natural Park encompass the entire island.
History
It was the site of a powerful earthquake and tsunami in 1993.[1]
The name Okushiri comes from the Ainu name Ikusyun-shiri. The phonetic word iku means other side and shiri means island.[2] However, the Japanese meaning of the two kanji used for the name mean "wife's hips" or "wife's buttocks".
Transportation
Okushiri Airport serves the island.
References
- ^ HIRATA, YUZUKI; MASAKAZU MURAKAMI (Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006). "Island hit by 1993 killer tsunami remains vigilant". Japan Times (The Japan Times Ltd.). http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20061116f2.html. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
- ^ "About location and geography of Okushiri-cho". Official Home Page of Okushiri Town. Okushiri Town. http://www.town.okushiri.lg.jp/en/gaiyo/ichi_chisei.html. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
Categories:- Islands of Japan
- Islands of the Sea of Japan
- Hokkaidō geography stubs
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