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Ibaraki Prefecture facts for kids

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Ibaraki Prefecture
Japanese: 茨城県
Map of Japan with Ibaraki highlighted
Capital Mito
Region Kantō
Island Honshu
Governor Kazuhiko Ōigawa
Area (rank) 6,095.58 km² (23rd)
 - % water 4.8%
Population  (September 1, 2010)
 - Population 2,964,141 (11th)
 - Density 486.28 /km²
Districts 7
Municipalities 44
ISO 3166-2 JP-08
Website
Prefectural Symbols
 - Flower Rose (Rosa)
 - Tree Ume tree (Prunus mume)
 - Bird Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis)
 - Fish
Symbol of Ibaraki Prefecture
Symbol of Ibaraki Prefecture
Flag of Ibaraki Prefecture.svg

Ibaraki Prefecture (茨城県, Ibaraki-ken) is a special area in Japan. It's like a state or province. You can find it in the Kantō region on the big island of Honshu. The main city and capital of Ibaraki is Mito.

A Look Back in Time

Ibaraki Prefecture was created a long time ago, in 1871. Before that, it was known as Hitachi Province.

Where is Ibaraki?

IbarakiMapCurrent
Map of Ibaraki Prefecture

Ibaraki Prefecture is in the northeastern part of the Kantō region. It sits between Tochigi Prefecture and the huge Pacific Ocean. To the north, it shares a border with Fukushima Prefecture. To the south, you'll find Chiba Prefecture. And to the southwest, it's next to Saitama Prefecture.

The northern part of Ibaraki has many mountains. But most of the prefecture is a flat plain with lots of lakes.

Bustling Cities

Ibaraki Prefecture has thirty-two cities. Here are some of them:

  • Bandō
  • Chikusei
  • Hitachi
  • Hitachinaka
  • Hitachiōmiya
  • Hitachiōta
  • Hokota
  • Inashiki
  • Ishioka
  • Itako
  • Jōsō
  • Kamisu
  • Kasama
  • Kashima
  • Kasumigaura
  • Kitaibaraki
  • Koga
  • Mito (This is the capital city!)
  • Moriya
  • Naka
  • Namegata
  • Omitama
  • Ryūgasaki
  • Sakuragawa
  • Shimotsuma
  • Takahagi
  • Toride
  • Tsuchiura
  • Tsukuba
  • Tsukubamirai
  • Ushiku
  • Yūki

Towns and Villages

Besides cities, Ibaraki also has many towns and villages. They are grouped into different districts:

  • Higashiibaraki District
    • Ibaraki
    • Ōarai
    • Shirosato
  • Inashiki District
    • Ami
    • Kawachi
    • Miho
  • Kitasōma District
    • Tone
  • Kuji District
  • Naka District
    • Tōkai
  • Sashima District
    • Goka
    • Sakai
  • Yūki District
    • Yachiyo

Nature's Beauty: National Parks

About 15% of Ibaraki Prefecture's land is set aside as national parks. These are special areas protected for their natural beauty.

Important Shrines and Temples

The main Shinto shrines in Ibaraki Prefecture are called Kashima jinja. Shinto shrines are places where people worship traditional Japanese gods and spirits.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Prefectura de Ibaraki para niños

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Ibaraki Prefecture Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.