Okayama Prefecture facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Okayama Prefecture |
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| Capital | Okayama (city) | ||||||||
| Region | Chūgoku | ||||||||
| Island | Honshū | ||||||||
| Governor | Masahiro Ishii | ||||||||
| Area (rank) | 7,112.32 km² (15th) | ||||||||
| - % water | 0.3% | ||||||||
| Population (October 2005) | |||||||||
| - Population | 1,957,056 (21st) | ||||||||
| - Density | 275 /km² | ||||||||
| Districts | 10 | ||||||||
| Municipalities | 27 | ||||||||
| ISO 3166-2 | JP-33 | ||||||||
| Website | www.pref.okayama.jp/ kikaku/kokusai/momo/e/ |
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| Prefectural Symbols | |||||||||
| - Flower | Peach blossom (Prunus persica var. vulgaris) | ||||||||
| - Tree | Red pine (Pinus densiflora) | ||||||||
| - Bird | Lesser cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus) | ||||||||
| - Fish | |||||||||
 Symbol of Okayama Prefecture |
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Okayama Prefecture (岡山県, Okayama-ken) is a special area in Japan called a prefecture. It is located in the Chūgoku region on the big island of Honshū. The main city, or capital, of Okayama Prefecture is Okayama City. This prefecture is known for its beautiful nature and interesting history.
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A Look at Okayama's History
Okayama Prefecture has a long and interesting past. During a big change in Japan called the Meiji Restoration, the area we now know as Okayama was actually three different provinces. These were called Bitchū Province, Bizen Province, and Mimasaka Province. Over time, these areas came together to form the Okayama Prefecture we know today.
Where is Okayama Located?
Okayama Prefecture is surrounded by other prefectures. To its west, it shares a border with Hyōgo Prefecture. To the north, you'll find Tottori Prefecture. On its east side, it borders Hiroshima Prefecture. Okayama also faces the Seto Inland Sea to the west. Across this sea, you can see Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. Okayama Prefecture is also special because it includes about 90 islands!
Main Cities in Okayama
Okayama Prefecture is home to 15 different cities. Each city has its own unique charm and things to explore. The capital city, Okayama, is the largest and most important. Here are the cities in Okayama Prefecture:
- Akaiwa
- Asakuchi
- Bizen
- Ibara
- Kurashiki
- Maniwa
- Mimasaka
- Niimi
- Okayama (capital city)
- Setouchi
- Sōja
- Takahashi
- Tamano
- Tsuyama
Protecting Nature: National Parks
Okayama Prefecture cares a lot about its natural beauty. About 11% of the total land area in the prefecture is set aside as National Parks. These parks help protect important plants, animals, and beautiful landscapes for everyone to enjoy. They are great places for hiking, exploring, and learning about nature.
Important Shrines and Temples
Okayama Prefecture is also home to many important religious sites. Two of the most significant Shinto shrines in the prefecture are Kibitsuhiko jinja and Kibitsu jinja. These are known as ichinomiya, which means they are the chief or most important shrines in the area. People visit these shrines to pray and learn about Japanese traditions.
Related Pages to Explore
If you want to learn more about Japan and its different areas, check out these pages:
- Provinces of Japan
- Prefectures of Japan
- List of regions of Japan
- List of islands of Japan
- Fagiano Okayama
- Okayama Prefectural Museum
Images for kids
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Okayama City
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Tsuyama
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Takahashi
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Niimi
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City Light Stadium.
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Okayama Korakuen Park and Okayama Castle
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Hiruzen Plateau and Hiruzen Joyful Park in Maniwa
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Hinase Island and Seto Inlandsea in Bizen
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Bitchu Matsuyama Castle in Takahashi
See also
In Spanish: Prefectura de Okayama para niños
