Sōya Subprefecture (宗谷総合振興局, Sōya-sōgō-shinkō-kyoku) is a subprefecture of Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. Its population is estimated to be 77,500 as of July 31, 2004 and its area is 4,050.84 square kilometres (1,564.04 sq mi). It is the northernmost subprefecture of Japan.

Sōya Subprefecture
宗谷総合振興局
Sōya-sōgō-shinkō-kyoku
Location of Sōya Subprefecture
PrefectureHokkaido
CapitalWakkanai
Area
 • Total4,050.76 km2 (1,564.01 sq mi)
Population
 (March 2009)
 • Total75,665
 • Density19/km2 (48/sq mi)
Websitesouya.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp
Sōya Subprefecture (without Horonobe)
Wakkanai City

Wakkanai Airport is located in Wakkanai. Rishiri Airport is located in Rishirifuji, Rishiri District.

Geography edit

Municipalities edit

Name Area (km2) Population Population Density District Type Map
Rōmaji Kanji
  Esashi 枝幸町 1,115.67 8,578 7.69 Esashi District Town  
  Hamatonbetsu 浜頓別町 401.56 3,841 9.56 Esashi District Town  
  Horonobe 幌延町 574.27 2,415 4.21 Teshio District Town  
  Nakatonbetsu 中頓別町 398.55 1,776 4.46 Esashi District Town  
  Rebun 礼文町 81.33 2,651 32.60 Rebun District Town  
  Rishiri 利尻町 76.49 2,169 28.36 Rishiri District Town  
  Rishirifuji 利尻富士町 105.69 2,665 25.22 Rishiri District Town  
  Sarufutsu 猿払村 590 2,884 4.89 Sōya District Village  
  Toyotomi 豊富町 520.69 4,054 7.79 Teshio District Town  
  Wakkanai (capital) 稚内市 761.47 33,869 44.48 no district City  

Mergers edit

History edit

  • 1897: Sōya Subprefecture established; Sōya, Esashi, Rishiri, Rebun Districts placed under its jurisdiction
  • 1948: Toyotomi village (now town), Teshio District transferred from Rumoi Subprefecture
  • 2010: Horonobe town, Teshio District transferred from Rumoi Subprefecture

External links edit

45°23′51″N 141°42′03″E / 45.397521°N 141.700917°E / 45.397521; 141.700917