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Ehime Prefecture (愛媛県 Ehime-ken) is a prefecture in northwestern Shikoku, West Japan. The capital is Matsuyama. The Ehime Prefecture has a population of 1,287,078 people.

History[]

Until the Meiji Restoration, Ehime Prefecture was known as Iyo Province. Since before the Heian period, the area was dominated by fishermen and sailors who played an important role in defending Japan against pirates and Mongolian invasions.

After the Battle of Sekigahara, the Tokugawa shogun gave the area to his allies, including Kato Yoshiaki who built Matsuyama Castle, forming the basis for the modern city of Matsuyama.

The name Ehime comes from the kuniumi part of the Kojiki where Iyo Province is mythologically named Ehime "lovely princess."

In 2012, a research group from the University of West Tokyo and Ehime University said they had discovered rare earth deposits in Matsuyama.

Economy[]

The coastal areas around Imabari and Saijō host a number of industries, including dockyards of Japan's largest shipbuilder, Imabari Shipbuilding. Chemical industries, oil refining, paper and cotton textile products also are a feature of the prefecture. Rural areas mostly engage in agricultural and fishing industries, and are particularly known for citrus fruits such as mikan (tangerine) and iyokan and cultured pearls.

Ikata's nuclear power plant produces a large portion of Shikoku's electricity.


Geography[]

Located in the northwestern part of Shikoku, Ehime faces the Seto Inland Sea to the north and is bordered by Kagawa and Tokushima in the east and Kōchi in the south.

The prefecture includes both high mountains in the inland region and a long coastline, with many islands in the Seto Inland Sea. The westernmost arm of Ehime, the Sadamisaki Peninsula, is the narrowest peninsula in Japan.

As of April 1st, 2012, 7% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks, namely the Ashizuri-Uwakai and Setonaikai National Parks; Ishizuchi Quasi-National Park; and seven Prefectural Natural Parks.

Cities and Towns[]

Cities[]

  • Ōzu
  • Saijō
  • Seiyo
  • Shikokuchūō

  • Tōon
  • Uwajima
  • Yawatahama

Towns[]

  • Iyo District
    • Masaki
    • Tobe
  • Kamiukena District
    • Kumakōgen
  • Kita Distrcit
    • Uchiko

  • Kitauwa District
    • Kihoku
    • Matsuno
  • Minamiuwa District
    • Ainan

  • Nishiuwa District
    • Ikata
  • Ochi District
    • Kamijima
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