Nakashibetsu, Hokkaidō

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Nakashibetsu**
**中標津町**
Nakashibetsu's location in Hokkaidō, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Hokkaidō
Prefecture	Hokkaidō
District	Shibetsu
Physical characteristics
Area	684.98 km² (264.47 sq mi)
Population (as of March 31, 2008)
Total	23,958
Density	34.73 /km² (90 /sq mi)
Location	43°33′N, 144°58′E
Symbols
Tree	White birch
Flower	Gentiana triflora var. japonica
Bird	common cuckoo
Flag
Nakashibetsu Government Office
Mayor	Yuichi Nishizawa
Address	〒086-1197 2-22 Maruyama, Nakashibetsu-chō, Shibetsu-gun, Hokkaidō
Phone number	0153-73-3111
Official website: Town of Nakashibetsu

A road from Kaiyōdai hill

Nakashibetsu (中標津町, Nakashibetsu-chō^?) is a town located in Shibetsu District, Nemuro Subprefecture, Hokkaidō Prefecture. As of March 31, 2008 it has an estimated population of 23,958 and an area of 684.98 km².

Nakashibetsu Airport, the easternmost airport in Japan, is located in the town.

[edit] History

1901 - Division opening of Nakashibetsu area. Development is begun.
July 1, 1946 - The village of Nakashibetsu splits from Shibetsu.
January 1, 1950 - Nakashibetsu village becomes Nakashibetsu town.

In 2004 there was an abortive effort to merge Nakashibetsu with the nearby town of Rausu was held, and signed in 2004. The new city would have been named "Higashishiretoko," but the plan was defeated in a referendum held in Nakashibetsu.