Nishinoshima, Shimane

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NIshinoshima
西ノ島町
Town
Kuniga shore

Seal
Location of Nishinoshima in Shimane Prefecture
NIshinoshima
 
Coordinates: 36°5′N 133°0′E / 36.083°N 133.000°E / 36.083; 133.000Coordinates: 36°5′N 133°0′E / 36.083°N 133.000°E / 36.083; 133.000
Country Japan
Region Chūgoku
San'in
Prefecture Shimane Prefecture
District Oki
Area
  Total 55.98 km2 (21.61 sq mi)
Population (June 1, 2013)
  Total 3,015
  Density 53.8/km2 (139/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Phone number 08514-6-0101 
Address 534 Urago, Nishinoshima-cho, Oki-gun, Shimane-ken 684-0211
Website www.town.nishinoshima.shimane.jp

Nishinoshima (西ノ島町 Nishinoshima-chō) is a town located on the island of Nishinoshima, in Oki District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. As of June 2013, the town had an estimated population of 3,015 and a population density of 53.8 persons per km². The total area was 55.98 km2 (22 sq mi).

Geography

Nishinoshima occupies all of the island of Nakanoshima, in the Oki Islands archipelago in the Sea of Japan, along with a number of offshore uninhabited islands and rocks. Much of the town is within the borders of Daisen-Oki National Park.

Climate

Nishinoshima has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with very warm summers and cool winters. Precipitation is abundant throughout the year.

History

Nishinoshima was part of ancient Oki Province, and is the location of a number of Shinto shrines dating to the early Heian period.[1] Nishinoshima, along with Ama and Okinoshima claim to be the location of the home-in-exile for ex-emperors Go-Toba and Go-Daigo.

After the Meiji restoration, the Oki Islands became part of Tottori Prefecture in 1871, but were transferred to Shimane Prefecture in 1881.[2] The island was divided between Urago Village in the west and Kuroki Village in the east in 1904. The two municipalities were divided by a canal in 1915, which cut the island into two parts. Urago became a town in November 1946 and merged with Kuroki in 1957 to form Nishinoshima Town. The two portions of the island were joined together by a bridge in 2005.

Economy

The town economy is primarily based on agriculture and commercial fishing.

External links

Media related to Nishinoshima, Shimane at Wikimedia Commons

References

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