Shirataka

Shirataka
白鷹町
Town

Shirataka Town Hall

Flag
Seal

Location of Shirataka in Yamagata Prefecture
Shirataka

 

Coordinates: 38°11′N 140°06′E / 38.183°N 140.100°ECoordinates: 38°11′N 140°06′E / 38.183°N 140.100°E
Country Japan
Region Tōhoku
Prefecture Yamagata
District Nishiokitama
Area
 • Total 157.74 km2 (60.90 sq mi)
Population (November 2013)
 • Total 14,638
 • Density 92.8/km2 (240/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree Sakura
- Flower Kobushi Magnolia
- Bird Hawk
-Fish Ayu
Phone number 0238-85-2111
Address 833 Arata, Shirataka-chō, Yamagata-ken 992-0892
Website

Shirataka (白鷹町 Shirataka-machi) is a town located in Nishiokitama District, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.

As of November 2013, the town had an estimated population of 8,278 and a population density of 11.2 persons per km². The total area was 737.55 square kilometres (285 sq mi).

Geography

Shirataka is located in southern Yamagata Prefecture, with the Mogami River running through the town. The Asahi Mountains border the town to the east and west.

Neighboring municipalities

Climate

Shirataka has a Humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from August to October.

History

The area of present-day Shirataka was part of ancient Dewa Province. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Nishiokitama District, Yamagata Prefecture. The village of Shirataka was established on April 1, 1889. It was elevated to town status on October 1, 1954 by merger with the neighboring town of Arata and villages of Higashine, Ayukai, Jūō, and Koguwa.

Economy

The economy of Shirataka is based on agriculture.

Transportation

Railway

Highway

External links

Media related to Shirataka at Wikimedia Commons