add site
services
publishers
database
health videos
toolbar
stats
live show
health store
more stuff
JOIN/LOGIN
| advertise add site services publishers database health videos
| | about toolbar stats live show health store more stuff JOIN/LOGIN |
Akita (秋田市 Akita-shi) is the capital city of Akita Prefecture in the Tohoku region of Japan. As of June 1, 2007, with the merger of the former Kawabe District (including the former towns of Kawabe and Yūwa), the city has an estimated population of 336,250 and density of 364.6 inhabitants per square kilometre (944.3 /sq mi). The total area is 905.67 square kilometres (349.68 sq mi). While the modern city was officially founded on April 1, 1889, Akita has been one of the most important cities in the Tohoku region since the medieval period. The Ashina and Satake daimyo clans established their capital in present-day Akita.
[edit] EconomyAkita is within proximity of the most important oil fields in Japan. Oil refining, woodworking, metalworking, and the production of silk textiles are the main industries. Akita is also home to two regional banks that serve Akita prefecture and the greater Tohoku region: Akita Bank and Hokuto Bank. [edit] Geography[edit] Rivers and canals
[edit] Neighboring cities
[edit] HistoryHistorically, Akita has seen changes throughout at least four historical Japanese periods; Edo, Meiji, Showa and Heisei. The first beginnings were of Akita were in the Edo period. A settlement, known as Kubota Castle Town, was formed which would later become the center of Akita. Construction is dated to 1604. [edit] MeijiProgress in the Meiji era included the renaming of the Taihei School (太平学校), Akita Normal School (師範学校) April 12, 1878. In July, the school system was divided into 2 systems, the Kitaakita and Minamiakita districts. A year later, on April 1, 1889, Akita was officially established. In July the city hall of Akita is located inside the former Minamiakita District office. Transportation by horsecar began in July from Shindaikumachi to Tsuchizaki. This later became the Akita City Rail service. In May the first bank opened. [edit] ShowaWar devastated the city on August 14, 1945. 137 people were killed in an air raid of 134 B-29s, attacking the city from midnight to the early dawn of August 15. A Nippon Company oil refinery in the Tsuchizaki area was targeted. This was reportedly the farthest-range and also the last bombing mission in World War II, coming only hours before Japan announced its surrender.[1] [edit] Heisei EraOn April 1, 1997 Akita was designated as a core city in Japan. In August 2001 The World Games were held in Akita, with the opening ceremony held in the Yabase Track and Field Stadium. In 2004, the city celebrated its 400th anniversary and its beginnings as Kubota Castle town. [edit] Merger with Kawabe DistrictOn January 11, 2005, the city added the towns of Kawabe and Yūwa to become the new city of Akita. The merger celebration was held at AL☆Ve. The location of Akita City Hall did not change, and former Kawabe and Yūwa Town Halls are used as the civilian center. Go to the city of Akita's website for more info [edit] EducationAkita Prefectural University, a public university, is located in the city. Akita International University is a private college outside of town, taught solely in English. Akita Nutrition Junior College Open University of Japan Akita learning center [edit] Akita Rocket Launch SiteAt 39.57148N and 140.05785 E between 1956 and 1990 81 sounding rockets of Japanese type Kappa were launched. Hereby heights up to 343 kilometres were reached. In 1990 several Russian sounding rockets of M-100 type were launched. Source: http://www.astronautix.com/sites/akita.htm [edit] Marian apparitionsOur Lady of Akita is the title of Marian apparitions reported in 1973 by Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagawa in the remote area of Yuzawadai, near the city of Akita. The apparitions were approved by the Holy See in 1988.[2] The 1988 approval was issued by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI. [edit] Sister / Friendship Cities[edit] International Sister / Friendship Cities
[edit] Domestic Sister Cities
[edit] Transportation[edit] Rail
[edit] Road
[edit] Bus
[edit] Air[edit] Boat
[edit] Notes
[edit] External links
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ↑ top of page ↑ | about thumbshots |
