is a subprefecture of

Hokkaido Prefecture is Japan, Japan's Japanese archipelago, second largest island and comprises the largest and northernmost Prefectures of Japan, prefecture, making up its own List of regions of Japan, region. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaidō from Honshu; th ...

, Japan. The subprefecture's capital is Kutchan. As of July 31, 2004, the estimated population was 256,184 and the area was 4,305.65 km².

Geography

Municipalities

Mergers

History

*1897: Otaru Subprefecture, Iwanai Subprefecture, and Suttsu Subprefecture were established. *1899: Kutchan Village (now Kutchan Town and Kyōgoku Town), Abuta District were transferred from Muroran Subprefecture (now Iburi Subprefecture) to Iwanai Subprefecture. *1899: Otaru Subprefecture, Iwanai Subprefecture, and Suttsu Subprefecture were merged to form Shiribeshi Subprefecture. Makkari Village (now Makkari Village, Kimobetsu Town, and Rusutsu Village) and Kaributo Village (now Niseko Town), Abuta District were transferred from Muroran Subprefecture.

External links

Official website
Subprefectures in Hokkaido {{Hokkaido-geo-stub