Ehime Prefecture (愛媛県 Ehime-ken)
Symbol of Ehime Prefecture | | Capital | Matsuyama | | Region | Shikoku | | Island | Shikoku | | Governor | Moriyuki Kato | | Area | 5,676.44 km² (26th) | | - % water | ?% | | Population (2000) | | - Population | 1,493,126 (27th) | | - Density | 263 /km² | | Districts | 10 | | Municipalities | 70 | | ISO 3166-2 | JP-38 | | Web site | www.pref.ehime.jp/index-e.htm | | Prefectural Symbols | | - Flower | Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu) | | - Tree | Pine tree (Pinus) | | - Bird | Japanese robin (Erithacus akahige) |  |
Ehime Prefecture (愛媛県; Ehime-ken) is a prefecture in northwestern Shikoku, Japan. The capital is Matsuyama.
History
Until the Meiji reformation, Ehime prefecture was known as Iyo province. Since before the Heian period, the area was dominated by fishermen and sailors who played an important role in defending Japan against pirates and Mongol invasions.
After the Battle of Sekigahara, the Tokugawa shogun gave the area to his allies, including Kato Yoshiakira who built Matsuyama Castle, forming the basis for the modern city of Matsuyama.
Geography Located in the northwestern part of Shikoku, Ehime faces the Seto inland sea to the north and is bordered by Kagawa and Tokushima in the east and Kochi in the south.
The prefecture includes both high mountains in the inland region and a long coastline, with many islands in the Seto inland Sea.
Cities The former city of Hojo merged into Masuyama on January 1, 2005. The former city of Toyo merged into Saijo on November 1, 2004.
Districts
Economy The area around Matsuyama has a number of industries, including shipbuilding, chemicals, oil refining, and paper and textile products. The rural areas of the prefecture mostly engage in agricultural and fishing industires, and are particularly known for oranges and cultured pearls.
Demographics
Culture
Tourism
Prefectural symbols
Miscellaneous topics The meaning of Ehime is "beautiful maiden". Its name comes from Kojiki, referring this place as Ehime (愛比売).
External links - Official Ehime prefecture homepage (http://www.pref.ehime.jp/index-e.htm)
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