Bibai, Hokkaido

Bibai 美唄市
City
Flag Emblem
Location of Bibai in Hokkaido (Sorachi Subprefecture)
Bibai Location in Japan
Coordinates: 43°20′N 141°51′E / 43.333°N 141.850°E / 43.333; 141.850Coordinates: 43°20′N 141°51′E / 43.333°N 141.850°E / 43.333; 141.850
Country	Japan
Region	Hokkaido
Prefecture	Hokkaido (Sorachi Subprefecture)
Government
• Mayor	Mikio Takahashi
Area
• Total	277.61 km2 (107.19 sq mi)
Population (March 31, 2013)
• Total	24,768
• Density	89.2/km2 (231/sq mi)
Symbols
• Tree	Poplar
• Flower	Azalea
• Bird	Greater white-fronted goose
Time zone	UTC+9 (JST)
City hall address	1-1, Minami Itchōme, Nishi San-jō, Bibai-shi, Hokkaidō 072-8660
Website	www.city.bibai.hokkaido.jp

Bibai (美唄市, Bibai-shi) is a city located in Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

As of 2013, the city has an estimated population of 24,768, and the density of 89.2 persons per km². The total area is 277.61 km².

History

The name of "Bibai" is derived from Ainu word "pipa o i", meaning "Place (swamp) with many cockscomb pearl mussels".^[1][2]

• 1890 - The village of Numakai was founded.
• 1925 - Numakai village became Numakai town.
• 1926 - Numakai was renamed Bibai.
• 1950 - Bibai town became Bibai city.
• 1982 - Bibai Dam was completed.

Geography

Ishikari River flows to west of Bibai. Bibai Dam was built on the Bibai River, a tributary of Ishikari River.

Lake Miyajima was registered as a wetland under the Ramsar Convention in 2002.^[3]

Education

Transportation

References

External links

• Official Website (in Japanese)