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°E / 38.183; 140.100Coordinates: 38°11′N 140°06′E / 38.183°N 140.100°E / 38.183; 140.100
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	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- Tree	Sakura
- Flower	Kobushi Magnolia
- Bird	Hawk
-Fish	Ayu
Phone number	0238-85-2111
Address	833 Arata, Shirataka-chō, Yamagata-ken 992-0892
Website	http://www.town.shirataka.lg.jp/

Shirataka (白鷹町, Shirataka-machi) is a town located in 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 is 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.

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

External links

Media related to Shirataka at Wikimedia Commons

• Official Website (in Japanese)