Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県 Fukuoka-ken) is located on Kyushu Island, Japan. The capital is the city of Fukuoka.
History
Fukuoka Prefecture includes the former provinces of Chikugo, Chikuzen, and Buzen.
Geography
Fukuoka Prefecture faces the sea on three sides, bordering on Saga, Oita, and Kumamoto prefectures and facing Yamaguchi Prefecture across the Kanmon Straits.
Fukuoka includes the two largest cities on Kyushu, Fukuoka and Kitakyushu, and much of Kyushu's industry. It also includes a number of small islands near the north coast of Kyushu.
Cities
Towns and villages
These are the towns and villages in each district.
Mergers
(as of March 6, 2006)
- On April 1, 2003, the town of Genkai from Munakata District merged into the city of Munakata.
- On January 24, 2005, the former towns of Fukuma and Tsuyazaki (from Munakata District) merged, forming the city of Fukutsu.
- On February 5, 2005, the towns of Kitano (from Mii District), Jojima and Mizuma (from Mizuma District), and Tanushimaru (from Ukiha District) merged into the city of Kurume.
- On March 20, 2005, the towns of Ukiha and Yoshii from Ukiha District merged to form the new city of Ukiha. Ukiha District was dissolved as a result of this merger.
- On March 21, 2005, the towns of Yamato and Mitsuhashi from Yamato District merged into the city of Yanagawa.
- On March 22, 2005, the towns of Miwa and Yasu from Asakura District merged to form the new town of Chikuzen.
- On March 28, 2005, the villages of Koishiwara and Hoshuyama from Asakura District merged to form the new village of Toho.
- On March 28, 2005, the village of Oshima merged into the city of Munakata. Munakata District was dissolved as a result of this merger.
- On October 11, 2005, the villages of Taihei and Yoshitomi from Chikujo District merged to form the new town of Koge.
- On January 10, 2006, the towns of Tsuiki and Shiida from Chikujo District merged to form the new town of Chikujo.
- On February 11, 2006, the towns of Miyata and Wakamiya from Kurate District merged to form the new town of Miyawaka.
- On March 6, 2006, the towns of Akaike, Hojo and Kanada from Tagawa District merged to form the new town of Fukuchi.
Economy
Fukuoka prefecture's main cities form one of Japan's main industrial centers, accounting for nearly 40% of the economy of Kyushu. Major industries include automobiles, semiconductors, and steel. There are separate economic areas (toshiken) around Fukuoka and Kitakyushu, and very rarely the term "Fukuoka-Kitakyushu" is also used.
Universities
Demographics
Culture
Tourism
Fukuoka is not well-known as a tourist center. The most popular place for tourists is Fukuoka City, although Kitakyushu has also tried to attract tourists.
Prefectural symbols
Miscellaneous topics
External links
Travel guide to Fukuoka Prefecture from Wikitravel
The content of this page is retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukuoka_Prefecture under GFDL
