Page 26 - FULL PLAYER EBOOK

The Islands and Regions of Japan sage through the Sea of Okhotsk is often complicated
C by large floes of drift ice, high winds. Ports on the
h open Pacific Ocean and Sea of Japan are generally
a HOKKAIDO
p ice-free year round, though all rivers freeze during
t
e the winter.
r
Major Cities:

Abashiri Hakodate Kushiro
Asahikawa Kitami Nemuro

Obihiro Sapporo (capital)

Economy:
Although there is some light industry (most notably
paper milling and beer brewing) most of the popula-
tion is employed by the service sector.

Customs and Heritage:

-The Sapporo Sweets Competition is held annually.
-Mount Usu: An active stratovolcano in Hokkaido,
Japan.

Cuisine:

Fresh seafood– Mainly salmon, sea urchin and
Literally "Northern Sea Circuit", and formerly crab.
known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's sec-
ond largest island; it is also the largest and northern- Haskup- a local variety of blueberry and water-
most of Japan's 47 prefectures. The Tsugaru Strait melon.
separates Hokkaido from The largest city in Hokkai- Jingisukan- A lamb barbecue style dish called
do its capital, Sapporo. The capital is also Hokkai- (named for Genghis Khan). Itis another popular
do’s only ordinance-designated city. local specialty.

Total Area: 83,453.57 km2 (32,221.60 sq mi) Sapporo Sweets- A confectionery using many in-
gredients from Hokkaido.
Total Population: 871,732
Soup curry- A liquid curry with vegetables and
Climate: chicken, it is also one of the specialties in Sappo-

Hokkaido is known for its relatively cool summers ro, and currently plenty soup curry restaurants are
and icy winters. The average August temperature located in the cities and towns of Hokkaido.
ranges from 17 to 22 °C (62.6 to 71.6 °F), while the
average January temperature ranges from -12 to -4 °
C (10.4 to 24.8 °F), depending on elevation and dis-
tance from the ocean. Unlike the other major islands
of Japan, Hokkaido is normally not affected by the
June-July rainy season and the relative lack of hu-
midity and typically warm, rather than hot, summer
weather makes its climate an attraction for people
from other parts of Japan. During the winter, pas-

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