Okushiri Island

Japanese: 奥尻島 - おくしりとう

An island in the Sea of Japan, about 18km west of the Oshima Peninsula, in southwest Hokkaido. The whole island belongs to Okushiri Town. The name is said to be derived from the Ainu word Ikushunri (meaning the other side island). The island is long and narrow from north to south, with the highest point being Mount Kamui (584m). Coastal terraces and sea cliffs have developed all over the island. There are as many as 10 terrace levels, from the lowest terrace level at 3m above sea level to the highest terrace level at 280-300m. There are ports at Aonae in the south and Okushiri in the east, and the island once prospered from herring fishing. In the 1993 Hokkaido Southwest Earthquake, the whole island was hit directly by the tsunami because it was close to the epicenter, causing great damage. The whole island belongs to Hiyama Prefectural Natural Park. There are regular flights from Okushiri Airport to Hakodate, and ferries operate from Okushiri Port to Esashi Town and Setana Town. Area 142.97 ^km2 . Population: 3,921 (2000).

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia About Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Information

Japanese:

北海道南西部，渡島半島西方約 18kmの日本海上にある島。全島奥尻町に属する。地名はアイヌ語のイクシュンリ (向こうの島の意) によるという。島は南北に細長く，最高所は神威山 (584m) 。全島に海岸段丘および海食崖が発達する。標高 3mの最低段丘面から 280～300mの最高段丘面まで 10段もの段丘面がみられる。南部の青苗，東部の奥尻に港があり，かつてはニシン漁で栄えた。 1993年の北海道南西沖地震では，震源に近かったため島全体が津波の直撃を受け，大きな被害を出した。全島が檜山道立自然公園に属する。奥尻空港から函館に定期便があり，奥尻港より江差町，せたな町へフェリーが運航している。面積 142.97km²。人口 3921 (2000) 。

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