Hokkaidō Is the northernmost of the four main islands of the Japanese archipelago and the least developed. The term literally means Hokkaido via the northern sea. Originally it was called Ezo and was primarily inhabited by the indigenous Ainu. The island is characterized by a wild and harsh winters, Hokkaido attracts nature lovers and winter sports in the colder months, cyclists, hikers and campers from June to September. The entire island is a single prefecture. Its capital is Sapporo.Excluding its lakes, the island of Hokkaido has an area of 78719 km2, that makes it the 21st largest island in the world. The island of Hokkaido is the northernmost part of the Japanese archipelago, close to Russia. Its coasts facing the Pacific Ocean to the east and south, the Sea of Okhotsk in the north and west on the Sea of Japan. To the north of La Perouse Strait separates it from the Russian island of Sakhalin. It is an island of volcanic origin: the mountains are concentrated in the central part of the island, softening in the plains that stretch to the coasts. The prefecture of Hokkaido also includes other smaller islands, such Rishiri, islands Okushiri, and Rebun. ( source Wikipedia )

• published: 04 Dec 2010
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• author: THEWORLDOFTRAVEL