Bibai

Bibai (美唄市, Bibai-shi) is a city located in Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

Bibai 美唄市
City
Flag Emblem
Location of Bibai in Hokkaido (Sorachi Subprefecture)
Bibai Location in Japan
Coordinates: 43°20′N 141°51′E
Country	Japan
Region	Hokkaido
Prefecture	Hokkaido (Sorachi Subprefecture)
Government
• Mayor	Mikio Takahashi
Area
• Total	277.61 km^2 (107.19 sq mi)
Population  (March 31, 2013)
• Total	24,768
• Density	89.2/km^2 (231/sq mi)
Symbols
• Tree	Poplar
• Flower	Azalea
• Bird	Greater white-fronted goose
Time zone	UTC+9 (JST)
City hall address	1-1, Minami Itchōme, Nishi San-jō, Bibai-shi, Hokkaidō 072-8660
Website	www.city.bibai.hokkaido.jp

As of 2013, the city has an estimated population of 24,768, and the density of 89.2 persons per km². The total area is 277.61 km².

History

The name of "Bibai" is derived from Ainu word "pipa o i", meaning "Place (swamp) with many cockscomb pearl mussels".[1][2]

• 1890 - The village of Numakai was founded.
• 1925 - Numakai village became Numakai town.
• 1926 - Numakai was renamed Bibai.
• 1950 - Bibai town became Bibai city.
• 1982 - Bibai Dam was completed.

Geography

Ishikari River flows to west of Bibai. Bibai Dam was built on the Bibai River, a tributary of Ishikari River.

Lake Miyajima was registered as a wetland under the Ramsar Convention in 2002.[3]

Education

High schools

• Hokkaido Bibai Shoei High School
• Hokkaido Bibai Seika High School

School for special needs

• Hokkaido Bibai School for Special Needs

Transportation

Rail

Hakodate Main Line Minami-Bibai Branch Line used to run from Bibai to Minami-Bibai.

• Hakodate Main Line : Minenobu - Kōshunai - Bibai - Chashinai

Road

Straight line section of Route 12 is the longest in Japan.

• Hokkaidō Expressway
• Route 12

References

1. Outline of Bibai
2. "History of Bibai". Archived from the original on 2015-07-26. Retrieved 2015-05-17.
3. Tourist spots and events of Bibai

External links

• Official Website (in Japanese)