Imabari, Ehime
From Free net encyclopedia
Imabari (今治市; -shi) is a city located in Ehime, Japan. It is the second largest city in Ehime prefecture. Following a recent merger, the city has an estimated population of 176,877 and density of 422 persons per km². The total (merged) area is 419.56 km².
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Transporation
The city is serviced by Imabari Station on the JR Shikoku system. It is a main station on the Yosai line with limited express service. The city is also home to two large naval ports, and acts as a hub station for many of the ferry systems that link the nearby smaller islands.
Economy
Imabari is home to a large number of naval facilities along the northern and eastern coastlines of the city. Facilities include a container port and 20 maintenance and construction shipyards. The ports have also long been a trading center within Shikoku. The city is home to a large cotton processing industry, with particular emphasis on towels. The city produces around 60% of the towels produced in Japan. As of 1998, there were over 200 towel production plants in the city. The city also specializes in the dyeing industry.
History
The area in which Imabari exists had long been a strategic point for the control of the Seto Inland Sea. As a result, it was controlled by a variety of forces throughout the warring period, including a number of inland sea pirate forces. The city was officially founded on February 11, 1920.
Recent history
The city has recently experienced an economic surge as a result of the completion of the inter-island bridge network connecting it to Hiroshima.
On January 16, 2005 11 towns and villages from Ochi District merged with Imabari. The towns and villages participating in this merger were:
External links
Template:Ehimede:Imabari fr:Imabari ja:今治市 pl:Imabari pt:Imabari