Sapporo (札幌市; -shi) is the capital city of Hokkaido, Japan.

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 1,854,837 and the density of 1,654.45 persons per km&sup2. The total area is 1,121.12 km².

The city was founded on August 1, 1922 and was designated on April 1, 1972 by government ordinance, and is served by New Chitose Airport.

The 1972 Winter Olympics were held in Sapporo. This was the first Winter Olympics to be held in Asia and it opened on February 3. Olympics aside, Sapporo's biggest event is the yearly Snow Festival in February, famed for its ice sculpture competition.

In Japan, Sapporo is known as the home of the eponymous Sapporo beer and miso-flavored Sapporo ramen. The entertainment district Susukino is among the largest and best-known in Japan.

The city has the following wards: Chuo-ku, Kita-ku, Higashi-ku, Shiroishi-ku, Toyohira-ku, Minami-ku, Nishi-ku, Atsubetsu-ku, Teine-ku, Kiyota-ku.

Sister Cities

• Novosibirsk, since 1990
• Munich, since 1972
• Portland, Oregon, since 1959
• Shenyang, since 1980

External links

• Official homepage (http://www.city.sapporo.jp/city/)
• Sapporo Snow Festival (http://www.snowfes.com/english/place/makomanai.html)