Niigata Prefecture is a county along the Sea of Japan in the north-central part of Honshu, Japan. First-level administrative region. Including Su Island and Sadoshima in the Sea of Japan, with an area of12,600 square kilometers. The population is 2.475 million (1990). Surrounded by mountains on three sides and a basin in the middle. Yuehou and Sanguo Mountains are in the east, and Miaogao Volcano Group is in the south. To the west, the Feiqiu Mountains extend to the Sea of Japan, forming a cliff. There are plains such as Niigata along the coast. The larger rivers are Shinano River and Agano River. It is wet, cold and snowy in winter, and there is dry and hot wind (foehn) in spring and summer. These two countries, after Vietnam and Sado, now include 20 cities. Niigata, the capital. The output of crude oil ranks first in China. Industry is dominated by food, machinery, engines, chemicals and synthetic fibers. Special metal products, western tableware, high-grade silk products. Important rice producing areas. Fruit tree gardening is developed. There are many fish in the sea. There are many parks in the country, which are tourist attractions. Miaochang Zhushan at the southern foot of Shandong is an international ski resort. The main cities are Niigata, Nagaoka and Kashiwazaki.