Sapporo, << suh POHR oh >> (pop. 1,973,395), is the capital of Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. The city is located on the western part of the island near Otaru Bay.
Sapporo was laid out in 1871, and was patterned after western cities. Today, Sapporo serves as the island’s manufacturing and cultural center. Products of the island include hemp cloth and rubber goods, as well as such food products as condensed milk and processed soybeans. Sapporo’s chief attractions include Hokkaido University and the botanical gardens, which specialize in alpine flora. There are also ski slopes, located in the suburbs, and Jozankei hot springs, 11 miles (18 kilometers) southwest of the city. In 1972, the Winter Olympic Games were held at Sapporo.
