Named for the city, home of the first discoverer, at the junction of the Bihoro and Abashiri {see planet  (4263)} rivers, the latter running near the Kitami {see planet  (3785)} station. Some 30 km from the sea of Okhotsk {see planet  (4042)}, the city has a population of approximately 26,000, and its main industries are beets and potatoes. The Bihoro pass, 525 m above sea level, is in the Akan {see planet  (4584)} national park 20 km from the nearest town and is renowned for its grand panorama that includes the Kussharo lake. (M 16595) _ _.