is a district located in Iburi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. As of March, 2008, the district has an estimated Population of 3,009 and a density of 14.7 persons/km2. The total area is 205.04 km2. The district has only one town. Sōbetsu Timeline July 1, 1900 - Due to the Hokkaido 1st class municipal status enforcement, the village of Date was formed within Usu District. (1 village) April 1, 1915 - Due to the Hokkaido 2nd class municipal status enforcement, the village of Sōbetsu was formed within Usu District. (2 villages) 1916 - Population: 21,011. Malaria Patients: 20. April 1, 1919 - Due to the Sōbetsu, Hokkaido 2nd class municipal status enforcement, the village of Tokushunbetsu was formed within Usu District. (3 villages) June 1920 - Parts of the village of Tokushunbetsu merged into the village of Kimobetsu, Abuta District (now the town of Kimobetsu). August 1, 1925 - The village of Date became the 1st class town of Date. (1 town, 2 villages) April 1, 1939 - The village of Sōbetsu became the 1st class village. June 1, 1943 - 1st and 2nd class municipal status abolished. The village of Tokushunbetu became an officially designated village, according to the Ministry of Interior. October 5, 1946 - Designated municipal status enforcement abolished. September 1, 1950 - The village of Tokushunbetsu was renamed Ōtaki. January 1, 1962 - The village of Sōbetsu gained town status to become the town of Sōbetsu. (2 towns, 1 village) April 1, 1972 - The town of Date gained city status to become the city of Date. (1 town, 1 village) March 1, 2006 - The village of Ōtaki merged into the city of Date. (1 town) Districts in Hokkaido Shikotsu-Tōya National Park