Minami-Alps, Yamanashi
Minami-Alps (南アルプス市, Minami-Arupusu-shi) is a city located in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 June 2019, the city has an estimated population of 71,618 in 27,956 households,[1] and a population density of 270 persons per km². The total area of the city is 264.14 square kilometres (101.99 sq mi). Minami-Alps is Yamanashi Prefecture's third largest city. The city's name was chosen in September 2002 from among entries submitted by the general public.
Minami-Alps 南アルプス市 | |
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Gate of the Ando house in Minami-Alps City | |
Flag Seal | |
Location of Minami-Alps in Yamanashi Prefecture | |
Minami-Alps | |
Coordinates: 35°36′29.9″N 138°27′54.1″E | |
Country | Japan |
Region | Chūbu (Tōkai) |
Prefecture | Yamanashi |
Government | |
• Mayor | Hirobumi Nakairi (since April 2011) |
Area | |
• Total | 264.14 km2 (101.99 sq mi) |
Population (June 1, 2019) | |
• Total | 71,618 |
• Density | 270/km2 (700/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
Phone number | 055-282-1111 |
Address | Ogasawara 376, Minami-Alps city, Yamanashi 400-0395 |
Website | Official website |
Geography
The city is named for its location on the eastern foothills of the "Southern Alps". This mountain range includes Mount Kita, Japan's second-highest mountain, as well as a number of other mountains that top 3,000 meters. The urbanized zones lie along the three rivers running along these mountains: Midai River, Takizawa River, and Tsubo River. The area is noted for growing fruit, especially: cherries, peaches, plums, grapes, pears, persimmons, kiwi, and apples.
Surrounding municipalities
Demographics
Per Japanese census data,[2] the population of Minami-Alps has grown over the past 30 years.
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1940 | 52,148 | — |
1950 | 63,073 | +20.9% |
1960 | 53,924 | −14.5% |
1970 | 51,318 | −4.8% |
1980 | 54,123 | +5.5% |
1990 | 62,351 | +15.2% |
2000 | 70,116 | +12.5% |
2010 | 72,649 | +3.6% |
Climate
The city has a climate characterized by characterized by hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature in Minami-Alps is 10.3 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1539 mm with September as the wettest month.[3]
History
The city of Minami-Alps was established on April 1, 2003, by the merger of the towns of Kōsai, Kushigata, Shirane and Wakakusa, and the villages of Ashiyasu and Hatta (all from Nakakoma District).
Government
Minami-Alps has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 22 members.
Economy
The economy of Minami-Alps is primarily agricultural, with seasonal tourism and forestry playing secondary roles.
Education
- Minami-Alps has 15 public elementary schools, one combined public elementary/middle school and six public middle schools operated by the city government. The city has two public high schools and one special education school operated by the Yamanashi Prefectural Board of Education.
- International schools - Alps Gakuen (former Colégio Pitágoras) - Brazilian school[4]
Transportation
Railway
- Minami-Alps is the only city in Yamanashi which does not have any passenger railway services.
Sister cities
Tsubetsu, Hokkaidō, Japan Anamizu, Ishikawa, Japan Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan Marshalltown, Iowa, United States Winterset, Iowa, United States
Friendship city
Dujiangyan City, China
Notable people from Minami-Alps
- Shin Kanemaru, politician
- Tachū Naitō, architect, engineer
- Masae Kasai, women's volleyball player
- Akira Takabe, professional football player
- Kaori Chiba, women's field hockey player
References
- City official statistics(in Japanese)
- Minami-Alps population statistics
- climate data
- "Escolas Brasileiras Homologadas no Japão" (Archive). Embassy of Brazil in Tokyo. Retrieved on October 13, 2015.
External links
- Official Website (in Japanese)