Matsuura, Nagasaki

Matsuura
松浦市
City

Flag

Location of Matsuura in Nagasaki Prefecture
Matsuura

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 33°20′N 129°43′E / 33.333°N 129.717°E / 33.333; 129.717Coordinates: 33°20′N 129°43′E / 33.333°N 129.717°E / 33.333; 129.717
Country Japan
Region Kyushu
Prefecture Nagasaki Prefecture
Area
 • Total 130.37 km2 (50.34 sq mi)
Population (January 1, 2009)
 • Total 25,567
 • Density 196/km2 (510/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Podocarpaceae
 • Flower Rhododendron
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address 859-4598
Website www.city-matsuura.jp

Matsuura (松浦市 Matsuura-shi) is a city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. Matsuura City is bordered on three sides by mountains. Matsuura Bay, which leads to the Genkai Sea, makes up the fourth side.[1][2]

As of January 1, 2009, the city has an estimated population of 25,567 and a population density of 196 persons per km². The total area is 130.37 km².

History

Mention of a "Matsura County" appears in written records from the Heian period, and this area was the home of the Matsura clan, a local warrior clan. Takashima, within the borders of the modern town, is the location where the Mongol invasions of Japan, floundered due to the winds of typhoons in 1274 and 1281, giving rise to the legend of the kamikaze. In the Edo period, the area was largely under the control of the Hirado Domain. The discovery of coal seams in the early Meiji period led to the rapid economic development of the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; however, the coal mines closed in the 1960s.[1]

The modern city was founded on March 31, 1955 through the merger of several towns and villages.[2]

On January 1, 2006, Matsuura absorbed the towns of Fukushima and Takashima (both from Kitamatsuura District) to become the current and expanded city of Matsuura.

Overview

Matsuura City is a grouping of small towns, outlying communities, and some islands. Former Shisa Town is the most populated area and makes up downtown and central Matsuura City. East from Shisa is Tsukinokawa, and further east is Imabuku Township, which were separate towns until a few years ago.

Aoshima is a fairly small island in the bay. Fukushima and Takashima are the largest. Fukushima and Takashima can be accessed by bridge. Fukushima and Tsukinokawa are known for their cascading rice terraces.

Economy

Matsuura is located in a primarily rural area, with several industrial companies located near the city center including a steel works, a commercial fish market, and a regional power plant.[2] The amount of catch at Matsuura fish market is about 89,294 tons. (8th place in Japan)

Sister City relations

References

  1. 1 2 "Matsuura". Encyclopedia of Japan. Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 56431036. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  2. 1 2 3 "松浦" [Matsuura]. Dijitaru daijisen (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 56431036. Retrieved 2012-07-09.


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