Local time Sunday 11:51 PM | Population 21,793 (Oct 2015) | |
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Weather 3°C, Wind S at 14 km/h, 87% Humidity Points of interest Mount Gassan, Gassan Shrine, Hachiman Park, Tateyama Park, Jōkei‑ji Temple | ||
Shōnai (庄内町, Shōnai-machi) is a town located in Higashitagawa District, Yamagata Prefecture, in the Tōhoku region of northern Japan.
Contents
- Map of Shonai Higashitagawa District Yamagata Prefecture Japan
- Geography
- Neighboring municipalities
- Climate
- History
- Economy
- Education
- Railway
- Highway
- Twin towns Sister cities
- References
Map of Shonai, Higashitagawa District, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
As of October 2015, the town has an estimated population of 21,793 and a population density of 87.5 persons per km². The total area is 249.17 square kilometres (96 sq mi).
Geography
Shōnai is located in the coastal plains of north-central Yamagata Prefecture. The Mogami River flows through the town. Mount Gassan, the highest of the Three Mountains of Dewa is at the intersection of the borders of Shōnai, Tsuruoka, Ōkura and Nishikawa.
Neighboring municipalities
Climate
Shōnai has a Humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from August to October.
History
The area of present-day Shōnai was part of ancient Dewa Province. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Higashitagawa District, Yamagata Prefecture. The town of Amarume was established on April 1, 1889, and the town of Karikawa on April 1, 1937. Karikawa merged with the neighboring villages of Kiyokawa and Tachiyazawa on October 1, 1954 and was renamed Tachikawa. On July 1, 2005 the towns of Tachikawa and Amarume merged to form the new town of Shōnai.
Economy
The economy of Shōnai is based on agriculture.
Education
Shōnai has five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school.