Nakayama (中山町, Nakayama-machi) is a town located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. As of 29 February 2020, the town had an estimated population of 11,153 in 3701 households,[1] and a population density of 360 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 31.23 square kilometres (12 sq mi).

Geography

Nakayama is located in the western end of the Yamagata Basin in central Yamagata Prefecture, surrounded by mountains. The Mogami River flows through the town.

Neighboring municipalities

Climate

Nakayama has a Humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) 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. The average annual temperature in Nakayama is 11.7 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1398 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.6 °C, and lowest in January, at around -1.1 °C.[2]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Nakayama has remained relatively steady over the past 50 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 10,532—    
1930 12,037+14.3%
1940 12,367+2.7%
1950 14,098+14.0%
1960 12,815−9.1%
1970 11,597−9.5%
1980 11,624+0.2%
1990 11,773+1.3%
2000 12,573+6.8%
2010 12,015−4.4%
2020 10,746−10.6%

History

The area of present-day Nakayama was part of ancient Dewa Province. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Higashimurayama District, Yamagata Prefecture. The town of Nakayama was established on October 1, 1954, by the merger of the town of Nagasaki with the village of Mogami.

Economy

The economy of Nakayama is based on agriculture.

Education

Nakayama has two public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school.

Transportation

Railway

East Japan Railway Company - Aterazawa Line

Highway

References

  1. ^ Nakayama Town official statistics (in Japanese)
  2. ^ Nakayama climate data
  3. ^ Nakayama population statistics

External links

Media related to Nakayama, Yamagata at Wikimedia Commons