Matsuura, Nagasaki

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**Matsuura**
**松浦市**
Matsuura's location in Nagasaki, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Kyūshū
Prefecture	Nagasaki
Physical characteristics
Area	130.26 km² (50.29 sq mi)
Population (as of 2005)
Total	26,993
Location	33°20′N, 129°43′E
Symbols
Matsuura Government Office
Phone number	0956-72-1111
Official website: City of Matsuura

Matsuura (松浦市, Matsuura-shi^?) is a city located in Nagasaki, Japan.

The city was founded on March 31, 1955.

On January 1, 2006 the city merged with the towns of Fukushima and Takashima from Kitamatsuura District to form the new city of Matsuura.

From the reports of 2005 Census, the city has an estimated population of 26,993. The total area is 130.26 km².

[edit] Overview

Matsuura City is actually a grouping of small towns, outlaying communities, and some islands. Shisa town is the most populated area and makes up downtown and central Matsuura. Going east from Shisa is Tsukinokawa. Furthest west is Imabuku Township, which was its own town until a few years ago. Matsuura City is bordered on three sides by mountains. Matsuura Bay makes up the fourth side. Centuries ago, it was the location of two failed invasions by Mongolian fleets. The Kamikaze of WWII got their name from the storms that aided the Japanese in both those invasions. Aoshima is a fairly small island in the bay. Fukushima and Takashima are the largest. Fukushima can currently be accessed by bridge. Takashima is working on its own bridge, it won't be finished for a few more years. However both islands also have ferries to and from. Takashima's ferry carries vehicles.

It is located in a primarily rural area, with several industrial companies located near the city center including a steel works company, a commercial fish market, and a regional power plant. Takashima is known for its connection to Japan's history. Fukushima and Tsukinokawa are known for their cascading rice terraces. While the city of Imari to the east is known for its world famous pottery. Just over the mountains to the south is Sasebo City. A couple of hours north of Matsuura is Fukuoka, one of Japan's major cities and the largest on Kyushu Island. To the west are the islands Hirado and Ikitsuki.