Minami-Alps, Yamanashi

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**Minami-Alps City**
**南アルプス市**
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu
Physical characteristics
Area	264.06 km²
Population (as of {{{PopDate}}})
Total	71,071
Symbols
Minami-Alps City City Hall
Mayor	Yutaka Ichikawa

Minami-arupusu (南アルプス市; Minami-arupusu-shi) is a city located in Yamanashi, Japan.

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 71,071 and a density of 269.15 persons per km². The total area is 264.06 km².

Minami-arupusu literally means Southern Alps (of Japan), which itself is named in reference to the European Alps. This city is located on the eastern foothills of these Southern Alps. Minami-Alps City is Yamanashi Prefecture's eighth city, and its population of over 70,000 makes it the prefecture's third largest.

The city's name was chosen in September 2002 from among entries submitted by the general public. The following are the main reasons why this name was chosen.

It conjures up the geographical image of the cities location at the foot of the Southern Alps.
It goes with the characteristics of the environment shared by the six towns and villages.
It gives the impression of cheerfulness and freshness that a tourism city should have.

It is the Southern Alps that characterize the city more than anything else. This mountain range includes Kitadake, 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.

Another striking characteristic of Minami-Alps city is the natural bounty of the fruit and other crops that have found a home here, including cherries, peaches, plums, grapes, pears, persimmons, kiwi, and apples.