Shikokuchūō, Ehime

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**Shikokuchūō**
**四国中央市**
Shikokuchūō's location in Ehime, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Shikoku
Prefecture	Ehime
Physical characteristics
Area	419.98 km² (162.16 sq mi)
Population (as of 2004)
Total	96,003
Density	228.59 /km² (592 /sq mi)
Location	33°59′N, 133°33′E
Symbols
Flag
Shikokuchūō Government Office
Address	〒799-0497 4-6-55 Miyagawa, Mishima, Shikokuchūō-shi, Ehime-ken
Phone number	(0896) 28-6000
Official website: City of Shikokuchūō

Shikokuchūō (四国中央市, Shikokuchūō-shi^?) is a city located in Ehime, Japan.

The city was founded on April 1, 2004 when the cities of Kawanoe, Iyomishima, the town of Doi and the village of Shingū merged to form one new city. The name literally means "Shikoku Central City" and was so-named in the hopes of becoming the new capital of the island of Shikoku, should the four prefectures be merged into one as planned. However, this name has been roundly criticized for its unoriginality, and is known as one of the "Strange City Names" throughout Japan. The former cities of Kawanoe and Mishima (the two largest cities of the four that merged) have fought for political control over the new city.