Wakayama, Wakayama

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**Wakayama**
**和歌山市**
Wakayama's location in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Kansai
Prefecture	Wakayama Prefecture
Physical characteristics
Area	210.23 km² (81.17 sq mi)
Population (as of 2007)
Total	373,655
Location	34°14′N, 135°10′E
Symbols
Flag
Wakayama Government Office
Official website: City of Wakayama

Wakayama (和歌山市, Wakayama-shi^?) is the capital city of Wakayama Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan.

[edit] Background

It occupies 4 percent of the land area, and has 40 percent of the population, of the prefecture. The city was founded on April 1, 1889.

The city population rose from 382,155 in 2003 to 386,501 in 2004, a growth of 1.87 percent. The density as of 2003 was 1,826.74 persons per km². The total area is 209.20 km².

This population increase has occurred despite Wakayama's beleaguered economy, which has suffered since Sumitomo Steel moved much of its steel producing operations to China. The Wakayama steel mills have since been reduced and restructured, completely shutting in 2004. Additionally, Wakayama is famous across Japan for its umeboshi and mikan.

Wakayama Castle is in the city center.

Wakayama is cleft in two by the Kinokawa River. The city is bordered at the north by mountains and Osaka Prefecture.

In the city center is Wakayama Castle, built on Mt. Torafusu (the name means "a tiger leaning on his side"). During the Edo period, the Kishū Tokugawa daimyo ruled from Wakayama Castle. Tokugawa Yoshimune, the fifth Kishū Tokugawa daimyo, became the eighth Tokugawa shogun.