Katsuyama, Fukui
Geography. Katsuyama is located in the Katsuyama Basin of far northern Fukui Prefecture, bordered by Ishikawa Prefecture to the north, and surrounded by mountains on all sides. The Kuzuryū River flows through part of the city. Parts of the city are within the borders of Hakusan National Park. Climate. Katsuyama has a Humid climate (Köppen "Cfa") characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Katsuyama is . The average annual rainfall is with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around , and lowest in  January, at around . Demographics. Per Japanese census data, the population of Katsuyama has been declining over the past 40 years. History. Katsuyama is part of ancient Echizen Province. During the Edo period, the area was divided between the holdings of Echizen-Katsuyama Domain, Fukui Domain, Ōno Domain, and Gujō Domain. Following the Meiji restoration, it was organised into part of Ōno District in Fukui Prefecture. With the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, the town of Katsuyama was established. It annexed the village of Inose on April 15, 1931, On September 1, 1954, Katsuyama merged with  the villages of Arado, Muraoka, Kitago, Kitadani, Shikadani, Osoha, Heisen-ji and Nomuki to form the city of Katsuyama. Government. Katsuyama has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 16 members. Economy. The economy of Katsuyama is primarily agricultural. Education. Katsuyama has nine public elementary schools and three middle schools operated by the city government, and one combined private elementary/middle school. The city has one public high school operated by the Fukui Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school.