Kozagawa, Wakayama


Kozagawa is a town located in Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan., the town had an estimated population of 2,537 in 1415 households and a population density of 8.6 persons per km². The total area of the town is. The total area of Kozagawa is the second largest in Wakayama Prefecture. However, the population of Kozagawa Town is the second smallest in the prefecture.

Geography

Kozagawa is located in an inland area near the southernmost tip of the Kii Peninsula. The topography is forested and mountainous, with the forest area occupying about 90% of the total town area. The Koza River runs through the town from northwest to southeast and the settled areas are all along the floodplain of this river.

Climate

Kozagawa has a Humid subtropical climate characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kozagawa 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. The area is subject to typhoons in summer.

Demographics

The population of Kozagawa has decreased significantly since 1950, and is now less than a third of what it was a century ago.

History

The area of the modern town of Kozagawa was within ancient Kii Province. With the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, the following villages were formed:
  • Takaike Village -.
  • Myojin Village -.
  • Mitogawa Village -.
  • Kogawa Village -.
  • Shichigawa Village -.
In 1900, Takaike Village was promoted to town status. On March 31, 1956, Takaike Town, Myojin Village, Mitogawa Village, Kogawa Village, and Shichigawa Village merged and became Kozagawa Town.

Government

Kozagawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 10 members. Kozagawa collectively with the other municipalities of Higashimuro District contributes two members to the Wakayama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Wakayama 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. The present town mayor is Takeo Takeda .

Economy

The economy of Kozagawa is centered on forestry and agriculture. Because of warm and wet climate, from ancient times, good-quality woods, called "Kozagawa-Zai ", have been produced.

Education

Kozagawa has three public elementary schools and two public middle schools operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school. Hokkaido University's Northern Biosphere Field Science Center Wakayama Research Forest is located in Kozagawa

Transportation

Railway

Kozagawa has no commercial passenger rail service. The nearest station is Koza Station of JR Kisei Main Line, located in Kushimoto.

Highways

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Notable people