Ibigawa (揖斐川町, Ibigawa-chō) is a town located in Ibi District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 December 2018[update], the town had an estimated population of 21,319 in 8,015 households [1] and a population density of 27 persons per km2. The total area of the town was 803.44 square kilometres (310.21 sq mi).
The town has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and mild winters (Köppen climate classificationCfa). The average annual temperature in Ibigawa is 15.5 °C (59.9 °F). The average annual rainfall is 2,517.6 mm (99.12 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.6 °C (81.7 °F), and lowest in January, at around 3.8 °C (38.8 °F).[2] The mountainous areas of the town are noted for extremely heavy snow in winter.
Climate data for Ibigawa (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
Per Japanese census data,[4] the population of Ibigawa has declined over the past 40 years.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1970
29,979
—
1980
31,171
+4.0%
1990
29,156
−6.5%
2000
27,453
−5.8%
2010
23,784
−13.4%
2020
19,529
−17.9%
History
The area around Ibigawa was part of traditional Mino Province. During the Edo period, it initially part of a 30,000 koku domain controlled by the Nishio clan, but from 1623 was divided between territory controlled by Owari Domain and tenryō holdings directly controlled by the Tokugawa shogunate. During the post-Meiji restoration cadastral reforms, the area was organised into Ibi District, Gifu Prefecture. The town of Ibigawa was formed on July 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system.
On January 31, 2005 the former villages of Fujihashi, Kasuga, Kuze, Sakauchi, and Tanigumi merged with Ibigawa, resulting in a nearly 20-fold increase in area.
Education
Ibigawa has six public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the town government. The town has one public high school operated by the Gifu Prefectural Board of Education.
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