Shimabara

Shimabara City Hall
Shimabara-shi ; 島原市
Geographical location in Japan
Region :	Kyushu
Prefecture :	Nagasaki
Coordinates :	32 ° 47 ' N , 130 ° 22' E Coordinates: 32 ° 47 '17 " N , 130 ° 22' 14" E
Basic data
Surface:	82.78 km²
Residents :	43,553 ; (October 1, 2019)
Population density :	526 inhabitants per km²
Community key :	42203-7
Symbols
Flag / coat of arms:
Tree :	Camphor tree
Flower :	Ume
town hall
Address :	Shimabara City Hall ; 537 Uenomachi; Shimabara -shi ; Nagasaki 855-8555
Website URL:	http://www.city.shimabara.lg.jp/
Location of Shimabaras in Nagasaki Prefecture

Shimabara ( Japanese 島原市 , -shi ) is a city in Nagasaki Prefecture on Kyushu Island in Japan .

geography

It is located on the northeast tip of the Shimabara Peninsula named after the city . In the east it borders on the Ariake Bay, in the west on the Unzen volcano .

history

On May 21, 1792, the Fugen-dake volcano erupted in the Unzen volcanic complex . A short time later, the eastern flank of the Mayuyama collapsed as a result of an earthquake, triggering an avalanche that slid into the ocean at speeds of up to 200 km / h. The resulting 20 meter high tsunami destroyed the city of Shimabara almost completely and more than 15,000 people were killed. This was the most momentous geological eruption in Japan to date.

Shimabara was named an independent city ( shi ) on April 1, 1940 .