Editing Shizuoka Prefecture (section)

== Geography ==
Shizuoka Prefecture is an elongated region following the coast of the [[Pacific Ocean]] at the [[Suruga Bay]]. In the west, the prefecture extends deep into the [[Japan Alps]]. In the east, it becomes a narrower coast bounded in the north by [[Mount Fuji]], until it comes to the [[Izu Peninsula]], a popular resort area pointing south into the Pacific.{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}}

{{As of|2012|04|post=,}} 11% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as [[List of national parks of Japan#History|natural parks]], namely the [[Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park|Fuji-Hakone-Izu]] and [[Minami Alps National Park|Minami Alps]] National Parks; [[Tenryū-Okumikawa Quasi-National Park]]; and four Prefectural Natural Parks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/doc/files/np_6.pdf |title=General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture |publisher=[[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment]] |date=1 April 2012 |access-date=10 August 2014}}</ref>

=== Climate ===
In Shizuoka prefecture, the [[temperature]], over the course of the year, typically varies from 1.1&nbsp;°C  (34&nbsp;°F) to 30.5&nbsp;°C (87&nbsp;°F) and is rarely below -2.2&nbsp;°C (28&nbsp;°F) or above 33.8&nbsp;°C (93&nbsp;°F.) The summers in Shizuoka are warm, oppressive, and mostly cloudy; the winters are very cold, windy, and mostly clear.<ref>[https://weatherspark.com/y/143722/Average-Weather-in-Shizuoka-Japan-Year-Round weatherspark, Shizuoka prefecture.]</ref>

=== Disaster ===
On 15 March 2011, Shizuoka Prefecture was hit with [[2011 Shizuoka earthquake|a magnitude 6.2 earthquake]] approximately {{Convert|42|km|mi|abbr=on}} NNE of [[Shizuoka, Shizuoka|Shizuoka City]]. It is said, that throughout history, Shizuoka area has experienced a large earthquake every 100 to 150 years.

:{{See also|Tōkai earthquakes}}

=== Demographics ===
[[File:Shizuoka prefecture population pyramid in 2020.svg|thumb|Shizuoka prefecture population pyramid in 2020]]
3,635,220 people live in Shizuoka Prefecture, according to the 2020 census.<ref>[https://toukei.pref.shizuoka.jp/jinkoushugyouhan/data/02-010/documents/r2sokuhou.pdf Shizuoka prefecture official statistics（令和2年国勢調査 静岡県の人口（速報値））]</ref>

=== Municipalities ===
{{See also|List of cities in Shizuoka Prefecture by population}}
Since 2010, Shizuoka has consisted of 35 [[Municipalities of Japan|municipalities]]: 23 [[Cities of Japan|cities]] and 12 [[Towns of Japan|towns]].

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Nihondaira from shizuoka plain.JPG|[[Shizuoka City]]
File:Hamamatsu City - panoramio (1).jpg|[[Hamamatsu]]
File:Numazu and Mount Fuji.jpg|[[Numazu]] and [[Mount Fuji]]
File:Fujinomiya 20120909.jpg|[[Fujinomiya]]
File:Atami 20170211-1.jpg|[[Atami]]
</gallery>

{{Location map+ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
| AlternativeMap = Map of Shizuoka Prefecture Ja.svg
| width = 750
| float = none
| caption = Municipalities in Shizuoka Prefecture {{legend0|#D8E|Government Ordinance Designated City}} {{legend0|#EAB|City}} {{legend0|#ED9|Town}}
| places = 
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Shizuoka (city)|Shizuoka]]&nbsp;(capital)</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">静岡市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Shizuoka, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 35.08
    | lon_deg = 138.27
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Hamamatsu]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">浜松市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Hamamatsu, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 35.05
    | lon_deg = 137.83
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Atami]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">熱海市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = right
    | mark = Flag of Atami, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 35.03
    | lon_deg = 139.07
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Fuji, Shizuoka|Fuji]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">富士市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = right
    | mark = Flag of Fuji, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 35.2
    | lon_deg = 138.69
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Fujieda, Shizuoka|Fujieda]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">藤枝市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Fujieda, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.89
    | lon_deg = 138.2
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Fujinomiya, Shizuoka|Fujinomiya]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">富士宮市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Fujinomiya, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 35.29
    | lon_deg = 138.55
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Fukuroi, Shizuoka|Fukuroi]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">袋井市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = left
    | mark = Flag of Fukuroi Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.66
    | lon_deg = 137.94
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Gotemba, Shizuoka|Gotemba]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">御殿場市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = right
    | mark = Flag of Gotenba, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 35.29
    | lon_deg = 138.82
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Itō, Shizuoka|Itō]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">伊東市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = right
    | mark = Flag of Ito, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.91
    | lon_deg = 139.08
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Iwata, Shizuoka|Iwata]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">磐田市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = left
    | mark = Flag of Iwata Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.71
    | lon_deg = 137.86
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Izu, Shizuoka|Izu]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">伊豆市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = right
    | mark = Flag of Izu, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.89
    | lon_deg = 138.88
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Izunokuni]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">伊豆の国市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Izunokuni, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 35.01
    | lon_deg = 138.99
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Kakegawa, Shizuoka|Kakegawa]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">掛川市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = left
    | mark = Flag of Kakegawa, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.78
    | lon_deg = 138.06
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Kikugawa]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">菊川市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = left
    | mark = Flag of Kikugawa, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.7
    | lon_deg = 138.11
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Kosai, Shizuoka|Kosai]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">湖西市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Kosai, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.68
    | lon_deg = 137.52
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Makinohara]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">牧之原市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Makinohara, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.68
    | lon_deg = 138.19
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Mishima, Shizuoka|Mishima]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">三島市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = right
    | mark = Flag of Mishima, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 35.13
    | lon_deg = 138.95
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Numazu]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">沼津市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Numazu, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.95
    | lon_deg = 138.82
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Omaezaki]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">御前崎市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Omaezaki, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.61
    | lon_deg = 138.13
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Shimada, Shizuoka|Shimada]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">島田市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Shimada, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.83
    | lon_deg = 138.12
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Shimoda, Shizuoka|Shimoda]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">下田市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = right
    | mark = Flag of Shimoda, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.66
    | lon_deg = 138.93
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Susono, Shizuoka|Susono]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">裾野市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = right
    | mark = Flag of Susono, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 35.21
    | lon_deg = 138.86
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Yaizu, Shizuoka|Yaizu]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">焼津市</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Yaizu, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.81
    | lon_deg = 138.32
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Higashiizu]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">東伊豆町</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = right
    | mark = Flag of Higashiizu, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.79
    | lon_deg = 139.03
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Kawazu, Shizuoka|Kawazu]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">河津町</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = right
    | mark = Flag of Kawazu, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.74
    | lon_deg = 138.98
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Minamiizu]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">南伊豆町</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Minamiizu, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.62
    | lon_deg = 138.84
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Matsuzaki, Shizuoka|Matsuzaki]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">松崎町</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Matsuzaki, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.7
    | lon_deg = 138.83
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Nishiizu]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">西伊豆町</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Nishiizu, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.78
    | lon_deg = 138.83
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Kannami]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">函南町</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = right
    | mark = Flag of Kannami, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 35.08
    | lon_deg = 139
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Kawanehon]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">川根本町</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Kawanehon, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 35.14
    | lon_deg = 138.04
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Yoshida, Shizuoka|Yoshida]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">吉田町</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Yoshida, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.73
    | lon_deg = 138.27
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Mori, Shizuoka|Mori]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">森町</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = right
    | mark = Flag of Mori, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 34.87
    | lon_deg = 137.95
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Nagaizumi]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">長泉町</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Nagaizumi Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 35.14
    | lon_deg = 138.88
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Oyama, Shizuoka|Oyama]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">小山町</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | position = right
    | mark = Flag of Oyama Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 35.35
    | lon_deg = 138.87
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Japan Shizuoka Prefecture
    | label = <sup style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">[[Shimizu, Shizuoka|Shimizu]]</sup><sub style="display:block;position:relative;top:-5px;">清水町</sub>
    | label_size = 120
    | mark = Flag of Shimizutown, Shizuoka.svg
    | marksize = 25
    | lat_deg = 35.07
    | lon_deg = 138.9
  }}
}}

=== Mergers ===
{{Main|List of mergers in Shizuoka Prefecture}}
After the introduction of modern municipalities in 1889, Shizuoka consisted of 337 municipalities: 1 (by definition: district-independent) city and 23 districts with 31 towns and 305 [[Villages of Japan|villages]]. The Great Shōwa mergers of the 1950s reduced the total from 281 to 97 between 1953 and 1960, including 18 cities by then. The Great Heisei mergers of the 2000s combined the 74 remaining municipalities in the year 2000 into the current 35 by 2010.