raised to city status on February 11, 1929. On February 28, 2005, the town of Kamo, the village of Aba (both from Tomata District), the town of Shōboku (from Katsuta District), and the town of Kume (from Kume District) were merged into Tsuyama. Government Tsuyama has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 28 members. Tsuyama, collectively with the towns of Kagamino, Nagi and Shōō, contributes four members to the Okayama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Okayama 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. Economy Tsuyama has a mixed economy based on manufacturing, wholesale and retail commerce, and agriculture. The city has several industrial parks Education Tsuyama has 27 public elementary schools and none public junior high school operated by the city government, and four public high schools operated by the Okayama prefectural Board of Education. There are also two private high schools. Mimasaka University and the Tsuyama National College of Technologyare both located in the city. Transportation Tsuyama's main railway station is Tsuyama Station. The station is served by the Tsuyama Line (to Okayama), the Kishin Line (to Himeji and Niimi), and the Imbi Line (to Tottori). All services are operated by JR West. Tsuyama is one of the major cities along the Chūgoku Expressway. As with many Japanese cities, cycling is a very common form of transport, particularly among school students. Railway JR West (JR West) - Kishin Line - - - - - JR West (JR West) - Imbi Line - - - - - - Higashi-Tsuyama JR West (JR West) - Tsuyama Line - - Highways Chūgoku Expressway Sister cities Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States, friendship city since 1999 Local attractions Tsuyama Castle, National Historic Site Shūraku-en Garden, National Place of Scenic Beauty Joto Street, Historic architecture preservation district Nakayama Shrine, ichinomiya of Mimasaka Province Tsuyama Archives of Western Learning Mitsukuri Genpo's Former Residence, National Historic Site Tsuyama Museum of Science Education Tsuyuma Historical Museum Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum Yokono Falls Sakura Shrine (Innoshō-no-yakata site), National Historic Site Tsuyama Wonder Museum Sannari Kofun, National Historic Site Miwayama Kofun Cluster, National Historic Site Mimasaka Kokubun-ji ruins, National Historic Site Festivals Cherry Blossom Festival (early April) - This event is held in Kakuzan Park where around 5000 cherry blossom trees attract people from all over western