lush green mountains." During the nationwide round of Heisei-era mergers, the was formed in August 2004 by the area's residents to consider the merger of the three municipalities. The group was, however, dissolved in May 2005 when the Kitagō Town Council vetoed the proposed merger bill despite the support for the merger by residents in both Kitagō and Nangō towns. The association was reconstituted on September 28, 2007, when merger supporters in both towns gained majorities on their respective town councils. On March 30, 2009, the three municipalities agreed to merge and become the new city of Nichinan. Geography Nichinan is on Japan's southernmost main island, Kyūshū. The average annual temperature is with average annual rainfall of . Climate Nichinan has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot, humid summers and cool winters. The average annual temperature in Nichinan is . The average annual rainfall is with June as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around , and lowest in January, at around . The highest temperature ever recorded in Nichinan was on 2 August 2013; the coldest temperature ever recorded was on 24 January 1976. Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Nichinan in 2020 is 50,848 people. Nichinan has been conducting censuses since 1920. Economy Mandarin oranges, ponkan, sweet peas, green peppers, kumquats, and rice are the main agricultural products of Nichinan, a sector that employs 2,130 people. In addition, logging, particularly of obi cedar, takes place on 3,451 hectares of land. Fishing of tuna, bonito, and spiny lobster is another major industry. Manufacturing is worth approximately ¥47.2 billion per year. Tourism draws over a million visitors each year. Culture Festivals and events There are three major yearly festivals that occur in Nichinan: : This festival typically occurs between late March and early April when the approximately 1,000 cherry trees of Chikkō-en come into bloom. : This festival at the port of Aburatsu features Japanese rowing and shihanmato (bow and arrow) competitions. Usually held the third weekend of July, there are also street stalls, a fireworks display, and tours of a Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel. : Held the third weekend of October in the former Obi Town, this Edo period festival features a procession of warriors, the traditional Nichinan Taihei dance, and princesses of the festival among the many public events. Other events include spring and autumn training