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Saitama, Japan

Saitama
さいたま市
Designated city
Saitama City
From top left: Saitama Stadium 2002, Urawa PARCO , Gyokuzouin, Hikawa Shrine, Saitama New City Center, Saitama Super Arena, Musashi urawa
From top left: Saitama Stadium 2002, Urawa PARCO , Gyokuzouin, Hikawa Shrine, Saitama New City Center, Saitama Super Arena, Musashi urawa
Flag of Saitama
Flag
Location of Saitama in Saitama Prefecture
Location of Saitama in Saitama Prefecture
Saitama is located in Japan
Saitama
Saitama
Location of Saitama in Saitama Prefecture
Coordinates: 35°51′41″N 139°38′44″E / 35.86139°N 139.64556°E / 35.86139; 139.64556Coordinates: 35°51′41″N 139°38′44″E / 35.86139°N 139.64556°E / 35.86139; 139.64556
Country Japan
Region Kantō
Prefecture Saitama Prefecture
Area
 • Total 217.43 km2 (83.95 sq mi)
Population (February 2016)
 • Total 1,266,656
 • Density 5,830/km2 (15,100/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
- Tree Zelkova serrata
- Flower Primula sieboldii
Phone number 048-829-1111
Address 6-4-4 Tokiwa, Urawa-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama-ken 330-9588
Website Official website

Saitama (さいたま市 Saitama-shi?, Japanese: [sáꜜìtàmà]) is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance. Being in the Greater Tokyo Area and lying 15 - 30 kilometres north of central Tokyo, many of its residents commute into Tokyo. As of 1 February 2016, the city had an estimated population of 1,226,656 and a population density of 5830 persons per km². Its total area was 217.43 square kilometres (83.95 sq mi).

The city was founded on May 1, 2001, and was designated on April 1, 2003 as a government ordinance. For the histories of Urawa, Ōmiya and Yono before the merger, see:

On April 1, 2005, Saitama absorbed the city of Iwatsuki to its east, which became a new ward, Iwatsuki-ku.

The name "Saitama" originally comes from the Sakitama (埼玉郡) district of what is now the city of Gyōda in the northern part of what is now known as Saitama Prefecture. "Sakitama" has an ancient history and is mentioned in the famous 8th century poetry anthology Man'yōshū. The pronunciation has changed from Sakitama to Saitama over the years.


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