Minakuchi Hills

Located in the southeastern part of Shiga Prefecture, this is the prefecture's largest hill range. It spreads from southeast to northwest on the west side of the Suzuka Mountains, and is bounded by the Hino River to the north and the Yasu River to the south. It is sometimes called the Omi Hills together with the Shigaraki Mountains to the south. At an altitude of about 200 meters, a ridge runs from north to south, finely incised by numerous dissected valleys, and is mainly composed of gravel and clay layers known as the Ko-Biwako Group. Development of the hills was delayed due to poor water conditions, but in recent years there has been a marked increase in residential areas and industrial parks.

[Seiichi Takahashi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

滋賀県南東部にある県下最大の丘陵。鈴鹿(すずか)山脈の西側の南東から北西方向に広がり、北を日野川、南を野洲(やす)川によって限られている。南に接する信楽(しがらき)山地とあわせて近江(おうみ)丘陵とよばれることもある。標高約200メートルの多くの開析谷によって南北に細かく刻まれた尾根が続き、おもに古琵琶(びわ)湖層群とよばれる砂礫(されき)、粘土層からなる。水利条件が悪く丘陵面の開発は遅れたが、近年は住宅地や工業団地などの進出が著しい。

［高橋誠一］

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