The Okinawa Islands (沖縄諸島, Okinawa Shotō) (Okinawan: Uchinaa[1], informally Churaashima "beautiful island", Kunigami: Fuchinaa[2]) are an island group in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, and are the principal island group of the prefecture.[3] The Okinawa Islands are part of the larger Ryukyu Islands group, and are located between the Amami Islands of Kagoshima Prefecture to the northeast and the Sakishima Islands of Okinawa Prefecture to the southwest.[4]
Native name: Okinawa-shotō (沖縄諸島) | |
|---|---|
 Okinawa Islands | |
  Okinawa Islands Okinawa Islands in Japan | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Archipelago | Ryukyu Islands |
| Adjacent to | East China Sea |
| Total islands | 113 |
| Major islands | Okinawa Island, Kume Island, Kerama Islands |
| Area | 1,418.59 km2 (547.72 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Prefecture | Okinawa Prefecture |
| Largest settlement | Naha (pop. 312,393) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1,285,003 (October 1, 2010) |
| Pop. density | 908.8/km2 (2353.8/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Okinawan (Ryukyuan), Japanese |
The Okinawa Islands, apart from the main island, contain three smaller island groups: the Kerama, Yokatsu, and Iheya-Izena island groups.[3][5][6]
The Okinawa Islands are the political, cultural and population center of Okinawa Prefecture.[3] The prefectural capital of Naha is within the island group. 90% of the population of the prefecture reside within the Okinawa Islands, primarily on the largest island of the group, Okinawa Island.[3] Access to the various Okinawa Islands is primarily via small airports which connect to Naha Airport. Additionally, the islands are connected via ferry service to the Port of Naha in the prefectural capital.[3]
The Okinawa Islands are within the subtropical climate zone, which supports the production of sugarcane, pineapples and cut flowers.[4] The military bases of the United States in Okinawa Prefecture are located on the Okinawa Islands.[5]
Historically the rule of the Ryukyu Kingdom, centered on Okinawa Island, consolidated the Okinawa Islands before spreading south to the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands and north to Amami Ōshima.
Islands
- Okinawa Island (aka Okinawa Hontō)
- Iheya-Izena Islands: Iheya Island, Izena Island
- Ie Island
- Sesoko Island
- Yokatsu Islands: Yabuchi Island, Henza Island, Miyagi Island, Ikei Island, Hamahiga Island, Tsuken Island, Ukibara Island, Minamiukibara Island, Kudaka Island
- Kume Island
- Kerama Islands: Tokashiki Island, Zamami Island, Aka Island, Geruma Island
- Aguni Islands: Aguni Island, Tonaki Island
See also
References
- ^ "ウチナー". 首里・那覇方言音声データベース (in Japanese).
- ^ "フチナー". 今帰仁方言音声データベース (in Japanese).
- ^ a b c d e "沖縄諸島" [Okinawa Islands]. Nihon Daihyakka Zensho (Nipponika) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2013. OCLC 153301537. Archived from the original on August 25, 2007. Retrieved 2013-01-23.
- ^ a b "沖縄諸島" [Okinawa Islands]. Dijitaru Daijisen (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2013. OCLC 56431036. Archived from the original on August 25, 2007. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
- ^ a b "Okinawa Islands". Encyclopedia of Japan. Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2013. OCLC 56431036. Archived from the original on August 25, 2007. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
- ^ "伊平屋伊是名諸島" [Iheya-Izena Islands]. Nihon Daihyakka Zensho (Nipponika) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2013. OCLC 153301537. Archived from the original on August 25, 2007. Retrieved 2013-01-14.