Okinawa Islands

Okinawa Islands
Native name:
Okinawa Shotō (沖縄諸島)
Okinawa Islands
Okinawa Islands is located in Japan
Okinawa Islands
Okinawa Islands
Okinawa Islands in Japan
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
ArchipelagoRyukyu Islands
Adjacent toEast China Sea
Total islands113
Major islandsOkinawa Island, Kume Island, Kerama Islands
Area1,418.59 km2 (547.72 sq mi)
Administration
PrefectureOkinawa Prefecture
Largest settlementNaha (pop. 312,393)
Demographics
Population1,285,003 (October 1, 2010)
Pop. density908.8/km2 (2353.8/sq mi)
Ethnic groupsRyukyuan, Japanese

The Okinawa Islands (沖縄諸島, Okinawa Shotō, or 沖縄群島, Okinawa Guntō) are an island group in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, and are the principal island group of the prefecture.[1] 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.[2]

The Okinawa Islands, apart from the main island, contain three smaller island groups: the Kerama, Yokatsu and Iheya-Izena [ja; de] island groups.[1][3][4]

The Okinawa Islands are the political, cultural and population center of Okinawa Prefecture.[1] 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.[1] 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.[1]

The Okinawa Islands are within the subtropical climate zone, which supports the production of sugarcane, pineapples and cut flowers.[2] The military bases of the United States in Okinawa Prefecture are located on the Okinawa Islands.[3]

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.

Location of the Okinawa Islands in Okinawa Prefecture
Map of the Okinawa Islands
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  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference d was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference e was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference iheyaizena was invoked but never defined (see the help page).