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 IslandsofKagoshima Prefecture to the northeast and the Sakishima Islands of Okinawa Prefecture to the southwest.[2]
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 | Ryukyuan, Japanese |
The Okinawa Islands, apart from the main island, contain three smaller island groups: the Kerama, Yokatsu and Iheya-Izena 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.
The Okinawa Guntō, defined by the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department of the Japan Coast Guard, cover the following islands:
The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) defines the Okinawa Shotō. They are an administratively-oriented group of islands and include the outlying Iōtorishima, which is otherwise seen as part of the Amami Islands.[5]
26°19′58″N 127°44′56″E / 26.33278°N 127.74889°E / 26.33278; 127.74889
