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'''Okinawa Island''' (沖縄本島 ''Okinawa-hontō'', "the main island of Okinawa"; officially 沖縄島 ''Okinawa-jima'', "Okinawa Island") is the largest of the ] at the edge of the ], helping to define the sea's boundary with the open Pacific Ocean. Some one-hundred ] long and varying in width from only a few kilometers at the neck to sixteen or so at the thickest, it has an area of 1201.03 ] and a population of 1,200,000. '''Okinawa Island''' ('''沖縄本島''' ''Okinawa-hontō'') is the largest of the ], and is home to ], the ] of ]. The island is 104km long with an average width of about 5km; it has an area of 1201.03 ].


During the ], the ] seized Okinawa Island, which remained under US control until 1972. Since then, ] personnel and ] have remained on Okinawa Island by invitation of the ] as part of the ].
] has its capital on Okinawa Island (at ]). The city of ] is also located on this island. Thus, ''Okinawa'' is the name of a prefecture, an island and a city.


In 1990, the total population of Okinawa Island was an estimated 1.22 million people, comprising ] (especially native Okinawans), ], and ]s, as well as American military personnel and their families.
⚫ The southern end of the island consists of uplifted coral reef, whereas the northern half has proportionally more igneous rock. The easily eroded limestone of the south has many caves, and Gyokusendo in ], southwest of Naha, is the most famous. An 850 m stretch is open to tourists.


Whereas northern Okinawa Island is largely unpopulated, the south is markedly ]—particularly the city of ], and the urban corridor stretching from ] through Naha. The island also houses six '']'', Okinawan fortresses most of which now lie in a state of ].
The island's climate is sub-tropical, with a rainy season in and around May. The north is heavily forested, while the south has patches of forest amid the farms and cities.


⚫ The southern end of the island consists of uplifted ], whereas the northern half has proportionally more igneous rock. The easily-eroded ] of the south has many caves, the most famous of which is Gyokusendo in ]. An 850 m stretch is open to tourists.
The typical Okinawan castle, or ], is found on Okinawa Honto.


The island's ] supports a dense northern forest and a ]
The city of ] and the urbanized corridor from Okinawa to Naha are in the south.
occurring in late spring.

Air and sea lines connect Okinawa Island to East Asia. ] carries air traffic to the outlying islands, the major airports of Japan, and foreign countries. Ocean-going ships transport passengers and freight to similar destinations.


==Photo gallery== ==Photo gallery==
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Image:GusukuArch.jpg|Gusuku Ruins Image:GusukuArch.jpg|Gusuku Ruins
Image:TogyuWP.jpg|Bullfighting arena. Okinawa is the home of a form of bullfighting sometimes compared to ] Image:TogyuWP.jpg|Bullfighting arena. Okinawa is the home of a form of bullfighting sometimes compared to ]
Image:NakamuraHouse2.jpg|Traditional Okinawan house
Image:Map-okinawa-pref.png|Map of Okinawa Prefecture
</gallery> </gallery>




==See also== ==See also==
] *]
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==External links== ==External links==

Revision as of 15:10, 26 December 2005

Okinawa Island (沖縄本島 Okinawa-hontō) is the largest of the Ryukyu Islands, and is home to Naha, the capitol of Okinawa Prefecture. The island is 104km long with an average width of about 5km; it has an area of 1201.03 km².

During the American occupation of Japan, the United States seized Okinawa Island, which remained under US control until 1972. Since then, United States Armed Forces personnel and Kadena Air Base have remained on Okinawa Island by invitation of the Japanese government as part of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan.

In 1990, the total population of Okinawa Island was an estimated 1.22 million people, comprising Ryukyuans (especially native Okinawans), Japanese people, and expatriates, as well as American military personnel and their families.

Whereas northern Okinawa Island is largely unpopulated, the south is markedly urbanized—particularly the city of Nago, and the urban corridor stretching from Okinawa City through Naha. The island also houses six gusuku, Okinawan fortresses most of which now lie in a state of ruin.

The southern end of the island consists of uplifted coral reef, whereas the northern half has proportionally more igneous rock. The easily-eroded limestone of the south has many caves, the most famous of which is Gyokusendo in Tamagusuku. An 850 m stretch is open to tourists.

The island's subtropical climate supports a dense northern forest and a rainy season occurring in late spring.

Photo gallery

  • Cliffs at Manzamo Cliffs at Manzamo
  • Gusuku wall Gusuku wall
  • Okinawa Island is the home of Tsuboya-yaki, pottery in the Ryukyuan tradition. Okinawa Island is the home of Tsuboya-yaki, pottery in the Ryukyuan tradition.
  • Okinawa Island from Space Shuttle Mission STS-43 (Earth Sciences and Image Analysis, NASA-Johnson Space Center) Okinawa Island from Space Shuttle Mission STS-43 (Earth Sciences and Image Analysis, NASA-Johnson Space Center)
  • Gusuku Ruins Gusuku Ruins
  • Bullfighting arena. Okinawa is the home of a form of bullfighting sometimes compared to sumo Bullfighting arena. Okinawa is the home of a form of bullfighting sometimes compared to sumo
  • Traditional Okinawan house Traditional Okinawan house
  • Map of Okinawa Prefecture Map of Okinawa Prefecture


See also

External links

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