Ryukyu Islands: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 04:26, 22 November 2006 editTariqabjotu (talk \| contribs)Administrators36,354 editsm moved Ryukyu Islands to Ryūkyū Islands: reverting back; discuss the move request result if you like, but don't just ignore it← Previous edit		Revision as of 04:26, 22 November 2006 edit undoTariqabjotu (talk \| contribs)Administrators36,354 edits moved Ryukyu Islands to Ryūkyū Islands: reverting back; discuss the move request result if you like, but don't just ignore itNext edit →
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	The '''Ryukyu Islands''', known as {{nihongo\|'''Nansei Islands'''\|南西諸島\|Nansei-shotō}} in ] meaning "southwest islands", pronounced "Luchu" in ], are a chain of ] in the western ] at the eastern limit of the ]. They stretch southwest from the island of ] to ]. The islands are administratively divided into Satsunan Islands to the north, belonging to ], and Ryūkyū Shotō to the south, belonging to ], ] (Yoron Island is the southernmost island of the Satsunan Islands). The archipelago is home to the ].

	The islands have a ] climate with warm winters and hot summers. ] is very high, and is affected by the rainy season and ]s.

	== History ==
	] through ].]]
	].]]
	{{main\|Ryūkyūan history}}
	The ] was once an independent kingdom occupying the island chain, from ] in the southwest to ] in the north. In ], it obtained tributary status to the ]. A ] expedition from the ] ] on ] captured the kingdom. After that, the kings of the Ryūkyūs paid tribute to the Japanese ] as well as the ].

	In ], the ] announced the ]. The messengers of the Ryūkyūan king had knelt outside the Chinese Prime Minister's Yamen in Beijing for three days, pleading to save the kingdom. However, the Qing Empire was weakened itself from the invasions of the Western powers and Japan; therefore, Ryūkyū's request to send military protection was not granted. China, however, diplomatically objected and the former President of the United States ] was asked to arbitrate. He decided that Japan's claim to the islands was stronger and ruled in Japan's favor. The claims of the indigenous Ryūkyūans to the land were ignored. In the process of annexation, the Japanese military assassinated Ryūkyū politicians who opposed the takeover. Ryūkyū Kingdom became part of its northern neighbor, the Satsuma han. Later, it became its own prefecture, Okinawa Prefecture, when the ]. Compulsory Japanese education was enforced on the Ryūkyū children, whereby they were taught Japanese language, culture and identity, while strictly forbidden the use of their native language.

	Today, there are a number of issues arising from Ryūkyūan history. Some Ryūkyūans and some Japanese feel that people from the Ryūkyūs are not "real" Japanese. Some natives of the Ryūkyūs claim that the central government is discriminating against the islanders by allowing so many American soldiers to be stationed on bases in ] with a minimal presence on the mainland.

	Many popular singers and musical groups come from the Ryūkyūs. These include (among many others) the pop group ] (ビギン), singers ] and ], as well as the group ]. See also ].

	== People ==
	{{main\|Ryūkyūans}}
	The ] are known for their ]. The attributes this phenomenon to a combination of diet, exercise, and lifestyle practices.

	Traditionally, the people of the Ryūkyūs speak a chain of ] more distantly related, on one end, to ]. Since the latest Japanese invasion in 1879, Japanese has become the main language of public life on the Ryūkyūs, especially on ] (Okinawa). Younger and middle-aged people tend not to speak a Ryūkyūan language as well as Japanese, if at all.

	== Ecology ==
	===Nansei Islands subtropical evergreen forests===
	The Ryukyu Islands are recognized by ecologists as a distinct ] ]. The flora and fauna of the islands have much in common with ], the ], and ], and are part of the ] ].

	===Coral reefs===
	The ]s of the Ryūkyūs are one of the ]'s ] ecoregions. The reefs are endangered by ] and ], mostly a result of ], as well as damage from ].

	== Major islands ==
	This list is based on present day Japanese geographic names:
	* ''']'''
	** ''']'''
	*** ''']''': ], ], ], ]
	*** ''']''': ], ], ], ], ], ], ]
	*** ''']''': ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]
	** ''']'''
	*** ''']''': ] (aka. Okinawan mainland, Okinawa hontō), ], ], ], ], ]
	**** ''']''': ], ], ], ]
	**** ''']''': ], ], ]
	*** ''']
	**** ''']''': ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]
	**** ''']''': ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]
	**** ''']''': ]

	Notes:
	* For some of the island names above, the suffix -jima, -shima, and -gashima can be interchanged, omitted, or appended. The suffix means "island." In general, the islands are listed from north to south where possible.
	* "Shotō" is replaced with "Islands" in the list except for '''Ryūkyū Shotō''' (琉球諸島), since the term "Ryukyu Islands" already exists in English. The Japanese term refers to all of the islands that comprise Okinawa Prefecture, while the English term refers to the entire chain of islands between ] and ].
	* '''Ryūkyū Rettō''' (琉球列島) refers to what was once the territory of the former kingdom, which are the Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands, Miyako Islands, and Yaeyama Islands.

	== See also ==
	* ] (Okinawan Samurai)
	* ] (Ryūkyūan people)
	* ]
	* ]

	== External links ==
	*
	*
	* http://www004.upp.so-net.ne.jp/teikoku-denmo/english/history/ryukyu.html
	*

	{{Regions and administrative divisions of Japan}}

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Revision as of 04:26, 22 November 2006

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Ryūkyū Islands