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Okinawa Island (沖縄本島 Okinawa-hontō) is the largest of the Ryūkyū Islands, and is home to Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture. The island has an area of 1201.03 km².

During the American occupation of Japan, the United States seized Okinawa Island, which remained under U.S. 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 Ryūkyūans (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 Naha, 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
Gusuku wall
Okinawa Island is the home of Tsuboya-yaki, pottery in the Ryūkyūan tradition.
Okinawa Island from Space Shuttle Mission STS-43 (Earth Sciences and Image Analysis, NASA-Johnson Space Center)
Gusuku Ruins
Bullfighting arena. Okinawa is the home of a form of bullfighting sometimes compared to sumo
Traditional Okinawan house
Map of Okinawa Prefecture