The Ryukyo Islands are an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean with about 1.5 million inhabitants. The islands belong politically to Japan and are located southwest of the Japanese mainland.
The Ryukyo archipelago includes the Okinawa Islands, the Miyako Islands, the Yaeyama Islands, the Kerama Islands, the Amami Islands and the Sakishima Islands.
All of the islands are of volcanic origin, with some still active volcanoes. The landscape is predominantly mountainous, with a subtropical climate with mild temperatures all year round.
The two most important economic sectors of the Ryukyo Islands are currently agriculture and fishing. Agricultural export products are mainly pineapples, sugar cane, sweet potatoes and various tropical fruits. Handicrafts and various textiles are also exported.
The largest island in the entire archipelago is Okinawa Hontö, also known as Okinawa Main Island, with around 1.3 million inhabitants. Okinawa Hontö is by far the largest in the Okinawa archipelago, which comprises almost 100 islands, and at the same time the largest in the entire Ryukyu Territory.
The main island of Okinawa is about 110 kilometers long and up to 30 kilometers wide. There is a United States military base on the northern part of the island.
Okinawa has a diverse range of flora and fauna that is found nowhere else. The most famous creatures on the island are the dungos - a type of sea cow, the Okinawa rail and the Okinawa woodpecker.
It is also very interesting that several martial arts have their origins on the island of Okinawa, the most famous of which is karate.
The capital and largest city of Okinawa is Naha, with a population of around 350,000. The city is the economic and cultural center of Okinawa. In addition, Naha and the entire main island of Okinawa are an increasingly popular destination for tourists, mainly from mainland Japan.
Naha's major attractions include Shuri Castle, Churaumi Aquarium, Okinawa Art Museum, Shurijo Castle, Tomari Iyumachi Fish Market, Ryubo Department Store, Royal Family Tomb, 300-year-old Oakagi Tree, Taiheidori Shopping Street, History Museum, Main Square, Naminoue-gu Shrine, Onoyama Park, Royal Garden, 500-year-old Shrikinjocho paved stone street, and Fukushu-en Japanese Garden.
I haven't been to the Ryukyo Islands yet.
A visit to Okinawa is planned in the near future.
Hence no photos!
Said
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