Okinawa Island
Quick Summary
Okinawa is the largest island in Japan's Ryukyu Islands archipelago, located in the Pacific Ocean between the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea. It is approximately 70 miles long and 7 miles wide, with an area of 463 square miles. Naha is the prefectural capital, situated on Okinawa Island.1
Historically, Okinawa was a semi-independent kingdom influenced by both Japan and China before becoming a Japanese prefecture during the Meiji period. Its economy relies on tuna fishing, cattle raising, sugar refining, and pineapple canning, with tourism growing in importance.1
Okinawa Island was the site of a brutal campaign during World War II. In 1945, U.S. forces landed on the island, resulting in a three-month battle with significant casualties on both sides. In 1972, the United States returned Okinawa Island to Japan, though U.S. military installations remain.1
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