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Okinawa Island (Okinawa-honto,or Okinawa-jima)
is the largest of the Ryukyu Islands, and is home to Naha,
the capital of Okinawa Prefecture. The island has an area
of 1,201.03 square kilometers (463.7 square miles).
During the
American occupation of Japan, following the Imperial Japanese
surrender after WW II, the United States controlled Okinawa
Island, which remained under U.S. governance until June
17, 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 Naha, and the urban
corridor stretching north from there to the city of Okinawa.
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 Nanjo. 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.
Okinawans eat
low-fat, low-salt foods, such as fish, tofu, and seaweed.
Okinawans are known for their longevity. Five times as many
Okinawans live to be 100 than the rest of Japan, and the
Japanese are the longest lived nationality in the world.
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