![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Yaeyama_map.png/640px-Yaeyama_map.png&w=640&q=50)
Yaeyama Islands
island group / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Yaeyama Islands (八重山諸島 Yaeyama-shotō, also 八重山列島 Yaeyama-rettō, Yaeyama: Yaima Okinawan: Eema) are an archipelago or group of islands in the southwest of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. They cover 591.46 square kilometres (228.36 sq mi).[1] The islands are southwest of the Miyako Islands. They are part of the Ryukyu Islands archipelago.[2] The Yaeyama Islands are the remotest part of Japan from the main islands. They contain Japan's most southern (Hateruma) and most western (Yonaguni) inhabited islands. The city of Ishigaki serves as the political, cultural, and economic head of the Yaeyama Islands.
![]() Map of the Yaeyama Islands | |
Yaeyama Islands in Japan | |
Geography | |
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Location | Pacific Ocean |
Archipelago | Sakishima Islands |
Adjacent to | East China Sea |
Total islands | 32 (min. 0.01 km²) |
Major islands | Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, Yonaguni Island |
Area | 591.46 km2 (228.36 sq mi) |
Highest elevation | 525.5 m (1724.1 ft) |
Highest point | Mount Omoto |
Administration | |
Prefecture | Okinawa Prefecture |
District | Yaeyama District |
Demographics | |
Population | 53.627 (March 31, 2011[1]) |
Pop. density | 91/km2 (236/sq mi) |
Ethnic groups | Yaeyama people and the Yonaguni people |
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Map-okinawa-pref.png/640px-Map-okinawa-pref.png)
The Yaeyama Islands have numerous species of subtropical plants and mangrove forests. The islands produce sugarcane and pineapples. Coral reefs around the islands are ideal habitats for dolphins, sea turtles, and larger fish such as Manta rays and Whale sharks. Before being wiped out by humans, whales and Dugongs were common. Yaeyama once had the largest population of Dugongs in the Ryukyu Islands. On Aragusuku Island, there is a Utaki which has laid to rest Dugongs with their skulls. Non-residents are not allowed to enter unless they get an okay from the locals. It is said that any aliens without permission will be driven out by force.