Miyako Islands

The Miyako Islands (宮古列島, Miyako-rettō; Miyako: Myaaku, Tarama dialect: Meeku, Okinawan: Naaku, Northern Ryukyuan: みやこ Miyako) (also Miyako Jima group) are a group of islands in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, belonging to the Ryukyu Islands. They are situated between Okinawa Island and the Yaeyama Islands.

Miyako Islands
Native name: Miyako-rettō (宮古列島)
Map of the Miyako Islands
Miyako Islands Location of Miyako Islands within Okinawa Predecture Show map of Okinawa Prefecture Miyako Islands Location of Miyako Islands within the East China Sea Show map of East China Sea
Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Archipelago	Sakishima Islands
Adjacent to	East China Sea
Total islands	12
Major islands	Miyako Island, Irabu Island, Tarama Island
Area	226.20 km² (87.34 sq mi)
Administration
Japan
Prefecture	Okinawa Prefecture
Demographics
Population	55,522 (January 2018)
Pop. density	246.2/km² (637.7/sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Ryukyuan, Japanese

In the early 1870s, the population of the islands was estimated to number approximately 10,000. Miyako Island has 55,914 people.^{[citation needed]} A bridge connects Miyako Island to Ikema Island, which has 801 people. Tarama village has 1,214 people, between the two islands of Minna and Tarama.

Important Bird Area

The islands have been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because they support populations of the resident Ryukyu green pigeons, as well as migrating whimbrels.

Inhabited islands

Miyakojima City
- Ikema Island (池間島, Ikema-jima; Miyako: Ikyaama)
- Irabu Island (伊良部島, Irabu-jima; Miyako: Irav)
- Kurima Island (来間島, Kurima-jima; Miyako: Ffyama)
- Miyako Island (宮古島, Miyako-jima; Miyako: Myaaku, Okinawan: Naaku)
- Ōgami Island (大神島, Ōgami-jima) (ja)
- Shimoji Island (下地島, Shimoji-shima; Miyako: Sïmuzï)
Tarama Village (Miyako District)
- Minna Island (水納島, Minna-jima; Miyako: Minna)
- Tarama Island (多良間島, Tarama-jima; Miyako and Okinawan: Tarama) (ja)

Important Bird Area

Inhabited islands

See also