Ōsumi Islands

Ōsumi Islands
Native name: 大隅諸島; Ōsumi-shotō
	Ōsumi Islands
	Map of Kagoshima Prefecture
Geography
Coordinates	30°34′26″N 130°58′52″E / 30.57389°N 130.98111°E
Adjacent to	Pacific Ocean
Total islands	9
Area	1,030 km2 (400 sq mi)
Administration
	Japan
Prefectures	Kagoshima
Demographics
Population	46,500 (2010)
Ethnic groups	Japanese; Ryukyuan

The Ōsumi Islands (大隅諸島, Ōsumi-shotō) is an archipelago in the Ryukyu Archipelago, and are the northernmost group of the Ryukyu Islands, The chain extends from the southern tip of Kyushu to Yakushima. Administratively, the group belongs within Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.

Geography

The Ōsumi Islands are of volcanic origin and have a total area of approximately 1,030 square kilometres (400 sq mi). The highest elevation is Miyanouradake with a height of 1,935 metres (6,348 ft) on Yakushima. The climate is a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with very warm summers and mild winters. Precipitation is high throughout the year, but is highest in the months of May, June and September.

History

The Ōsumi Islands have been settled since at least the Jōmon period. Burial sites on Tanegashima, namely the Yokomine and Hirota sites, attest to a uniquely well-developed Yayoi period culture at the end of the 4th century AD.^[1] The artifacts include magatama, an engraved pendant, and emblems with apparent writing.^[2]

Tanegashima and Yakushima are first mentioned in written documents of the Chinese

Amami. The Ōsumi Islands formed ancient Tane Province during the Asuka period. The islands were often mentioned in the diaries of travelers between Tang-dynasty China and Nara period

Japan.

Some of the islands in the archipelago have local legends of providing refuge to the

medieval Japan

, for Japanese goods.

During the Edo period, Ōsumi Islands were ruled by the Shimazu clan of Satsuma Domain and was considered part of Ōsumi Province. Following the Meiji Restoration, the islands have been administered as part of Kagoshima Prefecture.

During

U.S. Army Air Force

aircraft.

In 1969 the "

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

. The TNSC is located at the southeastern end of Tanegashima island.

Transport

The Ōsumi Islands are served by New Tanegashima Airport and Yakushima Airport. There are regular connections with Kagoshima and the Amami Islands by ferries.

Islands

Photo	Name	Kanji	Area [km²]	Population	highest point [m]	Peak	Coordinates
	Yakushima	屋久島	504.88	13,178	1935	Miyanouradake	30°21′31″N 130°31′43″E / 30.35861°N 130.52861°E / 30.35861; 130.52861 (Yakushima)
	Tanegashima	種子島	444.99	33,000	282.0		30°34′26″N 130°58′52″E / 30.57389°N 130.98111°E / 30.57389; 130.98111 (Tanegashima)
	Kuchinoerabu-jima	口永良部島	38.04	147	657	Furudake	30°28′N 131°11′E / 30.467°N 131.183°E / 30.467; 131.183 (Kuchinoerabu-jima)
	Mageshima	馬毛島	8.2	–	71.7	Takenokoshi	30°44′29.9″N 130°51′16.9″E / 30.741639°N 130.854694°E / 30.741639; 130.854694 (Mageshima)
	Kuroshima	黒島	15.37	199	621.9	Yaguradake	30°50′5.6″N 129°57′20.7″E / 30.834889°N 129.955750°E / 30.834889; 129.955750 (Kuroshima)
	Iōjima	硫黄島	11.65	142	703.7	Iōdake	30°47′27″N 130°17′46″E / 30.79083°N 130.29611°E / 30.79083; 130.29611 (Iōjima)
	Takeshima	竹島	4.2	78	220.0	Magomeyama	30°48′50″N 130°25′2.1″E / 30.81389°N 130.417250°E / 30.81389; 130.417250 (Takeshima)
	Shōwa Iōjima	昭和硫黄島	0.07	–	24		30°48′15″N 130°20′30″E / 30.80417°N 130.34167°E / 30.80417; 130.34167 (Shōwa Iōjima)
	Denshima	デン島	0.001	-	58		30°45′02″N 130°06′07″E / 30.75056°N 130.10194°E / 30.75056; 130.10194 (Denshima)
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