Takarajima
Native name: Japanese: 宝島 | |
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| Geography | |
| Location | East China Sea |
| Coordinates | 29°08′N 129°12′E / 29.133°N 129.200°E |
| Archipelago | Tokara Islands |
| Area | 7.14 km2 (2.76 sq mi) |
| Coastline | 13.77 km (8.556 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 291.9 m (957.7 ft) |
| Highest point | Imakiradake |
| Administration | |
Japan | |
| Kagoshima Prefecture | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 114 (2004) |
| Pop. density | 16.25/km2 (42.09/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Japanese |
Takarajima (宝島), literally "treasure island", is one of the Tokara Islands, belonging to Kagoshima Prefecture. The island, 7.14 km² in area, has a population of 116 persons. The island can only be reached by boat as it has no airport; there is regular ferry service to the city of Kagoshima on the mainland of Kyushu. Travel time is about 13 hours. The islanders are dependent mainly on fishing and seasonal tourism.
Geography
Takarajima is the southernmost inhabited island in the Tokara archipelago, and is located 366 kilometres (198 nmi) from
History
Numerous ceramic shards and the foundations of dwellings from the late Jōmon period and Yayoi period indicate that Takarajima has been continuously inhabited for at least the past 2000 years. Until 1624, the island was part of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
During the
In 1896, the island was transferred to the administrative control of Ōshima District, Kagoshima, and from 1911 was part of the village of Toshima, Kagoshima. From 1946-1952, the island was administered by the United States as part of the Provisional Government of Northern Ryukyu Islands.
References
- National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGIA). Prostar Sailing Directions 2005 Japan Enroute. Prostar Publications (2005). ISBN 1577856511
External links
