Miyagi Island (Uruma, Okinawa)
Miyagi Island or Miyagijima (宮城島, Japanese: Miyagi-jima, Okinawan: Naagushiku-jima[1]) is an island located in the Yokatsu Islands of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.[2] It is also known as Takanaharijima (タカナハリジマ) in the Okinawan language, meaning "a high and distant island".[3] This is a reference to its greater elevation compared to other nearby landmarks.[2]
宮城島 | |
|---|---|
 Aerial view of Miyagi Island | |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 26°22′11″N 127°59′01″E |
| Archipelago | Ryukyu Islands |
| Area | 5.54 km2 (2.14 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 121.4 m (398.3 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Okinawa Prefecture | |
| Uruma City | |
| Demographics | |
| Ethnic groups | Ryukyuan, Japanese |
Miyagi Island is connected to the main Okinawa Island through a bridge that runs across Henza Island, making it accessible by car or bus.[2] There are four villages on the island: Uehara (上原), Miyagi (宮城), Tōbaru (桃原) and Ikemi (池味).[4]
History
Along with the rest of the Yokatsu Islands, Miyagi was under the control of Chūzan during the Sanzan period. In 1429, Chūzan united the Okinawa Islands and formed the Ryukyu Kingdom.[5] Under Ryukyuan rule, Miyagi Island was used as a place of exile for political criminals.[4][3] In 1879, the Ryukyu Kingdom was annexed by the Japanese Empire, and control of Miyagi Island was transferred to Okinawa Prefecture.[5]
At the end of World War II, Miyagi Island went under the control of the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands, lasting from 1950 to 1972.[6] It was returned to Japan following the Okinawa Reversion Agreement.
As evidenced by the ruins of Shigumu and Takamine, humans have inhabited the island since ancient times.[4]
Climate
| Climate data for Miyagi Island (2008−2020 normals, extremes 2008−present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 25.4 (77.7) |
26.8 (80.2) |
26.7 (80.1) |
28.9 (84.0) |
32.4 (90.3) |
32.3 (90.1) |
34.7 (94.5) |
35.6 (96.1) |
34.3 (93.7) |
33.1 (91.6) |
30.7 (87.3) |
28.3 (82.9) |
35.6 (96.1) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 19.0 (66.2) |
19.8 (67.6) |
21.1 (70.0) |
23.1 (73.6) |
25.9 (78.6) |
28.8 (83.8) |
30.9 (87.6) |
31.1 (88.0) |
30.2 (86.4) |
27.5 (81.5) |
24.3 (75.7) |
20.5 (68.9) |
25.2 (77.3) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 16.7 (62.1) |
17.2 (63.0) |
18.5 (65.3) |
20.5 (68.9) |
23.4 (74.1) |
26.4 (79.5) |
28.3 (82.9) |
28.4 (83.1) |
27.5 (81.5) |
25.1 (77.2) |
22.0 (71.6) |
18.3 (64.9) |
22.7 (72.8) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 14.7 (58.5) |
15.2 (59.4) |
16.4 (61.5) |
18.5 (65.3) |
21.5 (70.7) |
24.6 (76.3) |
26.4 (79.5) |
26.5 (79.7) |
25.6 (78.1) |
23.3 (73.9) |
20.3 (68.5) |
16.4 (61.5) |
20.8 (69.4) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 4.9 (40.8) |
9.7 (49.5) |
9.0 (48.2) |
12.5 (54.5) |
15.5 (59.9) |
19.1 (66.4) |
20.8 (69.4) |
23.0 (73.4) |
21.2 (70.2) |
18.3 (64.9) |
13.9 (57.0) |
9.6 (49.3) |
4.9 (40.8) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 83.4 (3.28) |
106.9 (4.21) |
118.1 (4.65) |
141.2 (5.56) |
294.7 (11.60) |
293.5 (11.56) |
124.3 (4.89) |
185.3 (7.30) |
172.5 (6.79) |
203.0 (7.99) |
134.9 (5.31) |
98.8 (3.89) |
1,945.4 (76.59) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 9.2 | 9.0 | 9.3 | 10.3 | 11.8 | 12.6 | 8.3 | 11.1 | 10.6 | 8.9 | 8.1 | 9.2 | 118.4 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 98.0 | 102.0 | 143.9 | 143.3 | 154.4 | 183.7 | 275.1 | 250.1 | 217.2 | 176.4 | 130.5 | 105.9 | 1,980.6 |
| Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[7][8] | |||||||||||||
References
- 『日本歴史地名大系』「宮城島」. 2002. p. 414.
- "Miyagi Island". VISIT OKINAWA JAPAN. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
- "Going high and far on Miyagi Island". Stripes Japan. 2019-09-30. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
- "Miyagi Island | Okinawa AtoZ" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-09-30.
- "The History of Okinawa". VISIT OKINAWA JAPAN. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
- "Civil administration of the Ryukyu Islands". HATHI Trust Digital Library.
- 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）. JMA. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- 過去の気象データ検索. JMA. Retrieved March 16, 2022.