Miyako Islands



The Miyako Islands (宮古列島) (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.

In the early 1870s, the population of the islands was estimated to number approximately 10,000. Miyako Island has 55,914 people. 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

 * Flag of Miyakojima, Okinawa.svg Miyakojima City
 * Ikema Island (池間島)
 * Irabu Island (伊良部島)
 * Kurima Island (来間島)
 * Miyako Island (宮古島)
 * Ōgami Island (大神島) (ja)
 * Shimoji Island (下地島)
 * Flag of Tarama, Okinawa.svg Tarama Village (Miyako District)
 * Minna Island (水納島)
 * Tarama Island (多良間島) (ja)