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^[1]) are a group of islands in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, belonging to the Ryukyu Islands. They are situated between Okinawa Island and the Yaeyama Islands.

LocationPacific Ocean

ArchipelagoSakishima Islands

Adjacent toEast China Sea

Total islands12

Quick facts Native name: Miyako-rettō (宮古列島), Geography ...

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

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In the early 1870s, the population of the islands was estimated to number approximately 10,000.^[1] 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.