Kuchinoshima
| Native name: Japanese: 口之島 | |
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| Geography | |
| Location | East China Sea |
| Coordinates | 29°58′0″N 129°55′0″E / 29.96667°N 129.91667°E |
| Archipelago | Tokara Islands |
| Area | 13.33 km2 (5.15 sq mi) |
| Coastline | 20.38 km (12.664 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 628.5 m (2,062 ft) |
| Highest point | Maedake |
| Administration | |
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Japan
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| Kagoshima Prefecture | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 140 (2004) |
| Ethnic groups | Japanese |
Kuchinoshima (口之島?), literally "mouth island", is one of the Tokara Islands, belonging to Kagoshima Prefecture. The island, 13.33 km² in area, and has a population of 140 persons. The island can only be reached by boat as it has no airport, there are regular ferry service to the city of Kagoshima on the mainland. Travel time is about 6 hours. The islanders are dependent mainly on agriculture, fishing and seasonal tourism. The island is home to the rare Kuchinoshima breed of Japanese native cattle.
Kuchinoshima is the northernmost inhabited island in the Tokara archipelago, and is located 10 kilometres (5.4 nmi) northeast from Nakanoshima. The highest elevation is Maedake (前岳?) located in the eastern part of the island, with a height of 628.5 metres (2,062 ft) above sea level. Maedake, Moedake (燃岳?) in the northern part of the island at 425 metres (1,394 ft), and Yokodake (横岳?) in the western part of the island at 500 metres (1,600 ft), are the three volcanos which make up the island. Although there has been no eruption recorded in historical times, Moedake emits steam, and discoloration of the ocean in nearby waters in 2001 indicates ongoing volcanic activity. The local climate is classified as subtropical, with a rainy season from May through September.
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Wikipedia