Kume
|
Kumejima 久米島町 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Town | |||
Sky view
|
|||
|
|||
 Location of Kumejima in Okinawa Prefecture |
|||
 Kumejima
|
|||
| Coordinates: 26°20′27″N 126°48′18″E / 26.34083°N 126.80500°ECoordinates: 26°20′27″N 126°48′18″E / 26.34083°N 126.80500°E | |||
| Country | Japan | ||
| Region | Kyushu (Ryukyu) | ||
| Prefecture | Okinawa Prefecture | ||
| District | Shimajiri | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Haruo Ota | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 63.5 km2 (24.5 sq mi) | ||
| Population (October 2016) | |||
| • Total | 7,647 | ||
| • Density | 120/km2 (310/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | ||
| Website | www |
||
Kumejima (久米島町 Kumejima-chō?, Okinawan: Kumishima) is a town located in Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The town consists of the islands of Kume, Ōjima, Ōhajima, Torishima, and Iōtorishima. Among the islands, only Kumejima and Ōjima are populated. Kumejima is located approximately 100 kilometres (62 mi) west of Naha. The town can be accessed by the New Kumejima Ferry, Japan Transocean Air, or Ryukyu Air Commuter. Kumejima Airport serves the island. As of 2016[update], the town had an estimated population of 7,647 and a population density of 120 persons per km². The total area is 63.50 km².
Kume Island is often said to be one of the most beautiful of the Okinawa Islands. It is well known for its textiles, called Kumejima-tsumugi which are designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property. The town is also known for its Kumesen Awamori (Okinawan sake) and deep sea water. Recently however Kumejima's main industries are sugar cane (sato-kibi), tourism, and deep seawater products.
Historically due to Kume's abundance of freshwater, rice was once extensively cultivated. During the time of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Kume Island was often visited by Chinese envoys called "sapposhi" on their way to Shuri Castle on Okinawa Island. When the Ryukyu Kingdom was annexed by Japan, many noble families moved from Shuri to Kume.
...
Wikipedia