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Coordinates: 24°20′24″N 123°48′36″E / 24.34000°N 123.81000°E / 24.34000; 123.81000
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{{Short description|Island within Ryukyu Islands}}
{{Short description|Island within Ryukyu Islands}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox islands
{{Infobox islands
| name = Iriomote Island
| name = Iriomote Island
| native_name = 西表島
| native_name = 西表島
| image_name = Map-Iriomote.png
| image_name = Map-Iriomote.png
| image_size =
| image_size =
| image_caption = Map of Iriomote Island
| image_caption = Map of Iriomote Island
| image_alt =
| image_alt =
| map_image = Yaeyama map.png
| map_image = Yaeyama map.png
| map_caption = Iriomote Island in relation to the other Yaeyama Islands
| map_caption = Iriomote Island in relation to the other Yaeyama Islands
| location = Bordering the [[Pacific Ocean]] and [[East China Sea]], southwest of mainland [[Japan]] and east of [[Taiwan]]
| location = Bordering the [[Pacific Ocean]] and [[East China Sea]], southwest of mainland [[Japan]] and east of [[Taiwan]]
| coordinates = {{coord|24|17|33|N|123|51|43|E|region:ID_type:isle}}
| coordinates = {{coord|24|20|24|N|123|48|36|E|region:JP-47_type:isle|display=inline,title}}
| archipelago = [[Yaeyama Islands]]
| archipelago = [[Yaeyama Islands]]
| total_islands =
| total_islands =
| major_islands =
| major_islands =
| area_km2 = 289.27
| area_km2 = 289.27
| area_footnotes = <ref name=population>{{cite web |url=http://www.pref.okinawa.jp/chiiki_ritou/simajima/iriomote/data_index.html |script-title=ja:知・旅･住 離島総合情報サイト 沖縄のしまじま |trans-title=Know, Travel, Live: Remote Islands General Information Site: Okinawa's Islands |publisher=Okinawa Prefecture |access-date=11 June 2012 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040628033558/http://www.pref.okinawa.jp/chiiki_ritou/simajima/iriomote/data_index.html |archive-date=28 June 2004 }}</ref>
| area_footnotes = <ref name=population>{{cite web |url=http://www.pref.okinawa.jp/chiiki_ritou/simajima/iriomote/data_index.html |script-title=ja:知・旅･住 離島総合情報サイト 沖縄のしまじま |trans-title=Know, Travel, Live: Remote Islands General Information Site: Okinawa's Islands |publisher=Okinawa Prefecture |access-date=11 June 2012 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040628033558/http://www.pref.okinawa.jp/chiiki_ritou/simajima/iriomote/data_index.html |archive-date=28 June 2004}}</ref>
| rank =
| rank =
| length_km = <!-- or length m -->
| length_km = <!-- or length m -->
| length_footnotes =
| length_footnotes =
| width_km = <!-- or width m -->
| width_km = <!-- or width m -->
| width_footnotes =
| width_footnotes =
| coastline_km = 130.0
| coastline_km = 130.0
| coastline_footnotes = <ref name=population />
| coastline_footnotes = <ref name=population />
| elevation_m = 469.5
| elevation_m = 469.5
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_footnotes =
| highest_mount = {{nihongo|[[Mt. Komi]]|古見岳|Komi-dake}}
| highest_mount = {{nihongo|[[Mt. Komi]]|古見岳|Komi-dake}}
| country = Japan
| country = Japan
| country_admin_divisions_title = Prefecture
| country_admin_divisions_title = Prefecture
| country_admin_divisions = [[Okinawa Prefecture]]
| country_admin_divisions = [[Okinawa Prefecture]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1 = Town
| country_admin_divisions_title_1 = Town
| country_admin_divisions_1 =[[Taketomi, Okinawa]]
| country_admin_divisions_1 =[[Taketomi, Okinawa]]
| population = 2347
| population = 2,347
| population_as_of = 2005
| population_as_of = 2005
| density_km2 =
| density_km2 =
| density_footnotes =
| density_footnotes =
| ethnic_groups =[[Ryukyuan people|Ryukyuan]], [[Japanese people|Japanese]]
| ethnic_groups =[[Ryukyuan people|Ryukyuan]], [[Japanese people|Japanese]]
| website =
| website =
| additional_info =
| additional_info =
}}
}}


{{nihongo|'''Iriomote Island'''|西表島|Iriomote-jima|[[Yaeyama language|Yaeyama]]: ''Irïmutii''; Iriomote dialect: ''Irimutii''; [[Okinawan language|Okinawan]]: ''Iriumuti''}} is the largest of the [[Yaeyama Islands]] of [[Japan]], and the second largest in [[Okinawa Prefecture]] after [[Okinawa Island]] itself.
{{nihongo|'''Iriomote Island'''|西表島|Iriomote-jima|[[Yaeyama language|Yaeyama]]: ''Irïmutii''; Iriomote: ''Irimutii''; [[Okinawan language|Okinawan]]: ''Iriumuti''}} is the largest of the [[Yaeyama Islands]] of [[Japan]], and the second largest in [[Okinawa Prefecture]] after [[Okinawa Island]] itself.


The island has an area of 289.27&nbsp;km² and a 2005 population of 2,347. The island does not have an airstrip, and most visitors — over 390,000 in 2006 — arrive from [[Ishigaki Island|Ishigaki]] by ferry, a 31.4&nbsp;km ride to {{nihongo4|Uwahara Port|上原港}} on Iriomote's northeast coast or {{nihongo4|Ōhara Port|大原港}} on the southeast coast. Administratively the island belongs to [[Taketomi, Okinawa|Taketomi Town]], [[Okinawa Prefecture]].<ref name=population /> Infrastructure is limited to a single coastal road connecting the hamlets on the northern and eastern shores.
The island has an area of {{cvt|289.27|sqkm}} and a 2005 population of 2,347. The island does not have an airstrip, and most visitors—over 390,000 in 2006—arrive from [[Ishigaki Island|Ishigaki]] by ferry, a {{cvt|31.4|km}} ride to {{nihongo4|Uwahara Port|上原港}} on Iriomote's northeast coast or {{nihongo4|Ōhara Port|大原港}} on the southeast coast. Administratively, the island belongs to [[Taketomi, Okinawa|Taketomi Town]], [[Okinawa Prefecture]].<ref name=population /> Its infrastructure is limited to a single coastal road connecting the hamlets on the northern and eastern shores.


==Wildlife==
==Wildlife==
The island is famed for the [[Iriomote cat]], a ''[[Critically Endangered]]'' wild [[Felidae|cat]] found only on Iriomote.<ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |author=Izawa, M. |year=2008 |title=Prionailurus bengalensis ssp. iriomotensis |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/details/18151/0 }}</ref> {{As of|2007}} the population size is estimated to be 100–109 individuals.<ref name=Ministry_environment>{{cite web |url=http://www.env.go.jp/press/press.php?serial=10060 |script-title=ja:イリオモテヤマネコ生息状況等総合調査（第４次）の結果について（お知らせ） |author=環境省 |language=ja |trans-title=(Fourth) Survey of the State of the Iriomote Cat's Habitat: Regarding the Results (notice) |access-date=10 June 2012}}</ref>
The island is famed for the [[Iriomote cat]], a [[Critically Endangered]] wild [[Felidae|cat]] found only on Iriomote.<ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |author=Izawa, M. |author2= Doi, T. |year=2015|title=''Prionailurus bengalensis'' ssp. ''iriomotensis'' |errata=2016|page= e.T18151A97215980|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T18151A50663049.en}}</ref> {{As of|2007}}, the population size is estimated to be 100–109 individuals.<ref name=Ministry_environment>{{cite web |url=http://www.env.go.jp/press/press.php?serial=10060 |script-title=ja:イリオモテヤマネコ生息状況等総合調査（第４次）の結果について（お知らせ） |author=環境省 |language=ja |trans-title=(Fourth) Survey of the State of the Iriomote Cat's Habitat: Regarding the Results (notice) |access-date=10 June 2012}}</ref>


The island has a venomous snake—''[[Trimeresurus elegans]]'', known locally as the ''habu'', a species of [[pitviper]] whose bite has a fatality rate of 3% and a permanent disability rate of 6–8%.<ref name="usn1">U.S. Navy (1991). ''Poisonous Snakes of the World''. New York: Dover Publications Inc. {{ISBN|0-486-26629-X}}.</ref>
The island has a venomous snake, ''[[Protobothrops elegans]]'' or "elegant [[pit viper]]", known locally as the ''habu'', a species whose bite has a fatality rate of 3% and a permanent disability rate of 6–8%.<ref name="usn1">U.S. Navy (1991). ''Poisonous Snakes of the World''. New York: Dover Publications Inc. {{ISBN|0-486-26629-X}}.</ref>

''Satakentia liukiuensis'', the only species in the genus ''[[Satakentia]]'', is a [[Arecaceae|palm tree]] that is [[endemism|endemic]] to the two islands of [[Ishigaki Island|Ishigaki]] and Iriomote in the [[Yaeyama Islands]].<ref name="GP2008">{{cite book |title=Genera Palmarum: The Evolution and Classification of Palms |first1=John |last1=Dransfield |first2=Natalie W. |last2=Uhl |first3=Conny B. |last3=Asmussen |first4=William J. |last4=Baker |first5=Madeline M. |last5=Harley |first6=Carl E. |last6=Lewis |year=2008 |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |isbn=978-1-84246-182-2}}</ref>


==Culture==
==Culture==
Line 53: Line 56:


==History==
==History==

The island had few settlements of fishermen and rice growers on the coastal areas, but it never had a large population until the [[Iriomote Coal Mine]] operated between 1889 and 1959.
The island had few settlements of fishermen and rice growers on the coastal areas, but it never had a large population until the [[Iriomote Coal Mine]] operated between 1889 and 1959.


During [[World War II]] some residents of [[Ishigaki Island|Ishigaki]] were forcibly made to take refuge in Iriomote, many of whom contracted malaria. After the war, the [[United States Forces Japan|US Forces in Japan]] eradicated malaria from the island, and the island has been malaria-free since then. The island, together with the rest of Okinawa Prefecture, remained a US-controlled territory until 1972. Iriomote was returned to Japan on 17 June 1972.
During [[World War II]] some residents of [[Ishigaki Island|Ishigaki]] were forcibly made to take refuge in Iriomote, many of whom contracted malaria. After the war, the [[United States Forces Japan|US Forces in Japan]] eradicated malaria from the island, and the island has been malaria-free since then. The island, together with the rest of Okinawa Prefecture, remained a US-controlled territory until 1972. Iriomote was returned to Japan on June 17, 1972.

The possibility exists that a World War II-era U.S. submarine lies in about {{cvt|350|m|ft}} of water off the coast of Iriomote Island. During operations with an Okinawan company using a U.S. made "SCORPIO" ROV in 1995, a group of divers encountered a sonar contact with what appeared to be a metal structure, about {{cvt|6.1|m|ft}} in diameter and about {{cvt|35|m|ft}} in length (exposed) at an angle of roughly 20-30 degrees. The SONAR image of a large unexpected obstruction to the operations prompted the divers to command evasive maneuvers and avoid the area for the safety of the ROV.<ref name="comsubpac">{{cite web |title=USS Snook (SS 279) |url=https://www.csp.navy.mil/ww2boats/snook.htm |publisher=[[Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet]] |access-date=September 21, 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724220126/https://www.csp.navy.mil/ww2boats/snook.htm |archive-date=July 24, 2008}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

The divers, thinking they would have another opportunity to work in the area at a later date, left the area and never returned to that site. Their ROV was lost in 1997 off [[Yonaguni|Yonaguni Island]], the last island belonging to Okinawa off the east coast of Taiwan. They were fairly certain that the object was a submarine, and quite possibly the [[USS Snook (SS-279)|USS ''Snook'']]. No further dives in the area have yet been attempted.<ref name="comsubpac"/>

A large volcanic eruption took place at a [[Iriomote submarine volcano|submarine volcano]] north of the island in 1924. It had an estimated [[volcanic explosivity index]] of 5. The island's coast was covered in large quantities of pumice and pumice was also found as far as Hokkaido.<ref name="GVP">{{Cite gvp|id=282010|name=Submarine Volcano NNE of Iriomotejima|title=}}</ref>


==Economy==
==Economy==
Apart from tourism, the island economy is sustained by agricultural production, primarily of [[pineapple]], [[sugarcane]], [[mango]], culture pearl growing <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://raden-pearlinlay.com/en/pearlshells |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006115922/http://raden-pearlinlay.com/en/pearlshells |archive-date=2014-10-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and fishing.
Apart from tourism, the island economy is sustained by agricultural production, primarily of [[pineapple]], [[sugarcane]], [[mango]], culture pearl growing <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://raden-pearlinlay.com/en/pearlshells |title=Pearl Oysters &#124; 螺鈿と漆芸修業奮闘記 |access-date=2014-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006115922/http://raden-pearlinlay.com/en/pearlshells |archive-date=2014-10-06 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[fishing]].


==Geography and climate==
==Geography and climate==
[[File:Iriomotejima ISS039.jpg|thumb|A satellite photo of Iriomote Island, April 2014. Iriomote is in the center and there are other small islands surrounding it.]]
[[File:Iriomotejima ISS039.jpg|thumb|A satellite photo of Iriomote Island, April 2014. Iriomote is in the center and there are other small islands surrounding it.]]
90% of the island is covered by dense jungle and [[mangrove]] swamps. 80% of the island is protected state land, and 34.3% of the island forms the [[Iriomote National Park]].
90% of the island is covered by dense jungle and [[mangrove]] swamps. 80% of the island is protected state land, and 34.3% of the island forms the [[Iriomote National Park]].
The highest point on the island is [[Mt. Komi]] (古見岳 ''Komidake'') at {{convert|469.5|m|ft}}. Around {{convert|21|km|mi}} northwest ({{coord|24.558|N|124.00|E|type:mountain|name=Iriomotejima}}) of Iriomote is an active undersea volcano which last erupted in 1924; the summit is {{convert|200|m|ft}} below sea level.
The highest point on the island is [[Mt. Komi]] (古見岳 ''Komidake'') at {{cvt|469.5|m|ft}}. Around {{cvt|21|km|mi}} northwest ({{coord|24.558|N|124.000|E|type:mountain|name=Iriomotejima}}) of Iriomote is an active undersea volcano which last erupted in 1924; the summit is {{cvt|200|m|ft}} below sea level. The island is surrounded by multiple smaller islands, including [[Yubu Island]] approximately 0.5 km to the east and [[Ballast Island (Japan)|Ballast Island]] approximately 2.5 km off the northeastern coast.


The island's [[Urauchi River]] is the largest river in Okinawa Prefecture, and the smaller [[Nakama River|Nakama]] and [[Nakara River|Nakara]] rivers also flow within the island. Iriomote is also home to Pinaisara Falls, the largest waterfall in Okinawa Prefecture.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/parks/iriomote.html |title=Introducing places of interest: Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park (Iriomote) |publisher=[[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment]] |access-date=11 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527233729/http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/parks/iriomote.html |archive-date=27 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The island's [[Urauchi River]] is the largest river in Okinawa Prefecture, and the smaller [[Nakama River|Nakama]] and [[Nakara River|Nakara]] rivers also flow within the island. Iriomote is also home to Pinaisara Falls, the largest waterfall in Okinawa Prefecture.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/parks/iriomote.html |title=Introducing places of interest: Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park (Iriomote) |publisher=[[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment]] |access-date=11 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527233729/http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/parks/iriomote.html |archive-date=27 May 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


Iriomote has a [[tropical rainforest climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Af''). The average yearly temperature is {{convert|23.6|°C|1}}, and the average monthly temperature ranges from {{convert|18.3|°C|1}} in January to {{convert|28.9|°C|1}} in July. Iriomote has a typhoon season that, on average, runs from June to September.
Iriomote has a [[tropical rainforest climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Af''). The average yearly temperature is {{cvt|23.9|°C|1}}, and the average monthly temperature ranges from {{cvt|18.5|°C|1}} in January to {{cvt|28.9|°C|1}} in July. Iriomote has a typhoon season that, on average, runs from June to September.

<div style="width:70%;">
{{Weather box
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Iriomote
|location = Iriomote (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1954−present)
|single line = Y
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|metric first = Y
|Jan high C = 20.4
|Jan record high C = 27.6
|Feb high C = 21.4
|Feb record high C = 27.8
|Mar high C = 22.8
|Mar record high C = 29.7
|Apr high C = 25.1
|Apr record high C = 31.0
|May record high C = 33.1
|Jun record high C = 34.6
|Jul record high C = 35.7
|Aug record high C = 35.0
|Sep record high C = 34.3
|Oct record high C = 33.1
|Nov record high C = 31.2
|Dec record high C = 29.4
|Jan record low C = 6.7
|Feb record low C = 8.3
|Mar record low C = 7.5
|Apr record low C = 10.4
|May record low C = 14.0
|Jun record low C = 16.1
|Jul record low C = 21.0
|Aug record low C = 21.6
|Sep record low C = 17.8
|Oct record low C = 14.0
|Nov record low C = 11.0
|Dec record low C = 8.9
|Jan high C = 20.9
|Feb high C = 21.6
|Mar high C = 23.1
|Apr high C = 25.5
|May high C = 28.3
|May high C = 28.3
|Jun high C = 30.2
|Jun high C = 30.5
|Jul high C = 32.1
|Jul high C = 32.1
|Aug high C = 31.1
|Aug high C = 31.5
|Sep high C = 30.1
|Sep high C = 30.3
|Oct high C = 27.6
|Oct high C = 27.8
|Nov high C = 25.0
|Nov high C = 25.5
|Dec high C = 22.1
|Dec high C = 22.4
|Jan mean C = 18.3
|Jan mean C = 18.5
|Feb mean C = 18.9
|Feb mean C = 19.0
|Mar mean C = 19.9
|Mar mean C = 20.2
|Apr mean C = 22.5
|Apr mean C = 22.8
|May mean C = 25.2
|May mean C = 25.5
|Jun mean C = 27.4
|Jun mean C = 27.8
|Jul mean C = 28.9
|Jul mean C = 28.9
|Aug mean C = 28.3
|Aug mean C = 28.5
|Sep mean C = 27.3
|Sep mean C = 27.6
|Oct mean C = 25.1
|Oct mean C = 25.4
|Nov mean C = 22.7
|Nov mean C = 23.1
|Dec mean C = 19.5
|Dec mean C = 20.0
|Jan low C = 16.3
|Jan low C = 16.4
|Feb low C = 16.7
|Feb low C = 16.7
|Mar low C = 17.6
|Mar low C = 17.7
|Apr low C = 20.1
|Apr low C = 20.3
|May low C = 22.7
|May low C = 23.1
|Jun low C = 25.1
|Jun low C = 25.8
|Jul low C = 26.5
|Jul low C = 26.5
|Aug low C = 25.8
|Aug low C = 26.1
|Sep low C = 24.8
|Sep low C = 25.2
|Oct low C = 23.0
|Oct low C = 23.4
|Nov low C = 20.5
|Nov low C = 21.0
|Dec low C = 17.7
|Dec low C = 17.9
|precipitation colour = green
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 168.9
|Jan precipitation mm = 162.9
|Feb precipitation mm = 166.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 146.6
|Mar precipitation mm = 149.2
|Mar precipitation mm = 147.3
|Apr precipitation mm = 174.6
|Apr precipitation mm = 157.3
|May precipitation mm = 182.1
|May precipitation mm = 175.6
|Jun precipitation mm = 197.8
|Jun precipitation mm = 186.3
|Jul precipitation mm = 141.6
|Jul precipitation mm = 128.8
|Aug precipitation mm = 273.6
|Aug precipitation mm = 282.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 267.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 270.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 209.1
|Oct precipitation mm = 213.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 221.2
|Nov precipitation mm = 192.3
|Dec precipitation mm = 153.1
|Dec precipitation mm = 176.9
|year precipitation mm = 2240.0
⚫
|Jan humidity = 78
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
⚫
|Feb humidity = 76
|Jan precipitation days = 14.1
⚫
|Mar humidity = 80
|Feb precipitation days = 12.0
⚫
|Apr humidity = 80
|Mar precipitation days = 12.0
⚫
|May humidity = 82
|Apr precipitation days = 9.9
|May precipitation days = 10.0
|Jun precipitation days = 9.8
|Jul precipitation days = 9.1
|Aug precipitation days = 12.0
|Sep precipitation days = 12.3
|Oct precipitation days = 11.1
|Nov precipitation days = 12.2
|Dec precipitation days = 13.5
|humidity colour= green
⚫
|Jan humidity = 73
⚫
|Feb humidity = 77
⚫
|Mar humidity = 77
⚫
|Apr humidity = 78
⚫
|May humidity = 81
|Jun humidity = 82
|Jun humidity = 82
|Jul humidity = 78
|Jul humidity = 81
|Aug humidity = 82
|Aug humidity = 83
|Sep humidity = 81
|Sep humidity = 80
|Oct humidity = 76
|Oct humidity = 75
|Nov humidity = 78
|Nov humidity = 77
|Dec humidity = 73
|Dec humidity = 75
|Jan sun = 74.5
|Jan sun = 71.8
|Feb sun = 77.0
|Feb sun = 82.9
|Mar sun = 95.5
|Mar sun = 107.1
|Apr sun = 121.8
|Apr sun = 124.3
|May sun = 170.3
|May sun = 165.8
|Jun sun = 199.8
|Jun sun = 203.7
|Jul sun = 253.2
|Jul sun = 256.2
|Aug sun = 230.6
|Aug sun = 218.8
|Sep sun = 198.7
|Sep sun = 184.5
|Oct sun = 146.0
|Oct sun = 139.1
|Nov sun = 93.4
|Nov sun = 97.1
|Dec sun = 75.4
|Dec sun = 70.7
|year sun = 1721.9
|source 1 = JMA (1981-2010) <ref name= JMA>{{cite web
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]<ref>{{cite web
⚫
|url = http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=91&block_no=47917&year=&month=&day=&view=
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_s.php?prec_no=91&block_no=47917&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|title = Iriomotejima Climate Normals 1981-2010
|script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）
|publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
|language = ja
|access-date = December 22, 2013}}</ref>
| access-date = March 23, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
⚫
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=91&block_no=47917&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|date=December 2013}}
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）
</div>
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = March 23, 2022}}</ref>}}

==Education==
Schools on Iriomote Island are operated by [[Taketomi, Okinawa|Taketomi Town]].

Combined elementary and junior high schools include: <ref name=JHSESlist>{{cite web |url=https://www.town.taketomi.lg.jp/guide/kosodate/elementary_junior/ |title=小中学校・小学校・中学校 |publisher=Taketomi Town |accessdate=2021-07-14}}</ref>
* Funauki Elementary and Junior High School<!--English name in https://www.taketomicho-boe.jp/14/--> (竹富町立船浮小中学校)
* Iriomote Elementary and Junior High School(竹富町立西表小中学校)

Junior high schools include:<ref name=JHSESlist/>
* Funaura Junior High School (竹富町立船浦中学校) – {{ill|Uehara, Taketomi, Okinawa|lt=Uehara|ja|上原 (竹富町)}}
* Ōhara Junior High School (竹富町立大原中学校) – {{ill|Haemi|ja|南風見}}

Elementary schools include:<ref name=JHSESlist/>
* Komi Elementary School (竹富町立古見小学校) – {{ill|Komi, Taketomi, Okinawa|lt=Komi|ja|古見 (竹富町)}}
* Ohara Elementary School (竹富町立大原小学校) – Haemi
* Shirama Elementary School (竹富町立白浜小学校) – Shirahama (白浜)
* Uehara Elementary School (竹富町立上原小学校) – Uehara

For public senior high school students may attend schools of the [[Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education]].


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Tudumari-no-hama Iriomote Island Japan10bs4500.jpg|Tsuzumari-no-hama (Tsukigahama Beach)
File:Tudumari-no-hama Iriomote Island Japan10bs4500.jpg|Tsuzumari-no-hama (Tsukigahama Beach)
File:Urauchi River Iriomote 2007-04-05.jpg|'''Urauchi-gawa''': the longest river in Okinawa.
File:Urauchi River Iriomote 2007-04-05.jpg|Urauchi-gawa: the longest river in Okinawa
File:Mariyudo iriomote 2007-04-05.jpg|'''Mariyudō-no-taki''': Waterfall on the Urauchi River.
File:Mariyudo iriomote 2007-04-05.jpg|Mariyudō-no-taki: Waterfall on the Urauchi River
File:Kampire iriomote 2007-04-05.jpg|'''Kampire-no-taki''': A section of the Kampire waterfall on the Urauchi River.
File:Kampire iriomote 2007-04-05.jpg|Kampire-no-taki: A section of the Kampire waterfall on the Urauchi River
File:Pinaisara iriomote 2007-04-05.jpg|'''Pinaisara-no-taki''': Waterfall on the north of the island.
File:Pinaisara iriomote 2007-04-05.jpg|Pinaisara-no-taki: Waterfall on the north of the island
File:Iriomote mangrove 2007-04-04.jpg|'''Mangrove''' on the Nakama River
File:Iriomote mangrove 2007-04-04.jpg|Mangrove on the Nakama River
File:Heritiera littoralis - Sakishimasuo - Iriomote island Japan2.jpg|'''Sakishimasuou tree''': Said to be the biggest and oldest mangrove tree in Japan.
File:Heritiera littoralis - Sakishimasuo - Iriomote island Japan2.jpg|Sakishimasuou tree: Said to be the biggest and oldest mangrove tree in Japan
File:Hoshizuna-no-hama 2007-04-04.jpg|'''Hoshizuna-no-hama''' (Star Sand Beach): Beachcombers looking for star-shaped sand grains.
File:Hoshizuna-no-hama 2007-04-04.jpg|Hoshizuna-no-hama (Star Sand Beach): Beachcombers looking for star-shaped sand grains
File:Star sand Iriomote.jpg|'''Star sand''' from Hoshizuna-no-hama: Abraded calcium-carbonate [[Foraminifera#Tests|tests of foraminifers]] from nearby reefs.<ref>Hohenegger, J., [http://www.okinawa-conference.uni-bonn.de/Hohenegger.htm Larger foraminifera as important calcium-carbonate producers in coral reef environments and constituting the main components of carbonate beach sands; examples from the Ryukyu archipelago.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322145516/http://www.okinawa-conference.uni-bonn.de/Hohenegger.htm |date=2012-03-22 }} Institut für Paläontologie, Universität Wien.</ref>
File:Star sand Iriomote.jpg|alt=Star sand from Hoshizuna-no-hama: Abraded calcium-carbonate tests of foraminifers from nearby reefs.|Star sand from Hoshizuna-no-hama: Abraded calcium-carbonate [[Foraminifera#Tests|tests of foraminifers]] from nearby reefs<ref>Hohenegger, J., [http://www.okinawa-conference.uni-bonn.de/Hohenegger.htm Larger foraminifera as important calcium-carbonate producers in coral reef environments and constituting the main components of carbonate beach sands; examples from the Ryukyu archipelago.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322145516/http://www.okinawa-conference.uni-bonn.de/Hohenegger.htm |date=2012-03-22 }} Institut für Paläontologie, Universität Wien.</ref>
</gallery>
</gallery>


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{{Portal bar|Japan|Islands|Volcanoes|Geography}}
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Latest revision as of 11:02, 12 June 2024

Iriomote Island
Native name:
西表島
Map of Iriomote Island
Iriomote Island in relation to the other Yaeyama Islands
Geography
LocationBordering the Pacific Ocean and East China Sea, southwest of mainland Japan and east of Taiwan
Coordinates24°20′24″N 123°48′36″E / 24.34000°N 123.81000°E / 24.34000; 123.81000
ArchipelagoYaeyama Islands
Area289.27 km2 (111.69 sq mi)[1]
Coastline130.0 km (80.78 mi)[1]
Highest elevation469.5 m (1540.4 ft)
Highest pointMt. Komi (古見岳, Komi-dake)
Administration
Japan
PrefectureOkinawa Prefecture
TownTaketomi, Okinawa
Demographics
Population2,347 (2005)
Ethnic groupsRyukyuan, Japanese

Iriomote Island (西表島, Iriomote-jima, Yaeyama: Irïmutii; Iriomote: Irimutii; Okinawan: Iriumuti) is the largest of the Yaeyama Islands of Japan, and the second largest in Okinawa Prefecture after Okinawa Island itself.

The island has an area of 289.27 km2 (111.69 sq mi) and a 2005 population of 2,347. The island does not have an airstrip, and most visitors—over 390,000 in 2006—arrive from Ishigaki by ferry, a 31.4 km (19.5 mi) ride to Uwahara Port (上原港) on Iriomote's northeast coast or Ōhara Port (大原港) on the southeast coast. Administratively, the island belongs to Taketomi Town, Okinawa Prefecture.[1] Its infrastructure is limited to a single coastal road connecting the hamlets on the northern and eastern shores.

Wildlife

[edit]

The island is famed for the Iriomote cat, a Critically Endangered wild cat found only on Iriomote.[2] As of 2007, the population size is estimated to be 100–109 individuals.[3]

The island has a venomous snake, Protobothrops elegans or "elegant pit viper", known locally as the habu, a species whose bite has a fatality rate of 3% and a permanent disability rate of 6–8%.[4]

Satakentia liukiuensis, the only species in the genus Satakentia, is a palm tree that is endemic to the two islands of Ishigaki and Iriomote in the Yaeyama Islands.[5]

Culture

[edit]

The Iriomote dialect of the Yaeyama language is spoken by some[quantify] people on the island.

History

[edit]

The island had few settlements of fishermen and rice growers on the coastal areas, but it never had a large population until the Iriomote Coal Mine operated between 1889 and 1959.

During World War II some residents of Ishigaki were forcibly made to take refuge in Iriomote, many of whom contracted malaria. After the war, the US Forces in Japan eradicated malaria from the island, and the island has been malaria-free since then. The island, together with the rest of Okinawa Prefecture, remained a US-controlled territory until 1972. Iriomote was returned to Japan on June 17, 1972.

The possibility exists that a World War II-era U.S. submarine lies in about 350 m (1,150 ft) of water off the coast of Iriomote Island. During operations with an Okinawan company using a U.S. made "SCORPIO" ROV in 1995, a group of divers encountered a sonar contact with what appeared to be a metal structure, about 6.1 m (20 ft) in diameter and about 35 m (115 ft) in length (exposed) at an angle of roughly 20-30 degrees. The SONAR image of a large unexpected obstruction to the operations prompted the divers to command evasive maneuvers and avoid the area for the safety of the ROV.[6]

The divers, thinking they would have another opportunity to work in the area at a later date, left the area and never returned to that site. Their ROV was lost in 1997 off Yonaguni Island, the last island belonging to Okinawa off the east coast of Taiwan. They were fairly certain that the object was a submarine, and quite possibly the USS Snook. No further dives in the area have yet been attempted.[6]

A large volcanic eruption took place at a submarine volcano north of the island in 1924. It had an estimated volcanic explosivity index of 5. The island's coast was covered in large quantities of pumice and pumice was also found as far as Hokkaido.[7]

Economy

[edit]

Apart from tourism, the island economy is sustained by agricultural production, primarily of pineapple, sugarcane, mango, culture pearl growing [8] and fishing.

Geography and climate

[edit]
A satellite photo of Iriomote Island, April 2014. Iriomote is in the center and there are other small islands surrounding it.

90% of the island is covered by dense jungle and mangrove swamps. 80% of the island is protected state land, and 34.3% of the island forms the Iriomote National Park. The highest point on the island is Mt. Komi (古見岳 Komidake) at 469.5 m (1,540 ft). Around 21 km (13 mi) northwest (24°33′29″N 124°00′00″E / 24.558°N 124.000°E / 24.558; 124.000 (Iriomotejima)) of Iriomote is an active undersea volcano which last erupted in 1924; the summit is 200 m (660 ft) below sea level. The island is surrounded by multiple smaller islands, including Yubu Island approximately 0.5 km to the east and Ballast Island approximately 2.5 km off the northeastern coast.

The island's Urauchi River is the largest river in Okinawa Prefecture, and the smaller Nakama and Nakara rivers also flow within the island. Iriomote is also home to Pinaisara Falls, the largest waterfall in Okinawa Prefecture.[9]

Iriomote has a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification Af). The average yearly temperature is 23.9 °C (75.0 °F), and the average monthly temperature ranges from 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) in January to 28.9 °C (84.0 °F) in July. Iriomote has a typhoon season that, on average, runs from June to September.

Climate data for Iriomote (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1954−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 27.6
(81.7) 		27.8
(82.0) 		29.7
(85.5) 		31.0
(87.8) 		33.1
(91.6) 		34.6
(94.3) 		35.7
(96.3) 		35.0
(95.0) 		34.3
(93.7) 		33.1
(91.6) 		31.2
(88.2) 		29.4
(84.9) 		35.7
(96.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 20.9
(69.6) 		21.6
(70.9) 		23.1
(73.6) 		25.5
(77.9) 		28.3
(82.9) 		30.5
(86.9) 		32.1
(89.8) 		31.5
(88.7) 		30.3
(86.5) 		27.8
(82.0) 		25.5
(77.9) 		22.4
(72.3) 		26.6
(79.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 18.5
(65.3) 		19.0
(66.2) 		20.2
(68.4) 		22.8
(73.0) 		25.5
(77.9) 		27.8
(82.0) 		28.9
(84.0) 		28.5
(83.3) 		27.6
(81.7) 		25.4
(77.7) 		23.1
(73.6) 		20.0
(68.0) 		23.9
(75.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 16.4
(61.5) 		16.7
(62.1) 		17.7
(63.9) 		20.3
(68.5) 		23.1
(73.6) 		25.8
(78.4) 		26.5
(79.7) 		26.1
(79.0) 		25.2
(77.4) 		23.4
(74.1) 		21.0
(69.8) 		17.9
(64.2) 		21.7
(71.0)
Record low °C (°F) 6.7
(44.1) 		8.3
(46.9) 		7.5
(45.5) 		10.4
(50.7) 		14.0
(57.2) 		16.1
(61.0) 		21.0
(69.8) 		21.6
(70.9) 		17.8
(64.0) 		14.0
(57.2) 		11.0
(51.8) 		8.9
(48.0) 		6.7
(44.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 162.9
(6.41) 		146.6
(5.77) 		147.3
(5.80) 		157.3
(6.19) 		175.6
(6.91) 		186.3
(7.33) 		128.8
(5.07) 		282.0
(11.10) 		270.8
(10.66) 		213.1
(8.39) 		192.3
(7.57) 		176.9
(6.96) 		2,240
(88.19)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 14.1 12.0 12.0 9.9 10.0 9.8 9.1 12.0 12.3 11.1 12.2 13.5 138
Average relative humidity (%) 73 77 77 78 81 82 81 83 80 75 77 75 78
Mean monthly sunshine hours 71.8 82.9 107.1 124.3 165.8 203.7 256.2 218.8 184.5 139.1 97.1 70.7 1,721.9
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[10][11]

Education

[edit]

Schools on Iriomote Island are operated by Taketomi Town.

Combined elementary and junior high schools include: [12]

  • Funauki Elementary and Junior High School (竹富町立船浮小中学校)
  • Iriomote Elementary and Junior High School(竹富町立西表小中学校)

Junior high schools include:[12]

  • Funaura Junior High School (竹富町立船浦中学校) – Uehara [ja]
  • Ōhara Junior High School (竹富町立大原中学校) – Haemi [ja]

Elementary schools include:[12]

  • Komi Elementary School (竹富町立古見小学校) – Komi [ja]
  • Ohara Elementary School (竹富町立大原小学校) – Haemi
  • Shirama Elementary School (竹富町立白浜小学校) – Shirahama (白浜)
  • Uehara Elementary School (竹富町立上原小学校) – Uehara

For public senior high school students may attend schools of the Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education.

[edit]
  • Tsuzumari-no-hama (Tsukigahama Beach)
    Tsuzumari-no-hama (Tsukigahama Beach)
  • Urauchi-gawa: the longest river in Okinawa
    Urauchi-gawa: the longest river in Okinawa
  • Mariyudō-no-taki: Waterfall on the Urauchi River
    Mariyudō-no-taki: Waterfall on the Urauchi River
  • Kampire-no-taki: A section of the Kampire waterfall on the Urauchi River
    Kampire-no-taki: A section of the Kampire waterfall on the Urauchi River
  • Pinaisara-no-taki: Waterfall on the north of the island
    Pinaisara-no-taki: Waterfall on the north of the island
  • Mangrove on the Nakama River
    Mangrove on the Nakama River
  • Sakishimasuou tree: Said to be the biggest and oldest mangrove tree in Japan
    Sakishimasuou tree: Said to be the biggest and oldest mangrove tree in Japan
  • Hoshizuna-no-hama (Star Sand Beach): Beachcombers looking for star-shaped sand grains
    Hoshizuna-no-hama (Star Sand Beach): Beachcombers looking for star-shaped sand grains
  • Star sand from Hoshizuna-no-hama: Abraded calcium-carbonate tests of foraminifers from nearby reefs.
    Star sand from Hoshizuna-no-hama: Abraded calcium-carbonate tests of foraminifers from nearby reefs[13]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c 知・旅･住 離島総合情報サイト 沖縄のしまじま [Know, Travel, Live: Remote Islands General Information Site: Okinawa's Islands] (in Japanese). Okinawa Prefecture. Archived from the original on June 28, 2004. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  2. ^ Izawa, M.; Doi, T. (2016) [errata version of 2015 assessment]. "Prionailurus bengalensis ssp. iriomotensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T18151A97215980. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T18151A50663049.en.
  3. ^ 環境省. イリオモテヤマネコ生息状況等総合調査（第４次）の結果について（お知らせ） [(Fourth) Survey of the State of the Iriomote Cat's Habitat: Regarding the Results (notice)] (in Japanese). Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  4. ^ U.S. Navy (1991). Poisonous Snakes of the World. New York: Dover Publications Inc. ISBN 0-486-26629-X.
  5. ^ Dransfield, John; Uhl, Natalie W.; Asmussen, Conny B.; Baker, William J.; Harley, Madeline M.; Lewis, Carl E. (2008). Genera Palmarum: The Evolution and Classification of Palms. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN 978-1-84246-182-2.
  6. ^ a b "USS Snook (SS 279)". Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ^ "Submarine Volcano NNE of Iriomotejima". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution.
  8. ^ "Pearl Oysters | 螺鈿と漆芸修業奮闘記". Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  9. ^ "Introducing places of interest: Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park (Iriomote)". Ministry of the Environment. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  10. ^ 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）. JMA. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  11. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. JMA. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c "小中学校・小学校・中学校". Taketomi Town. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  13. ^ Hohenegger, J., Larger foraminifera as important calcium-carbonate producers in coral reef environments and constituting the main components of carbonate beach sands; examples from the Ryukyu archipelago. Archived 2012-03-22 at the Wayback Machine Institut für Paläontologie, Universität Wien.
[edit]
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