Okinawa

Location and Size

Okinawa is located in the southwestern islands of Japan. Okinawa is made up of 72 islands which stretch for 374 miles. The islands have names as follows: Miyako, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Kumezima, Iezima, Yonaguni, Daitou-zima, Hateruma, Iheya-zima, Izena-zima, Taketomi, The Keramas (includes Zamami, Tokasiki, Aka, Tonaki) and countless others. Okinawa is the main island in the Ryukyu Archipelago, mostly of coral origin, a chain of many islands. The name "Okinawa" means "sea rope" which looks like rope floating on the ocean. Okinawa is 485 square miles in size, 67 miles long and varies from 2 to 18 miles wide. Tokyo is located 970 miles northeast; Seoul is 750 miles northwest; and Manila is 925 miles south from Okinawa. Mainly what we need to know is that Okinawa is a series of small islands a long, long way by sea from the nearest mainland or large island.

Climate

Average temperature for July, usually the warmest month of the year, is 85 F (30 degrees Celsius). Average temperature for February, usually the coolest month of the year, is 60 F (15 degrees Celsius). Therefore, summer in Okinawa could be very hot and wet. If you are not accustomed to the heat, you may find Okinawa uncomfortable. Typhoons occur between the months of June and November.