Geography
The prefecture includes some 161 Ryukuan islands (44 inhabited).with a mixture of "high" (e.g., volcanic) and "low" (e.g., coral reef) types. The biggest is Okinawa, occupying approx. 54% of total prefectural area, followed by Iriomote, Ishigaki and Miyako islands. The surrounding coral reefs and sealanes are rich in a wide variety of sealife.
Climate
Semitropical oceanic, with prevailing winds southeast in summer and northeast in winter. Thanks to the Kuroshio ("Black" or "Japan" Current), it is warm even in winter with an average annual temperature of 22.4°C (in Naha), rarely falling below 10°C even in winter. Total annual rainfall amounts to 2,036mm (in Naha). Typhoons often hit the islands in summer and fall, and heavy rains are common.
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