Summary:
Okinawa is the largest island in the Ryukyu Islands, the southernmost part of the Japanese archipelago, and is blessed with abundant natural landscapes and scenery. Historically, it was a vassal kingdom of the Ryukyus of China before being annexed by Japan in 1879. During World War II, Okinawa became an important battlefield for U.S. landings. In 1972, the island of Okinawa was returned to Japan. The island retains traces of Chinese culture and Ryukyu culture, and is a tourist destination for many Taiwanese tourists.
Body
Okinawa, located at the southernmost tip of the Japanese archipelago, is the largest island in the Ryukyu archipelago. So, which country does Okinawa belong to? The answer is: Okinawa belongs to Japan.
Okinawa Island is located in the southeast of the Asian continent, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east, the East China Sea to the west, and the Philippine Sea to the south, between the Japanese mainland and Taiwan. Okinawa has an area of about 1,208 square kilometers and a population of about 1.22 million.
Okinawa Island has a rich and diverse natural landscape, with mountainous terrain in the north, which accounts for two-thirds of the island, including Mt. Naha, Mt. Katsu Udake, and Mt. Onna. There are many terraces and plains in the south. To the northwest of it is a peninsula called the Motobu Peninsula. To the northeast is the Kunigami Mountains. It is mainly agricultural, with paddy fields and orchards, and mainly produces pineapples and sugarcane. Abundant aquatic products. There are canning, sugar and other industries. Naha is the largest port city. Okinawa's unique geographical location makes it a rare place in Japan, with palm trees, betel nut trees, sandy beaches, and sea water forming a beautiful picture, which makes it known as the "Hawaii of the East".
However, although Okinawa belongs to Japan, the history of Okinawa is not simple. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Okinawa was a vassal state of China, and at that time it was called Ryukyu. The Ryukyu Kingdom maintained a close tributary relationship with the Ming Dynasty of China, and the Ryukyu Kingdom paid tribute to China and accepted canonization from China. However, in the mid-19th century, Japan began to exert pressure on the Ryukyu Kingdom, culminating in the forcible annexation of the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1879, incorporating the Ryukyu Islands into Japan's territory and renaming them Okinawa.
The history of Okinawa is full of suffering. During World War II, Okinawa became an important battlefield in the Pacific War. In 1945, the U.S. team conducted a large-scale landing operation on Okinawa, which was the largest U.S. casualty battle in the Pacific theater. After the Battle of Okinawa, Okinawa was occupied by the United States, and it was not until 1972 that Okinawa was officially returned to Japan.
Although Okinawa is now part of Japan, there is a deep connection to the culture and history of its inhabitants. During the Ryukyu Kingdom, Ryukyu culture was deeply influenced by Chinese culture, and Ryukyu writing, art, and architecture all showed a close relationship with Chinese culture. Even so, there are still many traces of Chinese culture on the island of Okinawa, such as Okinawan traditions**, dances, architecture, etc.
In addition, on the island of Okinawa, there are many tourists from Taiwan, China. Due to its geographical location, Okinawa has become a tourist destination for many Taiwanese tourists. On the island of Okinawa, visitors can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, feel the rich history and culture, and experience the unique Ryukyu culture.