Tokunoshima

Japanese: 徳之島 - とくのしま

An island in the Amami Islands, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is located at 27 degrees 40-55 minutes north latitude, about 480 km offshore from Kagoshima City. It is the second largest island in the Amami Islands after Naka-Oshima, with a circumference of about 82 km and an area of 247.76 square km. The highest point on the island is Mt. Inokawadake, 645 meters high. It consists of three towns in Oshima County, Kagoshima Prefecture: Tokunoshima-cho, Isen-cho, and Amagi-cho. The island's bedrock geology is Paleozoic, and intrusive rocks such as ancient granite and diabase can be seen along the mountain ranges that run roughly north-south. The western, southern, and southeastern parts of the island are widely covered by the Ryukyu Group, known as Ryukyu limestone, and relatively gentle coastal terraces have been formed. The settlements in the southwest are located on this terrace surface, but are scattered due to the scarcity of water. The main industries are sugarcane cultivation and the cottage industry of Oshima Tsumugi weaving, but in recent years beef cattle breeding and vegetable production have also become active. The average annual temperature exceeds 20°C, and banyan trees, Japanese lantern trees, and Pandanus monads flourish. It is a habitat for the Amami rabbit (a special natural monument). It belongs to the Amami Gunto National Park. Regular ferries from Kagoshima City call at Hetono Port and Kametoku Port every day. Amagi Town has an airport with flights to Kagoshima and Amami Oshima. Population 23,497 (2015).

[Kimihiko Tsukada, May 21, 2019]

World Heritage Registration

In 2021 (Reiwa 3), Tokunoshima was registered as a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as "Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Northern Okinawa Island and Iriomote Island" (World Natural Heritage Site).

[Editorial Department, January 21, 2022]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

鹿児島県奄美諸島(あまみしょとう)にある島。北緯27度40～55分付近、鹿児島市から約480キロメートルの洋上に位置する。奄美諸島中大島に次ぐ面積の島で、周囲約82キロメートル、面積247.76平方キロメートル。島の最高点は井之川岳(いのかわだけ)の645メートル。鹿児島県大島郡徳之島町、伊仙町(いせんちょう)、天城町(あまぎちょう)の3町からなる。島の基盤地質は古生層で、ほぼ南北走向の山地沿いに古期花崗岩(かこうがん)類、輝緑岩類などの貫入岩体がみられる。島の西部、南部、南東部は広く琉球(りゅうきゅう)層群、いわゆる琉球石灰岩などに覆われ、比較的なだらかな海岸段丘が形成されている。南西部の集落は、この段丘面上に立地するが、乏水地帯であるため散村形態をとる。基幹産業はサトウキビ栽培や大島紬(つむぎ)織の家内工業などが中心であるが、近年肉牛飼育や野菜生産なども活発に行われる。年平均気温は20℃を超え、ガジュマル、アコウ、アダンなどが繁茂する。アマミノクロウサギ（特別天然記念物）の生息地。奄美群島国立公園に属する。平土野(へとの)港、亀徳(かめとく)港には鹿児島市より定期船が毎日寄港する。天城町には空港があり、鹿児島、奄美大島との間に便がある。人口2万3497（2015）。

［塚田公彦　2019年5月21日］