Iriomote Island

Japanese: 西表島 - いりおもてじま

An island located about 20 km west of Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture. It is one of the Yaeyama Islands. It belongs to Taketomi Town. Its area is 289.27 square kilometers. It is the second largest island in Okinawa Prefecture after the main island of Okinawa. The highest peak is Komi-dake (469 meters), and the 400-meter mountainous area accounts for 70% of the island's area. The mouths of the Urauchi River and Nakamagawa River form estuaries, and some of the largest mangrove wetlands in Japan are well developed. Most of the island is made up of the Yaeyama Group of Tertiary Layers, and the geology is characterized by sandstone rich in cross-stratification. The western part of the island and the Uchibari Islands contain the Yaeyama Coal-bearing Layer, and coal was once mined on the Uchibari Islands. Iriomote Island has one of the best natural environments in Japan, and most of it is covered with subtropical virgin forest. It is home to many rare wildlife species, including the Iriomote wildcat, known as a new species of large mammal discovered in the 20th century, the Crested Serpent Eagle (both designated as special natural monuments by the national government), the Yellow-margined Box Turtle (a national natural monument), and the Ryukyu Wild Boar. In addition to the mangrove forests of the Nakama River Natural Conservation Area mentioned above, there are also many rare plants, such as the Nipa palm community in Funaura and the Sakishimasuonoki community in Furumi (both designated as national natural monuments). Many tourists came to visit the area in search of the rich natural environment, and in 1972 (Showa 47), it was designated Iriomote National Park (later Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park). There are many tourist attractions worth seeing, such as the Maruudo Falls and Kanpira Falls on the Urauchi River. There is a regular ferry service from Ishigaki Port on Ishigaki Island. Population 2,203 (2009).

[Shigekazu Mezaki]

World Heritage Registration

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

[Editorial Department, January 21, 2022]

"Iriomote Island" by Yoshimi Mitsuharu (1995, Bunichi Sogo Shuppan)" ▽ "Iriomote Island Field Guide" by Yokozuka Makito (2004, Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha)" ▽ "Iriomote Island's Agricultural Culture - The Discovery of the Sea Road" edited by Ankei Yuji (2007, Hosei University Press)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

沖縄県石垣島の西方約20キロメートルの海上に位置する島。八重山列島(やえやまれっとう)の一つ。竹富町に属す。面積289.27平方キロメートル。沖縄本島に次ぐ沖縄県第2位の大きさである。古見岳(こみだけ)（469メートル）を最高峰として、400メートル級の山地部が、島の面積の70％を占める。浦内川、仲間川(なかまがわ)の河口はエスチュアリー（三角江）となり、日本でも有数のマングローブ湿地が発達している。島の大半は第三紀層の八重山層群から構成され、斜層理に富む砂岩が特徴的な地質をつくる。また島の西部や、内離島(うちばなりじま)には八重山夾炭(きょうたん)層があり、かつて内離島では石炭の採掘が行われていた。西表島は、日本でも有数の自然環境を有し、大半が亜熱帯の原生林で覆われている。20世紀の大型哺乳(ほにゅう)類の新種発見として知られるイリオモテヤマネコや、カンムリワシ（ともに国指定特別天然記念物）をはじめ、セマルハコガメ（国指定天然記念物）、リュウキュウイノシシなど貴重な野生動物が生息し、前述の仲間川天然保護区域のマングローブ林のほか、船浦のニッパヤシ群落、古見のサキシマスオウノキ群落（いずれも国指定天然記念物）など、貴重な植物も多くみられる。豊かな自然を求めて多くの観光客が訪れるようになり、1972年（昭和47）西表国立公園（のち西表石垣国立公園）に指定された。浦内川のマリュード滝、カンピラ滝など見るべき観光名所も多い。石垣島石垣港から定期船がある。人口2203（2009）。

［目崎茂和］