Koshikijima Islands
The Koshikijima Islands (甑島列島 Koshikijima-rettō[1]) in the East China Sea are an island chain that belongs to the city of Satsumasendai, Kagoshima, Japan. They are located 38 km west of the port city of Ichikikushikino, Kagoshima.
Major islands
- Kami-Koshiki-jima (上甑島), located northward. Area: 45.08 km²
- Naka-Koshiki-jima (中甑島), located near center. Area: 7.29 km²
- Shimo-Koshiki-jima (下甑島), located southward. Area: 66.27 km²
Minor islands
- No-jima (野島)
- Chika-jima (近島)
- Futago-jima (双子島)
Total area: 118.68 km²
History
The islands once consisted of 14 villages, belonging to Shikijima-gun, Satsuma Province (Satsuma no Kuni) during the Meiji period. In 1889, the islands were consolidated into Kami-Koshiki and Shimo-Koshiki villages. In 1897, the islands were merged with Satsuma-gun. Later, Kashima village and Sato village broke off, totalling in 4 villages. In 2004, during "the great Heisei merger", the villages were merged with Sendai, a city that exists on the main island of Kyūshū.
External links
- ↑ Teikoku's Complete Atlas of Japan, Teikoku-Shoin Co., Ltd. Tokyo, ISBN 4-8071-0004-1
Coordinates: 31°45′12″N 129°47′03″E / 31.75328°N 129.78424°E