Okinawa is an island chain in the Pacific
Ocean, just south of the Japan. It is famous
for its clear, beautiful sea, and its climate
is warm and mild throughout the year. There
are a few indigenous animals only found in
Okinawa such as the Yanbaru-kuina[Rallus okinawae], and the Iriomote-cat[Felis iriomotensis], and the Deigo flower[Erythrina orientalis] that blooms throughout Okinawa.
Geographically, Okinawa lies between Kyushu,
Taiwan, and China. This strategic location
gave Okinawa easy trade routes with the rest
of Asia during the 14th and 16th centuries.
Okinawa is also known for its tragic battles
during the Pacific War, and in recent years,
it has been making headlines due to the different
problems that the US military bases have
caused the people, wild life, and environment
there. Okinawa has also been receiving a
good deal of publicity, as it will be co-hosting
the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit in summer of 2000. |
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