a group of 20 islands in the southwestern part of the Ryukyu archipelago. A possession of Japan’s. Area, approximately 900 sq km. Population, approximately 125,000 (1968). Some of the islands are of volcanic origin and have elevations that reach 530 m (on Ishigaki-shima). The other islands are primarily coralline. Coral reefs are commonly found along the coasts. The climate is tropical and monsoonal and there are frequent (as many as 45 annually) typhoons. Sugarcane, rice, tobacco, pineapples, and sweet potatoes are grown. There is fishing and swine breeding on Sakishima. The main cities are Ishigaki and Hirara.