Okinotorishima

Okinotori-shima, Okinotori Islands, Parece Vela

Native name: 沖ノ鳥島, Okinotori-shima
Okinotori-shima
Geography
Location	Philippine Sea, Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	20°25′N 136°05′E
Total islands	1 atoll with 2 islets
Area	7.8 km^2 (3.0 sq mi)
Highest elevation	1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Highest point	unnamed point
Administration
Japan
Prefectures	Tokyo
Village	Ogasawara
Demographics
Population	0

Okinotorishima (沖ノ鳥島, Okinotori-shima) is an uninhabited Japanese island in the Philippine Sea. The 3-sq.-mile atoll is part of the Palau-Kyushu Ridge.^[1]

History

Okinotorishima is one of the Pacific Ocean islands known as Ogasawara, Tokyo.^[1]

Japan claims the waters around the island as an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); but this is disputed by China.^[2]

Geography

The Japanese government identifies Okinotori as Japan's southernmost island. It is 1,700 kilometres south of central Tokyo.^[2]

Okinotori is at a militarily strategic point. It is midway between Taiwan and Guam.^[1]

References

1. Onishi, Norimitsu. "Japan and China Dispute a Pacific Islet," The New York Times. July 10, 2005. Retrieved 2012-10-5.
2. "Japan hopes to build lighthouse on atoll disputed with China," Xinhua (China). August 5, 2005. Retrieved 2012-10-5.