Iejima

Iejima
Native name:
Iejima (伊江島)
Aerial view of Iejima
Iejima is located in Japan
Iejima
Location within Japan
Geography
LocationEast China Sea
Coordinates26°42′58″N 127°47′25″E / 26.71611°N 127.79028°E / 26.71611; 127.79028
Area23 km2 (8.9 sq mi)
Coastline22.4 km (13.92 mi)
Highest elevation172 m (564 ft)
Highest pointMount Gusuku
Administration
Demographics
Population4,610 (2012)
Pop. density200/km2 (500/sq mi)
Ethnic groupsRyukyuan, Japanese
View of Iejima from Ocean Expo Park in Motobu
Iejima lies to the northwest of the main island of Okinawa

Iejima (Japanese: 伊江島, Hepburn: Iejima; Okinawan: Ii shima), previously romanized in English as Ie Shima, is an island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, lying a few kilometers off the Motobu Peninsula on Okinawa Island. The island measures 20 kilometres (12 mi) in circumference and covers 23 square kilometres (8.9 mi2). As of December 2012 the island had a population of 4,610. Ie Village, which covers the entire island, has a ferry connection with the town of Motobu on Okinawa Island.

Iejima is generally flat. The most notable geographic feature is a peak called Mount Gusuku (Kunigami:Tatchuu) at a height of 172 meters. The mountain resembles a volcano but is actually an erosion artifact. Alternately called "Peanut Island," for its general shape and peanut crop, or "Flower Island," for its abundant flora and more sizeable crop, Iejima draws tourists by ferry, especially during late April when the Ie Lily Festival begins.