오키나와는 일본의 47 행정구역중의 오키나와현에 속하며 류큐제도에 속하는 한 섬이다. 그러나 그 섬의 생성과정이나 거주역사에서 일본과는 큰 차이를 나타내고 있다. 오랜 동안 침강과 융기를 반복하면서 유라시아대륙과의 연계를 지녔고, 산호초의 발달과 지각운동에 의한 단구의 발달은 산호초에 의한 단구 및 사빈해안을 형성하였다. 또한 오랜 거주역사를 지녔으며 중국, 일본, 한국 및 동남아시아지역과 오래전부터 교역을 하였고, 독립된 류큐왕국이 존재하면서 중국의 문화를 많이 받아들였다. 또한 60여 년간 미군기지의 존재는 또 다른 문화를 발생시켰다. 오키나와가 지닌 이러한 자연적·인문적 차이는 일본 본토와는 구별되는 오키나와만이 지닌 독특한 지리경관을 표출하고 있다.
Okinawa is an island belonging into Okinawa Prefecture and a part of Ryukyu islands. Although the island is a part of Japan, but the formation of the islands and its history is quite different from most parts of Japan. The islands were formed by repeated crustal activities and most cliffs and beaches are related to coral reefs. There are a long residential history in Okinawa, and the independent Ryukyu Kingdom governed and had trade with China, Korea, Japan and southeast Asia countries. Through trades, Ryukyu Kindom adopted Chinese and other foreign culture. American Army has based in Okinawa over 60 years. From the result of these aspects, Okinawa shows very distinctive geographical landscape.
Okinawa is an island belonging into Okinawa Prefecture and a part of Ryukyu islands. Although the island is a part of Japan, but the formation of the islands and its history is quite different from most parts of Japan. The islands were formed by repeated crustal activities and most cliffs and beaches are related to coral reefs. There are a long residential history in Okinawa, and the independent Ryukyu Kingdom governed and had trade with China, Korea, Japan and southeast Asia countries. Through trades, Ryukyu Kindom adopted Chinese and other foreign culture. American Army has based in Okinawa over 60 years. From the result of these aspects, Okinawa shows very distinctive geographical landscape.