Ryukyu Islands

geographical name

Ryu·​kyu Islands rē-ˈyü-(ˌ)kyü 

-(ˌ)kü

chain of islands in the western Pacific Ocean extending between Kyushu, the southernmost main island of Japan, and Taiwan area about 850 square miles (2200 square kilometers), population 1,222,458

Note: The Ryukus belonged to Japan from 1895 to 1945 and were occupied by the U.S. in 1945. The northern islands were returned to Japan in 1953 and the southern islands in 1972.

see amami, okinawa, osumi islands, sakishima islands, tokara islands

Ryukyuan

rē-ˈyü-ˌkyü-ən 

-ˌkü-

adjective or noun