Amami-Oshima Natural World Heritage Site
museum
世界自然遺産:奄美大島
Amami-Oshima is the northernmost of the four islands in the Ryukyu chain that have been designated part of the Natural World Heritage Site.
Amami-Oshima is the northernmost island in the chain designated as part of Japan's Natural World Heritage Site, covering 712 square kilometers of mountainous subtropical terrain. The island has an exceptionally high rate of endemic species: 8 of 13 terrestrial mammals, 10 of 16 reptiles, and 9 of 10 amphibians are found nowhere else. The Amami rabbit is the best-known example, genetically distinct from mainland relatives for roughly 9 million years. Broadleaf forests blanket the mountains, mangroves line river mouths, and the surrounding reefs and lagoons support diverse marine life. Village communities historically developed on coastal inlets, with religious life centered on mountain deities and sea spirits.
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