Ishigaki (石垣島 -jima Yaeyama: Shikaitu Okinawan: Ishigachi) is an island west of Okinawa Hontō and the second-largest island of the Yaeyama Island group. It is also the name of the main and only city (石垣市, -shi) on the islands. The city functions as the business and transport center of the archipelago. Ishigaki Airport is the largest airport in the Yaeyamas and Japan's largest third-class airport.
Ishigaki Island, like the rest of Okinawa, takes cultural influences from both Japan and China due to its location between China and mainland Japan.
As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 43,769 and the density of 191.21 persons per km². The total area is 228.91 km².
Ishigaki was originally founded in 1908 as Yaeyama Village, an amalgamation of the Ishigaki, Ōhama, and Miyara magiri. In 1914 it was renamed to Ishigaki Village, and grew to become Ishigaki Town in 1926. It became a city on July 10, 1947.
Japan administers the disputed Senkaku Islands as a part of Ishigaki City.
A tsunami of record height occurred on Ishigaki island in 1771. (...)
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