Okinawa, Okinawa

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The location of Okinawa in Okinawa.

Okinawa (沖縄市, -shi^?) is the second-largest city in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, following Naha, the capital city. It is located in the central part of the island of Okinawa, about 20 km north of Naha.

As of 2005, the city has an estimated population of 131,233 and a density of 2678 persons per km². The total area is 49.00 km².

1 History
2 Geography
3 Education
4 Transportation
5 Military
6 People
7 External links

[edit] History

In 1908, Okinawa Prefecture established the villages of Goeku and Misato. During the occupation of Japan, the U.S. military government established the city of Koza in Goeku. Misato merged into a neighboring community, and in 1946, again became separate, as did Goeku. On June 13, 1956, Goeku changed its name to the village of Koza; on July 1 of the same year it became a city.

The Koza Riots took place on December 20, 1970.

The city of Okinawa was founded on April 1, 1974 with the merger of Koza and Misato.

[edit] Geography

The commercial center of the city lies along Route 330. It extends from Goya Crossing to Koza Crossing. The district extending from Goya to the gate of Kadena Air Base, and Chūō Park Avenue, has many visitors from the U.S. military, and many shops have signs in both Japanese and English. However, the development of large shopping centers in nearby communities has resulted in some decline in these areas.

A park in the southeastern portion of the city was the site of a National Sports Festival of Japan. Other city facilities include a baseball stadium where the Hiroshima Toyo Carp hold their spring training.

Kadena Air Base and neighboring military facilities lie on the boundaries with town of Kadena and the village of Onna. Okinawa also has boundaries with Uruma, Chatan, and Kitanakagusuku.

[edit] Education

The city operates 15 elementary schools and eight middle schools. There is also a private elementary school. The five high schools are operated by Okinawa Prefecture.

[edit] Transportation

The Okinawa Expressway has two interchanges in the city. They are Okinawa North and Okinawa South.

The national highways passing through the city are Routes 329 and 330.

Ryūkyū, Okinawa, and Tōyō buses operate on some 26 routes in Okinawa.

[edit] Military

The United States has six facilities located at least partially in the city of Okinawa. These are Kadena Air Base, Kadena Ammunition Storage Area, Camp Shields, Camp Zukeran, Awase Communication Station, and an Army POL depot. Also, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces operate an anti-aircraft training facility.