Amami Gunto National Park (奄美群島国立公園, Amami Guntō Kokuritsu Kōen) is a national park in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. Established in 2017, the park comprises a land area of 42,181 ha (104,230 acres) and a marine area of 33,082 ha (81,750 acres). The national park includes areas of these islands: Tokunoshima, Kikai, Amami, Yoron, Okinoerabujima, Uke Island, Kakeromajima and Yoroshima.
Amami Gunto National Park includes areas in Amami Oshima and some of the nearby islands. They are sometimes called the "Galapagos Islands of the East". These islands are home to many life forms that can only be seen there, and the islands are also popular for their beaches. Yambaru National Park occupies the northern part of the main island of Okinawa.
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| Amami Gunto National Park |
The area is sparsely populated and covered mainly by dense forests, mountains and hills, as well as a beautiful coastline. The forests of Yambaru are home to many wildlife, including Yanbaru Kuina, a small, nearly flightless bird found only in the Yanbaru region. Kerama National Park is made up of the Kerama Islands, a small group of islands 40 km west of the main island of Okinawa, which are very popular for their beautiful beaches and surrounding waters that provide quality sunbathing, snorkelling and diving. Iriomote Ishigaki National Park encompasses tropical islands and marine habitats around the Yaeyama Islands in southwestern Okinawa. This island paradise offers many beaches for swimming, snorkeling and diving. Visitors can also explore the islands' inner jungle or go kayaking on the mangrove rivers.
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| Amami Gunto National Park |
Description
On February 15, 1974, the Amami Gunto National Park was founded in Amami Ōshima. On March 7, 2017, Amami Gunto National Park was established and subsumed the former Amami Guntō Quasi National Park. Amami Gunto National Park includes parts of the municipalities of Amagi, China, Isen, Kikai, Setouchi, Tatsugō, Tokunoshima, Uken, Wadomari, Yamato and Yoron. The designation of the new National Park, together with that of theYanbaru National Park, is part of the movement to the island Amami-Oshima, the Tokunoshima Island, the northern part of the island of Okinawa and Iriomote Island are inscribed on the List of World Heritage. The Amami Wildlife Center is managed by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan to protect and preserve the natural ecosystem of the Amami Islands.