Main Entry: Ryu·kyu Islands

Pronunciation: \rē-ˈyü-(ˌ)kyü, -(ˌ)kü\

Function: geographical name

islands W Pacific extending between Kyushu, Japan, & Taiwan; belonged to Japan 1895–1945; occupied by United States 1945; returned to Japan in 1953 (N islands) and 1972 (S islands) area about 850 square miles (2202 square kilometers), population 1,222,458 — see amami, okinawa, osumi islands, sakishima islands, tokara islands

— Ryu·kyu·an \-ˌkyü-ən, -ˌkü-\ adjective or noun