多良間島
宮古島の西67km、石垣島の北東35kmにある隆起サンゴ礁の島で、今なお隆起している。北側の標高34mの八重山遠見台を最高点とした円形の平坦な地形で、南へのなだらかな傾斜は沖合い300〜1000mまで延びるサンゴ礁へ続く。島の北寄りにほぼ一体化した仲筋・塩川の２集落があり、住宅や主要施設はこの地区に集中している。この周辺にみどころや史跡も多い。島全体によく整備された圃場がひろがり、ほぼ一直線の農道が島中央部を東西に走っている。主産業はサトウキビ栽培で、単位面積収穫高は沖縄一を誇っている。このほか肉用牛の生産も行われ、のどかな牛の放牧風景も見られる。島の海岸線を防潮林取り囲み、集落の抱護林御嶽を取り巻く森など貴重な植物群落が多い。また、民俗芸能が継承され、なかでも琉球王朝文化の流れをくむ豊年祭「八月踊り」（国指定無形民俗文化財）は、今や多良間島でしかみられない組踊りが奉納されるとあって注目を集めている。（「シマダス」参照）
Taramajima
It is a raised coral reef island which is 67 km west of Miyakojima, 35 km northeast of Ishigakijima, and is still rising. It is a circular flat terrain with the highest point of Yaeyama distant mountain at the northern altitude of 34 m, and the gentle slope to the south continues to coral reefs extending to offshore 300-1000 m. There are two villages of Inner Ridge and Shiokawa which are almost integrated near the north of the island, and houses and major facilities are concentrated in this area. There are many places of interest and historic sites around here. A well-organized field spreads throughout the island, and an almost straight farm road runs east to west in the center of the island. The main industry is sugar cane cultivation, unit area harvest boasts one in Okinawa. Besides this, production of beef cattle is also done, and a peasant cattle grazing scenery is seen. There are many valuable plant communities such as the coastline of the island surrounding the tidal forest and the forest surrounding the encampment forest Utaki of the village. In addition, Folk Performing Arts are inherited, and the harvest festival "August Dance" (National Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Asset) which brings the flow of the Ryukyu dynasty culture is said to be dedicated to the group dance which is now seen only in Tamagarushima Island Attracting attention. (See "Shimadasu")