Amami-Oshima Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Japan, recognized in 2021, is a subtropical island in the Ryukyu Archipelago renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and ancient ecosystems. Part of a four-island listing with Tokunoshima, Iriomote, and northern Okinawa, it hosts unique species like the Amami rabbit and Ryukyu long-tailed giant rat, thriving in dense laurel forests and mangroves. This pristine natural haven reflects millions of years of ecological isolation, offering a living testament to Japan’s rich subtropical heritage and evolutionary history.

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