Iwo

Iwo, officially Iōtō and commonly referred to in English as Iwo Jima, is a volcanic island in the Volcano Islands subgroup of the Bonin Islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It is part of Tokyo Metropolis, administered as part of the Ogasawara Subprefecture and the municipality of Ogasawara.

Geographically, Iwo covers about 21 square kilometers. Its central feature is Mount Suribachi, a volcanic cone that rises to around 169 meters and dominates the island’s silhouette. The interior is rugged with limited arable land, and the coastline is irregular with several bays. The island lies roughly 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo, making it one of the remote islands of the Japanese archipelago.

Name and etymology: the Japanese name硫黄島 (Iō-tō) translates to Sulfur Island, reflecting historical sulfur deposits. In English, the island has been widely known as Iwo Jima, with “Jima” meaning “island.” The dual naming reflects both the kanji history and common English usage.

History: Before World War II, the island had some civilian activity, including sulfur mining. It became famous as a major battleground during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, when U.S. forces secured the island after intense fighting. The conflict produced heavy casualties on both sides and left extensive fortifications on the island. After the war, sovereignty over Iwo Jima was returned to Japan in 1968, and since then the island has had no permanent civilian population. Access is restricted, with visits mainly limited to officials, researchers, or specialized missions.

Current status: Today, Iwo Jima remains largely undeveloped and populated only by transient personnel and visitors. It is administered as part of Tokyo, and it stands as a historical symbol of the battle and a site of ongoing geological and ecological interest.