Changes

==History==

==History==

Kumejima was one of the chief economic centers in the archipelago, particularly in terms of the export of [[turbo shells]], in the 11th century.<ref>Gregory Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', University of Hawaii Press (2019), 22.</ref>

Kumejima was one of the chief economic centers in the archipelago, particularly in terms of the export of [[turbo shell]], in the 11th century.<ref>Gregory Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', University of Hawaii Press (2019), 22.</ref>

Mt. Ôtake at the northern edge of the island is one of the highest in the Ryukyus, at around 305 meters (1000 feet). Historically, this provided a commanding view of maritime traffic, allowing those based on Kumejima to raid, tax, or otherwise take advantage of opportunities to profit from, ships passing through the region. Combined with the natural fortifications provided by the rocky topography of the island, this made Kume an excellent location for ''[[wako|wakô]]'' (brigands/pirates/smugglers) to set up base in the 13th-16th centuries.<ref>Smits, 100.</ref> ''[[Gusuku]]'' fortresses began to be built on Kumejima around the same time as their first appearance on Okinawa Island, in the 13th-14th centuries.<ref>Smits, 18-26.</ref>

Mt. Ôtake at the northern edge of the island is one of the highest in the Ryukyus, at around 305 meters (1000 feet). Historically, this provided a commanding view of maritime traffic, allowing those based on Kumejima to raid, tax, or otherwise take advantage of opportunities to profit from, ships passing through the region. Combined with the natural fortifications provided by the rocky topography of the island, this made Kume an excellent location for ''[[wako|wakô]]'' (brigands/pirates/smugglers) to set up base in the 13th-16th centuries.<ref>Smits, 100.</ref> ''[[Gusuku]]'' fortresses began to be built on Kumejima around the same time as their first appearance on Okinawa Island, in the 13th-14th centuries.<ref>Smits, 18-26.</ref>