Government Island (Pacifica): Difference between revisions
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'''Government Island''', or less frequently '''Midway Island''' (Peonic: ''XX''; [[Sedunnic language (Pacifica)|Sedunnic]]: ''Beness''; etc), is a [[Condominium]] located in the [[List of bodies of water of the South Pacific (Pacifica)#Brevero Sea|Brevero Sea]], in the centre of the [[List of bodies of water of the South Pacific (Pacifica)#South Pacific Ocean)|South Pacific Ocean]]. | '''Government Island''', or less frequently '''Midway Island''' (Peonic: ''XX''; [[Sedunnic language (Pacifica)|Sedunnic]]: ''Beness''; etc), is a [[Condominium]] located in the [[List of bodies of water of the South Pacific (Pacifica)#Brevero Sea|Brevero Sea]], in the centre of the [[List of bodies of water of the South Pacific (Pacifica)#South Pacific Ocean)|South Pacific Ocean]]. Covering an area of 221 km<sup>2</sup>, the island is characterised by a rocky shoreline, steep hills and sparse vegetation. It lacks major sources of fresh water which must be imported. Citizens of signatories of the Treaty of NN are allowed to disembark on the island. Permanent residency is hard to obtain and may be granted by the Government Island Council. The population varies between seasons and reaches its maximum during the South Pacific Summer. The main urban areas are New Docks and Bantam Harbour. | ||
== Etymology == | == Etymology == | ||
The [[Austral language (Pacifica)|Austral]] name Government Island first appears in ZZ maps during the Pirate Wars, likely referring to being the seat of the pirate kings and the pirate governance. The less frequently used name Midway Island refers to its position, roughly equidistant between Cordilia and Bailtem. | The [[Austral language (Pacifica)|Austral]] name Government Island first appears in ZZ maps during the [[Pirate Wars (Pacifica)|Pirate Wars]], likely referring to being the seat of the pirate kings and the pirate governance. The less frequently used name Midway Island refers to its position, roughly equidistant between [[South Pacific (Pacifica)#Cordilia |Cordilia]] and [[South Pacific (Pacifica)#Bailtem|Bailtem]]. Midway Island is likely a translation loan from one of the early seafaring nations, like [[Sedunn (Pacifica)|Sedunn]], [[Karnetvor (Pacifica)|Karnetvor]] or [[Huawan (Pacifica)|Huawan]]. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
There is no evidence of humans visiting the island until the exploration and trading expeditions of the early | There is no evidence of humans visiting the island until the exploration and trading expeditions of the early 15th century. Situated midway between Cordilia and Bailtem, the island was an important node in the early cross-Pacific trade where supplies could be stored and exchanged. Several nations competed for control over the island, but none were successful in ousting its competitors. Lack of a clear jurisdiction led to lawlessness and the gradual increase in piracy. By the 17th century the island had become the major pirate stronghold, severely threatening the cross-Pacific trade. Power was centralised in Bantam Harbour, a centuries old natural anchorage under a pirate king. A fort was built near Bantam Harbour to control and protect Druck Strait, the only access point to the harbour. Several smaller towns were founded, the most notable example being Jin Lin in the north-west. There are few surviving structures, but contemporary witnesses described Bantam Harbour as "lavish" and "royal" in architecture. | ||
Piracy culminated in the Pirate Wars where major naval powers deployed their navies to end it. Severely weakened by the war, the pirates pledged to stop attacking ships crossing the ocean and where in return granted sovereignty of Government Island, founding the [[Free State (Pacifica)|Free State]]. | |||
=== Discovery === | === Discovery === | ||
=== Colonial era === | === Colonial era === | ||
Revision as of 22:53, 5 September 2020
 Location of Government Island in the South Pacific | |
 Topographic map of Government Island | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Brevero Sea |
| Archipelago | Bunker Islands |
| Area | 221 km2 (85 sq mi) |
| Length | 20 km2 |
| Width | 18 km2 |
| Administration | |
| Largest settlement | New Docks |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 5,000 to 20,000 (depending on season) |
| Languages | Austral |
| Ethnic groups | Peonic, Karnetvorian, Gianlucan, Sedunnic |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone |
|
Government Island, or less frequently Midway Island (Peonic: XX; Sedunnic: Beness; etc), is a Condominium located in the Brevero Sea, in the centre of the South Pacific Ocean. Covering an area of 221 km2, the island is characterised by a rocky shoreline, steep hills and sparse vegetation. It lacks major sources of fresh water which must be imported. Citizens of signatories of the Treaty of NN are allowed to disembark on the island. Permanent residency is hard to obtain and may be granted by the Government Island Council. The population varies between seasons and reaches its maximum during the South Pacific Summer. The main urban areas are New Docks and Bantam Harbour.
Etymology
The Austral name Government Island first appears in ZZ maps during the Pirate Wars, likely referring to being the seat of the pirate kings and the pirate governance. The less frequently used name Midway Island refers to its position, roughly equidistant between Cordilia and Bailtem. Midway Island is likely a translation loan from one of the early seafaring nations, like Sedunn, Karnetvor or Huawan.
History
There is no evidence of humans visiting the island until the exploration and trading expeditions of the early 15th century. Situated midway between Cordilia and Bailtem, the island was an important node in the early cross-Pacific trade where supplies could be stored and exchanged. Several nations competed for control over the island, but none were successful in ousting its competitors. Lack of a clear jurisdiction led to lawlessness and the gradual increase in piracy. By the 17th century the island had become the major pirate stronghold, severely threatening the cross-Pacific trade. Power was centralised in Bantam Harbour, a centuries old natural anchorage under a pirate king. A fort was built near Bantam Harbour to control and protect Druck Strait, the only access point to the harbour. Several smaller towns were founded, the most notable example being Jin Lin in the north-west. There are few surviving structures, but contemporary witnesses described Bantam Harbour as "lavish" and "royal" in architecture.
Piracy culminated in the Pirate Wars where major naval powers deployed their navies to end it. Severely weakened by the war, the pirates pledged to stop attacking ships crossing the ocean and where in return granted sovereignty of Government Island, founding the Free State.