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'''Truk '''or the '''Truk islands''' (Daxian:''椰子岛'') is a territory of [[Daxia|the Republic of Daxia]] consisting of an archipelago with six islands. The islands are Iman, Hutau, Sinta, Chunma, Anako and Parapo. The archipelago is located on the eastern end of the [[Polynesian Sea]] far to the southwest of [[Vallos]] and east of [[Rapa Rapa]]. The islands saw the rise of the independent | '''Truk '''or the '''Truk islands''' (Daxian:''椰子岛'') is a territory of [[Daxia|the Republic of Daxia]] consisting of an archipelago with six islands. The islands are Iman, Hutau, Sinta, Chunma, Anako and Parapo. The archipelago is located on the eastern end of the [[Polynesian Sea]] far to the southwest of [[Vallos]] and east of [[Rapa Rapa]] and the [[Saukhin Islands]]. The Truk islands saw the rise of the independent Muslim Emirate of Truk in the 13th century. The emirate was a minor power on its own right before its conquest four hundred years later at the hands of [[Daxia]]s Qian dynasty during the [[Capture of Truk|capture of Truk]]. Daxian-controlled Truk served an important role in interoceanic trade and cultural exchanges between [[Daxia]] and the nations of west [[Sarpedon]]. | ||
Today the islands remain an important waystation for oceanic trade between eastern [[Audonia]] and [[Sarpedon]] and [[Vallos]] and also a tourist destination for visitors from mainland [[Daxia]]. The local economy is mostly dependent on tourism, commercial fishing and ship insurance services; the traditional saltpeter industry mostly drying up in the 19th century due to failing mines. Truk has long had an autonomous government, which has contributed greatly to social and political stability and also the thriving of political Islam on the island. The island is currently governed by the [[People's Justice Party (Daxia)|People's Justice Party]] with the [[Party of Daxian Democrats]] as junior coalition partner. | |||
==Etymology== | |||
The origin of the name Truk is believed to have originated with the now extinct original Trukian lingua franca, a dialect of polynesian origin. In the very incomplete records known to exist, the word Truk is interpreted to mean either Mountain or Hill in probable reference to the main island's most distinguishing topographical feature, Mount Zandalay. | |||
==Geography== | |||
===Climate=== | |||
The Truk islands have a tropical rainforest climate. The weather is warm, humid and rainy all year round. The islands are located north of the equator and are affected by constant trade winds, which temper the climate. Minimum temperatures range all year round between 22 and 25 °C, and maximum temperatures between 30 and 32 °C. The abundant precipitations oscillate between 2500 and 5000 mm per year, although in the faces oriented to the wind they can surpass 6000 mm. | |||
Mount Zandalay, only 750 meters high, on the island of Anako, receives an average of 10,160 mm, being one of the rainiest places on earth, with almost always overcast skies. In general, the rains are produced by showers and storms of short duration but very intense. The driest places are the flat atolls, where rainfall can drop below 3000 mm. The driest months are January and February, with no less than 250 mm and 20 days of rain. | |||
{{Weather box | |||
|width = auto | |||
| location = Truk | |||
| metric first = Yes | |||
| single line = Yes | |||
| Jan high C = 29.9 | |||
| Feb high C = 30.0 | |||
| Mar high C = 30.2 | |||
| Apr high C = 30.2 | |||
| May high C = 30.3 | |||
| Jun high C = 30.4 | |||
| Jul high C = 30.6 | |||
| Aug high C = 30.8 | |||
| Sep high C = 30.9 | |||
| Oct high C = 30.9 | |||
| Nov high C = 30.7 | |||
| Dec high C = 30.3 | |||
| Jan mean C = 26.8 | |||
| Feb mean C = 26.9 | |||
| Mar mean C = 27.1 | |||
| Apr mean C = 26.9 | |||
| May mean C = 26.9 | |||
| Jun mean C = 26.8 | |||
| Jul mean C = 26.6 | |||
| Aug mean C = 26.7 | |||
| Sep mean C = 26.8 | |||
| Oct mean C = 26.8 | |||
| Nov mean C = 26.8 | |||
| Dec mean C = 27.0 | |||
| year mean C = | |||
| Jan low C = 23.8 | |||
| Feb low C = 23.9 | |||
| Mar low C = 24.0 | |||
| Apr low C = 23.7 | |||
| May low C = 23.6 | |||
| Jun low C = 23.3 | |||
| Jul low C = 22.7 | |||
| Aug low C = 22.6 | |||
| Sep low C = 22.7 | |||
| Oct low C = 22.7 | |||
| Nov low C = 22.9 | |||
| Dec low C = 23.7 | |||
|precipitation colour = green | |||
|Jan precipitation mm=377 | |||
|Feb precipitation mm=279 | |||
|Mar precipitation mm=353 | |||
|Apr precipitation mm=462 | |||
|May precipitation mm=502 | |||
|Jun precipitation mm=464 | |||
|Jul precipitation mm=504 | |||
|Aug precipitation mm=515 | |||
|Sep precipitation mm=464 | |||
|Oct precipitation mm=469 | |||
|Nov precipitation mm=421 | |||
|Dec precipitation mm=392 | |||
|source 1 = Ixnay Climatological Society | |||
}} | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Prehistory=== | ===Prehistory=== | ||
| Line 120: | Line 187: | ||
===Emirate of Truk=== | ===Emirate of Truk=== | ||
====Arrival of Islam==== | ====Arrival of Islam==== | ||
In the year 1251 an Islamic mystic by the name of [[Sayed Ali Qumi]] arrived by accident on the islands with a few companions after being shipwrecked in a storm. Qumi proceeded to successfully spread Islam to the people of Imarli by recounting the martial prowess of the [[Oduniyyad Caliphate|Oduniyyad]] caliphs As the people of Truk did not have alcohol or pigs, | In the year 1251 an Islamic mystic by the name of [[Sayed Ali Qumi]] arrived by accident on the islands with a few companions after being shipwrecked in a storm. Qumi proceeded to successfully spread Islam to the people of Imarli by recounting the martial prowess of the [[Oduniyyad Caliphate|Oduniyyad]] caliphs and the apparent favor and good fortune shown to them by God. As the people of Truk did not have alcohol or pigs, forbidding their consumption was not an obstacle to conversion. The King of Truk of the day adopted the islamic first name of Akhmat Bagusid to signal his new piety and began to style himself as emir, in imitation of Muslim rulers under Oduniyyad suzerainty. Under the Bagusids, the damage done to the islands during the Jaws of Hunger was slowly undone and a prosperous mercantile society was built up as Truk began building bigger ships capable of ocean exploration. Imarli was known during this period as the Jewel under the Sun and the palaces and masjids of the Bagusids were adorned with intricate carpets, mother of pearl and exotic woods and silks. Truk's relative geographical isolation in this early period allowed it to expand at its leisure to nearby islands such as [[Rapa Rapa]], taken under the Emir's protection in 1265. Traditional islander notions of clan loyalty and kingly veneration were useful tools in the consolidation of the Bagusids and their power; internal upheavals were a very rare thing and existential crises only came with the arrival of foreign vessels on the [[Polynesian Sea]]. | ||
====Marwanid Fitna==== | ====Marwanid Fitna==== | ||
[[File:Codice_Casanatense_Fartaques.jpg|thumb|A painting of the fifth Emir of Truk, Selim II and his wife Radwa]] | [[File:Codice_Casanatense_Fartaques.jpg|thumb|A painting of the fifth Emir of Truk, Selim II and his wife Radwa, their marriage ended the factionalism that plagued the Bagusid dynasty.]] | ||
Succession among the Bagusids had adapted to the islamic norm of a ruler being succeeded by his brothers, not his sons. The fourth emir, Mojtaba, nonetheless groomed his eldest son Selim to succeed him despite having two brothers who would come first in the line of royal succession. Mojtaba's brothers Marwan and Hisham ruled on Hutau and Sinta and had their own bases of power and supporters at court. Selim's coming elevation to crown prince was made more apparent when his name was included next to his father's on friday prayers. On the summer of 1425 Selim was named crown prince and girded with the ceremonial jeweled blade of Qaim to signify his new status. Marwan immediately protested and together with Hisham began to organize a revolt to restore their rights. A mediation effort by the Grand Mufti failed when Mojtaba slapped his brother Marwan and demanded his brothers they cease their pretentions and give up hostages as guarantee of future good behavior. Violence erupted in the hall and a scuffle ensued in which Mojtaba was stabbed to death and his brothers fled. The grieving Selim had them declared munafiqun for murdering their brother and rising against his lawful authority. As would happen in later civil wars, the powerful magnates of the saltpeter mines joined the brothers in their revolt against central power. Selim attacked his uncles and during the first campaign Hisham was killed at the Battle of Turbe; Selim's court historian writes that Hisham was killed when struck by an arrow through his left eye. A surprise attack by saboteurs in Marwan's employ resulted in the burning of most of Selim's fleet while anchored, which delayed the assault on Hutau by eight months. Marwan's cruel and wanton behavior lost him many allies and men during Selim's second campaign such that after two consecutive defeats on the field, he had been deserted by all. He was captured, tied to a rope and weighed down with rocks before being thrown into the sea to drown. To end the enmity between the brances of the family Selim II married Radwa, the daughter of Marwan. The end of the Marwanid fitna ended the practice of agnatic seniority, transitioning to agnatic primogeniture. Later emir's usually had their brothers killed upon accession or sent them into exile away from Truk to prevent any challenges from within the royal clan. | Succession among the Bagusids had adapted to the islamic norm of a ruler being succeeded by his brothers, not his sons. The fourth emir, Mojtaba, nonetheless groomed his eldest son Selim to succeed him despite having two brothers who would come first in the line of royal succession. Mojtaba's brothers Marwan and Hisham ruled on Hutau and Sinta and had their own bases of power and supporters at court. Selim's coming elevation to crown prince was made more apparent when his name was included next to his father's on friday prayers. On the summer of 1425 Selim was named crown prince and girded with the ceremonial jeweled blade of Qaim to signify his new status. Marwan immediately protested and together with Hisham began to organize a revolt to restore their rights. A mediation effort by the Grand Mufti failed when Mojtaba slapped his brother Marwan and demanded his brothers they cease their pretentions and give up hostages as guarantee of future good behavior. Violence erupted in the hall and a scuffle ensued in which Mojtaba was stabbed to death and his brothers fled. The grieving Selim had them declared munafiqun for murdering their brother and rising against his lawful authority. As would happen in later civil wars, the powerful magnates of the saltpeter mines joined the brothers in their revolt against central power. Selim attacked his uncles and during the first campaign Hisham was killed at the Battle of Turbe; Selim's court historian writes that Hisham was killed when struck by an arrow through his left eye. A surprise attack by saboteurs in Marwan's employ resulted in the burning of most of Selim's fleet while anchored, which delayed the assault on Hutau by eight months. Marwan's cruel and wanton behavior lost him many allies and men during Selim's second campaign such that after two consecutive defeats on the field, he had been deserted by all. He was captured, tied to a rope and weighed down with rocks before being thrown into the sea to drown. To end the enmity between the brances of the family Selim II married Radwa, the daughter of Marwan. The end of the Marwanid fitna ended the practice of agnatic seniority, transitioning to agnatic primogeniture. Later emir's usually had their brothers killed upon accession or sent them into exile away from Truk to prevent any challenges from within the royal clan. | ||
====Conflicts with outsiders==== | ====Conflicts with outsiders==== | ||
| Line 132: | Line 199: | ||
What followed the overthrow of Mahmud was an ultimatum to restore his father which was rejected. Afterwards an eight month effort spearheaded by [[Daxia]]'s [[Australis]] governor, Marquis Shenbao to overthrow Akhmat. The climax of the campaign happened at the Battle of the Gates of Imarli where Akhmad's forces were decisively routed and his capital captured. Following the squashing of the remaining insurgents and the death of his only heir, Mahmud willed the Emirate to the Daxian emperor upon his death, which came two years later ending the independence of the islands. | What followed the overthrow of Mahmud was an ultimatum to restore his father which was rejected. Afterwards an eight month effort spearheaded by [[Daxia]]'s [[Australis]] governor, Marquis Shenbao to overthrow Akhmat. The climax of the campaign happened at the Battle of the Gates of Imarli where Akhmad's forces were decisively routed and his capital captured. Following the squashing of the remaining insurgents and the death of his only heir, Mahmud willed the Emirate to the Daxian emperor upon his death, which came two years later ending the independence of the islands. | ||
===Daxian dominion=== | ===Daxian dominion=== | ||
The acquisition of Truk greatly improved the [[Daxia]]n position on the [[Polynesian Sea]] and the [[Ocean of Cathay]] allowing it to greatly curtail piracy and encroachments westward by the [[Carto-Pelaxian Commonwealth]]. Supplies to [[Freda Island]] and later [[Lotoa]] could be easily intercepted from Truk; this situation resulted in a more conciliatory policy by the | The acquisition of Truk greatly improved the [[Daxia]]n strategic position on the [[Polynesian Sea]] and the [[Ocean of Cathay]] allowing it to greatly curtail piracy and encroachments westward by the [[Carto-Pelaxian Commonwealth]]. Supplies to [[Freda Island]] and later [[Lotoa]] could be easily intercepted from Truk; this situation resulted in a more conciliatory policy by the [[Sarpedon]]ians and increased trade. Politically the situation remained unsettled for some time, the transition from independence to Imperial subjugation was fraught with peril albeit the island's military potential to resist was very much depleted. Truk's existing walis who ruled on each of its islands remained in place but were now obliged to travel to [[Rakahanga|Rakin]] on [[Stenza|Australis]] and to pledge allegiance to the Emperor and secure a patent of legitimacy(by submitting tribute to the exacting amounts described in the [[Imperial Tallies (Daxia)|Imperial Tallies]]) from the imperial governor. This process later took place on [[Imarli]] when Truk was given its own governor around 1740. As the old capital, Imarli was designated to continue as the administrative center of Truk and as such saw an important influx of [[Daxia]]n settlers from the mainland, many of whom adopted Islam as their religion and eventually began to intermarry with the native Trukians (this mixed population is known as Island Daxians). There were periodic bouts of unrest and communal violence involving pogroms, these began to die down and become less recurrent upon the appointment of native born governors and the opening of positions in the bureaucracy for more locals. | ||
Truk became host to one of the most important naval bases and shipbuilding facilities operated by the [[South Seas Development Company|South Seas Trading Company]]. The company poured important sums of capital into building infrastructure (including new mosques to acquire goodwill with locals) and fostering economic growth on the islands through agricultural development. People from [[Rakahanga]] and other rural parts of [[Australis]] were also brought and settled on the islands to work, but they were forced to convert to Islam. The authorities of Truk nominally claimed overlordship of all the atolls near Truk including [[Rapa Rapa]] although actual control on the ground was intermittent. [[Rapa Rapa]] was sold in 1861 to [[Urcea]], a nation that was a newcomer in the area and had not had hostile interactions with [[Daxia]] until that point in time; the atoll was considered to be of little economic value and a waste to try and occupy permanently. | Truk became host to one of the most important naval bases and shipbuilding facilities operated by the [[South Seas Development Company|South Seas Trading Company]]. The company poured important sums of capital into building infrastructure (including new mosques to acquire goodwill with locals) and fostering economic growth on the islands through agricultural development. People from [[Rakahanga]] and other rural parts of [[Australis]] were also brought and settled on the islands to work, but they were forced to convert to Islam. The authorities of Truk nominally claimed overlordship of all the atolls near Truk including [[Rapa Rapa]] although actual control on the ground was intermittent. [[Rapa Rapa]] was sold in 1861 to [[Urcea]], a nation that was a newcomer in the area and had not had hostile interactions with [[Daxia]] until that point in time; the atoll was considered to be of little economic value and a waste to try and occupy permanently. | ||
====Modern period==== | ====Modern period==== | ||
The islands were known as '''Fortress Truk''' during the [[Second Great War]] and they were one of the key lynchpins of [[Daxia]]n power projection in the [[Polynesian Sea]] during the conflict and vital to communication lines with the [[Caphirian]] co belligerent. The islands were the staging point for raids on [[Levantia]]n possessions such as [[Rapa Rapa]] and [[Sudmoll]] and the Cathay squadron of Daxia's navy was based there to try and secure the transit of trade convoys between [[Caphiria]] and [[Daxia]]. Later in the war as the naval war turned south, the navy withdrew most of its vessels west to naval ports in [[Zhijun]] but the defenses of Truk were robust enough that enemy operational planners considered it impractical to try taking over the islands although some raids were staged. The war left a lasting distaste for the Rapans, who are seen as stooges and collaborators of [[Urcea]] and [[Burgundie]] even to this day. | [[File:Jeddah_Corniche_36.jpg|thumb|[[Sayed Ali Qumi]] boulevard on Imarli]] | ||
The islands were known as '''Fortress Truk''' during the [[Second Great War]] and they were one of the key lynchpins of [[Daxia]]n power projection in the [[Polynesian Sea]] during the conflict and vital to communication lines with the [[Caphirian]] co belligerent. The islands were the staging point for raids on [[Levantia]]n possessions such as [[Rapa Rapa]] and [[Sudmoll]] and the Cathay squadron of Daxia's navy was based there to try and secure the transit of trade convoys between [[Caphiria]] and [[Daxia]]. Later in the war as the naval war turned south, the navy withdrew most of its vessels west to naval ports in [[Zhijun]] but the defenses of Truk were robust enough that enemy operational planners considered it impractical to try taking over the islands although some raids were staged. The war left a lasting distaste for the Rapans, who are seen as stooges and collaborators of [[Urcea]] and [[Burgundie]] even to this day. The immediate end of the war saw a period of deprivation and unrest as the downfall of the imperial system on the mainland disrupted the chains of supply to Truk. The new [[National Reconstruction Front (Daxia)|republican government]] did not see the islands as a great priority but they did take the opportunity to tamp down on their autonomy by imposing a governor from the mainland and banning all independent political activity. An Emirate revivalist movement gained popularity during this era, agitating for independence before being snuffed out in the 1960's by the security services. President [[Min Bib Doda]] made a decision to restore the political autonomy system in 1979 and worked to restore economic viability to [[Daxia]]'s overseas districts. The change from [[National Reconstruction Front (Daxia)|NRF]] to [[Party of Daxian Democrats|PDD]] government on the mainland was a seamless affair for Truk, the local government continued to receive generous subsidies and privileges that ensure it remains politically docile to the central government. | |||
The | The [[People's Justice Party (Daxia)|People's Justice Party]], a formerly opposition movement rooted in political Islamism was legalized by [[Min Bib Doda]] in his last year in office, after the PJP dropped references to armed struggle and terrorism as legitimate avenues to effect political change from its program. The party had its strongest electoral showing in 2005 when it captured the governorship in alliance with the local branch of the [[Party of Daxian Democrats|PDD]]; the coalition is known as the Red and Yellow Alliance. Truk is the only province of [[Daxia]] where the [[Party of Daxian Democrats|PDD]] operates as the junior political partner, in what observers consider a long running experiment from the government. The [[People's Justice Party (Daxia)|People's Justice Party]] led government firmly opposes any form of separatism and extremism that it believes emanate from certain quarters of the [[Islamic Development Party]], which it has attempted to ban from contesting elections on three separate occasions. | ||
==Economy== | ==Economy== | ||
[[File:Kumquat_from_Spain.jpg|thumb|Kumquats are grown in Truk all year round]] | [[File:Kumquat_from_Spain.jpg|thumb|Kumquats are grown in Truk all year round]] | ||
Truk's economy is based around fishing, agriculture (mostly spices, cassava, sago and tropical fruits), ship breaking and a small but growing industrial sector producing consumer goods for the internal market. Truk has a sizable fishing fleet and has an agreement with the central government wherein non Truk based fishing vessels that can operate in the archipelago's waters cannot exceed a specific tonnage. Up to 30,000 tons of fish (mainly tuna) are taken yearly from the waters around Truk. Agriculture supports about | Truk's economy is based around fishing, agriculture (mostly spices, cassava, sago and tropical fruits), ship breaking and a small but growing industrial sector producing consumer goods for the internal market. Truk has a sizable fishing fleet and has an agreement with the central government wherein non Truk based fishing vessels that can operate in the archipelago's waters cannot exceed a specific tonnage. Up to 30,000 tons of fish (mainly tuna) are taken yearly from the waters around Truk. Agriculture supports about thirty percent of the population and supplied about forty percent of exports as of 2025. Two agricultural zones are generally defined: the coastal areas, which range in elevation from sea level to 400 meters and which supports cash crops such as vanilla, kumquats and cloves; and the highlands, which support cultivation of crops for domestic consumption, such as cassava, bananas and sweet potatoes. As the population increased, food grown for domestic use met fewer and fewer of Truk's needs. Data collected by the [[Audonia Development Bank]] showed that food production per capita fell about twelve percent from 1980 to 1987. The island imports virtually all its meat and vegetables; rice imports alone often account for up to thirty percent of the value of all imports. | ||
Truk has a strong tourist sector, hundreds of thousands of visitors from the mainland and [[Sarpedon]] flock annually to the island's beaches and densely jungled interior, visit the monumental ruins of the Melat kingdom and admire the eclectic mix of Muslim, polynesian and Daxian architecture. Nonetheless of late the growth of the Islamic Development Party and its anti-alcohol agenda and stances on modest dressing have represented a headache for Truk's hospitality sectors leading to occasional dips in room occupation, especially during election season when the party's | Truk has a strong and robust tourist sector, hundreds of thousands of visitors from the mainland and [[Sarpedon]] flock annually to the island's beaches and densely jungled interior, visit the monumental ruins of the Melat kingdom and admire the eclectic mix of Muslim, polynesian and Daxian architecture and cuisine. Nonetheless of late the growth of the Islamic Development Party and its anti-alcohol agenda and stances on modest dressing have represented a headache for Truk's hospitality sectors leading to occasional dips in room occupation, especially during election season when the party's rhetoric grows louder and is amplified on social media. Truk is also one of the centers of maritime insurance on the [[Ocean of Cathay]] with many firms dedicated to it having their offices on the islands. | ||
==Government and Politics== | ==Government and Politics== | ||
[[File:PJP.jpg|thumb|Abdurrahman Mokhtar, Leader of the People's Justice Party and Governor of Truk]] | [[File:PJP.jpg|thumb|Abdurrahman Mokhtar, Leader of the People's Justice Party and Governor of Truk]] | ||