Escal Isles: Difference between revisions
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The '''Escal Isles''', also known informally as '''Escal''', are a Caphirian colonial Possession and archipelago in the [[Okatian Sea]] in [[Australis]]. The native population of the Escal Isles archipelago call the islands ''' | The '''Escal Isles''', also known informally as '''Escal''', are a Caphirian colonial Possession and archipelago in the [[Okatian Sea]] in [[Australis]]. The native population of the Escal Isles archipelago call the islands '''Tûsapuopelũ'''. The five main islands are (from largest to smallest in area): Selangai, Koráng, Fata'ukula, Trichi, and Laukasori. The archipelago includes many smaller islands and islets, including Taruri, Ayothaburi, Tuy Liêu, Mata'alanga, Phakéo, and Osinas. It also includes a number of rocks, including those of Neplona, Tsuvia, Atlaria, and Azhane. Collectively, the Escal Isles have a total area of 20,927 km<sup>2</sup> and population of 884,450. [[Cătare]], is the capital and main port of Escal, located on the island Selangai. | ||
Due to their remoteness, the Escal Isles and the Austral region were among the last large habitable landmasses to be settled by humans. Although the original settlement of the Escal Isles is not entirely clear, linguistic, genetic, and archaeological analyses indicate that indigenous peoples were living on the archipelago at least 2000 years ago but possibly one thousand years or more before, and that they shared a common origin with [[Koré'hetanùa]]. The Escal Isles are home to a large and unique indigenous ethnic group known as the Sivumawai, who have been living there since approximately AD 1000. From the 14th century onward, numerous visits were made by sailors from the [[Occidental world]]. Francisio Moda, a Caphirian navigator from the Third Imperium, was the first Caphirian to land on Escal in 1331. After Moda's voyage, several Caphirian missionaries launched exhibitions to Escal from 1340 to 1397. Christianity quickly took hold in the culture and many islanders are Christians today. No immediate colonisation occurred following Moda's discovery; however, a variety of settlers from various backgrounds made their home on the islands, including pirates, shipwrecked sailors, and deserters. | Due to their remoteness, the Escal Isles and the Austral region were among the last large habitable landmasses to be settled by humans. Although the original settlement of the Escal Isles is not entirely clear, linguistic, genetic, and archaeological analyses indicate that indigenous peoples were living on the archipelago at least 2000 years ago but possibly one thousand years or more before, and that they shared a common origin with [[Koré'hetanùa]]. The Escal Isles are home to a large and unique indigenous ethnic group known as the Sivumawai, who have been living there since approximately AD 1000. From the 14th century onward, numerous visits were made by sailors from the [[Occidental world]]. Francisio Moda, a Caphirian navigator from the Third Imperium, was the first Caphirian to land on Escal in 1331. After Moda's voyage, several Caphirian missionaries launched exhibitions to Escal from 1340 to 1397. Christianity quickly took hold in the culture and many islanders are Christians today. No immediate colonisation occurred following Moda's discovery; however, a variety of settlers from various backgrounds made their home on the islands, including pirates, shipwrecked sailors, and deserters. | ||
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The Escal Isles are a major tourist destination, with over 10 million visitors per year. This is due to their beaches, subtropical climate, and important natural attractions. The islands have warm summers and winters, owing to its predominantly temperate maritime climate and includes green areas as well as desert areas. The islands’ high mountains are ideal for astronomical observation, because they lie above the temperature inversion layer. As a result, the archipelago boasts two professional observatories - the Watihana Observatory on Selangai and the Lomasori Observatory on Koráng. | The Escal Isles are a major tourist destination, with over 10 million visitors per year. This is due to their beaches, subtropical climate, and important natural attractions. The islands have warm summers and winters, owing to its predominantly temperate maritime climate and includes green areas as well as desert areas. The islands’ high mountains are ideal for astronomical observation, because they lie above the temperature inversion layer. As a result, the archipelago boasts two professional observatories - the Watihana Observatory on Selangai and the Lomasori Observatory on Koráng. | ||
== Etymology == | == Etymology == | ||
The native population of the Escal Isles archipelago | The native population of the Escal Isles archipelago refer to their land as ''Tûsapuopelũ,'' an Austronesian word that roughly translates to "from the ten turtlebacks". This is derived from their founding mythology which states that the landmasses that form the island chain are actually giant turtle shells, given to the indigenous population as a gift. This is reflected in the reverence that the natives show turtles and tortoises found across the islands. The word "escal" became associated with the archipelago during the Occidental colonial period, after the discovery of ''Escalcarachelys gigantea,'' known as the Giant Escalcaric Tortoise, by naturalist Maurențiu Escalcarico. Escalcarico discovered and named several endemic species to the region after himself, which made him a very popular and recognizable name to those back in Sarpedon reading or hearing stories about the strange and marvelous creatures at the edge of the world. | ||
= History = | = History = | ||
=Geography = | =Geography = | ||