Lotoa

Lotoa Tolu Manatu (Lotoan)
State
State of Lotoa Estado da Lotoa
Flag Seal
Nickname:  The Land of Dreams
Motto(s):  Motu faavavau Surgam
Anthem: Parataiso, lo tatou fale
Map of Cartadania with Lotoa highlighted
Country	Cartadania
Before statehood	Territory of Lotoa
Admitted to the Union	3 January 2029 (33rd)
Capital (and largest city)	Laaula
Largest metro	Greater Laaula
Government
• Governor	Emele Mahina
• Lieutenant Governor	Penina Anae
Legislature	Lotoa Royal Assembly
• Upper house	Senate
• Lower house	Council of Envoys
Judiciary	Supreme Court of Lotoa
Senators	3
Chamber delegation	5
Area
• Total	1,431.2 km2 (552.6 sq mi)
• Rank	32nd
Elevation	40 m (130 ft)
Highest elevation (Mauna Oha)	4,013.7 m (13,168.3 ft)
Lowest elevation (Ocean of Cathay/Polynesian Sea)	0 m (0 ft)
Population
• Total	3,045,238
• Rank	32nd
• Density	2,100/km2 (5,500/sq mi)
• Median household income	€91,414
• Income rank	1st
Demonym	Lotoan
Language
• Official language	none
• Spoken language	Cartadanian Lotoan Stenzan
Time zone	UTC-10:00 (Orixtal Mean Time)
CCor abbreviation	LT
ISO 3166 code	CA-LT
Trad. abbreviation	Lotoa
Website	www.lotoa.gov.ca

Lotoa state symbols
Flag of Lotoa
Coat of arms of Lotoa
Living insignia
Amphibian	Common coquí
Bird	ʻApapane
Butterfly	Large orange sulphur
Flower	Coast cottonwood
Mammal	Monk seal
Reptile	Gold dust day gecko
Tree	Coast cottonwood
Inanimate insignia
Dance	'Aparima
Food	Vira-vira
Fossil	Tylosaurus
Gemstone	Peridot
Mineral	Olivine
Motto	Motu faavavau
Nickname	The Land of Dreams
Shell	Queen conch
Song	Parataiso, lo tatou fale
Sport	Va'a Fa'ase'e
State route marker
Lotoa state route marker
List of Cartadanian state symbols

Lotoa, officially the State of Lotoa (Cartadanian: Estado da Lotoa, Lotoan: Tolu Manatu), is a state of Cartadania located at the confluence western Polynesian Sea and eastern Ocean of Cathay in the Polynesia region. Inhabited for nearly 4,000 years, the archipelago has some of the most distinct culture among all of Cartadania's territories, and the federal government has implemented many regulations regarding the retention of the culture and heritage. With an area of approximately 1,398.6 square kilometres (540.0 sq mi), the territory is quite small. On its three islands live around 651,753 people, many of whom are of Lotoan descent, and a little more than a third of the population lives in the capital city, Laaula

History

The archipelago that constitutes the territory of Lotoa has been inhabited by Polynesian peoples for nearly 4,000 years and is the outermost island chain in the Polynesian Sea. Formed by the Ahinui volcanic hotspot beginning some 0.2 Ma ago, Lotoa was (and still is) one of the fastest growing island chains on the planet.

The origins of the people of Lotoa are addressed in the theories regarding the migration into the Polynesian Sea that began about 4000 years ago. During pre-Latinic-contact times, there was frequent canoe voyaging between the nearer islands. Two of the three islands of Lotoa were inhabited but all three islands were known. This explains the origin of the archipelago's native name, Tolu Manatu, which means "three points" in Lotoan. Possible evidence of human-made fires in the Caves of Vanu Lanumeamata suggests humans may have occupied the islands for thousands of years. The area was not completely isolated; later, voyagers from Stenza and other nearby islands introduced some Austronesian cultural aspects. Intermarriage and intense navigation between the islands tended to blur cultural differences and resulted in a significant degree of cultural homogenization.

Cartadanian arrival

The direct path of how Cartadanians arrived at the Lotoan archipelago is unknown, especially given the time it was discovered in the early 18th century. Many speculate it was an offshoot due to severe weather en route to Crona which lead Cartadanian vessels to land in Lotoa. With tropical cyclones blowing easterly south of the equator, it would not have been entirely implausible. Evidence of Cartadanian arrival and intermixing with locals was not well evidenced until 1731, with the full establishment of the then-Cartadanian territories of Ceylonia, Galicia, and Porlos. It was around this time that Cartadanian cartographers set out to map the southern hemisphere, which was not known to their maps in detail at the time. In the 1760s, Cartadania established a full time connection with a tiny kingdom they came across on the archipelago, known as the Queendom of Tolu Manatu. Despite linguistic barriers and a distance of nearly one-quarter the globe, the Cartadanians and Lotoans maintained a trading partnership of sorts. In turn for their advancements and cultural differences, they began teaching each other their respective languages and the Queen of Tolu Manatu allowed the cartographers to document their findings and explore the islands.

Early relations

Queen Apikaila in her resting days.

With the extreme urbanization and explosive growth of metropolitan Cartadania in the late 1790s to early 1800s, Alahuela sought to introduce Lotoa to the rest of the world, which was the complete opposite of what several of Lotoa's high council desired. Many of them wanted to retain their way of life and remain severed from the rest of the world as to avoid potential troubles such as war or more extreme outcomes. As a direct response, Alahuela offered to protect Lotoa with its armed forces and do its best to retain the local culture.

Queen Apikaila, now in her mid-80s, was beginning to show signs of her age as she began to slow down and spend more time out. Though its not well documented in its historic records, Queen Apikaila desired to keep the islands protected and retain their way of life. Though she saw the changes to Lotoa as inevitable, she sent off a request to Alahuela–in the event that we fully become a part of the greater nation of Cartadania after my passing, I request only that [the] culture of Tolu Manatu be retained in its most pure essence. Queen Apikaila passed on her 95th birthday.

A painting of the University of Alexandria's Library that she brought back to Lotoa after her travels.

Following her passing, the ties between Cartadania and Lotoa began to strain a bit, most notably with the influence of Koré'hetanùa, a nearby Polynesian country southwest of Lotoa. In the years of the 1950s, Congress once again reached out to Laaula to try and foster a stronger connection with Lotoa, but was shut out by much of the high council again, as it was during Queen Apikaila's rule. One individual in particular, then-current ruler of the islands, Princess Telila, who had traveled to Alahuela and much of the occident as well, was optimistic of the life Lotoans could have if they embraced Alahuela in a "symbiotic" relation. Many of the council called her a traitor and biased as she had a Cartadanian father, but she did her best to reassure them that Lotoa was her home and she only wanted what was best for it. As an effort to prove to her council that it would be to their benefit, Princes Telila took a six month trip to Cartadania, where she explored different parts of the country and documented her findings with notes and sketches to bring back. Upon her return, the council was in quite a different mindset, in awe of not only her return but what she brought back with her. Her efforts alone saw Lotoa's eventual ascension to Territory of Second Class.

Territorial period

One of the battleships that some Lotoans crewed during the Great War.

During the early 1900s, Tolu Manatu was considered a Territory of Second Class, which gave its citizens the right to travel freely to metropolitan Cartadania and its other territories, but limited its rights within the union as compared to territories of First Class, which enjoyed much of the same freedoms as the states. Though Cartadania kept to its promises of protection and retention of the archipelago's culture, the Second Great War increasingly strained Cartadania to the point of Congress essentially exhausting a large portion of its resources to the islands. Though its consequences were short lived, the short-term impact was quite severe as many living in the islands had grown accustomed to the way of life introduced to them. In hearing of the war, many of the Cartadanian-born residents left the islands to serve in the war, leaving behind many families and children. Perhaps ironically, a large swath of Lotoans also enlisted and traveled to Amar in Porta Bianca, where they assisted in improving maritime travel technology and served mostly in the Navy, as they had great experience in being on the water for extended periods of time.

Following the war's closing and Cartadania's expulsion of Galicia and Porlos, Congress again set its sights on Lotoa, this time with way more ability and money to boot. Again, Lotoa began a time of prosperity and Cartadania introduced new technologies to the islands, such as cars. Lotoa's high council, to the surprise of now-Queen Telila, advocated for the full inclusion of Lotoa into the union, and Congress, seeing it as an opportunity to expand its knowledge base and other aspects of its union, accepted this concept of a fully-integrated territory. Thus, the process began as it had with many other territories, to determine the conditions and codes of the new territory, and on 3 January 1980, Lotoa became a Territory of First Class and was the most recent territory to do so until Santa Domenica followed suit in 2008.

Geography

The Lotoan archipelago lies within the broader Ahi’anui Rift Zone in the western Polynesian Sea, characterized by its volcanic origin. As a result, volcanic activity is a common occurrence across the islands, albeit rarely causing significant damage to inhabited areas. Laititi, the smallest of the three islands, currently exhibits the highest volcanic activity, with a minor eruption ongoing as of March 2030. Geographically, the archipelago stands as the most isolated Polynesian chain, situated farthest from any major landmass, especially when compared to island groups like Zhijun and Sudmoll off the coast of Peratra, or even Saukhin and Rapa Rapa, which are geographically closer to Vallos.

Climate

Lotoa, akin to much of tropical Polynesia, exhibits a remarkably consistent climate throughout the year. Average temperatures typically range between 21 and 31 °C (70 and 88 °F), with minimal seasonal fluctuations. The capital city of Laaula, on the island of Anamua, has recorded its lowest temperature at 16 °C (61 °F) and its highest at 34 °C (93 °F). The equatorial climate pattern ensures relatively stable and moderate weather conditions across the archipelago.

Demographics

Ethnic origin in Lotoa
Ethnicity			Percentage
Vallo-Polynesian			39.2%
Cartadanian			24.2%
Cronan			14.6%
Alshari			9.3%
Lato-Romance or other Sarpedonian			6.1%
Levantine			3.3%
Coscivian			2.1%
Uncertain			1.2%

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1950	637,356	—
1960	732,972	+15.0%
1970	843,416	+15.1%
1980	989,944	+17.4%
1990	1,162,254	+17.4%
2000	1,365,569	+17.5%
2010	2,207,578	+61.7%
2020	2,591,813	+17.4%
2030	3,045,238	+17.5%

The Cartadania Office of the Census concluded the 2030 Census on 31 December 2030, recognizing Lotoa’s population to be 3,045,238, positioning the state as the twenty-sixth-most populous federal unit within Cartadania. Lotoa exhibits a population density of 466 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,210/sq mi), establishing it as the fourth-most densely populated unit in the country. The population tends to be heavily concentrated on the islands' coasts, though some inland communities, like Vanu Lanumeamata in Anamua County, do exist.

According to the census and unsurprisingly, the majority of Lotoa’s population in 2030 identified with Polynesian descent, comprising 39.2% of the total population, followed by individuals of Cartadanian and Sarpedonian Romance descent at 24.2%. Cronan ancestry, attributed to historical migrations akin to those observed in northern Vallos and recent influxes due to conflicts in Varshan, accounted for 14.6% of the population. Individuals of Alshari descent, primarily of Corummese origin from the nearby insular territory of Zhijun, constituted 9.3% of the population, showing variable demographic shifts. Those of Caphirian and other Latin-adjacent descents represented 6.1% of the population. The remaining 8.6% reported diverse or uncertain ancestral backgrounds.

Health

Leialii Health Anamua Medical Center, one of the state's largest hospitals.

Lotoa exhibits a robust health profile characterized by a high standard of living and access to comprehensive healthcare services. With a life expectancy of 81.5 years for males and 85.2 years for females, Lotoans enjoy longevity above global averages. The population maintains a balanced sex ratio close to parity, with a slight male predominance at birth. Healthcare infrastructure in Lotoa is well-developed, supported by a universal healthcare system that ensures equitable access to medical services for all residents. Lotoa benefits from Cartadania’s commitment to healthcare infrastructure development, healthcare professional training, and adoption of modern healthcare technologies, including telemedicine. Public health initiatives in Lotoa are tailored to address local health challenges, encompassing disease prevention, health promotion, and environmental health considerations. The prevalence of waterborne diseases remains a focal point due to the population’s frequent interaction with bodies of water, necessitating stringent preventive measures. Laititi County is also of particular concern due to its volcanic activity, which occasionally results in ashfall events.

Under the oversight of Cartadania’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), healthcare standards in Lotoa are meticulously regulated. This includes monitoring healthcare facilities, ensuring the availability of essential medical resources, and maintaining adherence to national healthcare regulations and quality assurance measures. Healthcare initiatives in Lotoa are integrated with cultural practices and community engagement, reflecting the archipelago’s emphasis on outdoor activities, traditional customs, and promoting overall physical and mental well-being among its populace.

Languages

The official federal language of Cartadania is Cartadanian, consequently making it the primary language for business, government, and education in the state of Lotoa. However, following the enactment of the Cultural Retention Act of 1980, the Cartadanian Congress has actively safeguarded and promoted the concurrent use of the Lotoan language within the state’s territorial boundaries. As a result, approximately 50% of the population in Lotoa reports speaking Lotoan at home, encompassing both individuals born within the state and those born abroad or in the Cartadanian metropole.

As of 2022, the predominant languages spoken in Lotoa are Cartadanian, utilized by 71% of the population, and Lotoan, spoken by 19% of the populace. Lotoan speakers, as do most Cartadanians, exhibit a high degree of bilingualism, with around half of the population proficient in both Cartadanian and Lotoan. The nearest linguistically related Austronesian language to Lotoan is Loa, whose speakers form a significant community within the archipelago. Additionally, Daxian constitutes the next largest linguistic group, accounting for approximately 5% of the population. All other linguistic communities, including Loa speakers, comprise less than 1% of the population each.

Religion

Artists rendition of a Lotoan Traditional Temple

Lotoa has a rather unique religious landscape amongst Cartadania's federal units. Predominantly irreligious, the state maintains a significant presence of indigenous belief systems that have been preserved and continue to play a vital role in the daily lives of its inhabitants. These indigenous practices, deeply rooted in animism, emphasize the reverence of nature, ancestral worship, and a profound connection to the land and sea. Rituals and ceremonies often involve offerings to natural deities, celebration of the lunar calendar, and communal gatherings that reinforce social cohesion and cultural identity.

Christianity, although present, constitutes a minority religion within Lotoa. Due to the limited missionary activity during Cartadanian exploration and the archipelago’s restricted contact with other nations, Christianity did not establish a substantial foothold. Currently, about 15% of the population identifies as Christian, with recent years witnessing gradual growth in the Christian community. This growth is attributed to increased interactions with external communities and a slow but steady influx of missionaries and religious organizations.

In addition to indigenous beliefs and Christianity, Lotoa also accommodates a small but diverse array of other religious practices, reflective of the archipelago’s increasingly cosmopolitan character. These include minor representations of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, primarily among expatriates and immigrants. However, these communities remain small and largely centered in urban areas.

Economy

Formosa Resort, Uafalima, Saleita District

Lotoa's economy is dominated by the tourism and agriculture sectors, accounting for 63% of the territory's economy. Vanilla, taro, sugar, coconuts, and various fruits form a large portion of the agricultural sector. Alahuela has recently spent more time in attempting to diversify Lotoa's economy, chiefly through further improvement of the archipelago's infrastructure. Laaula is undergoing an aggressive urbanization project valued at €200 billion, which would overturn a large portion of the city's outdated infrastructure. Developers have included locals in all aspects of the development of the city and it has generated a large amount of jobs and excitement around the future of Lotoa.

Alahuela's goal is to have Lotoa transform into a highly developed market economy by 2040, which many have cited as ambitious but applaud the government's commitment to developing the islands. In keeping with it's cultural identity, Lotoa's economy does still have ties to its Polynesian neighbors. Many large corporations have invested in the archipelago and, despite how remote the island group is, some have decided to relocate their headquarters to Laaula. Large hotel chains are also a part of the development of Laaula.

Government and politics

File:Capitol, Melekeok, Palau.jpg

Lotoan Capitol building in Laaula

Lotoa is a special-case territory of Cartadania. Designated as a Territory of First Class, Lotoa is the most autonomous of Cartadania's territories, and the only one to write a majority of its laws in the same manner a state would. The biggest concern of the federal government during it's assumption of control over the archipelago was retention of and support for the Lotoan culture. Much like the federal government did with Porta Bianca during it's early territorial days, Congress incentivized relocation and development of Lotoa with support and oversight from its native populace during the first decade of it's territorial status. Unlike Porta Bianca, however, is the retention of the local language, which is co-official in the territory.

Lotoa operates much the same as the other territories in terms of government, with a bicameral legislature consisting of it's Senate and Chamber of Deputies, a judiciary with a Supreme Court at its apex, and an executive branch headed by its governor.

Local government

Each of the three islands–Anamua, Matau, and Laititi–serves as county-equivalents for Lotoa, with the islands being divided into districts and further into cities and villages, many of which retain their native names.

County	District	Capital	Population	Area	Density
Anamua
	Laaula	none	pop	area	dens
	Lakiti	Amu Piniki	pop	area	dens
	Saipali'i	Aeneanawa	pop	area	dens
	Saleita	Uafalima	pop	area	dens
	Totoa	Sortela	pop	area	dens
Mātau
	Aiagata	Fai'atalo	pop	area	dens
	Faleli'i	Leulutele	pop	area	dens
	Kariti	Alcofa	pop	area	dens
Laititi
	Laloto	Ha'anua	pop	area	dens
	Ahi	none	pop	area	dens

Self-determination

While Congress has always maintained that the people of Lotoa may choose their destiny and may leave the union if they so choose, the people of Lotoa seldom vote in favor of independence, with the last polls showing 11.4% voted to leave the union. Many Lotoans have stated they don't actually mind the territorial status, and actually prefer it as it gives them access to the rest of the world through Cartadania and the rest of the Occident. Its status as a territory has drastically expanded its tourism industry and the federal government's support of local businesses and culture has only made the way of life in Lotoa improve.

Infrastructure

Telecommunications

5G antenna in east-central Laaula.

Telecommunications in Lotoa have been pretty much on par with most other territories, with Lotoa actually serving as Axiom's testing ground for 5G UWB interconnectivity. Southern portions of Anamua, especially those around Amu Piniki and Laaula, tend to have some of the highest cellular data speeds on the planet. However still, many telecom companies have stated they would like to see more integration. Axiom in particular has signed onto ProjectLotoa and has stated that it would bring the city under its fiber optic cable and internet services.

Transportation

Laaula Light Rail construction in downtown.

The transportation network of Lotoa is slowly improving, but has been mostly defined by a loosely organized system of ferries between islands and old highways between cities. There is not much of a system in place for those living in cities like Laaula, which doesn't have an form of public transit other than the ferry system. Recently, with the ProjectLotoa, Congress has allocated enough funding to the territory to vastly increase its transit measures and further integrate the city while its population remains relatively low. Chiefly, Laaula is set to complete a metrorail system and new bus network throughout its district, while Anamua County will extend a bus network around the island.

Culture

Food

Staple foods in Lotoan cuisine include cassava, taro, yam, potatoes, various fish species, and pork. Post-contact with external cultures, particularly from Cartadania and its southern neighbors, has introduced corn-based dishes such as tortillas, tamales, atole, and chilaquiles, which have become integral to modern Lotoan gastronomy. In addition to indigenous and fusion dishes, Western cuisine enjoys popularity among the younger generation and is also favored by foreign tourists visiting the islands. Tourists typically dine at hotels and resorts, where they encounter a blend of local specialties and international fare. Among the traditional beverages of Lotoa is a coconut-based alcoholic drink, while another is made from the roots of the kava plant, valued for its ceremonial and social significance in Lotoan culture.

Festivals and holidays

Lotoa celebrates a variety of festivals, but those traditional to the island chain or the Polynesian groups as a whole include Lauli'i, Teuila, Heiva, and ’Ava Fest, respectively. Lauli'i, though once celebrated only on the island of Anamua, has become a statewide festival. The Festival honors local legends and heroes through storytelling, dance performances, and feasting. It showcases Lotoa’s oral traditions and mythical narratives, emphasizing the significance of ancestral knowledge and wisdom in shaping contemporary Lotoan identity.

Teuila highlights Polynesian arts, crafts, and culinary traditions. It includes traditional tattoo demonstrations (tatau), fire knife dancing (ailao), and cultural exhibitions that celebrate the resilience and creativity of Polynesian peoples. The festival also promotes tourism and fosters a sense of pride in Lotoa’s cultural identity.

Heiva in Lotoa is a celebration of Polynesian dance, music, and sports. It typically features traditional performances such as ‘ote’a (group dance) and ahupurotu (solo dance), alongside competitive events like outrigger canoe races, often tied to va'a, and stone lifting contests. Heiva serves as a platform for Lotoans to showcase their skills and preserve their indigenous cultural practices.

’Ava Fest is based on the ’Ava Ceremony that was historically a ceremonial ritual where ’ava (kava) is prepared and consumed. This ritual symbolizes unity, respect for ancestors, and social harmony among communities. Participants gather to share stories, songs, and prayers, reinforcing cultural values and strengthening community bonds. In modern times, it has become more sensationalized and mainstream, though elders try to stick to historical practices.

All four are legally state holidays, meaning governmental operations and offices are suspended or closed, including schools, as the government considers them "observations of cultural importance".

Sports

Outrigger canoeing is a popular sport

The Polynesian traditional sport va'a is practiced in all the islands, and given the importance of water and navigation to the Lotoans, it was unsurprising of their prowess in international rowing and water-based sports. However, due to its distance from metropole Cartadania, team sports in Lotoa are characterised by youth, collegial and amateur teams over professional teams.

Surfing has been a central part of Polynesian culture for many centuries, and since the late 19th century, Lotoa has become a major site for surfers from around the world. Lotoa has produced elite-level swimmers, many of whom have gone to compete in international competitions that have garnered quite the reputation for the island chain.

Lotoa is particularly fond of western sports as well, such as association football and baseball, with association football being the most prevalent sport in the territory. In recent years, gridiron football has become more popular, as well as basketball. Lotoa has produced a large number of athletes that compete in the professional teams of metropole Cartadania as well as collegial sports, both domestic and in the metropole.

Music

The music of Lotoa includes traditional and popular styles, ranging from native Lotoan folk music to modern rock and hip hop. Lotoa's musical contributions to the music of Cartadania are out of proportion to the territory's small size, a trait comparable to that of Ciulaga, Santa Domenica, Santa Elena, and Porta Bianca. Cartadania's insular territories and states, with the exception of Solemia, have notoriously been popular in music.

Styles such as kī hōʻalu guitar are well known around the world, while Lotoan-tinged music is a frequent part of film producer soundtracks. Lotoa also made a major contribution to country music with the introduction of the steel guitar. Traditional Lotoan folk music is a major part of the territory's musical heritage. The Lotoan people have inhabited the islands for centuries and have retained much of their traditional musical knowledge. Their music is largely spiritual in nature and includes chanting and dance music.

Symbols

Lotoa has several broadly Polynesian symbols, some of which are also found elsewhere in Cartadania. Tapa cloth, known locally as siapo, is a traditional Polynesian textile made from the inner bark of trees such as mulberry. Decorated with intricate designs and motifs using natural dyes, tapa cloth holds significant cultural and ceremonial importance in Lotoa. It is often used in ceremonies, rituals, and as clothing, symbolizing ancestral connections and community identity. These can almost always be found in some form during the state's four major holidays (i.e., Lauli'i, Teuila, Heiva, and ’Ava).

The outrigger canoe, or va’a, is a symbol of Lotoa’s seafaring heritage and maritime traditions. Used for fishing, transportation, and ceremonial purposes, these canoes are crafted from local materials like wood and coconut fiber. The outrigger canoe represents navigation skills, resilience at sea, and the deep connection between Lotoans and their oceanic environment. Va'a are most commonly seen in sports as well.

Tiʻi statues, carved from wood or stone, are iconic symbols in Polynesian cultures, including Lotoa. These human-like figures with exaggerated features symbolize deities, ancestors, or mythical beings. Tiʻi statues are often seen in ceremonial settings, temples, and as decorative elements, embodying spiritual beliefs, protection, and cultural pride. These are a more historical symbol and are now more common in tourism than actual traditions.

The hibiscus flower, known as ma’oma’o in Lotoan language, is revered for its beauty and symbolism. It is often used in traditional lei (garlands) and as a decorative motif in arts and crafts. The hibiscus flower represents natural beauty, hospitality, and the tropical flora that thrives in Lotoa’s lush landscapes. That said, the hibiscus flower has been adopted by several other states as well due to their variety across Cartadania's mostly tropical environment.