Saukhin Islands

Saukhin Islands
Region of Tierrador
Flag Seal
Country	Tierrador
Capital (and largest city)	Oaroa
Largest parish or parish-equivalent	Oaroa Parish
Government
• Body	Regional Legislature
• Governor	Ray Kauna (TCU)
• Lieutenant governor	Marco Qaldetti
Area
• Total	10,992 km2 (4,244 sq mi)
Population
• Total	2,033,649
• Density	190/km2 (480/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC–08:00 (East Australis Time)
Area code	906

The Saukhin Islands (Tierradorian: Isléqs Saukhíns), also known informally as the Saukhins and Tapkoii, are a Tierradorian region and archipelago in the Polynesian region in the Ocean of Cathay. At their closest point to the Australis mainland, they are 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) northeast of Stenza. They are the southernmost of the Administrative divisions of Tierrador, and have a population of 2 million people, making it the most populous of the Tierradorian overseas collectivities.

The Saukhin Islands consist of over 85 islands throughout its 11,000 square kilometer radius. The eight main islands, from largest to smallest area, include Ato’Ato, Auapka, Laui, Tapakata, Chuli, Kuapa, Turpin, and Vana Vana. Many smaller islands include Kopa Lopa, Pazani, Tapikota, Kapio, and Tahua’na. The main industry in the Saukhins is agriculture, with the dairy and livestock farming sectors in the Saukhins achieving remarkable prominence. These industries rank the Saukhins among the most important regions in the world. Vast stretches of fertile land provide ample grazing areas for livestock, and modern farming practices have been adopted to ensure high productivity. The Saukhin dairy industry, in particular, is celebrated for its production of top-quality milk and dairy products, contributing significantly to both domestic consumption and international trade. Apart from land-based agriculture, the Saukhins benefit immensely from their island location and the abundance of marine resources in the surrounding waters. The tropical climate supports a vast and diverse aquatic ecosystem, making the Saukhin fishing industry one of the largest on a global scale. Mineral extraction is also a very large industry, characterized by its vast copper mines and petroleum fields.

The Saukhin Islands are a very popular destination for international and domestic tourists alike. Its lush beaches, subtropical climate, and important natural destinations attract more than 16 million tourists nearly. Many natural and historic sites include Mount Ganja, the tallest point in Tierrador, the historic Fort of Oaroa, which was once thought to be indestructible until the Battle of Oaroa in 1832, and the small but significant island of Kopa Lopa, which features many seaside luxury resorts, and is a prominent destination for many celebrities and wealthy people alike.

The Saukhin Islands have been inhabited for nearly two thousand years. Its close proximity to the Truk Islands have fueled competition with the neighboring emirate for most of its history. However in the early 1600s, the Capture of Truk by the Daxian Empire put an end to these competitions and implemented the Tapkoii Kingdom as the sole independent nation in the Polynesian region. In May 1832, The Qabóri Woqalate launched a surprise attack on the island of Kuapa, which resulted in the Saukhin Conquest. The conquest only lasted for twenty-one days, and while the Saukhins fought hard against the Qabóri, they were simply outmatched. Following the Saukhin Conquest, the islands were admitted as the tenth region of the Qabóri Woqalate. The islands would serve as an important location throughout modern Tierradorian history, as the region fully expressed the Tierradorian control of many Polynesian trade routes, playing a factor in the economic boost that the nation experienced throughout the mid-to-late 20th century.

Of the region's 85 islands, only 15 are inhabited as of the 2030 census. The most populous island is Ato'Ato, which consists of 45% of the archipelago's population. The next four most populous islands are Kuapa, Auapka, Laui, and Chuli. Those five islands make up 92% of the region's population and serve as the economic center for the archipelago.

Etymology

The name Saukhin Islands is likely derived from the Qabóri word Sauqhí Insé, meaning "Society Islands". The origin of this name is unknown, however it is theorized that the use of the word "society" comes from Qabóri traders' surprise when they first discovered the islands in 1553, and seeing that the islands were already inhabited by Polynesian peoples, as they were led to believe that the islands were uninhabited. In 1995, archeologists discovered an old journal, presumably from the same year. One of the surviving entries detailed a Qabóri warrior's journey to the Saukhin Islands,a nd how his commanding officer jokingly referred to the islands as the "Society Islands" upon discovering them.

The alternate name Tapkoii is believed to be derived from the Tapkoii language, which is the official language of the islands, translating to "homeland".

Geography

The Saukhin Islands are located about 1,500 kilometers to the northeast of Stenza. The islands form the Polynesia ecoregion with Truk, Rapa Rapa, Taiiyo, Acosta, and Mazhosa (last 3 are placeholders). The Saukhin Islands is the largest and most populated archipelago of the Polynesian region. The archipelago consists of ten large islands, along with almost 70 smaller islands. These islands are all volcanic in origin. Ato'Ato is the largest and most populous island in the archipelago, at 945,142 inhabitants, which covers almost half of the entire region's population. Laui is the second most populous island, at 556,983 inhabitants. Auapka, Chuli and Kuapa are only other islands to have a population greater than 100,000 inhabitants. The islands are very mountainous, with the volcano Mount Ganja being the largest point in Tierrador

Flora and fauna

The Saukhin Islands, much like their Polynesian neighbors, exhibit a geographical remoteness from larger contiguous habitats. Life on these islands is thought to have originated through complex interactions of environmental factors, namely wind, waves facilitated by ocean currents, and the conveyance of various organisms such as birds, insects, and seeds, potentially adhering to their plumage. These insular landmasses stand distinguished for hosting one of the most diverse ecosystems globally, encompassing a myriad of species belonging to the realms of fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Notable among the indigenous fauna of the Saukhin Islands are the Saukhin reef heron, an avian species gracefully populating coastal regions; the Ato'Ato swallow, distinguished for its aerial prowess; the Polynesian clam, an unassuming yet ecologically significant bivalve; the pygmy killer whale, an enigmatic marine mammal navigating the surrounding waters; the Kuapa shark, a species that assumes a prominent role in the marine ecosystem; and the Kapa Lopa chameleon, which is the largest species of chameleon in the world. These islands, renowned for their exceptional biodiversity, find their landscape primarily dominated by subtropical laurel forests. The verdant expanse of these forests blankets the islands, and provide a lush habitat for the diverse array of flora and fauna. Large majestic trees punctuate the landscape, with their canopies creating a dynamic interplay of light and shade on the forest floor. The olfactory ambiance is infused with the fragrant notes of blossoms intermingling with the earthy scents emanating from the rich vegetative cover, forming a sensory panorama that enriches the immersive experience of the islands.

Climate

The climate of the islands is among one of the more interesting situations in the island world, as despite the islands being in a warm subtropical climate, the trade winds greatly moderate the weather of the islands. Throughout the year, it is generally unusual to see a temperature higher than 86 degrees and lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. On average, summer highs usually reach 84 degrees, with lows at 75 degrees, though lower temperatures have been recorded before. In the winter, temperatures can reach 68 degrees, with lows of 41 degrees. The highest recorded temperature was 111 degrees Fahrenheit, on the island of Kopa Lopa on July 9, 1977, and the lowest recorded temperature was 11 degrees, on the peak of Mount Ganja on Christmas Day of 1991. The islands' unusual climate patterns have earned them the nickname "Chilly Islands".

Demographics

According to the 2030 Tierradorian census, the Saukhin Islands have a recorded population of 2,033,649. However, as of 2033, that number is estimated to have gone up to 2,221,550. The total land area of the archipelago is 10,992 square kilometers, resulting in a population density of 185 inhabitants per square kilometer. The islands are separated into two provinces, Ato'Ato in the south and Wapahunea in the north. These provinces are further divided into 14 parishes total (8 in Ato'Ato and 6 in Wapahunea), with Oaroa Parish being the most populous. There are seven cities in the Saukhin Islands with a population greater than 100,000; Oaroa, Qahawaia, Wapkii, Tolapata, Port Waikata, Kuapa, and Chuli. Oaroa is the most populous city on the archipelago, with a population of 445,233, making it the 30th-largest city in Tierrador, behind Wadičaq but ahead of Anders.

Around 35% of Saukhin residents claimed to be from another Tierradorian region or country. The majority of foreign-born residents immigrated from the neighboring Truk Islands, however many people emigrate to the islands from nations such as Alstin, Ceylonia, Stenza, Urcea, Almadaria and Takatta Loa. Many illegal migrants use the Saukhin Islands as an entry point to the Tierradorian Woqalate, due to the Saukhin immigration laws not being as strict as the mainland.

In terms of religion, the islands are primarily Catholic, however influence from the neighboring Truk Islands also create a large Muslim diaspora throughout the islands. In 2030, 68% of the islands' population self-reported as Catholic, with 16% reporting as Sunni Muslim and 8% as Shia. Five percent reported as irreligious, and the remaining three percent reported as "other".