Yonderian Kestrel Isles
The Yonderian Kestrel Isles (Burgoignesc: Les Crecerelles, East Gothic: Die Falkländer)[1] are the Yonderian islands of the Kestrel Isles archipelago in the Vandarch Inland Sea of central Levantia. Administered as the Grand Barony of the Kestrel Isles, the Yonderian Kestrel Isles are ruled by the Grand Duke of Yonderre in his capacity as Grand Baron of the Kestrel Isles. The Yonderian Kestrel Isles consist of the four major islands Cir, Nordrehague, Saint-Omer and Villeurs as well as 97 smaller islands and a myriad of islets, many of which are uninhabited. The administrative capital and largest settlement is Falcsbourg on Saint-Omer. The population of the Yonderian Kestrel Isles make up c. 0.75% of the total population of Yonderre.
| Native name: | |
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    Descending, from left to right: A typical landscape in the smaller Kestrel Isles, an aerial view of Falcsbourg, a medieval street in Falcsbourg | |
 The Yonderian Kestrel Isles (dark green) In the Kestrel Isles (light blue) In relation to Yonderre (light green) | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Kestrel Isles |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Vandarch |
| Total islands | 97 |
| Major islands | 4 |
| Administration | |
| Grand Barony | Kestrel Isles |
| Capital and largest city | Falcsbourg (pop. 325,203) |
| Grand Baron of the Kestrel Isles | Auguste IV de Somua |
| Demographics | |
| Demonym | Kestrel Islander |
| Population | 736,871 (2024) |
| Languages | Burgoignesc, East Gothic |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone |
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| • Summer (DST) |
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The Yonderian Kestrel Isles were definitely settled by Ancient Goths during the paleolithic period, although Proto-Goths may have inhabited the islands even earlier. During the Late Medieval period, the Kestrel Isles, and in particular Falksburg, became central to the Vandarchine trade as part of the Great Trade League of the Vandarch, known more commonly as the Wandarker Bund. The modern Yonderian Kestrel Isles were conquered by the nascent crusader realm Joanusterra in a series of naval skirmishes and sieges fought between 1518-1522. During the Golden Age of Vandarch Piracy of the late Eighteenth Century, the Yonderian Kestrel Isles were the most important bastion of defence for the southern Vandarch and was soon home to a substantial part of the Marine Yonderre. During the Second Great War, the Yonderian Kestrel Isles became a hotbed of espionage and subterfuge, being centrally located in Levantia and officially neutral to all warring parties.
The Yonderian Kestrel Isles experienced notable economic growth throughout the Occidental Cold War as its special position within the Levantine Union made it attractive for entrepreneurship. A special protocol regulates the Yonderian Kestrel Isles' position within the Levantine Union. It has some important exceptions concerning the right of non-Kestrel Islanders to own real estate and the right of non-native companies to establish themselves in the region. Most importantly, the protocols also concern Levantine Union tax legislation. The last item's derogation means that the Yonderian Kestrel Isles is considered a third country for tax purposes, which has had the most important effect of allowing the profitable sale of tax-exempt goods on ferries travelling the Vandarch to continue.
The economy of the Yonderian Kestrel Isles is heavily dominated by shipping, trade and tourism. Shipping represents about 40% of the economy, with several international carriers owned and operated from Falcsbourg. Farming and fishing are important in combination with the food industry. A few high-profile technology companies contribute to the isles' prosperous economy. The University of Falcsbourg on Saint-Omer provides the only on-site university-level education available on the Yonderian Kestrel Isles.
Notes
- ↑ Les Crecerelles Yonderesc and Die Yondersche Falkländer when specifically named to differentiate from the Hendalarskara and Fanerian Kestrel Isles