Lotoa
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Lotoa
Tolu Manatu(Lotoan) | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Motto(s): Motu faavavau | |
| Country |  Cartadania |
| Territory of First Class | 1980 |
| Capital | Laaula |
| Government | |
| • Type | Devolved presidential constitutional dependency |
| • Governor | Talia Leapama (SDP) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,431.2 km2 (552.6 sq mi) |
| • Land | 1,346.8 km2 (520.0 sq mi) |
| • Water | 84.4 km2 (32.6 sq mi) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 231,753 |
| • Density | 160/km2 (420/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Lotoan |
| PEP Code | 99900-99920 |
| Area code(s) | 716 |
| Website | Official Government Site Official Tourism Site |
Lotoa, officially known by its native name Tolu Manatu, is a territory of Cartadania located at the confluence western Polynesian Sea and eastern Ocean of Cathay. 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 1,347 square kilometres (520 sq mi), the territory is quite small. On its three islands live around 231,753 people, many of whom are of Lotoan descent, and about fifty-percent 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.
Geography
The Lotoan archipelago is part of greater Ahinui Rift Zone of the northwestern Polynesian Sea and is thus volcanic. Consequently, the islands frequently see volcanic activity, although it is seldom very destructive to developed areas. Laititi, the smallest of the three islands, is the most actively volcanic and as of March 2021, currently experiencing an eruption event.
Climate
Like much of tropical Polynesia, Lotoa experiences a very consistent climate year round. The average temperature ranges between 21 and 31 °C (70 and 88 °F), with little seasonal variation. The lowest and highest temperatures recorded in Laaula are 16 and 34 °C (61 and 93 °F), respectively.
Politics and government
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.
Administrative divisions
Each of the three islands serves as county-equivalents for Lotoa, with the islands being divided into cities and villages, many of which retain their native names.
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.
Economy
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 R$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.