Ventotene

Rectory of Ventotene Isola d'Ventotene
Overseas territory of Urcea
Ateleta, the Cathedral City of Ventotene, from above
Flag
Annexed from Vachena	1943
Cathedral City	Ateleta
Population  (2020)
• Total	26,501

Ventotene is an island to the west of the Sarpedon mainland in the Taínean Sea that is part of Urcea.

Thought by most historians to be first settled during the Latin Heroic Age, Ventotene - named for the word vento, or windy - underwent various phases of settlement and depopulation, with the island having been continuously populated since around 800 AD. Although the island is near the equator, its strong winds lower the perceived temperature, making the island an attractive destination for tourists and settlers alike. It is thought by most archaeologists that the island's current continuous settlement was spurred on by the construction of a palace for the Imperator of Caphiria, although the ruins that may be the palace have been disputed by other archaeologists as a potential fort or even unconventional Church structure. For most of its modern history, the island has held military significance as a garrison location which can control entry into the Taínean Sea. For this reason, it was taken by Urcea as part of the Treaty of Kartika which ended the Second Great War, and it hosts a large base for the Royal Navy.

History

The early history of the island is heavily disputed by mainstream historians and the Montagnardi people, who claim that their ancestors settled the island during the Latin Heroic Age. While it is true the island was likely first settled during that time, with archaeological evidence suggesting the first Latin settlers arriving in around 800 BC. Most historians agree that settlement has not been continuous. Montagnardi people claim that they have continuously inhabited the island since that time and were pushed inland by successive waves of colonists, creating the modern division between them and the Ateleti people, who dwell on the coasts. The island fell under the sway of Caphiria during the 9th century, and the Caphirians undertook a massive construction project whose ruins can still be found outside Ateleta today. Mainstream historians believe it to be some kind of palace for the Imperators of Caphiria, though many are skeptical that the Imperator would journey so far outside of the normal military perimeter of the Imperium. The structure, on the eastern side of the island, was almost certainly the impetus for the settlement of Ateleta around that time. This structure was abandoned in the 10th century and a massive fortification called Piona was constructed by the Caphirians on the western side of the island beginning in the 11th century, and the fortress there was continuously updated through the fall of the Second Imperium in 1172. The island was largely self governing during the dark period, with locals garrisoning the fortress and continuing their fishing-oriented way of life. It is during this period that Montagnardi oral traditions speak of a war between them and the Ateleti, as the Caphirians having abandoned the island opened the possibility of ejecting the Ateleti, and attempts by the Montagnardi to seize Piona during the 13th century are recorded, though it seems the conflict was less of an organized one and more like continuous raids against Piona by the Montagnardi. The island's population dwindled in the 13th and 14th centuries, but it was largely shielded from the worst effects of the Great Plague. Caphiria reestablished control of the island in 1484, though more than three centuries of independence had lead to significant cultural divergences. The fortress of Piona was once again occupied by the Caphirians and updated with gunpowder weapons in the coming century, and the land around Piona was also cleared for a major naval base to be constructed. The island, like much of the rest of western Caphiria, went into revolt in the years following the Great Schism of 1615, but initial efforts by an alliance of the Montagnardi and Ateleti to take the fortress of Piona were unsuccessful. The island was eventually abandoned once again by the Caphirians and became part of Vachena, which held the island for the next three centuries. Unlike the Caphirians, the Vachenans failed to keep the fortress of Piona up to date, and the structure was essentially abandoned by the 19th century. During the Second Great War, the island was easily taken by the Royal Marine Corps of Urcea, with a small Vachenan garrison based out of Ateleta not firing a shot. The island was ceded to Urcea in the Treaty of Kartika in 1943, and the Royal Navy took control of the entire Piona complex, completely rebuilding most of the structures there and turning it into a major naval base. The island held significant strategic significance during the Occidental Cold War, ensuring Urcean presence in the west of Sarpedon. Significant land reclamation projects began in 1950, allowing the construction of an airbase and airstrip capable of landing and launching jet aircraft. The island was divided by Urcea into two pievi, one largely for the coastal Ateleti and one for the interior Montagnardi. A highway was constructed from Ateleta into the interior by Urcea in 1970, significantly decreasing tension and distance between the two ethnic groups.

Geography

The island is characterized by coastal lowlands and rocky outcroppings along the coast with large mountains and highlands inland. Many of the highlands are difficult to access, and traversing the island through the mountains and highlands is extremely difficult if not possible. Besides the mountainous interior, the most prominent feature of the island is the large, rocky-coasted harbor on the western side of the island. This harbor is shielded from oceanic waves, but until the advent of explosives was unsuitable for use as a port due to rocky outcroppings and poor land access. This harbor has been significantly altered by the human presence on the island, with many jagged edges demolished and significant increases in reclaimed land, making the harbor usable for human and military purposes.

Climate

The island has been described by scientists as one of the windiest places in the world, lowering the practical temperature of this essentially equatorial island. The weather never falls below 40 F and never rises above 89 F, and accordingly the island's climate has been described as ideal, if windy. The island's natural beaches are host to a wide array of fauna, including a type of turtle which is endemic to the island.

Politics and government

Administrative divisions

Ventotene is divided into two pievi, the Ateleta Pieve and the Piona Pieve with no additional municipal governments below the pievi. Much of the Piona Pieve is administered directly by the Urcean military, with only small portions of the populated coastland within the pieve's direct jurisdiction; the Piona Pieve, accordingly, is most responsible for governance of the internal highlands and Montagnardi lands of the interior. The Ateleta Pieve stretches along the coastlands of the island, not including the base at Piona or its adjoining areas.

Economy

Historically, most of the island's economy has been centered around fishing, with some economic benefit also derived from the presence of military garrisons. In recent years, the island has become well known as a tourist destination reachable by boat. The advent of major cruise lines in the 20th century greatly enhanced the island's economy, as it has become a regular stop for cruises of the Taínean Sea.

Demographics

The majority of people living on Ventotene are associated with the Royal Navy base at Piona. As they are not permanent residents, and indeed many reside on ships, they are not typically counted towards the population of the island. The island's permanent population of around 20,000 has remained largely the same since the early 20th century.

Ethnic groups

Two self-described ethnic groups exist on the island, the Montagnardi and the Ateleti. The Ateleti, named for the primary city of the island, reside along the coasts and in villages adjoining the coast, whereas the Montagnardi reside in the interior highlands.

Religion

The vast majority of people on Ventotene belong to the Catholic Church, with 92.1% being members. The majority of other people living on the island are irreligious, though small amounts of immigrants are adherents to Polynesian religious traditions.