Howland Governorate
Howland Governorate
Howland | |
|---|---|
 From top, clockwise: Port Northford in Howland, a small town on Gibson Island, major port facilities on Elizabeth Island. | |
 Flag | |
| Motto(s): Howland's Place | |
| Country | Arcerion |
| Head of Governorate | Lieutenant-Governor |
| Population (2026) | |
| • Total | 1,347,953 |
| Time zone | UTC-3:00 (WOT) |
Howland Governorate, sometimes known as Howland Province or in North Cronan "Tanlé," is a small semi-landlocked archipelago in the Albion Sea (Northern Odoneru Ocean). The territory is a province or federal subdivision of the Confederated Provinces of Arcerion, and is formed of three principal islands, those being Elizabeth Island, Gibson Island, and New Moorden. The three islands sit at the absolute northernmost habitable territory occupied by any Occidental nation, and is the most economically developed territory in North Crona. Considered an Arcer overseas territory, the Governorate have internal self-governance, even though it remains part of Arcerion's sovereign territory and has a population that is over 75% Arcer. The territory also has the oldest continuously operating northernmost deepwater port in Crona.
Some speculation over actual Arcer claim to the islands, as they were uninhabited frozen Arctic tundra and sub-Arctic landmass that had previously remained undiscovered. After Arcer colonization during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the population and development of the islands grew rapidly with early growth industries such as whaling and a limited mining economy. It also served as one of the few modern ports and dock facilities in Northern Crona due to the lack of developed Indigenous maritime commerce during the early 20th century. It has also been a traditional seat for Occidental military power, as the Armed Forces of Arcerion, specifically the Royal Arcerion Naval Service, maintains a significant posture at Port Northford to defend natural resource rights.
The population of 1.3 million citizens is the largest concentration of Occidentals in the Arctic, although the majority of these are located in Port Northford, the main urban centre and the governorate's seat for the legislature and most of the provincial-level services. There has been some dispute with Alpachnee and other Northern Cronan countries over the Economic Exclusive Zone of Howland, which extends to include the massive Albion Sea Gas Fields that provide much of the governorate's economy. Resource extraction, liquid natural gas refinement, and other petroleum-related industries are important parts of the economy, with fishing, whaling, and other economic sectors making up less than half of the remaining governorate GDP. The EEZ disputes continue to be a point of intrnational conflict and tension between Arcerion, its allies, Kiravia, North Cronan countries, and the League of Nations.
The population is primarily made up of two demographic groups, naturalized ethnic Arcers, second- and third-generation Ardmori expats from the Great Flight, when much of Ardmore's Loyalist population fled to Arcerion post-Ardmori Civil War, and a minority Indigenous community that has emigrated to work in the gas and oil industry. Immigration continues to be steady and year-over-year there is a slight increase, and the fertility rate of 1.2 remains high for other overseas territory of similar nature.
The island is import-focused as there is limited agriculture due to the hostile climate, with much of the governorate relying on maritime commerce for fresh fruit, vegetables, and finished commercial products. The islands have an average temperature in the summer of 10° Celsius, and during the winter months an average of -24° Celsius. The islands are home to significant sea bird populations, as well as sea lions, walrus, multiple kinds of large whales. The only land mammals of note are arctic fox and some species of rabbit and lemming, although these were nearly hunted to extinction in the 1900s due to the need for fresh meat.
History
Arco Polar Expeditions
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Population
Only major city Port Northford
3 islands, Elizabeth Island, Gibson Island, New Moorden
Petroleum Industry
Sovereignty
The Royal Arcerion Naval Service established the permanent garrison and docking of frigates and patrol vessels in Port Northford during the First Great War in response to threats to the ability to protect the governorate's sovereignty and access to Arcer goods and the sea lines of communication prior the laying of undersea telegraph cables to the introduction of wireless radio. The initial naval station had docking berths and space for several warships, and after the First Great War an airstrip was constructed, followed by a ship repair facility, as well as an expansion of refuelling and resupply stations.
By the 1930s and the approaching Second Great War, Arcerion invested heavily into the maritime infrastructure of the Naval Station. A permanent frigate squadron as well as several destroyers and a seasonally-based light cruiser group remained there to assist with convoy protections, maritime sovereignty patrols, and diplomatic missions to Northern Cronan nations.