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Seneca Islands: Difference between revisions
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
The origin of the word ''Seneca'', and its original [[Varshan|Varshani]] language root ''Se'neka'an'tuuzhen'', are unclear in the historical record. The traditional Varshani historical interpretation was that the name was the name of the original tribal people of the Islands, but no reference to this name exists prior to the conquest of the island by Anzo in the 3rd century BC. Some [[Kiravia|Kiravian]] scholars have theorized the name to simply mean "further islands" or "further land" in a depreciated regional dialect of Varshani due to its similarity to the word ''Ze'nu'ka'zathan'', the word for "outer territory" in mainstream Varshani language. | The origin of the word ''Seneca'', and its original [[Varshan|Varshani]] language root ''Se'neka'an'tuuzhen'', are unclear in the historical record. The traditional Varshani historical interpretation was that the name was the name of the original tribal people of the Islands, but no reference to this name exists prior to the conquest of the island by Anzo in the 3rd century BC. Some [[Kiravia|Kiravian]] scholars have theorized the name to simply mean "further islands" or "further land" in a depreciated regional dialect of Varshani due to its similarity to the word ''Ze'nu'ka'zathan'', the word for "outer territory" in mainstream Varshani language. | ||
==Geography== | |||
The Seneca Islands are comprised of the two "main islands" - East and West Seneca - as well as dozens of smaller islands in the chain, almost all of which are uninhabited and uninhabitable, mostly including rocky outcroppings. Sitting approximately halfway between the {{wp|Tropic of Cancer}} and {{wp|Arctic Circle|Boreal Circle}}, the Seneca Islands enjoy a temperate, woodlands climate that made it an ideal center of fishing and maritime activities, including shipbuilding, during the age of sail. The coasts facing the north and west of the islands are extremely windswept, making them largely unsuitable for construction of ports or beaches, and are largely characterized by harsh cliff faces overlooking rough seas. The south and eastern coasts of the islands, however, see largely calm seas and gently slope into the sea forming beaches and useful harbors. A majority of the population of the islands are clustered in cities on the eastern shores. The only major harbor outside of this region is Zakan Rot, which sits in a large natural harbor on the north-eastern corner of West Seneca and sits across from East Seneca to the northeast. The oceanic "''Straits of Mel'ana'tuuzhen''" separate the two islands and provide the natural harbor of Zakan Rot a strategic location for trade. | |||
The two main islands are largely similar to one another in climate. West Seneca is approximately twice the size of East Seneca. West Seneca has the larger population, but East Seneca is more densely populated both due to the natural size difference but also due to less wartime devastation. Accordingly, East Seneca is significantly more urbanized whereas West Seneca has a greater agricultural sector, but West Seneca also features more major ports and shipbuilding facilities. Zakan Rot, on the northeastern tip of West Seneca, was the largest city on the islands prior to its [[Atomic bombing of Zakan Rot|atomic bombing]]. Enuzha'Thaan, on the southeastern tip of West Seneca, is now the largest city and serves as the center of political life on the islands. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Prehistory=== | ===Prehistory=== | ||