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'''Huadao''' is an island in the [[Trade Islands]] area that is part of [[Urcea]]. Prior to the 19th century, Huadao was inhabited on an inconsistent basis, and it was claimed by [[Daxia]]. The island was rich in {{wp|guano}} deposits. Following Urcea's acquisition of [[Rapa Rapa]], it was able to project naval power into the [[Ocean of Cathay]], and the guano-rich island became a possible target for expansion. Urcea took the island from Daxia in the [[Guano War]] and began mining operations while also colonizing the island. In the early 20th century, most of the accumulated guano was depleted, but the island remained economically viable due to trade with Alshar and other parts of the Trade Islands, as well as its importance as a {{wp|coaling station}}. Huadao in the 21st century is primarily inhabited by people of Levantine descent or by Audonian mainlanders. In addition to the civilian settlement, the island remains a [[Royal Navy (Urcea)|Royal Navy]] base. | '''Huadao''' is an island in the [[Trade Islands]] area that is part of [[Urcea]]. Prior to the 19th century, Huadao was inhabited on an inconsistent basis, and it was claimed by [[Daxia]]. The island was rich in {{wp|guano}} deposits. Following Urcea's acquisition of [[Rapa Rapa]], it was able to project naval power into the [[Ocean of Cathay]], and the guano-rich island became a possible target for expansion. Urcea took the island from Daxia in the [[Guano War]] and began mining operations while also colonizing the island. In the early 20th century, most of the accumulated guano was depleted, but the island remained economically viable due to trade with Alshar and other parts of the Trade Islands, as well as its importance as a {{wp|coaling station}}. Huadao in the 21st century is primarily inhabited by people of Levantine descent or by Audonian mainlanders. In addition to the civilian settlement, the island remains a [[Royal Navy (Urcea)|Royal Navy]] base. | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
"''Huadao''" is the [[Daxia]]n language name for the island, meaning "Flower Island". This name is used for various applications related to the island, including "Flower City", the Cathedral City of the island. | "''Huadao''" is the [[Daxia]]n language name for the island, meaning "Flower Island". This name is used for various applications related to the island, including "Flower City", the Cathedral City of the island. The exact reason for this name is unclear, though it is attested to as early as [[1580]]. Scholars have surmised that the name is either based on the observation of sailors of literal flowers visible on the island, its stem-and-flower shape, or that the name was devised by sailors ironically due to the large amount of bird feces historically present on the island. | ||
==Geography== | ==Geography== | ||
Huadao is a single island with smaller, tertiary jetties and reefs that is part of the [[Trade Islands]] sitting roughly halfway between the equator and [[Australis]] in the [[Ocean of Cathay]]. It has been commonly observed to be shaped like a {{Wp|manta ray}}, with an angular main landmass and a long, thin tail to the northeast forming two partial lagoons. It is characterized by significant hilly rugged landscape in the northwestern interior with flat, forested areas on the southern slope of the island. Prior to its colonization, large parts of Huadao were covered in large deposits of {{wp|guano}}, and many of the forested parts of the island are post-colonial growth. | Huadao is a single island with smaller, tertiary jetties and reefs that is part of the [[Trade Islands]] sitting roughly halfway between the equator and [[Australis]] in the [[Ocean of Cathay]]. It has been commonly observed to be shaped like a {{Wp|manta ray}}, with an angular main landmass and a long, thin tail to the northeast forming two partial lagoons. It is characterized by significant hilly rugged landscape in the northwestern interior with flat, forested areas on the southern slope of the island. Prior to its colonization, large parts of Huadao were covered in large deposits of {{wp|guano}}, and many of the forested parts of the island are post-colonial growth. | ||