Award winning article

Torlen

From IxWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Script error: The module returned a nil value. It is supposed to return an export table.

Torlen
Province
Flag of Torlen
Flag
Nation Burgundie
Constituent Country equivalentBurgoignesc Overseas Territory Assembly
CapitalNew Torleans
Area
 • Total543.898 km2 (210.000 sq mi)
Population
 (2030)
 • Total170,220
 • Density310/km2 (810/sq mi)
DemonymTorliennes
Websitewww.burgundie.gov.ix/torlen

Torlen is an oceanic island in the Levantine Ocean belonging to Burgundie. New Torleans is the largest city on Torlen and functions as its capital. Torlen measures 543,898 square kilometres (210,000 sq mi) and is the nearest major island to the Burgoignesc Metropole of the Burgoignesc Overseas Territories.

Volcanic in origin, Torlen was formed c. 11.5 million years ago. Its volcanic origin is still visible by way of a number of hot springs, although the island is not otherwise considered volcanically active. The island was not truly permanently inhabited until the antiquity, owing in part to its remote nature and in part to the nature of Levantine hurricanes battering the low-lying island, literally washing away nascent civilizations.

Etymology

Torlen, literally defense line, from Istroyan tere- (defense) and Latinic lina (line), indicating it was the furthest north the permanent fortified settlements of the Istroyans and Latinics in Classical Antiquity.

Geography

  • Torlen parrot, provincial bird
    Torlen parrot, provincial bird

Torlen is characterized by its low-lying topography, with a maximum elevation of 63 meters above sea level. The landscape is predominantly composed of limestone, sculpted by the forces of erosion and dissolution into a karst terrain. This results in a network of caves, sinkholes, and blue holes, which are unique geological formations filled with freshwater and marine life. The coastline is indented with numerous bays, coves, and lagoons, providing natural harbors and sheltered beaches.

Climate

Further information: Prevailing Winds

The climate of Torlen is subtropical, with two seasons, a hot and wet summer (wet season) and dry winter (dry season).

During the wet season, which extends from May through October, the climate is dominated by warm, moist tropical air masses as the Torlen High brings a southeasterly flow from the deep tropics. Daily high temperatures are in the 31 °C (87.8 °F) range, with a dew point temperatures in the 75–77 °F (23.9–25.0 °C) range, creating the typical hot and sultry island weather. Brief but intense thundershowers are common with thunder and lightning. In the wet season, tropical storms and weak tropical lows may also contribute to the seasonal rainfall.

In the dry season, extending from November through April, the subtropical high retreats, and a mix of drier northeast trade winds and occasional westerlies coming down from the Levantine mainland impact Torlen. Sunny, arid conditions prevail in Torlen in the dry season, and at times drought conditions can impact farming and agriculture. High temperatures during the dry season are in the 25 °C (77.0 °F) range.

Annual rainfall averages 132 centimetres (52 in) and is usually concentrated in the May–June and September–October periods. Rainfall often occurs in short-lived, fairly intense, but brief thundershowers accompanied by strong gusty winds, followed by a return to clear skies.

Winds are predominantly easterly throughout the year but tend to become northeasterly from October to April and southeasterly from May to September. These winds seldom exceed twenty-four kilometres per hour except during hurricane season. Although the hurricane season officially lasts from June to November, most hurricanes in the Torlen occur between July and October.

Average sea temperature at New Torleans
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
73 °F

23 °C

73 °F

23 °C

75 °F

24 °C

79 °F

26 °C

81 °F

27 °C

82 °F

28 °C

82 °F

28 °C

82 °F

28 °C

82 °F

28 °C

81 °F

27 °C

79 °F

26 °C

75 °F

24 °C

Natural Hazards

The primary natural hazards of concern to Torlen are Levantine hurricanes and tropical storms. Given its location in the western Levantine Ocean and low-lying topography, the island is susceptible to storm surge, high winds, and heavy rainfall associated with these meteorological events. Additionally, the porous limestone terrain exacerbates flooding due to its limited capacity for water absorption. The National Hurricane Center of Burgundie is located on Torlen and served as a vital information and warning hub for the whole of the Levantine Hurricane hazard area. While less frequent, earthquakes and tsunamis also pose potential risks due to Torlen's proximity to tectonic plate boundaries.

There has also been, since 2011, an increase in sargassum coastal inundations which prove devastating to the local communities, their economies, and also to the Navy of Burgundie, the Revenue Guard, anf the Merchant Marine of Burgundie. Since 2015, the island has received grants, specifically through the Navy of Burgundie and Emergency Management, to buy and maintain a fleet of 3 retrofitted tugboats to capture and deflect large masses of sargassum headed towards the island.

Flora and fauna

The vegetation of Torlen is adapted to the subtropical climate and limestone soils. Pine forests are found on the higher elevations and tropical hardwood trees, shrubs, and palms in the coastal plain. Coastal areas support mangrove forests, which play a vital role in protecting the shoreline and providing habitat for a variety of marine species. The fauna of Torlen is diverse, with numerous endemic species found nowhere else in the world. Land animals include the Torlen rock iguana, the Torlen hutia, and various species of bats. The island is also a haven for birds, with over 200 species recorded, including the provincial bird, the Torlen parrot. Marine life is abundant in the surrounding waters, with coral reefs supporting a vast array of fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates.

History

Prehistory

Further information: Timeline of_major world events § Prehistory
  • Exhibit in the Torlen Museum of History depicting aspects of prehistoric life on Torlen
    Exhibit in the Torlen Museum of History depicting aspects of prehistoric life on Torlen

Because of the western blowing tradewinds, Torlen was not first inhabited by the Levantines, but rather Audonians who came sporadically between 4000 and 2500 BCE and set up temporary encampments that lasted a generation or two but never longer. The abundant and docile fauna made life on the island easy for its earlier settlers, but the Levantine Hurricanes were quick to wipe out any inhabitants and the vastness of the Levantine Ocean and the primitive nature of seafaring technology meant that new arrivals were there by chance, not by choice.

Classical Antiquity

Further information: Timeline of major world events § Classical Antiquity, Ancient Istroyan civilization, and Pre-modern global trade § Sea of Istroya trade network

Confederation of Medestophanese

Further information: History of Dericania § Confederation of Medestophanese


285-598 Istroyan city-states Over the 200s Fochla Alian fell further and further under the influence of the Istroyan civilization. By the 250s Istroyan was the primary language and the Istroyan people had become the cultural and ethnic majority. In 303 the island was annexed into the Confederation of Medestophanese. The island was a major importer of grains and cereals from the mainland provinces of the Confederation of Medestophanese and their deeper sea fish like shark and marlin were prized trade commodities. It became known as Piscea during this period.

Medieval Piscea

Further information: Timeline_of_major_world_events § Medieval_history

598-1578 Piscea became an independent realm for the entirety of the medieval period, approximately 1000 years, due to its remoteness and the difficulty in navigating to it, however it wasn't isolated. There was trade to and from the Levantine mainland the Istroyo-Latin speaking Pisceans were known regionally for being master shipbuilders and navigators. They were contracted by a variety of navies during this time and mercenary work became a critical part of the economy. Piscean triremes and later galleys were feared and revered up and down the eastern Levantine coast. There is limited evidence that the Pisceans may have traveled to Audonia, but it is unknown if this is mythological fantasy or if it actually occurred. It is known that there was some trade occurred with the cities and states of Audonia but it was almost always through the Istroyan trade networks, rarely was it directly between Piscea and Audonia.

Early modern history

Further information: Timeline of major world events § Early modern history

Aftermath of the Great Confessional War

Further information: Great Confessional War

The Holy League's victory in the Great Confessional War and the Dragonnades resulted in the Expulsion of the Protestants from their lands across the Holy Levantine Empire, as they were pushed into port towns and cities across Maritime Dericania there came a point where these cities simply could not support them. In the wake of the disposition of their ancestral lands, a dire humanitarian crisis unfolded as the Protestants were initially relegated to makeshift refugee camps on the outskirts of the cities in the Duchies of Marialanus, Martilles, and Bourgondi. These camps, ill-equipped to handle the massive influx of people, soon became overwhelmed, leading to appalling living conditions and a severe lack of basic amenities. The struggling Protestant refugees faced unimaginable hardships as they grappled with the challenges of displacement, destitution, and social marginalization. In 1575 the Company for the Aid of the Protestants Refugees (Burg: Compagnie d’aide aux refugies Huguenots) was founded to try to address some of these issues in the cities of the Duchy of Marialanus. The group received support from both Protestant refugees and from the Catholics who wanted them gone. After three years without improvement the Company sought more dire action. A group of 150 Protestant men were boarded on a ship, sponsored by the Duke, and sent to Torlen, then known as Piscea, to assess the disposition of the native Impaxi Picts who lived there and to lay claim to the island if possible. The Impaxi were still primitive and were easily overcome by the band of soldiers who engaged in the first of many acts of colonial militarism by campaigning for 6 months to track down and kill all of the remaining Impaxi people on the island. In late 1578 their landing zone and base of operations was named New Torleans and would become the capital of the new Marialanii lands, and thusly Torlen had become the Duchy of Marialanus' first colony. From the 123 men who had survived the campaign the island was divided among them into Patroonships, with a sizable share for the Duke to maintain as crown lands, and another sizable share for a governor-general. These newly minted Patroons were then able to rent or sell their land as they saw fit. Many brought their surviving extended families to live in commune and to work the land. They would them sail to the mainland and take on tenants for the remaining portions. This method of land distribution and tenancy was so effective that it would become the primary method of land management and settler incentive across the Burgoignesc colonial empire. Citrus fruit latifundia sprung up across the island and those with coastal access established fishing operations. Within 20 years the island became self-sufficient for food and within 40 years it had become a critical part of the economy of the Duchy of Marialanus.

Late modern period

Further information: Timeline of major world events § Late modern history

Age of Sail

Because of its importance to the trans-Levantine and trans-Istroyan trading routes, Torlen became a hub of prostitution, trade, and ship repair. Its unique position on the convergence of the Tradewinds and the westerlies it served ships leaving Levantia to their Audonian colonies as well as ships coming from Audonia to their Levantine metropoles. While it was positioned perfectly, it lacked the resources needed to maintain that the sailors and ships needed most. It became a net importer of timber in particular, with tropical hardwoods from the Barbary Straits colony as well as the Far East colony. Sugar from the Far East colony was distilled into falernum, rum, and cachaça.

The impact of Torlen grapefruit

The grapefruit grown in the colony was crucial in the fight against scurvy and thus the success of the colonies of the Ularien Trading Company, on behalf of the Duchy of Marialanus. Rich in vitamin C, grapefruit served as a valuable source of nutrition for sailors, effectively preventing scurvy and other nutritional deficiencies prevalent during long sea journeys. As a result, the demand for grapefruit surged among maritime traders and ship captains, leading to the development of a thriving grapefruit trade network that extended across the oriental Burgoignesc colonial empire. The benefits of grapefruit played a pivotal role in the success and superiority of the Ularien Trading Company during the age of sail in Audonia. By prioritizing the inclusion of grapefruit in the diets of their crews, the Ularien Trading Company was able to maintain healthier sailors, leading to a myriad of positive outcomes that contributed to their prominence as some of the best in the world during the age of sail. By ensuring their crews had access to grapefruit, Ularien Trading Company captains effectively prevented scurvy and other nutritional deficiencies among their sailors. This resulted in fewer health-related disruptions during voyages, enabling the crews to remain robust and capable of handling the physical demands of long and arduous sea journeys. With healthier crews, these captains were able to retain experienced and skilled sailors, as their overall well-being was maintained, and they were more likely to remain in service for longer durations. The retention of veteran sailors contributed to the development of more proficient and seasoned merchant navy, known for its expertise in navigating challenging sea routes and successfully managing complex trading operations. The presence of a stable and experienced crew enabled the Ularien Trading Company to invest more resources in the training and development of their sailors. With a focus on continual skill enhancement and comprehensive training programs, these companies fostered a culture of excellence and proficiency within their merchant navies, cultivating a reputation for disciplined and highly capable seafarers known for their navigational prowess and adeptness in managing commercial enterprises. The combination of healthier crews, experienced sailors, and superior training methodologies provided the Ularien Trading Company with a distinct competitive edge in the global maritime trade. Their reputation for maintaining well-functioning and efficient merchant fleets positioned them favorably in international trade networks, enabling them to secure lucrative trade deals, establish key partnerships, and expand their commercial influence across diverse regions.

Slavery on Torlen

It is estimated that 138,000 slaves worked on Torlen between 1593-1858. They were predominantly from modern Battganuur, Kandara, and Oyashima. Most of these slaves worked in the latifundia, primarily growing and harvesting grapefruit. These slaves were from diverse backgrounds, predominantly Battganuuri, Kandi, Santasi, Matsutorine, and Danehonger ethnicities. They were forced to interbreed to blur cultural lines and keep there from being a common cultural bond that would have resulted in rebellion. There were still two sizeable rebellions in 1638 and in 1784 but both of them were suppressed violently.

The slaves were classified into 4 categories: field slaves, house slaves, store slaves, and coolies.

  • Field slaves (Burg: escalve des champs) were by far the most numerous slaves on Torlen throughout the Age of Sail and were predominantly male. Most of them came from the Barbary Straits colony and Cote d'Or.

They were treated the harshest of all of the slaves and were forbidden from learning to read or write.

  • House slaves (Burg: escalve des maisons) were the most privileged of the slaves, they were treated the best of the slaves on Torlen and were sometimes given limited educations including learning to read and write. They were predominantly female, many of them were from the Far East Colony and Ayermer colony.
  • Store slaves (Burg: escalve des magazines) were slaves who worked in markets and shops, primarily in New Torleans. They were often those who had a proficiency for mathematics or has received some form of education in their homeland. They were not particularly one gender or another, nor were they particularly over-representative of one particular culture.
  • Coolies (Burg: qulies) were slaves who were general laborers not related to field work. Many of them pulled vinaigrettes or were couriers or porters. There was even one dockyard that used qulies as stevedores, but there were too many opportunities to escape and they switched back to paid labor.
Institutions on Torlen in the Age of Sail

There was an abundance of money in Torlen during the Age of Sail and the population was quick to spend it. While some Protestants who had been high ranking nobles prior to the Great Confessional War and spent great sums to bring horticultural scholars from the conquered territories in Audonia, many without a learned background, as well as plenty of those who did, focused less on improving their methodology and more on maximizing their output in the short-term. These latifundia eventually failed from nutrient stripping and the patroons had to sell their patroonship to recoup their debts. This created a class divide on the island which became more and more visible by the 1650s. As a result many of the middling patroons, seeking to save their lands, established a Agricultural Institute in 1658, what is today the Torlen Institute of Technology, but was then called the "Fraternal Benefit Order of Patroons, Gentlemen, and Farmers" (Burg: Ordre de bienfaisance fraternelle des proprietaires, des gens de mejans, et des fermiers) to learn how to farm more efficiently, and to support farmers who had lost their crop.

Whaling in Torlen

Prior to the arrival of the Marialianii settlers the Piscaens had engaged in Dolphin drive hunting and droguing to capture whales for meat. The first successful at sea hunt for humpback whales off of Torlen was in 1663 which kickstarted a whaling boom. The whaling boom lasted from around 1680-1850 when whale oil began to go out of fashion in favor of cheaper mineral oils. Ambergris was significant economically; however, it was later supplanted by spermaceti oil. During the early colonial era, Torlen witnessed a surge in whaling activities, driven by the increasing global demand for whale oil and other valuable cetacean by-products. The economic significance of whaling propelled Torlen into a key player in the economy of the Duchy of Marialanus. The whale oil became critical as both a fuel and as a lubricant in the rapid industrialization of Urcea during the early Industrial Revoultion. Torlen's location and the abundance of marine life also attracted Bergendii whalers, and as the demand grew exponentially, Audonian slaves, contributing to a diverse whaling community during this period. The pursuit of sperm whales, renowned for their prized spermaceti oil, became a focal point for Torlen-based whalers. This era witnessed the rise of specialized whaling vessels equipped with advanced harpoon technology. The latter half of the 19th century saw a decline in Torlen's whaling industry, primarily due to over-exploitation of whale populations and the advent of alternative energy sources like mineral oils. The last whaling voyage on record was in 1863 and it was a failure. After three months at sea the ship returned having not seen a single whale.

Audonian slaves were able to buy their freedom by successfully completing/surviving a whaling voyage. This led to a growing class of freemen Audonians on Torlen who were not only free but comparatively wealthy if they completed multiple whaling voyages. This caused a stir in Torlenoise society in the latter 18th and 19th centuries.

Ancillary to the main whaling industry a market for scrimshaw emerged and Torlenoise sailors became famous for their depictions of tropical scenes, mermaids, and slavery.

Contemporary period

Further information: Timeline of major world events § Contemporary history

Government

Further information: Government of Burgundie
This article is part of a series on the
BORA
Statistics
  • Population: 17,813,873
  • Area: 822,502.533 km2
  • Climate(s): Tropical wet dry in the coastal interior
  • Geographic description: Islands all around the world
  • Head of government: President Marc-Musadiiq Alard al-Suleiman
Key topics
Provinces

Burgundie portal

Torlen is part of the Burgoignesc Overseas Territory Assembly's Polar Burgundies geographic designation. Burgoignesc Overseas Territory Assembly is a constituent country equivalent of Burgundie with its own assembly, prime minister, budget, and laws. Burgundie's national governmental influence is limited to subsidies, education, and security, however, its financial and cultural institutes cast a long shadow across Torlen.

Torlen is a province within Burgoignesc Overseas Territory Assembly with its own semi-elected Governor-Epistates, representative legislative body, and court system.

Torleniens are Burgoigniacs/Burgoignix with complete civil and economic rights, and citizenship (political rights) under the same federal service criteria as all residents of Burgundie. Burgoignesc is the official language.

Provincial executive

Chateau of the Governor-Epistates.
Chateau of the Governor-Epistates.

The provincial executive is the Governor-Epistates. Three candidates are elected by a single transferable vote election held every 5 years, the three candidates are presented to the Court of St. Alphador and the next Governor-Epistates is chosen from these candidates. If the citizenry rejects the selection, a run-off election is held with the remaining two candidates.

Provincial legislature

Like the Citizens Court of the National Assembly (Burg. La Assemblee de Ciutadans de l'Assemblee Nacional, ACAN), The Torlen Citizen's Court of the Provincial Assembly is a unicameral legislator. It makes provincial law, has the power of the provincial purse, and has the power of impeachment, by which it can remove sitting members of the provincial government. The Assembly has three seats for each province, one for the Burgoignesc Overseas Territory Assembly's Torlen liaison, 3 for the clergy, 3 seats reserved for municipal leaders, and 3 for a rota of private business leaders. On 6 occasions throughout the year 3 more seats are opened to the public to debate topics that are not on the annual legislative agenda.

Administrative divisions and local governance

Further information: Government of Burgundie § Provinces, Government of Burgundie § County Government, Government of Burgundie § Municipal Government, and Cities of Burgundie

Cities and towns

  • New Torleans
  • Barcares
  • Voveza
  • Megakies, resort town on the eastern coast
  • Naouliada, resort town on the eastern coast
  • Pyrint, resort town on the eastern coast
  • Petroudallos
  • Flotres

Emergency response

Further information: Revenue Guard, Fire Seneschalcy of Burgundie, Royal Sociolance Service of Burgundie, and National Gendarmerie of Burgundie

National Gendarmerie

Further information: National Gendarmerie of Burgundie

Torlen is under the jurisdiction of the Torlen Battalion of the Middle Seas Brigade of the Overseas Gendarmerie Division. The Torlen Battalion has 2 companies and an HQ section.

  • A Company is assigned to New Torleans
  • B Company is assigned to the Joint Agency Taskforce Torlen Rangers, with an area of responsibility rural parts of the island with the Wildland Management Service. They are based in Barcares.
  • The HQ section is also based in New Torleans.
Revenue Guard
Further information: Revenue Guard

Firefighting

Further information: Fire Seneschalcy of Burgundie

Torlen is under the jurisdiction of the Fifth Firefighting Engineer Regiment – Levantine Ocean Territories of the Fire Seneschalcy of Burgundie. It has 11 independent fire companies and the HQ section. 4 of the companies are in New Torleans, 2 are in Barcares, one is on Joint Base St. Alban, and three are rural land-based fire companies, and the final company is rotary-wing aerial firefighting company.

Military

Joint Base St. Alban and St. Gregory
 Burgundie
Site information
OwnerBurgoignesc Security Forces
OperatorNavy of Burgundie
ConditionOperational
Site history
Built1747
Garrison information
GarrisonGroupement Disembarkement Rapide no. 7
Occupants

National Gendarmerie of Burgundie

    • TBD
  • Vocivine
    • 1st Submarine Division, Cruise missile
    • 3rd Submarine Division, Hunter-killer
    • 9th Submarine Division, Hunter-killer
    • 15th Submarine Division, Littoral

Torlen falls under the Levantine Ocean Command (LEVCOM), the Metropole Forces Command, the Royal Air Service of Burgundie's Metropole Command, and the Vocivine National of Burgundie's Metropolitan Defense Command. Torlen is the headquarters of the Levantine Ocean Command (LEVCOM) of the Navy of Burgundie. It is also the homeport of all of the LEVCOM fleets: Rapid Deployment Group 7 Burg: Groupement Disembarkement Rapide no. 7, Expeditionary Strike Squadron Levantia Reach, Carrier Strike Group Meridian, and Sustainment Group Cornucopia. There are 2 massive naval facilities, some of the largest in Burgundie which provide a substantial portion of the islands economic activity. There are drydocking facilities, refueling, rearmament, and replenishment depots, surface vessel and maritime aircraft repair facilities. These facilities St. Alban and St. Gregory were combined in 2003 into Joint Base St. Alban and St. Gregory to reduce the financial burden of running them separately and to allow for the use of the basing facilities by the Revenue Guard, Army of Burgundie, National Gendarmerie of Burgundie, and the Vocivine National of Burgundie.

Society

This article is part of a series on the
Culture in
Burgundie
Society
Arts and literature
Other

Burgundie portal
Further information: Culture in Burgundie






Self-reported ethnic origin in Placename (2035)

  Bergendii (72.1%)
  Faramountesc, (7.4%)
  Deric (3.5%)
  Audonia (primarily Ebidi) (8%)
  other/multi-ethnic (9%)


Torlen is a blend of Bergendii, Istroyan, and Northern Dericanian cultures which reflects those who settled the islands over the last 3,000 years. It is predominantly Catholic with a small Mercantile Reform Protestant population, as a result of the Expulsion of the Protestants. Culturally the people of the island are within the Culture in Burgundie with some influences from the people who fled Audonia in the early 19th century. There is a small remnant of the Istroyan religious sect on the island but not in the true Orthodox faith but through the Patriarchate of Marand. Everyone on Torlen speaks Burgoignesc and there are no other languages recognized in an official capacity.

The primary symbol of the island and its culture is the swordfish and the Torlen parrot, both symbols of the island.

Economy

Further information: Economy of Burgundie

Standard of living and employment

Because Torlen's economy is a high-low mix of sectors from research to traditional fishing and herding, opportunities abound for Torliennes at all skill and education levels, which has helped the islands maintain a fairly steady unemployment rate of around 2.5% for the last decade. Burgundie's high emphasis on education translates to a particularly educated and skilled workforce, leading to lower unemployment compared to less educated countries in Levantia. The islands' economic diversity cushions against overreliance on any single industry, which has demonstrably made the island more resilient during downturns. Since Burgundie strives for Total Economic Engagement and espouses equal rights and opportunities regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, ability, or background, Torlen benefits from improved access to education and training, impacting employment prospects across various fields.

Agriculture and herding

5.6% of the land in Torlen, around 3045 hectares, is cultivated for agricultural and herding purposes. Citrus (grapefruit and orange) exports are the main agricultural export of Torlen. Other than citrus, notable agricultural subsectors include bananas, mangos, vegetables (mostly tomatoes, avocadoes, and onion), and poultry.

Seaweed farming

Seaweed farming is the largest agricultural industry in Torlen, with much of the harvested kelp being used for fertilizer. There are 6 large-scale commercial kelp farms that are primarily focused on the export market. The primary species cultivated are Eucheuma cottonii (a red seaweed valued for carrageenan production), Kappaphycus alvarezii (another red seaweed with carrageenan applications), and Sargassum fluitans (a brown seaweed used for biofuel and fertilizer). Additionally, various kelp species, including Laminaria digitata and Saccharina latissima, are farmed for their alginates, utilized in food, pharmaceuticals, and textiles.

Annual seaweed and kelp harvests on Torlen average approximately 500,000 metric tons, generating an estimated revenue of $100 million. This industry directly employs over 5,000 individuals. Ancillary industries like seaweed processing, equipment manufacturing, and logistics provide additional 1,500 jobs, bolstering the sector's overall economic impact. The government of Torlen actively supports seaweed farming through research initiatives, and infrastructure development, recognizing its potential for economic growth and environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration and nutrient absorption.

Natural resource extraction

Torlen has a modest tropical timber industry as well as three limestone mines which have always been historically important to the islands economy. Historically the island had also been used to mine salt but the salt mines were over excavated by the 14th century and have not been found to be viable since despite efforts in the 17th and 19th century.

Tourism and hospitality

Shark and swordfishing, spelunking, cave-diving, and the beaches are a large draw for tourists. The hospitality business in Torlen is mostly geared toward mid-life, middle class couples on holiday without their children and has invested heavily in boutique hotels with a strong concierge economy. Large portions of the eastern side of the island have been turned into a tourist trap over the last 80 years, with excursions, charters, marinas, and hospitality becoming the primary income of those communities. Megakies, Naouliada, and Annapolis are particularly well known for their vacation colonies.The Rouselle-Cartier Hospitality yacht collection is based out of Torlen, the chain also maintains two resort hotels on the island.

Fishing and fisheries

Distant-water fishing fleet

Burgundie's Levantine Ocean distant-water fishing fleet is harbored in Torlen. There are an estimated 37 deep sea trawling ships as well as three squid ships and two whaling ships in the fleet. All of them are based out of the harbor in Barcares on the northeast side of the island. These 42 ships employ 215 fishermen annually and 125 ancillary employees who clean the fish or maintain the boats.

Local commercial fishing

  • Swordfishing boat
    Swordfishing boat
  • Swordfish caught on a longline
    Swordfish caught on a longline

Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus), queen conch (Strombus gigas), groupers (Epinephelidae), snapper (Lutjanidae), grunts (Haemulidae), and jacks (Carangidae).

Boutique/artisanal fishing

Emerging fisheries include parrotfishes (Scarinae), sea cucumbers (holothurians), Florida stone crab (Menippe mercenaria), and gorgonians.

The eggs of four sea turtle species, the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) are also harvested on a limited basis for a very limited clientele.

Aquaculture

Main article: Aquaculture Aquatic life farming, in general

Torlen has a large aquaculture sector, particularly off the southern coast with Mariculture pens for groupers, snapper. There is a growing shrimp and oyster farming industry.

The research institutes on the island and the government are also investing in local algaculture because of its uses in biofuel.

Artisanal/heritage industries

Ancient Istroyan style pottery is a key heritage industry on the island. Their is also a artisanal tobacco industry with limited release Torlen cigars and cigarillos being a primary export of the sector.

Science and research

Torlen is renowned for it's marine biology research facilities. The Torlen Institute for Technology and Sciences, the National University of Burgundie Torlen Campus, and Reveille College of Applied Sciences at New Torleans are the three biggest and well known research schools on Torlen. These three schools also do research for the private sector and the are ongoing research projects for Estia-Odoneru and O'Shea Infrastructure Systems on different additives to concrete to make it more durable in saltwater applications.

Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector in Torlen is very small. O’Shea Container Shipping has a small shipyard and maritime repair facility focused on fishing boats, which employs 137 people.

Infrastructure

Maritime

The Torlen Fast Ferry Service (owned and operated by Lansing Lines) operates out of New Torleans and has daily ro-ro passenger/vehicle ferry service to:

There is a weekly ferry to Ile Burgundie that departs on Sunday night, arriving on Monday, and returning on Thursday night, arriving in New Torleans on Friday.

Lighthouses
Further information: Burgoignesc Maritime Navigation Administration

Rail

Further information: Rail transportation in Burgundie

Torlen uses Standard gauge, 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) for both freight and passenger rail.

Istroyan Rail- Istroyan Rail (Burg: Istroie Ferroviaire), is the public-private joint-venture, intercity, passenger rail operator in Torlen, Antilles, Alcairet, and Chaukhira. It owns and operates all rail corridors, rights of way, and rolling stock that serve this purpose.

Road

Torlen boasts about 78% pave roadways with all roadways including the remaining 12% being improved. There is a modestly sized provincial roads maintenance department, with private contract support which maintains the roads during normal operations and also conducts debris/route clearance in disaster/post-hurricanes scenarios. There is a density of 75 km of road per capita the island.

Air

The Torlen Regional Airport is a small, short haul airport facility that is shared by the civilian terminal and Advance Warning and Intercept Task Group 3 (AWITG3) of the Navy of Burgundie Hyperthalatton and Revenue Guard.

There are 3 gates in the passenger terminal:

There is a small cargo terminal operated by AiReal Cargo.

Energy and electricity

Further information: 21st Century Burgoignesc Power Projection Stratagem § BORA Waste to Energy Compact, Energy policy in Burgundie, Science and Technology in Burgundie § Energy, and Energy policy in Burgundie

The BORA Waste to Energy Compact went into effect in 2027 with construction of a Waste to Energy power plant starting in 2028. The one plant built in Torlen generates approximately 104,000 kWh/day with a waste reduction capacity of 110,000 kg/day.

30% of Torlen's energy is solar including agrovoltaics, 25% from wind, 22% from tidal, 10% from natural gas, the remainder is supplied by a undersea power cable to Marialianus. The island has 8 battery banks that can keep essential government services like police, fire, and EMS operating for 48 hrs if there is a total blackout.

Most power infrastructure is buried because of the intensity of Levantine hurricanes.

Phone service and internet

Phone and internet service are provided by Great Seas BurgunMobile, Vintage Wireless, and National Wireless Services, which have 7, 6, and 2 towers respectively across the island. 100% of the island and its population are covered by at least one of the services, National Wireless Services covering the less densely populated and therefore less profitable areas. Copperwire and fiberoptic phone still exists, one or both are required for all municipal and emergency response connections, and people along the route are allowed to buy in, but during emergencies their calls are de-prioritized in favor of emergency response calls, which is the same with mobile service on the island. There is an undersea cable from Marialianus to Torlen.

Highspeed internet service is provided by Great Seas BurgunMobile, and Extron Burgundie Mobile. Residential internet speeds average 2-3 gigabits while commercial speeds are typically higher in the 3-4 gigabit range.

There is also a Global Maritime Distress and Safety System repeater and beacon on the island.

See also

Retrieved from "https://ixwiki.com/index.php?title=Torlen&oldid=80137"