CHAPTER 2- THE ISLANDS
Fecaw is an archipelago comprised of 33 major islands and dozens of other islets. Traditionally, these islands are placed into 11 groups. Here is a map of Fecaw for reference:
The groups, with their locations and number of islands:
- Furthest West, North- Joshro (4)
- Furthest West, South- Alac (3)
- Second from West, North- Caryme (1)
- Second from West, South- Jonde (5)
- Third from West, North- Joliar (2)
- Third from West, South- Dopher (2)
- Central- Seret (4)
- Second from East- Manda (5)
- Furthest East, North- Brill (5)
- Furthest South- Anyna (1)
- Far South, Furthest East- Vier (1)
This tour of each group will start in the North East, ending in the South West.
Joshro IslandsThe Joshro Islands are comprised of 4 islands, 3 in the centre with one outlier. They are as follows:
- Outlier- Aante Island
- Central West- Tice Island
- Central East- Nicey Island
- South- Aneil Island
The total population of Joshro is 967 and the total area is 649 km
2.
The Joshro Islands are incredibly remote and suffer the worst of Fecawn weather. Their population is realtively small, characterised by close-knit communities with strong family connections. Much of industry is based around sheep herding and wool. Many also work on ships, an important method of transport. The population is slowly decreasing as younger people move out to find more varied jobs. The Joshro Group was only discovered in the 1300s, remaining largely uninhabited until 1876, when it was used as a prison colony. The prisons closed in the 1930s, allowing for some farmers to move in. The Joshro Islands support a number of seabirds including many gulls and black guillemots.
Aante IslandAante Island is the most undeveloped in all of Fecaw. Around 69 people lived there in 2016, mainly farmers. The only settlement is the town of Tesson, on the Southern coast, with a population of 58. Aante Island occupies an area of 80 km
2. Aante Island has been inhabited since 1941 and a local community hall was opened in 1986.
Tice and Nicey IslandsTice Island has an area of 242 km
2 and a polulation of 296, while Nicey Island has a population of 266 and an area of 2,935 km
2. Both have an economy focused on sheep farming, with Nicey Island developing a promising fishing industry. Tice Island was inhabited in 1876, as a prison colony, with three prisons opening around the island. All three had closed down by 1932. Nicey Island was inhabited by several families from Tice Island in 1935.
Aneil IslandAneil Island has an area of 327 km
2 and a population of 335. It is largely similar to the other two large islands, except that it is the seat of government for the Joshro Islands. The town of Hark, with a population of 158, is the regional capital and home to the Joshro Council.
Alac IslandsThe Alac Islands are comprised of 1 large island with 2 much smaller outliers. They are as follows:
- Southern Main- Loler Bank
- Western Outlier- Manani Island
- Eastern Outlier- Tenn Island
The total population of Alac is 93,7500 and the total area is 1,750 km
2.
The Alac Islands are dominated by the Loler Bank, actually a large, but thin island. They have a more sheltered climate than the Joshro Islands and are more connected with the rest of Fecaw. Business is varied, one large industry being tourism.
Loler BankLoler Bank is by far the largest island in Alac. It is a very thin island, with three main sections: the Western Point, a large appendage in the West, Central Bank, the main body of the island and Oller Ridge, the thin strip of land connecting the two. Loler Bank has an area of 1,452 km
2 and a population of 81,500. The Oller Ridge is covered in seaside resorts and hotels, where much of the population is employed. Loler Bank is also home to the capital of Alac: Yeron. Yeron has a population of 19,200 and is home to the Alac Council. Other major settlements include Cherya (13,000 people) on the Western Point and Sander (6,500 people) in the East.
Manani and Tenn IslandsManani and Tenn Islands are much smaller and more remote than Loler Bank. Manani Island is home to 6,400 people and has an area of 152 km
2. Tenn Island us home to 5,800 people and has an area of 146 km
2. The two have been inhabited since the 1890s. Most people are farmers.
Caryme IslandCaryme Island is divided into two main geographical sections: the peninsula in the West and the mainland. Caryme Island has an area of 13,051 km
2 and a population of 653,600. Erilia is the capital, home to several museums and a few consulates as well as the Caryme Council. Erilia is located in the South East, about 70 kilometres from the coast and has a population of 160,300. Other major settlements include Aldob: a coastal town on the peninsula with a population of 130,700 and Nanera: a town in the North with a population of 86,300. Caryme has a colder climate than most of Fecaw and has been inhabited since the 2
nd century. Mass immigration from the West during the Industrial Revolution, especially in the 1880s, caused a surge in population.
Jonde IslandsThe Jonde Islands are composed of 1 large island, 3 smaller islands and 1 very small island.
- Main- Garria Island
- Western- Nolic Island
- Eastern Outlier- Briat Island
- South East- Helarin Island
- South West- Gahace Island
The total population of Jonde is 1,239,900 and the total area is 26,902 km
2.
The Jonde Islands are dominated by Garria, which contains a large lake and peninsula. There are three more islands with some population and one outlier, barely inhabited. The climate is warm and fishing is a major business.
Garria IslandGarria Island is the main island in Jonde. Garria Island has an area of 20,485 km2 and a population of 994,200. The capital is the city of Math. Math has a population of 268,800 and is famous for its beautiful suburbs and large, bustling markets. Most people in Garria do not live in large settlements, but generally in many small village communities. However, some other major towns include Nathly on the peninsula, with a population of 170,600 and Jerea in the North with a population of 20,600. In the South West of the island there is Lake Aleve, with a depth of up to 75 metres and area of 1,958 km
2. Lake Aleve is also colloquially known as Allocev and is home to several fishing villages. Fish species in the lake include brown trout, salmon, trout, perch and pollan. Bream, gudgeon, pike and rudd are also found, but are less common.
Nolic IslandNolic Island has an area of 1,552 km2 and a population of 75,900. The largest town is Doria, which has a population of 40,100. Doria is the main settlement in Nolic Island, with most others living in nearby towns. Much of Nolic Island is uninhabited: the North is used as a nature reserve.
Helarin and Gahace IslandSlightly larger than Nolic Island are Helarin and Gahace Island. The two have very close relations with eachother, with many people being residents of both. Helarin has an area of 2,536 km
2 and a population of 90,600. Gahace has an area of 2,180 km
2 and a population of 78,300.
Briat IslandBriat Island is very small compared to its neighbours. It is famed for its beauty and a popular tourist spot. Briat has a population of just 970 and an area of 149 km
2. The only major settlement is the town of Tyal, which is centred around a port in the North West.
Joliar IslandsThe Joliar Islands are composed of 1 large island and 1 smaller island.
- Main- Schis Island
- Small- Saher Island
The total population of Joliar is 1,018,500 and the total area is 20,970 km
2.
Schis IslandSchis Island has a slightly varied climate and geography, with some cultural variations around the island. In the North, the Lance Peninsula is connected to Schis by a thin strip of land, known as The Lance. Schis Island has a population of 962,800 and an area of 19,817 km
2. Most of the population resides in the lower West, which contains much arable land. The Eastern end of the island has much more extreme terrain, peaking at 1,259m with Mount Grare. Major settlements include the largely suburban capital city of Lary in the South East, with a population of 456,600 and the town of Pareri, which is on the Lance Peninsula.
There are two main rivers on Schis Island: the Danne and the Char. The Danne is 71 km long, with its roots in the central mountains and mouth in the South. It is an important method of transport. The Char is 39 km long and has its source much lower in the hills of the South. Its mouth is at the start of the Lance Peninsula. The Char has been used as a traditional boundary between The Lance and the rest of the island. Schis Island is famous for its local cuisine, which includes many unique cheeses and desserts. Large coal deposits are present in the North, where a small mining industry developed.
Saher IslandSaher Island is much smaller than Schis Island, with an area of 1153 km
2 and a population of 55,700. Saher Island has a small textile industry. The largest town is Randia, with a population of 15,400.
Dopher IslandsThe Dopher Islands are composed of 1 large island and 1 smaller island.
- Main- Austha Island
- Small- Roli Island
The total population of Dopher is 741,500 and the total area is 15315 km
2.
Austha IslandAustha Island is the main island in Dopher. It has an area of 14,970 km
2 and a population of 725,600. The shape of the island is dominated by a large bay in the North, thought to have been caused by a catastrophic event around 200 million years ago. A large fish processing industry has sprung up around the coast here after the fishing industry slowed down in the 1950s. Fish stocks are imported from further West for packaging here. Much of the South West is part of the Killen Valley, where most of Austha's agriculture takes place. The South East has much more extreme terrain, peaking at 985m with Eule Top. Major settlements include the city of Kar on the North Eastern end of the bay, with a population of 253,400 and the town of Stra in the South, with a population of 106,200.
Roli IslandTo the West of Austha Island is the much smaller Roli Island. It has a population of 15,800 and an area of 345 km
2. Roli Island is dominated by locally unpopular holiday homes, mostly belonging to Austhans. Roli Island is also home to a military base which occupies a closed-off area of about 40% of the island.
Seret IslandsThe Seret Islands are dominated by 1 large island and 3 smaller islands.
- Main- Seret Island
- North- Helic Island
- South East- Aliea Island
- South West- Russe Island
The total population of Seret is 1,916,800 and the total area is 38,620 km
2.
Seret IslandSeret Island is the main island. It has an area of 38,126 km
2 and a population of 1,885,400. There are two main lakes in Seret. They are both in the North East and connected by a complex river system. They are the Halan, with an area of 966 km
2 and the downstream Lanex, with an area of 281 km
2. The main rivers on the Western side of Seret are, from North to South, the Mahac (31km long), the Ruron, source of Lake Halan and 57 km, the 79 km Nilia, the 28 km Joton and 24 km Barli. The main rivers on the Eastern side of Seret are, from North to South, the 51km Lanel, the 46km Kynri and the 44km Glew. The two main ranges of hills are the Dito Hills in the North, peaking at 1,184m with Mount Jory, and the Babe Hills in the North, peaking at 1,062 m with Mount Desei. Major cities include the capital; Panen in the North East with 746,734 people, Benni at the mouth of the Nilia with a population of 521,100 people and Chart in the South East with 312,100 people.
Major industries in Seret include banking, which is largely based in Benni, and entertainment. The presence of these two industries leads to a high GDP. Seret Island is home to several TV and radio studios. Seret is one of the home islands of prehistoric Fecawns. Remains of settlements from 15000 BC have been found in the Central valleys.
Helic IslandHelic Island has an area of 388 km
2 and a population of 23,700. The largest settlement is the town of Sarin, with a population of 12,200. Many Helic residents travel into Panen in Seret for work. Helic Island has a varied coastal climate with relatively extreme winters. The island has been inhabited since the 2nd century and has been damaged by several historical wars.
Aliea and Russe IslandsThese two islands are rather remote. Aliea Island has an area of 59 km
2 and a population of 6,300. Russe Island has an area of 47 km
2 and a population of only 1,500. Most of the people are involved in farming or fishing. The only major settlement is the town of Casan on Aliea, with a population of 3,000. The people of these islands are relatively isolated from the rest of Fecaw.
Manda IslandsThe Manda Islands are dominated by 1 large island and 4 smaller islands.
- Main- Manda Island
- North- Eveo Island
- Far North- Aliea Island
- West- Grist Island
- South- Shaly Island
The total population of Manda is 3,102,000 and the total area is 67334 km
2.
Manda IslandManda Island is the main island of Fecaw. It has an area of 66,898 km
2 and a population of 3,047,900. There are 3 main lakes on Manda: the large, Northern Ethe with an area of 3258 km
2, the further North Naral, with an area of 251 km
2, the North Western Jonar with an area of 93 km
2 and the South Western Dosera with an area of 101 km
2. The Ethe hosts 54 species of coastal aquatic flora, including cane, calamus, bulrush, grass rush, lesser bulrush and water parsnip. Floating plants are rare and are of only three types: arrowhead, yellow water-lily and water knotweed. On the West, the rivers from North to South are the 31 km Stha, the 110 km Gerit, the 88 km Jarer, the 105 km Canan, the 162 km Stiro and the 149 km Anthyn. On the South, the rivers from West to East are the 22 km Tehn, the 27 km Raryn, the 156 km Kelen, the 203 km Kare and the 55 km Paliss. The main Eastern river is the 48 km Manep. On the North, the rivers from West to East are the 23 km Pharg, the 109 km Berer, the 65 km Eletem and the 75 km Rill. The main range of hills, which occupies much of the centre of the island, peaks in the East with Mount Lonera at 1378m.
Due to its size, Manda Island is home to much of Fecawn industry. There are many factories on the island, many near coastal sea ports. Precious metal reserves, which are a major source of industry, can also be found in the South. Manda is traditionally thought to be the Fecawn homeland. Major settlements include the Fecawn capital: Sediw, which is located between Lakes Ethe and Naral with a population of 1,408,800. Sediw contains many art museums and government buildings. Other cities include Dicor in the East, home to many Fecawn factories and a population of 630,100.
Eveo and Aliea IslandsEveo and Aliea Islands are much smaller than Manda. Eveo has a population of 9,000 and an area of 72 km
2. Aliea has a population of 7,700 and an area of 61 km
2. Both islands have an industry dominated by farming. There are no major settlements: just farming communities.
Grist IslandGrist Island is the smallest in Fecaw, with an area of just 35 km
2. It is also completely uninhabited and covered mostly by forest. It is a protected nature reserve and home to several rare bird species.
Shaly IslandShaly Island has a population of 37,400 and an area of 303 km
2. It has a distinctive long shape. On the far Eastern end of the island is the town of Aanie, which has a population of 12,700. Shaly Island is a popular tourist destination, due to its long, beach-covered coastline.
Brill IslandsThe Brill Islands are comprised of 5 islands, 1 main island, 1 smaller neighbour and 3 small islands. They are as follows:
- Main- Dold Island
- Southern- Brand Island
- Small East- Rogam Island
- Small Furthest East- Alivia Island
- Small West- Rolae Island
The total population of Brill is 1,247,200 and the total area is 26676 km
2.
Dold IslandDold Island has a population of 1,101,600 and an area of 24,253 km
2. Major settlements include the Northern city of Roria with 1,731,000 people and the Southern town of Beyl with a population of 159,900 people. Dold Island is home to Fecaw's space program and has seen the launch of various sattelites. Dold Island has only been inhabited since the 1700s due to treacherous seas making the maintainence of large settlements difficult.
Brand IslandBrand Island has a population of 113,300 and an area of 2,062 km
2. It has a unique shape that can best be described as multiple connected bays. It is the thinnest island in Fecaw. The major town is Grinam, with a population of 36,300. Brand Island is home to several manufacturing plants.
Rogam and Alivia IslandRogam and Alvia are two small islands to the East of Brand Island. Rogam has an area of 198 km
2 and a population of 10,800 people. Alvia has an area of 113 km
2. The two islands have only been inhabited since the 1880s.
Rolae Island Rolae Island is often seen as part of Brand, but, due to the lack of a land connection, they shall be treated seperately here. Rolae has an area of 248 km
2 and a population of 21,400. Rolae Island has a long history of producing great sportsmen, despite its small size. Several National League football players and racing drivers grew up there.
Anyna IslandAnyna Island has a population of 858,700 and an area of 19,872 km
2. It is the most southernly and generally the warmest island. The island is known for its collection of megalithic stone monuments, which indicate very early prehistoric human activity. Major settlements include the regional capital city of Bari in the South, with a population of 290,100. Due to its climate, Anyna is one of the two wine-producing islands in Fecaw. Anyna Island is also home to a large salt flat: Halite Flats in the West, which is the lowest spot in Fecaw at -16m.
Vier IslandVier Island has a population of 927,900 and an area of 21,250 km
2. It, like Anyna has a very warm climate, but is also very exposed to the ocean, resulting in regular tropical storms which damage the Eastern end of the island. The major, and capital, city of Barery is located in the North West and has a population of 415,100. Vier also produces wine, with most vineyards in the West. Vier Island is also the most easterly and flattest island in Fecaw.