Swashbuckler Trading Post

Isla Del Trueque, in English: Trading Post Island, or more commonly known as the Swashbuckler Trading Post, is a remote island 20 miles north of Club Penguin Island. It is a Castillan colony, and has only one large building and a few small hacienda-like homes in the inland parts of the island; the rest of the island is a National Park Reserve.

History
The island was first discovered by Vikings a short time after 200 AD, although there are few signs left indicating that vikings once inhabited the island. The vikings had set up a colony on the island, but the colony died out a few years afterwards due to the "Dreaded Sickness".

In 1569, Castillan Explorers re-discovered the island after stopping by what is now Club Penguin Island. Eager to set up a closer trading spot with Penguin Island (as it was called back then) and the HPC controlled Antarctic Peninsula, La Isla del Trueque was founded as a Castillan Colony under the Castillan crown. A small dock was built and some fortifications were built. Trade increased on the island, and the island is still under Castillan Control since it is only inhabited by loyal Castillans.

In 2012, Rockhopper, a common visitor, brought the inhabitants of Club Penguin for the first time to the island, which heavily increased trade and the economy of the island. Today, the island is prospering in trade as it still hosts ships that come from the Antarctic Peninsula, Club Penguin, the Sub-Antarctic, and the Yowien Sea.

Places

 * Swashbuckler Trading Post- The busiest part of the island, and where most visitors usually go. It obtained the unofficial name "Swashbuckler Trading Post" by the numerous pirates who stop in to trade with the locals, and the name stuck.
 * Jungle- Most of the small island is covered in dense jungle, and is claimed as a Castillan National Park Reserve.

Culture
The community of Isla del Trueque is very close, and everyone knows each other mostly. The Haciendas are typically shared between two families and some lone penguins who are servants or workers for the families. The main building at the port is home to several shops where merchants from around the Antarctic come to trade, barracks where the soldiers sleep and eat, and a modest, traditional Castillan Tavern all in one building. A large fortress wall connects the Main Building and runs down the coastline for about 400 meters. The Haciendas are located not too far from the main building, and are home to small Cacao farms that produce the heavenly Chocolate that is sold to Snoss traders at the marketplace at the port.

Demographics
Trading Post Island is home to a very close community. The island has roughly about 100 residents, including Free Puffles and about 50 Soldiers. Only about 60% of the population were born and raised on the island, while 40% came from the Castillan mainland. About 50% of the soldiers there are native born, while 50% are Soldiers from the Mainland who are stationed there. About 95% of all residents are of pure Castillan origin, while 2% are of mixed AU-Castillan Origin and 3% are originally from the USA.

Military
See Castillan Army for more details

As said above, Isla del Trueque has 50 fully trained Castillan Soldiers that live on the island. 25 of them are natives to the island and are permanently stationed here, while the other 25 strictly come from the Castillan Mainland and typically are stationed there for about 3 years before they are replaced with another 25 soldiers. The only threats that the military have had to deal with since 1987 have been a few pirate attacks on the trading post. However, most pirates are courteous towards the residents and get good trading deals.

Trivia

 * Zhouese merchant junks frequently visit the island for trade ever since contact in 1645. They frequently sell exotic spices and beautiful porcelain.