Lowlaw Island

Lowlaw Island, formally The Culldrome Territory of the Lowlaw Islands, is a small group of islands located in in the Sub-Antarctic region of the USA, just south of the Sunshine Fjord in Trans-Antarctica. Formerly an independent Free Republic, the island was taken over by Zhouese and Confederate forces in the Shadow of Culldrome. After it was liberated, the island came under control of the Culldrome Isles after a referendum was conducted on the island. Lowlaw Island is known as a major trading hub in the region and for its local production of various crops.

Origins
Hundreds of years before Lowlaw Island was founded, it is believed that penguins had settled on the island. High Penguins are generally thought to have settled here, using it as a way point from the mainland to far off lands and to conduct trade with Asiapelago. Studies suggest that the settlement was not very large and influential. It is predicted that Mount Goodland, a (now extinct) volcano on the island, erupted violently during the mid High Penguin Confederacy in a violent month-long eruption, resulting in the islanders fleeing. The lava flowed down to what is now known as North and South Ungolia. It then flowed to the sea where a new area of land was formed, expanding the island's size.

Colonial Era (2008-09)
In early 2008, Antarctic explorer Chub 777 rediscovered the island and established a colony on its southern coast, with part of the crew staying behind. The island was initially claimed for the United States of Antarctica, however it became its own independent state six days after its founding. Some of the settlers explored for food but only found O-Berries. After several months their ship, the C-Pengaberg, returned with more supplies and settlers. Due to the climate, various crops, such as Soda Roots and coffee, were planted around the island, with the produce being exported off.

A few months after its establishment the island was explored inland. When the mountains of Lowlaw were first traveled, the explorers discovered many caverns. Mines were built in these caverns and lots of penguins found gold, silver or coal. A small goldrush had started at Lowlaw increasing the population and making much of the populace wealthy. Lowlaw then became a prime exporter of minerals in the region, despite its small scale operation.

In 2009, one of the major tunnels in the Lowlaw West Mine collapsed as a result of tremors. This sparked a large scale investigation into mine safety on the island, which was considered lax at best. More tremors resulted in more mine collapses and by the end of the investigation, most of the mines on the island were forced to shutdown. The entire economy of the island failed and it had to turn towards other industries or risk being bailed out by the USA. The island underwent a recession and found itself it debt, but was saved from it a year later.

Globalisation Era (2010-2014)
As a result of its position in the Sub-Antarctic, Lowlaw Island was a good via point for ships traveling from Asiapelago to Antarctica. Lowlaw's economy began to boom as a result of all the transit between it. More ports were established and the island experienced an economical and population boom.

At the same time, the island began to exploit its natural wood sources from the forests in its deep central mountains. The wood was prized among traditional ship builders, so a ship building industry began to popup on the island. As the sales of ships went up, Lowlaw began to manufacture more modern, steel ships albeit at a much smaller scale. In addition, the island's agricultural industry grew and large amounts of exported produce lead to more prosperity. Lowlaw's prominence increased, due to more contact with other countries.

Culldrome Civil War
During the later stages of the Shadow of Culldrome, Lowlaw Island was invaded by military forces from the Confederacy of Independent Culldrome and Zhou. The invasion destroyed most of the island's infrastructure as it was used as a staging base for their subsequent Antarctic invasion. After the collapse of the Confederacy, the island was briefly held under Zhouese occupation. A combined Culldrom-Antarctic military operation drove the Zhouese off the island and Lowlaw was placed under temporary combined occupation.

In July 2014, an agreement was reached between the Lowlian government, Culldrome and the USA, where Lowlaw Island's sovereignty would be transferred to Culldrome. The decision was controversial, with many claiming Culldrome was creating its own empire and annexing a tiny country for its own benefit. On August 11 2014, Lowlaw Island became a Culldrom territory and soon afterwards, the much-awaited rebuilding project began.

Provinces of Lowlaw Island


Lowlaw Island consists of nine different divisions, known as provinces. As Lowlaw Island is a Culldrom territory, these provinces are not formal divisions and are only used for domestic use (i.e. address). The Governor of the island is elected by everyone in a collective vote; the divisions are not political.

1. Portland
Portland is the largest city on the island and is its capital, being larger than several of the other provinces. It is also the most populated and developed. Portland is mostly dominated by countless ports and warehouses, especially on the coastal regions. It is said that there are over 150 different ports. The interior is filled with large industrial and commercial buildings in the south, while residential buildings occupy the northern, more suburban areas. Portland is home to the Governor's Building, once known as the Presidential Capitol prior to Culldrom rule. The city is bordered to the north by the foothills of the Central mountains and to the east by the infamous Ungolian River.

2. Westerport
The Westerport province is located in the west of Lowlaw Island and is named after its capital, located on its coast. Much like Portland, much of Westerport is devoted to docks for passing ships. It is heavily developed compared to the eastern coast of the island. Industry dominates the province; there are little residential or commercial buildings located.

3. Industrial Zone

 * See also: Lowlaw Island International Airport

Home to the island's only airport, the Industrial Zone is a busy province entirely dedicated to heavy industry. Similar to Westerport, there are practically no residential or commercial buildings. It is also one of the most polluted and crime-riddled areas on the island, other than the Ungolia provinces.

4. Hunter
Hunter is located on the northern foothills of the Central Mountains. It is located in an ideal place for agriculture; most of the island's crops are grown here. Plenty of Soda Root and Sugar Cane is grown here, which is then exported. These crops are Lowlaw Island's most profitable and well known exports.

5. Central Mountains
The Central Mountains (colloquially known as just Central) covers the self described central mountain range of the island. It is famous for its many mines and booming forestry industry. The tallest mountains of the island are located here, with snow occurring on the winter months. Not many penguins live in the mountains, although the town of Snyden is located in between the Twin Lakes, high above the island. Snyden is the capital of the province and the main hub for any industrial activity.

6. Meridon
The Meridon region is the thin strip of coastal land on the eastern side of the island. Much of it is made up of prime beach front housing for wealthy individuals. Meridon also attracts many tourists, possessing many monuments, tourist attractions and hotels.

7. North Ungolia
North of Lake Ungolia is North Ungolia. Originally part of Hunter, the new province was formed as Ungolia in 2011, after a dispute about governmental taxing. New laws made Ungolia a prime spot for developing industry and it soon began to boom. However, as pollution and crime became more and more of a problem, Ungolia split due to political and civilian tensions. North Ungolia deteriorated into a shell of what it once was and soon became the site of the island's large jail complex. With only about 120 permanent residents, North Ungolia has a petty rivalry with South Ungolia, and usually threatens to Ditto-bomb them.

8. South Ungolia
South of Lake Ungolia is South Ungolia. Originally part of Meridon, the new province was formed as Ungolia in 2011, after a dispute about governmental taxing. New laws made Ungolia a prime spot for developing industry and it soon began to boom. However, as pollution and crime became more and more of a problem, Ungolia split due to political and civilian tensions. South Ungolia, unlike its northerly counterpart, began to continue developing economically, without the added weight of the North pulling them down. South Ungolia became a wealthy spot of the island, where around 400 penguins live. It has a petty rivalry with North Ungolia, due to political issues. Despite regularly threatening to Ditto them, South Ungolia simply shrugs of the threats.

9. Lowlaw Outlying Islands

 * See also: Joking Islands

Lowlaw Island is made up of a small island chain, with all of the other minor outlying islands part of a single province. There are very few inhabitants of this province; only a couple hundred. Main industries include fishing and tourism, which support their tiny economy. The Joking Islands form the majority of the islands of this province.

Places
There are many places of interest on the island, such as:

The Twin Lakes are two lakes located in the Central Mountains province, in the mountainous regions of the island. The rivers that flow out from the lakes separates the Central Mountains into an eastern section and a western section. The water found here is clean and fresh, as a result of natural rain water and ice melt-off. The lake located to the east has cleaner water compared to the western lake because it is farther away from the motorway that runs through the mountains and from mines and industry. Sewerage is never dumped in the lakes to keep it a clean source of fresh water for the island. Lake Ungolia is a lake in the southeastern portion of the island, with the Ungolian River flowing out from it. The lake is the border between the North and South Ungolian provinces. The northern side is full of mud, pollution and other random junk thrown in. The island's entire sewerage is dumped here, contributing to the poor water quality. The lake is one of the most inhospitable in Antarctica, with its water considered to be toxic.
 * Lowlaw Island Governance Hall - The de facto seat of government for the Culldrom territory.
 * Portland City Hall - The capital of Portland City
 * Lowlaw East Mine
 * Lowlaw West Mine (closed in 2009 due to cave-ins)
 * Lowlaw Island International Airport
 * Twin Lakes
 * Lake Ungolia

Government
Prior to Culldrome's takeover, Lowlaw Island was a democratic federation, where citizens vote for representatives to a party in a Westminster-parliament style. Lowlaw Island was run by two dominating parties. The parties were the Republic of New/East Lowlaw (REPoNLL-pronounced R-ep-oh-nah-ll) and the Democracy of the Western Core (DotWC-pronounced Dot-wah-ck). There were a total of 13 mini-wards in which the parties rule. The election run began on the 13th of May (where party leaders give opening speeches) and ends on the 27th, when votes are cast and counted.

After becoming a Culldrom territory, Lowlaw Island was administered by a Governor, who lived on the island. The Governor was voted on by locals, similar to past elections. The Governor leads Lowlaw Island, but still has to answer to their superiors and the Supreme Leader of Culldrome.

Transportation

 * Distance 0-5 miles:
 * Waddling
 * Pengui-Bike
 * Distance 5-20 miles
 * Car
 * Bus
 * Distance 20-85 miles
 * Ships
 * Submarine
 * Distance 85 or more miles
 * Ships
 * Airplane
 * Helicopter

Villains

 * Penguins who steal money
 * North Ungolian Dittoizers

Resources

 * Silver
 * Farming things
 * Wood
 * Fish
 * Water
 * Ships
 * Sails
 * Cloth
 * Rock
 * Water
 * Cheap (yet broken) ships
 * Cars
 * Gold
 * Coal
 * Soda Root
 * Sugar Cane