Ōshima

Ōshima 大島
Flag Coat of Arms
Anthem: Hymne des Mydra "Hymn of the Mydra"
Capital	Lission
Largest city	Kitami
Official languages	Midrasian Ashiharan
Demonym(s)	Ōshiman
Government	Dependent territory
• President of the Council	Yanase Nomi
Legislature	Kokkai
Establishment
• Agreement of Lission	1734
• Annexation by Midrasia	1837
• Statute of Autonomy	1978
Population
• Estimate	1,290,000
• 2018 census	1,289,543
GDP (nominal)	2018 estimate
• Total	$34,590,701,432
• Per capita	$26,824
Currency	Ducat (Đ) (MND)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Chishima Standard Time)
Calling code	+01 602

Ōshima, formerly known as Saint Louis (Midrasian: Saint Luix) is an island and overseas territory of Midrasia located within the Jade Ocean. Ōshima is part of the Chishima island chain along with Nanto, Iwashima, Kitajima, and Toiyama. The island of Ōshima is a disputed territory, having been claimed by both the Democratic Republic of Nanto and the State of Ashihara. Whilst Midrasia does not recognise the claims of Ashihara to the territory, the Midrasian government has conceded that it is 'open to cooperating with the government of Nanto to secure a future for both Nanto and Ōshima that satisfies both parties'.

Ōshima was originally inhabited by aborigines before the 11th century when the region came under the control Ashihara. After independence in the 15th century the Kingdom of Chishima controlled the region, though under a rather decentralised administration in which regional Daimyos held much of the authority for their local areas. During the mid-eighteenth century, the Midrasian Oriental Company gained significant sway over the Daimyo of Ōshima, gradually increasing its influence over the region. In 1734 the Agreement of Lission was signed allowing the MOC to establish a trading port. By 1837 owing to the political instability on the island, Midrasia had come to dominate Ōshiman affairs, removing the Daimyo and annexing the region as a colony. In 1978 due to local tensions, the island was granted a considerable level of autonomy, allowing residents to elect a regional parliament and vote in Consular elections.

Ōshima remains relatively rural with the only major settlements being the cities of Lission and Kitami. The most notable geographic feature on the island is Mount Tamura which is an active volcano and the highest point on the island at 1,032 m (3,386 ft). Mount Tamura last erupted in 1973 causing an evacuation of the surrounding areas, whilst the village of Toma was abandoned and remains so to this day as a ghost town. An exclusion zone of exactly 3 miles now exists around the perimeter of the volcano which is closely monitored by local police forces.

Ōshima is governed by the President of the Council who is elected by the Kokkai, the territory's legislative body. Midrasian citizens on the island are entitled to vote for elections to the Kokkai which take place every four years. Midrasian citizens on the island are also entitled to vote in Midrasian Consular elections. The island has a considerable level of autonomy, though remains reliant on Midrasia for security and foreign policy matters. Ōshima is considered to be part of the Commonwealth of Democratic Nations' single market and as such benefits from trading privileges with the bloc.

Geography

Eruption of Mount Tamura in 1973

Ōshima's terrain is relatively hilly, owing to its location along the Chishiman volcanic fault lines which form a part of the Jade Ocean's 'Ring of Fire'. As a result, much of the island's population is concentrated within the coastal regions, with only 23% of the population living within the central areas of the island. The capital of the island Lission is located on the south-west coast of the island, whilst the largest city of Kitami is in the north-west.

Ōshima is a major producer of sugar cane, pineapple, papaya, and other tropical fruit with agricultural produce forming a significant portion of the island's economy. Fishing is also another significant industry on the island to the extent that marine life within the region has been put at risk by overfishing. Fish such as the dugong along with local coral are at risk due to the exploitation of the island's surrounding waters, leading the local government to introduce strict quotas and regulations on fishing activity.

Mount Tamura

Mount Tamura is the highest point on Ōshima at 1,032 m (3,386 ft). A dormant volcano, records have indicated that Tamura has erupted at least 5 times in recorded history: 987, 1312, 1659, 1874, and 1973. The latest eruption in 1973 was the most devastating in recent memory, claiming the lives of 87 people and destroying the nearby village of Toma which remains abandoned to this day. Initially, an exclusion zone of 7 miles existed around the volcano which was reduced to 3 in 2002. Following the eruption, several early warning signals have been installed on the island, whilst rescue authorities regularly train to deal with any future eruptions. Recent seismological data indicates that Mount Tamura is once again active and has the potential to erupt at any point in the near future.