Mava
Mava | |
|---|---|
Unincorporated territorial area | |
| Territory of the Mava Islands Territorio de las Islas Mava (Almagrian) Maava Tlaanigat Chuumuk (Mavean) | |
| Motto(s): "Maava Taaskiuk" (Mavean) (Anglish: "Onwards Mava") | |
| Anthem: "El Gran Evento" | |
 | |
| Sovereign state |  Atitlan |
| Annexed by Atitlan | 1828 |
| Autonomy | 1 June 2003 |
| Administrative centre and largest town | Paas |
| Official languages |
|
| Demonym(s) |
|
| Government | Devolved locally-administered unincorporated area within a constitutional monarchy |
• Monarch | Macuilxochitzin |
• Administrator | Alonso Núñez. |
• Mayor | Hay Kaani Tialipti |
| Legislature | Mava Islands Council |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,734 km2 (670 sq mi) |
• Water (%) | 3 |
| Highest elevation | 1,345 m (4,413 ft) |
| Population | |
• 2021 census | 2,102 (not ranked) |
• Density | 1.21/km2 (3.1/sq mi) (not ranked) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $2.162 million |
• Per capita | $1,070 |
| Currency | Atitlanese peso (ATP) |
| Time zone | UTC-9 |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +52 |
| ISO 3166 code | MV |
| Internet TLD | .mv |
Maava (/mɑːvə/; Mavean: Maava), officially the Territory of the Mava Islands is an Atitlanese dependent territory in the Sarosan Ocean, comprising a group of three islands. It has an area of 1,734 square kilometres (670 sq mi), the largest of which, Mava Island, gives its name to the territory.
The territory had a population of 2,102 residents as of 2021, half of which are native Mavean. Before the twentieth century, there were few non-indigenous people living in the islands; the opening of mines has encouraged an influx of different people of different ethnicities since the 1940s. Almost all live in settlements along the northern coast of Mava Island, the largest of which is Paas. The official languages are Mavean and Almagrian, with the latter the language of government.
The first settlers arrived on the islands in the 9th century from continental Triania. Colonial contact first occurred in the 1820s and Atitlan claimed sovereignty over the islands in 1828. Beginning in the early 20th century, mining operations led to a large influx of settlers from Atitlan and other countries. In 1979, a referendum on self-government narrowly failed; in a second referendum in 1999, self-government was approved. Since 2003, Mava has been an unincorporated territorial area, with federal powers devolved to a local island administration.
History
There have been several attempts to introduce home rule to the islands. The first attempt, in 1979, failed when a narrow majority voted against proposals in a referendum. In 1981, proposals to extend the powers of the island council failed, with the eventual devolution of powers in 1989 largely limited to culture and language.
In 1999, a second referendum on home rule passed. The 2003 Law on the Governance of the Mava Islands provided for devolution of powers to a new Mava Islands Council. The position of Governor was abolished and executive power shared by a federally-appointed Administrator and a locally-elected Mayor.
In recent times, the economy of the island has began to diversify, although it remains heavily dependent on Atitlan. Mining continues to entice business and entrepreneurs, but recent years have seen population numbers stabilise as more visitors settle permanently.
Geography
The Mava Islands consist of three islands (Mava, Arrone, and Degach) and a number of smaller rocks and islets, with a total area of 1,734km2 (670 sq mi). The largest is Mava, which is approximately 77km long and 18km wide. The other two islands are significantly smaller: Arrone is around 11km long and 4km wide and Degack 5km and 3km wide.
Approximately 30 percent of the islands is covered in Magellanic subpolar forests, mostly in the south. The forests are home to a variety of flora. The southern beech (Nothofagus) is a common tree across the three islands. Because of the mostly untouched nature of many of these forests, a variety of animals have successfully established habitats. Amongst Mava's fauna include the Magellanic woodpecker, the Trianian sierra-finch, and the Trianian condor.
The islands of Mava, Arrone, and Degach, and some other smaller roks and islets, have a total area of 1,734 km2 (670 sq mi). Mava is the largest island, being approximately 77km long and 18km wide; Arrone is approximately 11km long and 4km wide, and Degack is approximately 15km long and 3km wide.
Climate
Each island has a maritime climate sitting in the transition region between the tundra (Köppen classifications ET) and subarctic zones (Cfc). The climate is characterised by a minimal temperature range across days and seasons. There is no marked wet and dry season, with the climate influenced by the cool ocean currents and southerly winds.
The average maximum temperature in January is around 12 °C (55 °F), whilst the July maximum average temperature drops to around 2 °C (35 °F). Average rainfall ranges from around 280-300mm in lowland areas to upwards of 1,500 mm in mountain terrain. Average rainfall is 890 mm. The weather is also characterised by humidity and high winds, the latter inspiring the name of the "Windy Islands". In wintertime, gales are particularly common. Despite the cold climate, snow is not common at any time of year, although it can appear in all months.
| Climate data for Mava | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 25.6 (78.1) |
23.4 (74.1) |
22.1 (71.8) |
22.9 (73.2) |
16.6 (61.9) |
14.3 (57.7) |
13.0 (55.4) |
14.8 (58.6) |
15.6 (60.1) |
18.0 (64.4) |
19.7 (67.5) |
21.9 (71.4) |
25.6 (78.1) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 12.0 (53.6) |
12.1 (53.8) |
11.3 (52.3) |
9.5 (49.1) |
6.7 (44.1) |
5.4 (41.7) |
4.8 (40.6) |
5.0 (41.0) |
5.7 (42.3) |
7.2 (45.0) |
8.8 (47.8) |
10.7 (51.3) |
8.3 (46.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 8.2 (46.8) |
8.4 (47.1) |
7.7 (45.9) |
6.1 (43.0) |
3.8 (38.8) |
2.6 (36.7) |
2.0 (35.6) |
2.2 (36.0) |
2.7 (36.9) |
3.9 (39.0) |
5.2 (41.4) |
7.0 (44.6) |
5.0 (41.0) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 4.5 (40.1) |
4.7 (40.5) |
4.0 (39.2) |
2.8 (37.0) |
1.0 (33.8) |
−0.1 (31.8) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
−0.4 (31.3) |
0.5 (32.9) |
1.7 (35.1) |
3.4 (38.1) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −1.7 (28.9) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
−2.4 (27.7) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
−7.4 (18.7) |
−8.7 (16.3) |
−9.1 (15.6) |
−9.7 (14.5) |
−7.8 (18.0) |
−5.3 (22.5) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
−9.7 (14.5) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 52.4 (2.06) |
44.6 (1.76) |
59.4 (2.34) |
64.6 (2.54) |
70.4 (2.77) |
69.3 (2.73) |
69.6 (2.74) |
60.9 (2.40) |
56.5 (2.22) |
46.3 (1.82) |
51.0 (2.01) |
52.1 (2.05) |
697.1 (27.44) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.2 mm) | 7.9 | 7.3 | 9.2 | 9.7 | 12.0 | 10.7 | 12.1 | 9.7 | 9.1 | 8.1 | 8.4 | 9.1 | 113.3 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 187.4 | 158.6 | 145.8 | 114.7 | 95.5 | 74.9 | 86.1 | 106.7 | 128.4 | 153.6 | 166.8 | 182.5 | 1,601 |
| Source: Oficina Federal de Meteorología y Atmósfera | |||||||||||||
Government
Mava is a self-governing autonomous territorial area of Atitlan, administered by the federal Ministry of Land and Urban Development.
The legal system is under the authority of the federal government. An administrator is appointed by the minister to represent the federal government locally. The territory is within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Atlalilico (‘’Tribunal Superior de Atlalilico’’’, TSA). A local magistrates’ court sits in Paas, which is part of the TSA’s magistracy.
Under the 2003 Law on the Governance of the Mava Islands (‘’Almagrian: Ley de gobernanza de las islas Mava’’; LGIM), Atlalilico laws apply to Mava, although their application is at the discretion of the federal government. A unicameral Mava Islands Council, with eleven seats, enacts laws for the island and provides local government services. Whilst the Administrator is the formal head of government, a directly-elected mayor fulfils many executive functions.
The most recent local election took place on 10 March 2022. Atitlanese citizens in the islands also vote in Atitlanese federal elections as part of the Atlalilico constituency.
Future developments
Because of Mava’s small population and its financial dependence on the Atitlanese federal government, a number of Atitlanese and Mavean political figures have advocated for the full annexation of the islands. Former mayor Argo Naniita suggested the islands become a commune of Atlalilico, whilst former cabinet minister Iago Jimenez raised the possibility of the islands being a sui generis commune under federal authority.
Economy
Mava's economy is heavily reliant on federal government subsidies to local industry. Due to the islands' remoteness and geography, only a small amount of the land is available for economic activity.
Sheep ranching is the main source of the islands' agricultural income and output, providing wool, meat, and hides for domestic, Atitlanese, and international markets.
In the 21st century, tourism has become an important part of the islands' economy. 20,000 people visited Mava in 2009-10, increasing to 40,000 by 2017-18. The majority of visitors are Atitlanese, although other nationalities include Gavrilians and Ibarmentudiaks. The rise in tourism has led to the establishment of a number of hotels, restaurants, and other recreational facilities oriented towards foreign travellers. Of particular appeal to tourists is the islands' mountains, glaciers, forests, rivers, and, in recent years, ski centres.
See also
Notes
External links
- Mava. The Global Factbook. United Nations
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