Cadena Islands

Cadena Islands
Combined province and circuit of Carloso
Province & Circuit of the Cadena Islands
Seal
Motto(s):  "Desiderantes meliorem patriam" (Latin) "They desire a better country" (English) "TBD" (Carlosian)
Anthem: "TBD" (Carlosian) "Cadena Persists" (English)
Country	Carloso
Capital	Vosa
Districts	Sabacante Rirca Casbon
Government
• Body	Insular Assembly
• Chief Minister	Nicolas Aranda (NS)
• Deputy Minister	Roger Lagune (Ind)
Population  (2018)
• Total	1,179,452
NAs	3 (out of 859)
Police	Cadena Islands Police
Fire and rescue	Cadena Islands Fire & Rescue Service

The Cadena Islands, officially the Province & Circuit of the Cadena Islands is an archipelago of islands located in the Musgorocian Ocean off the north-west coast of the Carlosian mainland. Uniquely, its small size means it is governed by a combined provincial and circuit authority, with districts comprising each of the three main islands; Sabacante, Rirca and Casbon. With a population of 1,179,452, it is the least populous of Carloso's provinces. It's economy is heavily reliant on tourism and fishing. The islands are regularly serviced by a variety of ferries; including train ferries, and air routes which connect it to the mainland.

The Cadena Islands have an important place in Carlosian history, along with swathes of Zararcia, having never fallen to British rule after the invasion of 1709. It was the base for the Carlosian government in exile during this period and from where Cárlos Mostodra launched the Glorious War against foreign rule. As a result, Carlosian is the predominant first language though English is almost universally understood. Second only to Mediator Island; also controlled by Carloso, Casbon is one of Musgorocia's most westerly points.

History

Pre-colonisation

Before the end of the last glacial period, the Cadena Islands were connected to what is now the Carlosian mainland. Due to Musgorocia's geographic isolation, the first evidence of human settlement in the Cadena Islands dates to approximately 500 AD.

Colonisation and independence

When European settlers arrived on 7 September 1540, they discovered that the islands were completely uninhabited. Vosa was the first settlement to be established.

Politics

As the smallest and least populous province, the Cadena Islands have three seats in the National Assembly, the absolute minimum for a province. One seat is held by National Salvation, another by the Socialist Republicans and another by an independent.

The 62-member Insular Assembly administers the day-to-day running of the Cadena Islands. 45 members are elected from Sabacante, 11 from Rirca and 6 from Casbon. The coalition between National Salvation and independents maintained control of the Assembly at the 2022 election.

Flag	Name	Population	Density (/km2)	Area (km2)	Wards
	Sabacante	856,046	TBD	TBD
	Rirca	209,234	TBD	TBD
	Casbon	114,172	TBD	TBD

Economy

View of Vosa Ward, the capital of Sabacante and the Cadena Islands.

Tourism

The luxurious Hostal da Vosa, one of many hotels in the Cadena Islands.

For decades the Cadena Islands has been a major tourist attraction. Initially a popular summer destination for royalty and the more affluent sectors of Carlosian society, in more recent years it has become a universally popular destination. Besides mainland Carloso, many visiors come from Acrary, Gran Laurencia, Taliaferro, Sarabagia and Briossau. Every year there are thousands of rooms available for tourists, ranging from luxury hotels to purpose-built resorts and apartments. Tourists are attracted by the archipelago's many beaches, the historical and religious sites of Vosa and the expansive nature reserve which covers much of Sabacante's interior. The tourist season peaks in the spring and summer months. The sometimes violent tropical storm season in the autumn and winter means that the Cadena Islands is an unpopular tourist destination during this part of the year.

Additionally, the Cadena Islands are the largest free zone in Carloso; a specially designated area where VAT rules or excise duties do not apply. As a result, it is a hugely popular destination for shopping. The neo-gothic Vosa Arcade, completed in 2003, is home to over 480 shops and is one of the largest shopping centres in Carloso.

Transport

Carlosian Rail train at Vosa Station.

Sabacante Airport is the primary airport for the Cadena Islands, and handles the majority of air traffic to and from the archipelago. Most international airports in western Musgorocia have at least one route to Sabacante. Rirca Airport and Casbon Airport serve their respective islands.

Carlosian Rail operates a rail network which spans the majority of Sabacante, and a tram/light rail system; Vosa Transit, exists in Vosa Ward with some stops in neighbouring Esnores Ward and Alistile Ward.

In January 2023 the construction of a rail tunnel between the Carlosian mainland and Sabacante began, with an estimated completion date of early 2026.

Culture

Vosa Cathedral, centre of the Diocese of the Cadena Islands and a major tourist site.