Cadena Islands
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Cadena Islands
Ilas Cadena (Carlosian) | |
|---|---|
 Flag  Seal | |
| Motto(s): | |
 Map of Carloso with the Cadena Islands highlighted | |
| Country |  Carloso |
| Capital | Vosa |
| Districts | Sabacante, Rirca, Casbon |
| Government | |
| • Type | Devolved government in a constitutional republic |
| • Body | Insular Assembly |
| • Chief Minister | Nicolas Aranda (NS) |
| • Deputy Minister | Roger Lagune (Ind) |
| Population (2018) | |
| • Total | 1,179,452 |
| Demonym | Cadenan |
| Postcode area | CI |
| Official languages | |
| NAs | 3 (out of 859) |
| Website | cadenaislands |
The Cadena Islands (Carlosian: Ilas Cadena), officially the Province & Circuit of the Cadena Islands is an archipelago of islands located in the Musgorocian Ocean off the western 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.
Etymology
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.
Nation in exile
Imperial period
Modern history
Geography
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
Tourism
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
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.
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