Tarua

Republic of Tarua ʻĀikatakata o Tarua (Taruan)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Foʻoitaita ta Rotahi "Unity is Strength"
Capital and largest city	Tapaka
Official languages	Taruan
Ethnic groups	87% Taruans 7% Thalassans 6% other
Demonym(s)	Taruan
Government	Unitary presidential republic
• President	Ieremia Itaea
• Vice President	Tāvo Anasi
Legislature	ʻAhatakata
Independence
• from Mat Troi Lan	9 February 1947
• Current constitution	24 May 1994
Area
• Land	14,523 km2 (5,607 sq mi)
Population
• 2024 estimate	629,519
• Density	43.3/km2 (112.1/sq mi)
GDP (nominal)	2024 estimate
• Total	$10.210 billion
• Per capita	$16,219
Gini (2020)	38.1 medium
HDI (2020)	.743 high
Currency	Paʻaka (₱) (TAP)
Time zone	UTC-11 (Tarua Standard Time)
Antipodes	Dolchland
Date format	DD/MM/YYYY
Driving side	right
Calling code	+611
Internet TLD	.ta

Tarua, officially the Republic of Tarua (Taruan: ʻĀikatakata o Tarua), is an island nation in southern Thalassa on Eurth. Its closest neighbors are Konalani to the northwest and the Sunset Sea Islands to the northeast. Tarua consists of a main archipelago as well as minor outlying islands in the South Oriental Ocean, totaling a land area of 14,523 km² (5,607 sq mi). Around 85% of the total population of 629,519 live on the two biggest islands, Ietuhea and Noamea — the former of which contains the capital and most populous city of Tapaka. The vast majority of the rest inhabit the remaining Taruan archipelago, which includes the islands of Toka, Aeroku, and several dozen islets. The remote islands in the south, which lie some 1,500 kilometres (930 mi; 810 nmi) from the main islands, are mainly uninhabited, except for the village of Fopoaka on the island of Fākure.

Marenesian settlers originating from Konalani reached the islands around 1000 CE, and lived in a native tribal structure with little outside contact for centuries. In the 18th century, outside explorers first arrived in Tarua. After a period of limited contact, the islands were annexed and colonized by Mat Troi Lan, with their strategic position in the Oriental Ocean being utilized as a significant naval base. The country gained its independence in 1947 following the Thalassan War, but for the first few decades was ruled as an autocratic state under the rule of dictator Tahita Vilai. After protests against falling quality of life and increased corruption, along with losing the favor of the army, Vilai was ousted and a democratic republic was established. The current President of Tarua is Ieremia Itaea.

The Taruan economy relies heavily on the agricultural, tourism, and fishing sectors. Mineral extraction has been growing in the country, as old nickel mines have reopened in recent years, but the sector remains controversial due to its environmental impact.

Etymology

In the Taruan language, Tarua (Taruan: [taˈɾua]) means “twins” or “doublet.” This comes from the native Taruan legend that the Taruan archipelago was discovered by two twin brothers, Ietuhea and Noamea, after whom the two main islands of the country are named.