The Horizon Islands, officially the Horizon Islands Republic[5], is a country located in the South Pacific.[1]
History[]
Origins[]
The indigenous people who live in what is now known as the Tanoa Province trace their lineage as far back as ancient times. They spoke in a proto-austronesian language.[6]
In recent years, archaeologists have begun to conduct research into their origins, though it has been a slow process due to a lack of translators fluent in the language.[6]
Colonial era[]
Long before its independence, the many island provinces that now compose the Horizon Islands were formerly colonial subjects of France, and at the height of the Second World War, the Empire of Japan.[7][8]
In 1944, the Empire had established an outpost on what is now considered to be the Tanoa Province.[9] Tanoa would eventually be liberated by Marines from the United States.[7]
Independence[]
Sometime after, Tanoa would eventually gain its independence from France. Following its independence, the newfound nation would officially be known as the Horizon Islands Republic (French: République des îles Horizon).[5][7]
South Pacific Disaster[]
- Main article: Apex Protocol
Taking advantage of the chaos, the SPD results in a surge of criminal activity throughout the Tanoa Province (2035)
In late 2035[10], the country was struck by a series of massive tsunamis that devastated much of the country. In particular, the Tanoa Province was especially hit hard by the disaster due to a sudden, unexpected surge in lawlessness throughout the region.[11] This was largely caused by the rise of an organised band of insurgents calling themselves the "Syndikat". They had overwhelmed security forces and succeeded in wresting large swathes of the province from government control.[1][12]
Nations from both the East and the West offered to provide humanitarian support. The government preferred working with Western governments and agreed to carry out joint counterinsurgency operations with U.S.-led NATO forces, designated as the "Exercise Safe Horizon".[13]
NATO intelligence sources eventually uncovered a conspiracy involving CSAT special operations supporting the Syndikat. The conspiracy, known as the "Apex Protocol", involved CSAT forces sabotaging vital infrastructure and funnelling arms and equipment to the insurgents.[14][15][16] The revelations sent shockwaves throughout the international community[16], and the Horizon Islands government actively denounced the Eastern coalition for its role in the insurgent group's rise.[17]
Super-strain malaria outbreak[]
The Horizon Islands enters a turbulent period of history (2038)
- Main article: Old Man (campaign)
In mid 2038, a super-strain of malaria hit the Tanoa Province and caused hundreds of deaths within a matter of days.[18] Non-Government Organisations assisted in the crisis but were unable to treat the seemingly uncurable super-strain.[1][19][20]
By now, a dramatic shift in the leadership of the Horizon Islands government has led to a diplomatic switch towards the East taking place. Despite the "Apex Protocol" revelations, a pro-CSAT political party named "Nouveaux Horizons" has achieved victory in recent elections and assumed control.[18][21][22]
Former president Benjamin Hope has retired from politics, and pro-West parties have been pushed out of power and drained of political influence. NATO troops have also been forced to depart from the country in order to make way for the arrival of Chinese-led CSAT forces.[18][21][23]
CSAT doctors and an influx of humanitarian aid were similarly welcomed by the new government. Within days, treatments provided by the doctors prove to be successful in halting the diseases' spread, leading to a further expansion to their (heavily militarised) presence.[18][21][24]
Geography[]
Administrative divisions of the Horizon Islands.
The Horizon Islands consists of archipelagos divided up into four main "divisions": the Northern, Central, Eastern, and Southern regions. The capital city of the nation, La Roche, is located in the country's Central division.
The landscape of country's islands consists mostly of dense jungles and lush tropical flora surrounded by steep mountainous cliffs.
Its geoposition coordinates are located between 17° 41' 52.8" north and 178° 46' 58.8" east.[25][26]
Northern Division[]
- Main article: Tanoa
Satellite map with the five main islands of the Tanoa Province
The Tanoa Province is located in the nation's Northern division. It comprises of five regions: Tanoa, Îles de Lijn, Balavu, Tanoa Nord, and Tuvanaka.
Combined, the province's landmasses cover a total of 100 square kilometres[27]:
Tanoa[]
Tanoa is the central island where the Northern division's capital of Georgetown is located. It is the most densely populated out of the five islands, and also serves as the economic hub of the nation.
Besides the capital, other notable locations include the main international airport (Aéroport de Tanoa) in the south, the Blue Pearl Industrial Port in the north-east, the Red Spring Surface Mine, as well as the (inactive) Mont Tanoa volcano located directly in the centre of the island.
A road bridge connects Tanoa to the smaller island of Moddergat to the south-east.
Moddergat[]
The second largest (though more sparsely populated) island in the archipelago, Moddergat is linked to the Tanoan mainland via the aforementioned road bridge. Most citizens reside in the town of Lijnhaven, which serves as the island's biggest settlement.
Balavu[]
The third most-populated island, Balavu has three smaller ports for cargo shipping and domestic ferries. Many citizens reside in the villages and towns scattered throughout the island, with a road bridge connecting Balavu to Katkoula island to the south-east.
Katkoula[]
Located directly south-east of Balavu, Katkoula is the fourth island in the archipelago. Unlike Balavu, most of its residents reside in the larger towns rather than in the smaller villages.
Tuvanaka[]
The smallest and least populated of the five islands, Tuvanaka mostly serves as a giant military base with only two towns, Belfort, and Tuvanaka being inhabited by civilians prior to 2038. As of recent, the entire island has been designated as a military exclusion zone and is as such no longer accessible to non-military personnel.
Tuvanaka is the only island in the archipelago that does not have a bridge connecting it to any other landmass.
Eastern Division[]
The provincial capital of the Eastern division is Richranga. It consists of four distinct regions: Raraba, Batiri, Nunuvaka, and Muduo.
Southern Division[]
The provincial capital of the Southern division is Waigarei. The division has a total of five regions: Yanaraka, Dravu, Tagicabuto, Baka, and Vakacagau.
Central Division[]
Overview of Marama Province, flooded in the immediate aftermath of the SPD (2035)
The capital city of the nation, La Roche, lies in the Central division.
There are ten regions: La Roche, Utokeba, Saramea, Le Groenland, Turaga, Marama, Tinatoba, Dra, Nuitaka Vou, and Volekakuro.
Climate[]
The climate in the Horizon Islands is tropical marine and warm all-year round, with particularly hot and humid summers.[28]
Politics[]
The Horizon Islands uses a presidential republic framework for its government.
At least one political party is known to exist: Nouveaux Horizons, a pro-CSAT group.[21] Prior to his death at the hands of unknown individuals, the party was led by Jean-Guy Devereux.[29] Another, named as L'Ensemble, is an unofficial movement that began to gain traction and support with the populace following the government's latest, deeply unpopular diplomatic switch towards the East.[18][30]
In 2035, the office of president was chaired by Benjamin Hope. As of 2038, however, he was succeeded following his retirement[21] by Jean-Guy Devereux for a temporary period of time until the latter's assassination.[29][30]
It is not known as to who currently chairs the office of the president after Devereux's death.
Armed forces and law enforcement[]
Flag
- Main article: Gendarmerie
The Horizon Islands does not appear to maintain a standing army.[note 3] All domestic affairs and regional security is handled by the Gendarmerie, which serves as the country's paramilitary and law enforcement agency.[1]
Diplomacy[]
The Horizon Islands government formerly maintained friendly relations with the United States and its NATO partners in the region. Prior to and during the South Pacific Disaster, the government also held amicable relations with CSAT as well. Diplomatic relations between the bloc and the Horizon Islands government degraded massively in light of the "Apex Protocol" revelations following the crisis.[17]
However, with former president Benjamin Hope's retirement, the government has restored its relations with CSAT. At the request of their new benefactors, the government has agreed to grant CSAT forces carte blanche to operate as they see fit within the country; despite the shift towards CSAT being a massively unpopular decision.[21][23]
Economy[]
The Red Spring open strip mine is a prime example of the Horizon Island's flourishing mining industry
The Horizon Islands economic makeup predominately consists of mining and heavy shipping industries.[1][7][31]
Many sections of jungle have been cleared and turned into fertile farmlands for agricultural use[32], while its rich cultural heritage and vibrant surroundings accommodate for a small but vibrant tourism industry. Commodities such as sugar are also traded as one of the nation's major export products.[1]
Both sectors make up less than half of the economy however, with mining exports still accounting for most of the nation's economic output.[7]
Society[]
Demographics[]
The populace is mostly made up of ethnic Tanoans.[1][33]
Religion[]
Christianity and various local faiths are worshipped by Tanoan citizens. Native tribes on the other hand, appear to worship a god of fertility and festivity known only as "Darkon".[34]
Languages[]
The official language of the Horizon Islands is French, though many citizens are bilingual and can also speak (albeit accented) English as a second language.[1] Tanoans who live on the island of Moddergat in the Tanoa Province are also known to speak Dutch in addition to both languages.[2][note 4]
Trivia[]
- The makeup of the Horizon Islands is largely inspired by the real-world South Pacific nation of Fiji. Other sources of inspiration include the many islands in Melanesia and also some parts of Australia as well.[8]
- It is all but explicitly stated throughout Old Man that a mixture of voter intimidation, pro-CSAT propaganda, election tampering, and assassination of pro-West political candidates, was responsible for Nouveaux Horizons' formation and subsequent election victory.[18][23]
Notes[]
- ↑ Served as President at the height of Apex Protocol (2035).
- ↑ Served as President shortly before the events of Old Man. Was assassinated by L'Ensemble insurgents in mid 2038.
- ↑ Although military bases do exist on some of the landmasses throughout the Tanoa Province, no mention of a Tanoan military force has been brought up in either Apex Protocol (2035) or Old Man (2038). The Syndikat's paramilitary sub-faction is also explicitly stated to consist of "ex-paramilitaries" on the official website as opposed to "ex-military", suggesting that they are Gendarmerie defectors rather than former soldiers of an army.
- ↑ ArmA 3 does not actually have a Dutch language radio protocol. The sole mention of Dutch being spoken by locals on the island of Moddergat stems from the official Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki's article on the Tanoa terrain.
References[]
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See also[]
| Countries in the Armaverse | |
|---|---|
| Eastern Europe | Livonia • Russian Federation |
| North Africa | Argana |
| West Africa | North Lombakka • South Lombakka |
| Atlantic | Democratic Republic of Sahrani • Independent Republic of Nogova • Kingdom of Sahrani • United Kingdom |
| North America | United States of America |
| Green Sea | Ardistan • Grozovia • Karzeghistan • Republic of Chernarus • Takistan |
| Mediterranean | Atida • Republic of Altis and Stratis |
| South Pacific | Horizon Islands Republic |
| Microstates | Everon Socialist Republic • Malden |
| Countries are listed in order of the region of the globe that they are geographically located in. Italics denote countries that have ceased to exist. NOTE: For a list of minor references to countries that are not shown, please refer to this article. | |