Geography of the Oan Isles
 | |
| Coordinates | 140°E to 155°E, 5°S to 15°S |
|---|---|
| Area | Ranked 12 (UNAC) |
| • Total | 103,171 km2 (39,835 sq mi) |
| • Land | 99% (excluding marine area)% |
| • Water | 1% (fresh water)% |
| Coastline | [convert: invalid number] |
| Borders | Morstaybishlian West Pacific Territories |
| Highest point | Te Toka |
| Lowest point | Sea level |
| Longest river | Te Puru-makariri-papatahi (200km) |
| Largest lake | Te Tarakona-tere (340km²) |
| Climate | Tropical rainforest climate Tropical monsoon climate Tropical savanna climate |
| Natural resources | Rainforest Geothermal power Hydroelectric power Natural gas |
| Natural hazards | Earthquakes Cyclones Volcanic eruptions |
| Environmental issues | Deforestation |
The geography of The Oan Isles refers to the physical description of the land, sea and air of theits territory and the effects of the interaction of those forces. In this article, the Oan Isles refers to the home islands as well as the Kohatu Isles unless explicitly stated.
Physical geography
Location
The Oan Isles consists of the Home Islands and the Kohatu Isles. The Kohatu Isles are surrounded by the Caven Sea to the north and the Morstaybishlian Sea to the south. They are bordered by Peregrinia to the north, East Gemica (a Peregrinia territory) to the east, and Jusdelva (a constituent country of Great Morstaybishlia). The Home Islands are surrounded by the Polynesian Sea to the west, the Cerenerian Ocean to the east and the Morstaybishlian Sea to the south and southwest. The Home Islands lie between 140°E and 158°E, and from the Aequator to 16°S. The Kohatu Isles lie between 109°E and 117°E, and from 7°S to 9°S. Geologists have long debated the continental shelf on which the Home Islands and Kohatu Isles. Although the Kohatu Isles and Home Isles share cultural, political, historic, religious and economic links with Aurora, they are technically part of Yasteria Major. They lie incredibly close to the tectonic boundary between the Aurora and Yasteria Major tectonic shelfs. Geologists believe that these islands will shift to the Auroran continental shelf entirely in several million years.
Topography
The Home Islands and the Kohatu Isles have similar topography. All of these islands were formed by the movement of the Yasteria Major and Aurora continental shelves against each other for hundreds of millions of years. The magma escaping from the crust through the tectonic boundary formed the islands over millions of years. The islands are usually mountainous with their core area comprising a mountain range with flat land on the coasts. The islands have many deep natural harbors that have allowed their use as ports for large ships. On the Home Islands, the oldest Islands are in the north. Due to gradual erosion over millions of years, they became smaller and their soil escaped to the sea, leaving many of them as rocky outcrops. Because the flat areas of the islands are at the coasts, the people lived on the coastal areas and were always close to the sea developing their culture and civilization around maritime travel and trade. Due to the abundant rain and fertile volcanic soil, the country is highly forested, leaving little room for human habitation. Thus, densely populated coastal cities emerged and land reclamation from the sea has been used to ease the pressure for land. Furthermore, agricultural land is very small and makes up a tiny portion of the country's surface area. There are many rivers and streams which come from the mountains but none of them are deep enough to carry ships. Moreover, very few natural bodies of water such as lakes exist. Humans have extracted water directly from rivers, and aquafirs.
Climate
The Oan Isles have a tropical rainforest climate. Months have an average precipitation value of at least 60 mm (2.4 in). There are no distinct wet or dry seasons as rainfall is high throughout the months. One day in a tropical rainforest climate can be very similar to the next, while the change in temperature between day and night may be larger than the average change in temperature during the year. Due to the high amount of precipitation, the country tends to be humid. Moreover, temperatures can rise to 40°C in the afternoons and fall to 20°C in the evenings. The effects of the heat are offset by the cool winds coming from the south Pacific Ocean.
Natural disasters
The Oan Isles are prone are many natural disasters. Due to the continuous movement of the Yasteria Major and Aurora tectonic plates, the country experiences earthquakes. Most earthquakes are small and the people have learnt to build earthquake-proof buildings. Unfortunately, every century at least one major earthquake (measuring 7 and higher on the Richter scale) does occur. These earthquakes have led to large waves called tsunamis whose deadly force has destroyed forests, coral reefs, and human settlements. Because the islands lie on the Aequator, they are highly rainy. Thus flooding and landslides can occur. Worst of all, are the cyclones. Cyclones are very powerful tropical storms that usually occur once every quarter century. They are incredibly powerful and have caused great destruction when they occur. The country has put in place measures to deal with these threats such as the construction of levees, and walls to protect the nation from sea waves, a large drainage system to expel or store rainwater, and using natural features like forests to stabilize the earth and prevent flooding and landslides.
Environmental issues
The Oan Isles has a very good relationship with nature. The government has policies in place to protect wild animals from hunting and the exotic pet trade and to protect wild plants from extraction. Moreover, human habitation and economic activity is restricted to protect the natural habitats from destruction. The nation has adopted the widespread use of public transport and renewable energy to curb carbon emissions. Thus, the Oan Isles is one of the most ecologically beautiful and well-protected nations in the world. Oans have some of the highest ratios of forestry per person. Unfortunately the reliance on timber for exports and the demand for space have led to the destruction of large areas of natural forests. Moreover, the pressure for space and land has led to land reclamation efforts that have damaged coral reefs and permanently altered the flow of sea currents to the detriment of marine life. Furthermore, the country’s incredible demand for fish has threatened many marine animals. Luckily, policies have been adopted such as ceilings on catches and fishing net restrictions to reduce the effects of Oan fishing and whaling on marine biodiversity. To protect the reefs, reef stripping has been forbidden and economic activity on and around coral reefs is heavily restricted.