  Tern IslandsThe Tern Islands (Țernhulman) are situated in the southern part of the Atlantic Ocean and belong to the Southern Domain, an overseas territory of the Kingdom of Friland.  General information The Western Tern Islands are situated on the Rio Grande Rise and consist of two islands. The Eastern Tern Islands are situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, at the tropic of Capricorn, and consist of six islands. They're all of volcanic origin and together they have a surface area of approximately 250 km² (96.5 sq mi). The landscape is predominantly mountainous and dominated by the Drakanberg volcano on the island of Ailidgag. The Eastern Tern Islands have an oceanic climate with lots of rain, on average it's 15-22°C (59-72°F) in summer (January to April) and 11-18°C (52-64°F) during the rest of the year. The Western Tern Islands are a bit colder and drier. The Tern Islands are located in the same time zone as European Friland: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), also known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). There's a direct scheduled flight from Friland to Barizhulm, the main island of the Eastern Tern Islands. From there, the other islands can be reached with smaller flights or ships. Government The capital of the Tern Islands, and the Southern Domain to which it belongs, is Storgard, where the shire administration (Gațing) is seated. Because of the special position of the islands it has more authority than an average shire administration, but the islands remain an integrated part of the Kingdom of Friland. An estimated 20% of the population supports more autonomy, only 0.5% supports full independence. The official currency is the Frilandic skat. Next to the flag of the Southern Domain, the Tern Islands also fly their own, historical flag. It is similar to the Frilandic flag, but has a black zigzag pattern that symbolizes the Sagfergun (Saw Mountains). The black stands for the basaltic rock that occurs on the islands. Demographics The Tern Islands are inhabited by a total of 9,500 people, of which 85 on the western islands (all on Stainhulm) and 9,415 on the eastern islands, of which 6,255 on Barizhulm and 3,160 on Ailidgag. All other islands are uninhabited. The population consists almost completely of Frilanders and the official language is Frilandic. Dialects are West-Țernhulmisk (Western Tern Islandic), which has Portuguese influences, and Aust-Țernhulmisk (Eastern Tern Islandic), which is related to the dialect of the Frilandic shire Skak, from where many early colonists came. A majority of the population is not religious (58%). Furthermore, there are followers of Ferna Sed (40%) and Christianity (2%). Culture From a cultural perspective, the eastern islands do not differ much from European Friland and the government also tries to keep it that way, worried that the motherland will lose the islands when these would become too different from it. On the western islands however, the culture has strong Portuguese influences. The majority of the population is Catholic, typical Portuguese dishes such as leităo, caldeirada and feijoada have been adopted there as letau, kalderade and fezuade and the people make music that strongly resembles fado. Early March (the moment depends on the weather) the eastern islands hold their annual "Stadskrengiska sleidburdwadkamp" (Municipal surfing match), in which every municipality sends its best surfers to become champion of the Tern Islands. Well known (ex-)residents of the Tern Islands are director Tisgeld Ațalberhtssun, writer Hrudgaiz Answigssun and singer Hrabandis Karilsduhter. Economy Because of their isolated position, the islands strive to be as self-sufficient as possible. Food and water are locally available everywhere and much has been invested in solar and wind energy, allowing every island to fulfill its own energy needs. On the Eastern Tern Islands, bauxite is mined and aluminium is produced. Together with fishing this is the most important source of income. Tourism and the export of rare stamps also contribute to the local economy. The import mainly consists of luxury items and fruit. Law enforcement and defence Just like in European Friland, every municipality has its own police force. On the sparsely populated western islands this force consists of only four men and a patrol car. These officers have multiple special authorities and are succeeded every year. The islands are protected by three military units, which are housed on the Blakstainburg military base on the island of Sigandshulm: Flora and fauna On the Eastern Tern Islands flowering plants, ferns, conifers from the araucarian family (Araucariaceae) and introduced, exotic plants and trees grow. In the coastal waters whales, dolphins, crabs and turtles are found. The islands are an important haven for birds and are inhabited by multiple species of terns, albatrosses and petrels. The islands of Windhulm, Weiphulm and Skeldbakhulm are protected nature reserves. The Western Tern Islands are also visited by the aforementioned birds and sea animals, but plant life and brooding birds are a rarity here. The islands are plagued by house mice, which have hitched a lift on ships and evolved into a new, agressive subspecies. Since its introduction this mouse has been responsible for the extinction of the Stainhulm fowl (Gallinula stainhulmi), a flightless bird that only existed on Stainhulm, eight native plant species and the extermination of nearly all crab, turtle and bird populations on the islands. Frilandic biologists have therefore named this murderous subspecies of the house mouse "Adolf mouse" (Mus musculus adolphi). To restore the ecology of the western islands, efforts are made to remove the mouse and introduce plant- and animal species from the eastern islands. History Because the Western and Eastern Tern Islands are so far apart, their history will be treated separately: Eastern Tern Islands The Eastern Tern Islands were discovered in 1506 by the Portuguese admiral Tristăo da Cunha, who named them "Ilhas Verdes" (Green Islands). He noted in his logbook that the islands could be useful for the Portuguese Crown, also because of their size and the presence of fresh water. However, he noted the wrong co-ordinates, which is why the islands could not be found back during a later expedition. In 1620 the islands were rediscovered by Țeudward Harwenssun, the captain of the Frilandic merchant vessel Kuparsand. He claimed the islands for the Kingdom of Friland and named them "Țernhulman" (Tern Islands), because of the many terns that nested there. In the years thereafter a small, Frilandic outpost named Marburg arose on the island of Ailidgag, which served as a stop-over for trading vessels going to the Far East. In the 18th and 19th century many Frilandic colonists settled on the Tern Islands. Especially farmers, merchants and whalers from the shire of Skak. The centrally situated settlement of Storgard grew into an important harbour. To defend it the Blakstainburg military base was built on the nearby island of Sigandshulm. In 1850 there was an eruption of the Drakanberg volcano, which caused many casualties on the island of Ailidgag. Furthermore, the strategic importance of the islands was reduced by the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, which ended many trade routes along the Eastern Tern Islands and collapsed the local economy. All of this caused a significant population decline. These days, the Eastern Tern Islands are mainly important for fishing and the production of aluminium. Many rich Frilanders also have a holiday home there. Western Tern Islands The Western Tern Islands were discovered in 1502 by the Portuguese explorer Estêvăo da Gama, who named them "Ilha de Pedra" (Stone Island) and "Ilha dos Pescadores" (Fishermen Island). The current names Stainhulm and Fiskarhulm are derived from these. Gamaburg, the only settlement on the Western Islands, is also named after him. The islands remained uninhabited until 1786, when a group of Frilandic whalers made it their base of operations. Portugal then decided to formally claim the islands and settle some Portuguese fishermen families there. Friland responded with a counterclaim, resulting in a lot of juridical squabbling about the ownership of the islands. However, on the islands themselves people could get along fine, allowing many Frilandic whalers to hook a Portuguese fisherman's daughter. The population, language and culture of the islands is therefore also called "Fritugesisk" (Frituguese): Frilandic with a large Portuguese influence. In 1805 both countries signed an agreement, in which Friland received the islands and offered trading concessions to Portugal in return. On the administrative level the islands were joined with the (Eastern) Tern Islands, since that time they are therefore known as the "Western Tern Islands." These days the Western Tern Islands are mainly in the news because of their low population level (17 families, consisting of 85 individuals), which is why they are often jokingly referred to as the "bloțskandhulman" (incest islands). For many years, the government has been trying to attract new inhabitants, but interest remains low due to the bare landscape and the monotonous life on the islands. 
Settlements:(Western Islands) Gamaburg (named after the Portuguese explorer Estêvăo da Gama), the only settlement on the Western Tern Islands. (Eastern Islands) Berghaim ("Mountain Home") Brunwalț ("Well Wood") Landwik ("Landwick") Marburg ("Lake City"), the oldest (17th century) and second largest settlement of the Eastern Tern Islands. Skalhaban ("Shell Harbour") Skaunmar ("Beautiful Lake") Storgard ("Greatgard"), the largest settlement and capital of the Eastern Tern Islands. Wilau ("Hallowed Wood") Special locations: (Western Islands) Westsandjar ("Western transmitter"), radar, weather and broadcasting station. (Eastern Islands) Askdal ("Ash Valley"), valley at the base of the Drakanberg volcano. Austsandjar ("Eastern transmitter"), radar, weather and broadcasting station. Blakstainburg ("Basaltburgh"), military base with harbour and airfield. Dwerganhulan ("Dwarven Caves"), breathtaking cave system, which can only be accessed with a guide. Grundlaus ("Bottomless"), underground command bunker of the Frilandic army, which is protected against NBC attacks and volcanic eruptions. A large part of the population can be sheltered here. Haufurs ("High Waterfall"), one of the most important tourist attractions on Barizhulm. Sahtmar ("Reconciliation Lake"), when people in the village of Landwik want to settle an argument, they sprinkle eachother with water from this lake. DS Selilaik ("DS Bliss"), ship that sank in 1901 and is popular amongst divers. "DS" stands for "dempskip" (steam ship). Other locations: (Western Islands) Fiskarhulm ("Fisher Island"), derived from Portuguese "Ilha dos Pescadores" (Fishermen Island). Stainhulm ("Stone Island"), derived from Portuguese "Ilha de Pedra" (Stone Island). (Eastern Islands) Ailidgag ("Fire Crater") Barizhulm ("Grain Island") Sigandshulm, originally called Aghulm ("Edge Island") but in 1877 it was named after king Sigand. The island is military terrain and prohibited to civilians. Skeldbakhulm ("Turtle Island"), nature reserve. Weiphulm ("Crown Island"), nature reserve. Windhulm ("Wind Island"), nature reserve. (Eastern Islands: mountains) Albdukarberg ("Albatross Mountain") Drakanberg ("Dragon Mountain"), 2,246 meter (7,369 feet) high volcano. Reganbughallan ("Rainbow Rocks") Sagfergun ("Saw Mountains") Trullanberg ("Troll Mountain") (Eastern Islands: waters) Krumphwalflo ("Humpback Whale Bay") Puthwalflo ("Sperm Whale Bay")  |