Lutanga (/lutɑːŋɡə/, /lutæŋɡə/ Lutangan: /lutɑːŋɡə/), officially the Federation of Lutanga, (Lutangan: Leka'i te poli no Lutānga) is a country consisting of an archipelago located in Polynesia. Lutanga consists of 34 major islands with approximately 206 smaller islands less than a kilometer large. Its population is estimated to be around 9,430,125 as of the 2020 Census, and is currently growing at a rate of +6% every year on average. Lutanga is the third-most wealthiest country in Oceania, with a GDP of $94.6 billion Tau ($104.06 billion USD) placing it behind Australia and New Zealand. The country is a parliamentary liberal democracy, where the head of state is distinct from the head of government. Its capital and largest city is Atherau, located in Notalutanga Province.
The Lutanga islands consist mainly of either dormant or active volcanoes, the largest being Mouʻa Taumauru located in the northwestern sector of Notalutanga Island, which is the largest island in the country. Its geology has greatly influenced its history, especially the volcanic nature of the islands themselves. Several eruptions have caused turning events in the history of the people who live on the island. The conflicts over control of its territory due to the discovery of a large diamond deposit near central Notalutanga led to political turmoil in the early 1830s. Lutanga is often noted as having unique cultural customs and traditions, much like the rest of Polynesia. Similarly to many other islands and atolls in the South Pacific, it receives a very high amount of tourists yearly due to its beaches and mountains being commonly regarded as picturesque.
Lutanga is often considered as being one of the most progressive and inclusive countries. The government holds almost no control over the market, and thus it is often viewed as being in favor of equality and inclusivity. Taxes are slightly smaller to poorer people, with richer people being taxed slightly higher to promote equality. Local governments of provinces and subdivisions hold the ability to govern themselves separate from the majority government in most cases, with the opinions of the populous being a large factor in the regulation of laws within the areas.
Etymology[]
The name Lutanga likely originated from the Lutangan term "Leuta tānga" which literally translates to "blue sun" in English. The province of Notalutanga and the namesake island literally means "big Lutanga", referring to the island's size.
History[]
See also: Lutangan revolution
The first known records of settlement in the islands was around 250 BCE, likely through people migrating out of what would later be French Polynesia. Such travels were likely done using canoes or small sailboats, which were able to carry a sizeable amount of people and goods. Several kingdoms likely existed throughout this period, though not many records have survived and thus their existence is uncertain. The first known government, the Kingdom of Paulu'epi rose around 210 CE. Several deadly natural disasters, mainly floods, would eventually lead to the downfall of Paulu'epi. Though, during its reign, it had developed the first known advanced farming systems in the islands. Paulu'epi split into smaller warlord states, with the largest, Tangahupipi, eventually dominating control of most of modern day Lutanga besides the northern provinces. Tangahupipi was often regarded as a time of cultural change as unique customs were developed, as well as Orinomotu, which is a form of traditional music performance accompanied by a play.
After King Kelika IV died in 1395, the islands entered a state of anarchy, where no central government existed, with certain peoples organizing into small clans and platoons. The eruption of Mouʻa Taumauru in 1404 killed over 7,000 people on Notalutanga, causing severe setbacks in the technological development of the area. King Uaʻpete united all of the modern provinces under his rule in 1496, claiming the Kingdom of Lueutanga. Ua'Pete was generally disliked throughout the island, and thus he was eventually assassinated by a civilian while he was visiting Rorokai. The sucessor to the throne would be King Laʻlaela I, forming the Kingdom of Lutanga.
Lutanga would be virtually isolated and untouched by outside civilization until the year 1849, when César Lavigne, a French sailor, was sent to explore the areas east of the protectorate state of French Polynesia. Lavigne and his crew scouted the area, eventually finding the westernmost of the Lutangan archipelago, and he drew a basic map which was presented to officials upon his return to Papaʻete. At the time, these islands were uninhabited and thus no sightings of the indigenous population occurred. A month after the first voyage, Lavigne was approved to depart back to the area, which led him to developing a revised and larger map of the area which included more of the islands and atolls. After attempting to land the ship on a bay near modern Atherau, Lavigne and his men were attacked by a small group of people that emerged from the treeline. This forced the ship to return to Papaʻete once again. After the report of people on the islands, a larger naval group was assembled to voyage to the islands. This time, the French were not attacked, but greeted by the populous of the island. According to records retrieved from one of the boats, a Lutangan men, who appeared to be the chief of the island, adressed the ships by shouting "akorau lutanga". The transcribed "akorau" sounds similar to the modern word akuaru which means welcome in Lutangan. The French correctly assumed that Lutanga was referring to their country's name, and thus they proclaimed the areas to be named Lutanga. A trade offer was attempted by the Lutangan soldiers, who tried to offer Lavigne and his crew coconuts, which had been prepared prior to the incident to try to negotiate to the crew if the oncoming ships were hostile.
Geography[]
Geology[]
The Lutanga islands are almost all of volcanic origin, consisting mainly of either dormant or active volcanoes. Examples are Totohahi (altitude 885 metres), which forms the bulk of its namesake island, Nailano, which also comprises much of its namesake island, and Kitofahi, which also forms most of its island. Explosive and effusive eruptions dominate the volcanoes of the island chain, with recent modern eruptions either being submarine or small effusive eruptions with minor impacts. Similar to Easter island, what basalt does erupt is rich in iron. Many seamounts are known to encompass the island chain and a few have erupted within the last 100-1000 years.
The formation and presence of the Lutanga ridge is related to the Vahiraa fault, which is the border between the Nazca plate and the Pacific plate. The island frequently has minor to moderately sized earthquakes, with the largest recorded being a magnitude 7.8 in 1977. Many of the islands also form right on top of the edge of the Nazca Plate and are estimated to have formed in the last 2-5 million years. Many submarine volcanoes are around the area, which, after a few thousand years will become new islands and atolls.
Climate[]
The climate in Lutanga is mostly tropical marine and typically stays relatively warm year round. Seasonal differences are slight but usually consist of a warm and wet season between November and April, and a cool and drier season between June and October. Several plant species are endemic to the island itself, including Zeuxine raurahi - the flame orchid, or Atuaʻni to ka Ora riku.
Government and politics[]
Lutanga is often considered as being one of the most progressive and inclusive countries in the world. The government holds almost little control over the market, and thus it is often viewed as being in favor of equality and inclusivity. Taxes are slightly smaller to poorer people, with richer people being taxed slightly higher to promote equality and the right for jobs. Local governments of provinces and subdivisions hold the ability to govern themselves mostly separate from the majority government. Opinions of the populous are a very large factor in the regulation of laws within the areas.
Inclusiveness in Lutanga is starkly remarked by a very positive view of LGBTQ+ rights and racial equality. In Ainalutanga, the annual Te faahanahanaraa i te here e te aifaitoraa (often shortened to Tefahanitoraa) festival is celebrated in support of LGBTQ+ inclusivity. A vast majority of the country is in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Protection of Lutangan culture and traditions, as well as Polynesian culture in general, is very supported throughout the country.
Provinces and subdivisions[]
Main article: Provinces and subdivisions of Lutanga
Lutanga is divided into seven provinces (Matina kai), which are listed below in alphabetical order. Out of which, Notalutanga is the most populous with a total of 3,570,430 people residing in the province as of the 2020 Census.
- Fukahipi (Matina kai no Fukaʻhipi)
- Kanoa (Matina kai no Kanoa)
- Kitofahi-Mauete (Matina kai no Kitofahi e Mauʻete)
- Mauanu (Matina kai no Mauʻanu)
- Notalutanga (Matina kai no Notalutanga)
- Alika (Matina kai no Alika)
- Tapaete (Matina kai no Tapaʻete)
Provinces are further divided into subdivisions (Loaʻiti kai), which have more power to enact local laws than the provincial government. A list of subdivisions can be found in the page linked above.
|
1. Alu |
26. Ali'oka Kitofahi-Mau'ete
37. Kitofahi |
Cities and towns[]
| Province | City | Metro | Metropolitan population | Proper population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notalutanga | Atherau | Atherau-Paāete-Mahi'i | 1,450,959 | 850,491 |
| Aoikaka | Aoikaka-Palu | 369,473 | 301,952 | |
| Mau'anu | Palisu | Palisu-Tusalia-Mahu | 340,590 | 158,290 |
| Notalutanga | Ono'i | Ono'i-Sangotea | 159,692 | 105,590 |
| Ragahipa | Ragahipa-Ae'ki'ete | 154,598 | 97,448 |
Economy and currency[]
Main article: Lutangan Tauturu
The Lutangan Tauturu (symbol: þ; code: LTA), is the official currency of Lutanga. It was first introduced in 1855, then called the L'argent lutangien under the French Empire. Following the Lutangan Secession War, the newly established government renamed the currency to its modern name, and it was made official early in 1871. It is a fairly strong currency, often used by other Polynesian nations in reserves and in trade.
Lutanga is one of the most developed nations in the Southern Hemisphere, and is considered one of the most contributing nations to scientific causes. Lutanga's main exports are red dye, coconuts, glass, and volcanic rocks. It is one of the largest producers of glass, its sand is often considered very good for fine and clear glassmaking.
Demographics[]
Language[]
The most commonly spoke and official language of is Lutangan. Lutangan, as a language, is very similar to Tahitian, with a lot of words being similar or the same to their counterpart. It is a member of the Polynesian Language group. Other languages are spoken, mainly English, French and Spanish.