Physical Environment: Olvana

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Physical Map of Olvana

Olvana is a large country located in eastern Asia that borders three major bodies of water:  the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea. The country’s terrain varies from high mountains and green plateaus to river valleys and deltas, with climates ranging from tropical to semiarid to sub-alpine. Multiple natural hazards exits, resulting from Olvana’s geology, weather, native wildlife, and human activity.

Terrain

Olvana’s terrain in the northern portion and southern portion of the country both contain a mix of mountains, basins, plateaus, plains with the only major differences between the two areas being that the northern portion has highlands and the southern portion has river deltas.  The terrain in the west is extremely mountainous, progressing into basins, plateaus and plains as you head east. The eastern coast is a mix of plains and urban terrain, with some mountains in the southeast. The fertile Yangtze River Valley starts in the center of the country and flows east to East China Sea.

Bodies of Water

Olvana’s major bodies of water are primarily freshwater lakes and seas. Freshwater lakes of most prominence are Taihu, Dongting and Poyang, all located in the central region. Dongting Lake is a large, shallow lake, a flood basin of the Yangtze River. Its size depends on the season and rainfall levels. It is approximately 1,089 square miles in area, but can grow to 7,700 square miles during flood season. Poyang Lake, located in Jiangxi Province, is the largest freshwater lake in Olvana. Poyang Lake is approximately 1,240 square miles in area with an average depth of 28 feet and a maximum depth of 82 feet.  Lake Taihu is the third largest freshwater lake in Olvana. It is located in the Yangtze Delta plain in vicinity of the city of Wuxi, it has an area of 869 square miles and an average depth of 6.6 feet.

Olvana’s coastline comprises the country’s eastern and southern borders. It includes the coastlines of the Yellow Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea. The Yellow Sea is approximately 150,000 square mile in area, with an average depth of 144 feet and a maximum depth of 499 feet, gradually increasing in depth from the north to the south.  It possesses oil reserves, and is a productive commercial fishing ground with over 200 species of edible species fished. The East China Sea is approximately 482,000 square miles in area. It opens to the north into the Yellow Sea, to the east into Pacific Ocean, and to the south into the South China Sea. The East China Sea contains a natural gas field estimated to hold 364 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The South China Sea is approximately 1,400,000 square miles in area. The South China Sea is of strategic and economic importance, as one third of the world’s shipping passes through it. It also possesses oil and natural gas reserves, as well as being a crucial fishery area for many nations in Southeast Asia.

Olvana’s rivers run throughout the country and played a critical role in the nation’s development and growth patterns. The largest river in the country is the Yangtze River, which runs from Olvana’s western border to the East China Sea.  It is an important transportation route and has been traditionally used to divide Olvana into north and south. The Yangtze features world’s largest hydroelectric dam. The second largest river in Olvana is the Yellow River, which runs from Olvana’s western border to the Yellow Sea. It serves as a major conduit for transportation, ferrying freight and agriculture. Other important rivers include Xi Jang River and Pearl River. Both are located in Southeastern Olvana; the Pearl River’s delta is one of the most densely populated places on earth and is a critical component of the Olvanese economy All of the major rivers in Olvana are used to produce hydroelectric power.

Mobility Classification

Mobility in Olvana is varies widely based on region and time of year. Movement is easier in the central plains than in the western area with its mountainous terrain. Snow and ice may cause major mobility problems in mountainous areas during the winter, while flooding and mudslides will similarly impact mobility in the spring and summer. Forests in the south limit mobility and provide cover and concealment for enemy forces and criminals involved in smuggling operations. Rivers and streams throughout the country pose challenges for mechanized and motorized forces. Air operations must account for mountain ranges, forests, steep valleys and gorges, and cyclonic storms.

Natural Hazards

Both natural disasters and manmade hazards exist in Amari. Natural disasters include flooding, earthquakes, limited volcanic activity in the Rift Valleys, landslides, windstorms, and hailstorms. Frequent droughts, including one ongoing for the past two years, can lead to famine. Violent thunderstorms with gusty winds are common on and around Lake Victoria. Water pollution is an issue, caused by urban waste, industrial waste, and contamination by pesticides and fertilizer. Overharvesting of trees for fuel led to significant deforestation and in turn soil erosion and desertification, especially in the eastern lowlands. Unexploded ordnance, including landmines, can be found in previous conflict zones. Dangerous indigenous wildlife include disease-carrying mosquitoes and tsetse flies, as well as more traditional threats: big cats (e.g., lions), crocodiles, elephants, gorillas, hippopotamuses, hyenas, rhinoceroses, warthogs, and wild dogs.

Subterranean Environment

The Amarian government has developed some underground facilities (UGFs), including structures to protect vital space program assets, bunkers for ammunition, and underground/hardened command posts. Subterranean systems used by criminal actors consist primarily of tunnels located on main smuggling routes, usually crossing the Amari-Kujenga border east of Lake Victoria. It is relatively easy to cross international borders in the region without detection, so tunnels are minimal in number and concentrated along routes more frequently patrolled by government forces. Insurgent use of such systems is minimal except in and around the Tanga region of Kujenga, where tunnels and underground rooms are used to avoid detection by local authorities. Natural caves are found throughout the country and in the Tanga region, and are used by criminals, insurgents, and local citizens alike.

Vegetation

Vegetation in Amari varies by topographical region. The Western Rift Valley and most of the western plateau consist primarily of savanna, with some forests in the swampy areas of the far southwest. The central highlands and Eastern Rift Valley contain most of the country’s forests, giving way to savanna in the far north and the east. The highest elevations are host to glaciers. The eastern lowlands are primarily grassland or desert scrub. The coastal plains have both grasslands and forested areas; mangrove forests grow on the coastline. Trees found in the country include both deciduous and evergreen, including species such as acacia, bamboo, baobob, cacti, candelabra, cedar, euphorbia, giant lobelia, groundsel, heath, miombo, papyrus, and podo.

Agriculture

Amarian agriculture employs 60% of the labor force full-time and an additional 15% part-time, producing 30% of the national GDP. The western region plays a very important role in this sector. Over one-third of Amari’s land is arable. Most farming takes place in the highlands or on the western plateau; much of the remainder of the country is either used for pasture or covered with forests or scrub vegetation. Due to reasonable rainfall, most irrigation in the country occurs in the drier eastern region. Crops produced in Amari include bananas, beans, beets, cabbages, carrots, cashews, cassava, citrus fruit, cocoa, coconut, coffee, corn, cotton, flowers, fruit, groundnuts, khale, legumes, mango, millet, oats, onions, palms (oil), peppers, pineapple, plantains, potatoes, pyrethrum, rice, sisal, sorghum, soybeans, sugarcane, sweet potato, tea, tobacco, tomatoes, turnips, vegetables, and wheat. Of these, cashews, coffee, cotton, cut flowers, pyrethrum, sisal, and tea are exported. Despite the large agricultural economy, the country does not grow enough cereal grains to feed its populace.

Livestock and Wildlife

Amarians have considerable livestock, especially in the drier regions where crop cultivation is more difficult. Common domesticated animals include bees, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and poultry. The country also boasts multiple types of wildlife, including aardvark, African buffalo, numerous different kinds of antelope, several species of big cat (cheetah, leopard, lion, wildcat), bush baby, crocodile, elephant, giraffe, hippopotamus, hyena, hyrax, mongoose, many types of primate (baboon, chimpanzee, gorilla, monkey), rhinoceros, warthog, wild dog, and zebra. While some of these species are only found in national parks and game reserves in Amari, others are more widespread. Many of these species are endangered and protected by Amarian law. Poaching is a continuing problem, with elephants and rhinoceroses being the most common targets. A couple of Amari’s game reserves are shared by Nyumba to the north and at times have been a source of contention because of the lack of national security forces in the parks, ivory smuggling, big game poaching, and drug trafficking occur through the border preserves.

Climate and Weather

Amari has a widely varied climate depending on location and altitude. The Western Rift Valley and western plateau experience a tropical wet and dry climate defined by rainy and dry seasons. The central highlands and Eastern Rift Valley are temperate (highland climate), with the highest peaks experiencing a sub-alpine climate. The far-eastern central highlands and the eastern lowlands are primarily semiarid. The coastal plains are tropical, with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year.

Seasons

Amari’s seasons center around the long rains and the short rains, which alternate with two distinct dry seasons. Most of the country experiences the long rains from approximately March through May, the short rains during September through December, and intervening dry seasons in June through August and January through February. In the central highlands, the two rains merge into one long rainy season from March through December, with a single dry season during January through March. The hottest months are January through March, while the coolest are July through August. Temperatures usually vary more from day to night than from season to season.

Precipitation

Precipitation in Amari varies primarily by season and latitude. Though usually taking the form of rain, snow is possible at extremely high elevations. Precipitation generally increases from north to south and with altitude. Most of the country receives 40–60 inches of precipitation per year, with some areas in the two Rift Valleys and around Lake Victoria receiving 60–80 inches. The eastern lowlands are by far the driest regions of the country, receiving only 10-40 inches annually, while the coastal plains receive 40–80 inches.

Temperature-Heat Index

Monthly average high temperatures in Amari vary with elevation. Most of the country enjoys highs between 70–85°F, with the extreme elevations—above 8,000 feet—being cooler than this. Average highs in the eastern lowlands, the coastal plains, and the far north are hotter, ranging from 80–100°F. The combination of high temperatures and moderate to high relative humidity can quickly lead to both dehydration and heat exhaustion in the regions with lower altitudes.

Temperature-Wind Chill Index

Monthly average low temperatures in the highlands and plateau fall in the 40–55°F range, though lower temperatures can occur. The lowlands are warmer than this, while elevations over 8,000 feet may experience sub-zero temperatures and snow. The highest peaks in the country possesses a permanent snow cap. Cold and wind chill will not be an issue in the lower elevations, but can affect troops operating in the highlands.

Relative Humidity

Relative humidity in Amari is moderate to high in most regions. Average annual humidity in the Western Rift Valley and western plateau usually ranges from 65–80%, with level in the north and east being lower. Levels in the central highlands and Eastern Rift Valley average 55–70%, with higher altitudes experiencing higher relative humidity and vice versa. Averages in the eastern lowlands are also 55–70%, while those in the coastal plains are 65–80%.

Wind

Wind patterns change with the seasons in Amari and are associated with the dry seasons. The Kuzi monsoon winds blow from the southeast and peaks during the months of June through August. The winds then shift to the gentler northeast Kaskazi, which peak from December through March. Average wind speeds are less than 15 mph throughout most of the country. Though calmer when transitioning during the rainy seasons, the winds are strong enough to develop wind energy in certain areas. Thunderstorms with gusty winds are a frequent occurrence around Lake Victoria.

Summary

Ariana’s oil and gas infrastructure does not operate at optimal efficiency due to a broad mix of equipment and technology from several foreign countries and a lack of spare parts for some of its Western equipment. The Arianian hydrocarbon industry continues to rely on technology that is over 40 years old and susceptible to mechanical breakdown. While Ariana continues to build new infrastructure mainly in the form of pipelines to transport oil and natural gas around its country, the government spends its money on these new projects while failing to maintain the hydrocarbon infrastructure already in place.