Physical Environment: Gabal
This page is a section of Gabal.
Gabal is a small country located in an archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean. It borders Belesia and South Torbia—with whom it has friendly relations. The country’s terrain consists primary of forested mountains and low grassy valleys. Both vegetation and climate are tropical in nature. Multiple natural hazards exist, resulting from the country’s geology, weather, native wildlife, and human activity.
Contents
Table of Physical Environment Data
| Measure | Data | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Land Area (sq miles) | 605 | Busuanga (369), Culion (152), Coron (28); Includes inland water |
| Land Border (miles) | 0 | Island group |
| Coastline (miles) | 775 | |
| Highest Elevation (ft) | 2,041 | Mount Tundalara |
| Lowest Elevation (ft) | 0 | Sea Level |
| Arable (cultivated) Land (%) | 10 | Primarily southern Culion |
| Permanent Crops (%) | <1 | |
| Permanent Pasture (%) | <1 | 36% grasslands that could be used for pastoral purposes |
| Irrigated Land (%) | <1 | |
| Forested Land (%) | 52 | |
| Urban Area (%) | <1 |
Terrain
Gabal possesses 605 square miles of territory in southeastern Asia. Consisting of a group of more than 70 islands and islets, Gabal is part of a larger archipelago bounded by the Philippine Sea—part of the western Pacific Ocean—to the east, the South China Sea to the west, and the Celebes Sea to the south. The country shares only maritime borders with its neighbors, which include South Torbia to the northeast and Belesia to the southeast and southwest. The islands are mountainous in nature, with interspersed valleys on the larger islands.
Gabal can be broken into three primary island groups centered around the largest islands: Busuanga, Culion, and Coron. Busuanga, the largest island, lies in the country’s north and covers 369 square miles. The island consists primarily of long, narrow mountain ranges separated by narrow valleys. Two larger valleys exist; one on the northeastern end of the island, and one along the northern shore of the island’s southern half. Culion Island lies in the southwest and, at 152 square miles, is the country’s second-largest island. Though also covered by mountains and valleys, the terrain does not form a distinctive pattern like it does on Busuanga. Coron is the third-largest island (28 sq miles), and is considered sacred by Gabalian tribesmen. Roughly triangular in shape, it consists of mountain plateaus on the north, west, and south, and a flat valley in the east; its most notable feature is Cabugao Lake, which lies in the center of the island.
Bodies of Water
As an island nation, Gabal is surrounded by bodies of water on all sides. The South China Sea lies to its northwest, and the Sulu Sea to its southeast. The Mindoro Strait separates the country from South Torbia in the northeast, and the narrower Linapacan Strait separates it from Belesia in the southwest. The islands possess multiple bays, harbors, anchorages, and lagoons. The largest of these, Coron Bay, is sheltered by the three main island groups: Coron on the east, Busuanga on the north, and Culion on the west. The bay is famous for its shipwrecks from World War II, and is a popular diving location for tourists. Inland waters include a few rivers on Culion and Busuanga Islands, with some being navigable near their mouths by shallow-draft vessels. and a series of lakes on Coron Island. Cabugao Lake is the largest, covering a surface area of 1.56 square miles (1,001 acres), while Kayangan Lake is believed to be the cleanest lake in the entire region. Underwater caves are also present in the archipelago, and are popular tourist attractions.
Mobility Classification
Movement in Gabal is difficult due to the mountainous island nature of the country. Water transport methods are required between islands and, once on land, the mountain ranges naturally canalize movement. Heavy rains, flooding, and mud/landslides can seriously hamper troop movement during the rainy season. The presence of forests in the higher mountains increases difficulties and provides cover for enemy forces and smugglers, while multiple rivers and streams challenge mechanized and motorized movement. Air operation impediments include mountain ranges, forests, steep valleys and gorges, and cyclonic storms.
Natural Hazards
Gabal is subject to many types of natural disasters, including tropical cyclones, flash floods, land and mudslides, and tsunamis. Mountainous areas and those cleared of vegetation are most prone to land and mudslides, while the coastal areas are more likely to be affected by tsunamis and storm surges. The region experiences frequent earthquakes and, while Gabal rarely lies at the epicenter, it is not exempt from the effects. Cyclonic storms hit regularly, with an average of one storm a year reaching typhoon category. One of these, Super Typhoon Haiyan, left hundreds of Gabalians dead in its wake in 2013. The country is also concerned about possible rising sea levels due to climate change. Dangerous animals in the country include poisonous caterpillars, centipedes, crocodiles, poisonous frogs, jellyfish, scorpions, sharks, snakes, and spiders.
Subterranean Environment
The islands are full of caves, both above and below sea level. In addition to the multitude of naturally-occurring caves, mining on the islands has produced networks of tunnels. Many of these were abandoned as the chromite was exhausted, and are now used by occasionally by smugglers for storing illegal contraband. The higher-level tunnels are also used as emergency shelters by local residents during and after larger cyclonic storms.
Vegetation
Around 52% of Gabal is forested, primarily consisting of rain forest in the upper elevations of the mountains and on Coron Island. Most trees are broadleaf varieties such as balau, meranti, and narra; other plant species found in montane forests—such as bamboo, ferns, orchids, and climbing palms (rattan)—are also present. Due to the country’s climate, trees keep their leaves year round. A considerable number of Culion’s valleys—primarily in the island’s south—are devoted to agriculture. Those areas that are not forested or cultivated are covered by tropical savannahs, mixed grasslands, and scrub trees. Small mangrove swamps can be found on the coastline. The country has made a concerted effort to reverse a decades-long deforestation trend in recent years, and is slowly seeing results in this area.
Agriculture
Most agriculture on Gabal is subsistent in nature. Commercial agriculture takes place primarily in the lowland valleys of Culion Island, and is almost exclusively annual crops: cabbage, cassava, corn, eggplant, garlic, onion, peanut, sweet potato, rice, sugarcane, tobacco, and vegetables. The country’s main commercial crops are rice, corn, and sugarcane. Permanent crops are not a focus of the formal agricultural community, and are basically limited to backyard fruit trees—coconut, lemon, mango, pineapple, and papaya—that are kept for personal consumption purposes. The country has no agricultural exports: all locally-grown foodstuffs are either consumed by the general populace or by the country’s many tourists. Gabal imports flour, grains, and soybeans, in addition to products grown in neighboring countries.
Slash-and-burn agriculture has been used historically as a method of crop production, but has fallen out of favor in the country’s push to regrow its forests. In the few cases where this method been replaced with using commercial seeds, improper application of chemical fertilizers and insecticides has contaminated both soil and water. The government is attempting to increase agricultural success by encouraging such methods as crop rotation and co-planting of complementary plants, but results have been inconsistent.
Livestock & Wildlife
Gabalians have some livestock, especially in the mountains, where cultivation is more difficult. The most common domesticated animals include goats, pigs, and poultry; a few cattle and water buffalo can also be found on the islands. The country possesses multiple types of wildlife, including badger, bat, civet cat, crocodile, deer, lemur, manatee, mongoose, monkey, porcupine, scaly anteater, squirrel, tree shrew, and wild boar. While these animals can be found on Busuanga and Cuilon, most wildlife—especially the larger predators—resides on Coron Island, which is closed to the general public.
Climate
Gabal experiences a tropical wet and dry climate, also called a monsoonal climate, with two distinct seasons. The dry season runs from November–April, and the rainy season is from May–October. Rainfall is the lowest in March and reaches its peak in August. The coolest part of the year falls during the dry season, while the warmest temperatures occur during the transition period to the rainy season. Relative humidity is high year-round, though relatively lower during the dry season. Winds follow a distinctive northeast, east, southwest cycle that corresponds to—and causes—the country’s seasons.
Seasons
| Season | Months | Remarks |
| Dry | November–April | Driest in March, coolest in January |
| Rainy | May–October | Wettest in August, hottest in May |
Weather
Precipitation
Precipitation in Gabal comes in the form of rain, with an annual average of over 100 inches. March has the least amount of rainfall—less than two inches—with slightly greater amounts in April. The months of May–July experience increasing levels of precipitation that culminate in August, the country’s wettest month, with 15 inches. Rainfall then falls off rapidly from September–November, with slightly increased amounts during December–February before the cycle begins all over again.
Temperature-Heat Index
Gabal lies in a tropical zone, and the country’s temperatures reflect this. Average monthly highs range from the mid-80s to the lower 90s (degrees Farenheit). Monthly lows are not much cooler, only dropping around 8–10°F. The average difference between night and day temperatures is usually greater than the seasonal variation of either one. Record highs usually fall in the 90s, but have been known to reach 100°F. When combined with Gabal’s high relative humidity, the heat index can easily reach levels that could endanger US personnel.
Temperature-Wind Chill Index
Temperatures very rarely drop below 70°F at night, even in the coolest part of the year. The only exception would be on the higher mountain peaks, where the elevation, humidity, and ocean breezes could combine to produce weather cool enough to necessitate a light jacket at night.
Relative Humidity
Relative humidity is high throughout the year in Gabal. Typically above 85% in the mornings, it reaches the mid-90s during July–November. Evenings are more tolerable, when the humidity drops around 13 percentage points from its morning level. When combined with the country’s high temperatures, it produces the type of hot, humid conditions stereotypically associated with tropical jungles.
Wind
Gabal experiences an annual wind cycle that drives the country’s seasons. Trade winds from the northeast begin blowing in November, ushering in the dry season. These winds, which are also known as the amihan or the northeast monsoon, blow through February and bring cool, dry air to the country. They recede and are replaced with the silanganin, or “easterlies,” from March–June, which bring clouds, heat, and increasing rainfall. The habagat (southwest monsoon) begins in July and runs through October. This wind brings cooler temperatures and higher humidity; precipitation in the country peaks and then recedes during this time.
Tropical cyclones, which are rated from tropical depression (mildest; winds under 37 mph) to super typhoon (most severe; winds over 136 mph), are possible from June–December. Though the country’s eastern and northern neighbors usually take the brunt of these storms, Gabal is not immune to them. Two recent cyclones that made landfall on the country are Tropical Storm Tokage in November 2016 and Super Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013. The latter had winds of 155 mph when it made landfall on Gabal, killing hundreds and affecting thousands more.
Summary
Gabal’s terrain consists of craggy mountains interspersed with flat lowland plains, limiting the country’s agricultural potential and creating transportation challenges. The lack of land borders and prevalence of natural disasters—such as typhoons and landslides—will complicate missions. Troops must deal with extreme temperatures and humidity throughout the country. Frequent rains will hamper operations and maneuverability, as will seasonal cloud cover.