Physical Environment: South Torbia

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Physical Environment Overview

South Torbia is a small country located in an archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean. It borders Belesia, Gabal, and North Torbia—its primary regional opponent. The country’s terrain consists primary of forested mountains interspersed with low valleys. Valleys are typically fertile and comprise most of South Torbia’s arable land. Both vegetation and climate are tropical in nature. Multiple hazards result from the country’s geology, weather, native wildlife, and human activity. While this terrain offers considerable challenges, they are not insurmountable. Natural disasters such as typhoons and landslides will complicate missions. Troops and equipment will be affected by extreme temperatures and humidity in the lowlands, and high altitudes in the mountains. Frequent rains will hamper operations and maneuverability, as will seasonal cloud cover.

Physical Map of South Torbia

Table of Physical Environment Data

Placeholder for PE Map with PE Environmental Data Chart attached to it.

Terrain

South Torbia occupies the central part of Luzon Island, one larger additional island, and several smaller islands and islets. The country is part of a larger archipelago bounded by the Philippine Sea to the east, the South China Sea to the west, and the Celebes Sea to the south. South Torbia shares land boundaries with North Torbia to the north and Belesia to the southeast, but only maritime borders with its other neighbors, including Gabal to the southwest. The islands are mountainous in nature, with interspersed valleys on the larger islands.

South Torbia can be seperated into two main parts, Luzon and Mindoro, which are separated by the Verde Island Passage. The country’s share of Luzon Island consists of a large central valley bordered by mountains: the Zambales in the west and the Sierra Madre in the east. Two significant lakes and a large bay take up much of the southern portion, with large areas of swampland north of the bay. Mindoro Island lies south of South Torbian Luzon, and contains a north-south mountain range with valleys on the eastern and western coasts. A few small islands, including Pulong Polillo to the east of Luzon, and Lubang to the southwest, are also part of South Torbian territory. Surface and subsurface caves are common in the archipelago.

Bodies of Water

South Torbia is surrounded by bodies of water. The South China Sea lies to its west, the Philippine Sea to its east, and the Sulu Sea to its south. The country is separated from Gabal in the southeast by the Mindoro Strait, and it shares the Lingayen Gulf with North Torbia. South Torbia also shares several bays and the Tablas Strait with Belesia. Manila Bay, in southern Luzon, is the largest and most important natural harbor. Several rivers run from the mountains to the coast; the most important of these include the Agno, Pampanga, Pampanga Chico, Pasig, and Tarlac on Luzon Island, and the Bucayao Silonay and Bongabong on Mindoro. Due to the mountainous terrain, most rivers are navigable only for short distances by shallow-draft vessels. South Torbia features several lakes, both natural and man-made. The largest, Laguna Lake, lies in southern Luzon. Formed naturally, it has since been dammed for hydroelectric power generation. Another large natural lake, Taal Lake, lies to the southwest of Laguna Lake. The third-largest lake, Naujan, is also natural, and lies in northeastern Mindoro Island.

Mobility Classification

Movement in South Torbia is difficult due to mountainous terrain, dense tropical vegetation, and numerous bodies of water. Water or air transport methods are required to and between islands. Once on land, mountain ranges and steep river gorges naturally canalize movement. Heavy rains, flooding, and mud/landslides can seriously hamper troop movement during the rainy season. The presence of forests at higher elevations limits mobility and provides cover for enemy forces and smugglers, while multiple rivers and streams challenge mechanized and motorized movement in the valleys. Air operation impediments include mountain ranges, forests, steep valleys and gorges, clouds/fog/haze, and cyclonic storms.

Subterranean Environment

The islands are full of caves, both above and below sea level. In addition to the multitude of naturally-occurring caves, past and current mining operations produced networks of artificial tunnels. Higher-level tunnels and caves are sometimes used as emergency shelters by local residents during and after larger cyclonic storms.

Vegetation

Around 36% of South Torbia is forested, primarily consisting of rain forest in the upper elevations of the mountains. While coniferous pines are found at the highest elevations, most trees are broadleaf varieties such as balau, meranti, and narra. Other plant species found in montane forests include bamboo, ferns, orchids, and climbing palms (rattan). Due to the country’s climate, trees keep their leaves year round. With the exception of the metropolitan Manila area, lowland valleys are devoted almost completely to agriculture, while forested areas are confined to the mountains. Small mangrove swamps can be found on some of the coastline.

Agriculture

Agriculture takes place primarily in the lowland valleys, with 80% of agricultural land dedicated to annual crops. Permanent crops include abaca, cashew, citrus fruit, coconut, lemon, maguey, mango, oil palm, pineapple, papaya, other fruits, and rubber, while annual crops are cabbage, cassava, corn, cotton, eggplant, garlic, onion, peanut, sweet potato, rice, sugarcane, tobacco, and vegetables. The country’s main crops are rice, corn, pineapple, other fruits, and sugarcane. Agricultural exports include pineapple and other fruits; the country imports flour, grains, rice, soybeans, and other foodstuffs.

Considerable amounts of land dedicated to rice production are irrigated to counteract the occasional droughts experienced in the country. Slash-and-burn agriculture, while widely practiced in the past, has today been nearly eliminated to help protect South Torbia’s remaining forests. Western agricultural methods, such as commercial seeds, fertilizers, and insecticides, are now widely used. Despite the potential for land and water contamination with these products, South Torbian farmers are careful to use them properly, thus minimizing the risk of pollution.

Climate and Weather

DATE Pacific Subregional Climate Types

Climate:

There are three different climate types found within South Torbia. Theseclimate types can be broken into two broad categories: a tropical wet climate, where rain falls year-round, and a tropical wet and dry climate—also called a monsoonal climate—with distinct wet and dry seasons. The first climate type, called Type I, describes the climate west of the Sierra Madre Mountains, on the Lubang island group, and on the southwestern half of Mindoro Island. A wet and dry climate, it has a dry season that runs from October–April and a rainy season from May–September.

A second climate type, called Type II, is found on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Madre Mountains, the far southeastern part of South Torbian Luzon, and on the Pulong Polillo island group. A wet climate, it has no true dry season, with the least wet months being from February–April.

The third climate type, Type III, describes the climate of the western slopes of the Sierra Madre Mountains, a small region south of the same on South Torbian Luzon, and the northeastern half of Mindoro Island. Also a wet and dry climate, it has a short dry season from February–April and rainfall during the rest of the year, which is somewhat heavier during July–September.

Winds follow a distinctive northeast, east, southwest cycle (NE monsoon, easterlies, SW monsoon) that corresponds to—and causes—the country’s seasons. The coolest part of the year falls during the northeast monsoon, while the warmest temperatures occur during the easterlies. Relative humidity is high year-round, though relatively lower inland, at higher elevations, and during the evenings.

Climate Map

Placeholder for the Koppen-Geiger Climate Map for the Area

Köppen climate classification
Zone	Precipitation Type	Acronym: Description
Tropical Climate (Zone A)	Rainforest (f)	Af  : Mainly found on the eastern half of any Belesian islands, away from the prevailing west winds. This is the warmest climate in the classification system with no dry season.
	Monsoon (m)	Am; Mainly found on the western half of any Belesian islands. This is a warm climate with only a short dry season.
	Savanna, Dry Winter (w)	Aw: Located in only a few spots scattered throughout the Belesian islands. This is a warm climate with a winter dry season.

Seasonal Weather

The seasons can vary depending on the climate zone. Overall, the temperatures are normally quite warm with very few really cold days or nights.

 The following chart provides additional information for the seasonal fluctuations for the greater Manila area. The driest months are from December to April while it is quite rainy the rest of the year.

Seasons Chart (for the greater Manila area)
Month	Temperature Coldest (F)	Temperature Hottest (F)	Precipitation (inches)	Days of Rain	Wind (Average in miles per hour)
January	64	84	0.75	4	3.60
February	68	86	0.75	2	7.60
March	72	88	1.00	2	9.40
April	75	91	1.00	2	9.40
May	75	90	10.25	10	7.60
June	75	88	10.25	17	4.70
July	75	88	13.80	22	4.70
August	75	88	15.00	22	4.70
September	75	88	13.60	21	4.70
October	73	88	9.45	20	4.70
November	22	88	4.90	12	4.70
December	68	84	2.35	7	4.70
Legend: F = Fahrenheit

Precipitation

Precipitation in South Torbia comes in the form of rain, with an annual average of 50–140 inches, depending on location. This usually takes the form of afternoon or evening showers, which are light and infrequent during the dry season and nearly daily and often heavy during the rainy season. Daily amounts vary, with maximums ranging from a low of 8 inches in inland Luzon and eastern Mindoro Island, to nearly 20 inches on the highest peaks of the Zambales Mountains. During the dry season, monthly rainfall can drop to less than one inch in some areas, while as much as 40 inches can fall during the height of the rainy season. Dry and rainy seasons vary by local climate type (Af, Am, or Aw).

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Temperature-Heat Index

South Torbia lies in a tropical zone, and the country’s temperatures reflect this. The average temperature difference between night and day is usually greater than the seasonal variation of either highs or lows for any specific location. The hottest month of the year is April, while the coolest is January. Altitude has the greatest effect on temperatures, with the inland valleys being warmest and the high mountains being coolest. Average monthly highs range from the mid-70s to the mid-90s degrees Fahrenheit and monthly lows are not much cooler, usually dropping less than 15 degrees. Record highs usually fall in the 90s, but have been known to exceed 100 degrees. When combined with South Torbia’s high relative humidity, the heat index can easily reach levels that affect military operations.

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Temperature-Wind Chill Index

Temperatures very rarely drop below 70 degrees at night, even in the coolest part of the year. The only exception is in the mountains, where the weather can be cool enough to necessitate a light jacket at night. Record lows in South Torbia do not fall below 45 degrees.

Relative Humidity

Relative humidity is high throughout the year in South Torbia. Ranging from the low 70s to the mid-90s with an average of 77%, humidity is higher in the coastal and low-lying areas than inland or at higher elevations. Relative humidity is typically higher in the mornings and drops several percentage points by evening. When combined with the country’s high temperatures, it produces the type of hot, humid conditions typically associated with tropical jungles.

Wind

South Torbia's annual wind cycle drives the country’s seasons. Trade winds from the northeast begin blowing in November. These winds, known as the amihan or the northeast monsoon, blow through February and bring cool air to the country. They recede and are replaced with the silanganin, or “easterlies,” from March–June, which bring heat and increasing rainfall. The habagat, or 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.

Winds during the NE monsoon are usually light and variable, with the eastern coast experiencing stronger winds than the rest of the country. The SW monsoon pattern is similar, except that it is the western coast that receives stronger winds. Winds during the easterlies period are slightly less than during the two monsoons, and periods of calm are more frequent.

Tropical cyclones, which are rated from tropical depression (mildest; winds under 32 knots) to super typhoon (most severe; winds over 118 knots), occur from June to December. Though the country’s northern neighbor usually take the brunt of these storms, South Torbia is not immune to them. Cyclonic storms hit regularly, with an average of nearly four typhoon-category storms on South Torbian Luzon, and two storms on Mindoro each year.

Visibility

South Torbia experiences an average of 5–9 hours of sun daily, with more sunshine and correspondingly fewer clouds during the easterlies and the transition period from southwest to northeast monsoon. April is the least cloudy month. Haze, fog, and low ceilings are common, with the latter two occurring most often during December and August. Cloud cover is lightest on the leeward coast and the leeward sides of mountain ranges, and fog is usually restricted to the mountains and inland valleys. Blowing dust may occur on the leeward coastline. While clouds rarely exceed 8,000 ft. during the northeast monsoon, they reach higher than that during the southwest monsoon. Sunshine is more common during the morning periods, while clouds are more frequently seen in the afternoon.

Hazards

South Torbia is subject to many types of natural disaster, disease, and poisonous flora, and fauna.

Events

Major climatic weather-related events include droughts, earthquakes, flash floods, land and mudslides, tropical cyclones, tsunamis, and volcanic activity. 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 cyclones and tsunamis. Mount Taal, located in the middle of Taal Lake, Mount Banahao in southern Luzon, and Mount Pinatubo in the eastern part of Luzon and are all active volcanoes. Mount Taal erupted in 1911, killing over 1,000 South Torbians, while Mount Pinatubo had a major eruption in 1991. Several active faults are located in the Sierra Madre Mountains and run north-south; their seismic activity triggers landslides, as well as causing direct damage to South Torbia’s infrastructure. A major earthquake centered near the Torbian border killed over 1,500 people in the two countries in 1990. Occasional droughts hit the country, including one in 1990 that limited the country’s capacity to produce hydroelectric power. Cyclonic storms hit regularly, with an average of 2–4 typhoon-category storms making landfall annually. One recent storm, Super Typhoon Haima, featured 140 mph winds and caused considerable damage. The country is concerned about deforestation and possible rising sea levels due to climate change.

Disease

Major diseases in South Torbia include cholera, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and Shigellosis. See the Social Variable for more detail on these diseases.

Flora

There are at least ten types of poisonous plants in South Torbia. The following are the top ten most poisonous plants:

Pong-Pong	This is called the “suicide tree” by locals and has a beautiful flower on it. It contains a powerful poison that is so potent that natives have used it to commit suicide for many years.
Trompeta	This beautiful flower is called the “Angel’s Trumpet”, but it is a hallucinogen that needs to be avoided. Too much of the plant being ingested can cause death due to the dangerous alkaloids it contains—atropine, hyoscyamine, hyoscine, and metoloidine.
Belladonna	Properly used, this plant has medicinal purposes. Improperly ingested, especially from a young plant, the victim will lose their voice; suffer from dry mouth, headaches, and convulsions; with a difficult time breathing. The berries are most dangerous and being naturally sweet attract children. Only ten to twenty berries can kill an adult.
English Yew	This plant is often used for landscaping, but it is deadly. The fruit is the only non-toxic part of the plant. 50 grams can kill a human. Symptoms include muscle tremors, breathing difficulties, convulsions, and then a final collapse.
Wolfsbane	Found only in the cool mountainous regions, the plant bellows to the buttercup family. People in South Torbia and other countries have been known to use the poison for their arrow times in the not too distant path. Once eaten, there is a burning sensation in the abdomen and the extremities. Death can occur in as little as two to three hours.
Castor plant	This plant is found in many parts of the world and can be used for healing as Castor Oil. The seeds are poisonous and only four or five of them can kill an adult if eaten. If eaten, there is a burning sensation in the mouth and throat. The victim also vomits and is affected by diarrhea. Death is due to dehydration.
Rosary Pea	This red pea is found in medium altitude areas in South Torbia. Three micrograms have been known to kill an adult. The poison is 75 times more deadly than the castor bean.
Dieffenbachia	Often used as a home decoration, this plan can cause severe problems if eaten. These symptoms include severe swelling of the moth, drooling, dysphagia, respiratory compromise, and dermatitis. Many years ago, locals would use it to make their arrows poisonous.
Talumpunay Tree (Cachubong)	This plant contains hallucinogenic properties. Locals may add it to their tea in very small doses, but it can cause the user to exhibit wild behavior.
Buta-buta	This is called the “blinding tree” by locals. Its wood is ideal for firewood and timber, but its sap is toxic. It was used once upon a time as a fish-poison preparation. The sap causes the skin to blister and if it gets in one’s eyes, the person can lose their sight.

Fauna

Dangerous animals include poisonous centipedes, crocodiles, jellyfish, scorpions, sharks, snakes, spiders, and disease-carrying insects. The top 10 most dangerous animals include:

Mosquitoes	Mosquitoes cause a number of diseases including dengue. Dengue victims begin showing symptoms three to fourteen days after infection with a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, joint pains, and normally a skin rash. There is no cure for dengue fever and victims need to rest, drink fluids, and take a pain medicine that includes acetaminophen. Other diseases that mosquitoes can carry include the chikungunya virus, Japanese encephalitis, malaria, West Nile virus, yellow fever, or the zika virus.
Dogs	Dogs carry rabies and every year about 150-200 South Torbians are diagnosed with rabies. Dogs may be man’s best friends, but rabid dogs are not.
Jellyfish	Many jellyfish are dangerous and even a small amount of its venom can lead to heart seizures or cause it to stop.
Snakes	There are 179 species of snakes in South Torbia with 14 of them being poisonous. The most dangerous is the South Torbian Cobra. They like being around rice paddies so it can hunt for mice and rats.
Crocodiles	The biggest crocodile ever was caught in South Torbia. It was over 20 feet long from the snout-to-tail and weight over 2,370 pounds. While rare, there are reports of death by crocodiles almost every year in South Torbia. South Torbia is home to both freshwater crocodiles and their larger relative, the saltwater crocodile. It is against South Torbian law to kill a crocodile.
Sharks	Even though there are only about 60 attacks around the world annually, South Torbian fisherman have to be extremely safety conscious. Shark species that are found in the waters around South Torbia include the Bull Shark, Tiger Shark, and the Great White Shark.
Scorpions	While they do not bite, Scorpions sting. Many species are harmless, but some are dangerous such as the Arizona bark scorpion.
Red Black Spider	This is the same type as found in Australia and is quite poisonous.
Centipedes	Most are harmless, but one of the three deaths by centipedes has occurred in South Torbia.
Blue-ringed Octopus	Blue-ringed Octopus: This beautiful creature has a bite that is not too painful so the victim often does not know they are bitten until it is too late. One Blue-ringed Octopus can carry enough venom to kill ten human adults.
Cane Toad	The skin of the cane toad is toxic to humans because it contains the chemicals bufotoxin and bufotein. Both are dangerous to animals and humans. While not native to Torbia, it was introduced in 1930 and have multiplied while spreading out through the entire country.