Physical Environment: North Torbia

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Physical Environment Overview

North Torbia is a small country located in an archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean. It borders its primary regional opponent, South Torbia, which is the only country with land access to the nation. The country’s terrain consists primary of heavily forested mountains interspersed with low valleys. The valleys are typically fertile and comprise most of North Torbia’s arable land. Both vegetation and climate are tropical in nature. Multiple natural hazards exist, resulting from the country’s geology, weather, native wildlife, and human activity.

North Torbia’s terrain varies from high, rugged mountains to flat lowland plains. Terrain, including mountains and rivers, creates obstacles for regional communication and makes transport difficult. Natural disasters such as typhoons and landslides will complicate missions. Troops and equipment will be affected by extreme temperatures and humidity throughout the lowlands, and high altitudes in the mountains. Frequent rains will hamper operations and maneuverability, as will seasonal cloud cover.

Physical Map of North Torbia

Table of Physical Environment Data

Placeholder for an updated PE Map

Physical Environment Data
Measure	Data	Remarks
Land Area (km2)	55,729	Includes inland water
Land Border (km)	180	Shared with South Torbia
Coastline (km)	1,920
Highest elevation (m)	2,903	Mount Pulag
Lowest Elevation (m)	0	Sea Level
Arable (cultivated) Land (%)	26%	Primarily Cagayan Valley
Permanent Crops (%)	4%
Permanent Pasture (%)	<1%	6% grasslands that could be used for pastoral purposes
Irrigated Land (%)	<1%	If in a specific area, name it
Forested Land (%)	52%	Conifers (7%); rainforest (16%); scrub (20%)
Urban Areas (%)	2%
Legend: kilometer (km); meter (m)

Terrain

North Torbian territory encompasses the northern half of Luzon Island, six additional islands, and several 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. The country shares its only land boundary with South Torbia, and maritime borders with the same.  

The islands are mountainous in nature, with interspersed valleys on the main island. The part of Luzon Island inhabited by North Torbia consists primarily of rugged volcanic mountains. The large, flat Cagayan Valley occupies much of the eastern half of the island. Running north to south, it is surrounded by mountain ranges on three sides—the Sierra Madre to the east, the Cordillera Central to the west, and the Caraballo to the south. A few other small valleys lie scattered on the main island. The small islands and associated islets are all located north of Luzon Island. One island lies just off the northeastern tip of the main island, while the other five—known as the Babuyan Islands—form a ring in the South China Sea. Surface and subsurface caves are common in the archipelago.

Bodies of Water

North Torbia is surrounded by bodies of water on all but one side. The South China Sea lies to its north and west, and the Philippine Sea to its east. The Balintang Channel separates North Torbia from its northern neighbor, and the country shares Lingayen Gulf with South Torbia. North Torbia features many rivers, which typically flow from the mountains to the coast—either directly or via Cagayan Valley. The most important of these is the Cagayan River, which flows from the Caraballo Mountains in the south to the northern coast. Other important rivers include the Magat and Chico Rivers—both tributaries of the Cagayan—along with the Abra and Agno. Due to the mountainous terrain, most rivers are navigable only by shallow-draft vessels, and then, only at lower altitudes. The country boasts a few small bays, but has no natural lakes. The few lakes that exist were formed by damming rivers for hydroelectric power generation.

Mobility Classification

Movement in North Torbia is difficult due to the mountainous island nature of the country. Water or air transport methods are required to access the island. Once on land, mountain ranges and river gorges naturally canalize movement. Heavy rains, flooding, and mud/landslides can seriously hamper troop movement during the rainy seasons. 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, aircraft icing at high altitudes, 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, mining operations produced networks of artificial tunnels. Many of these were abandoned as the metals were exhausted, and are now used occasionally by smugglers for storing illegal contraband. The North Torbian military also creates and uses tunnels for its own purposes, though it publicly proclaims that these are “mines.” Higher-level tunnels and caves are frequently used as emergency shelters by local residents during and after larger cyclonic storms; impoverished citizens occasionally take up permanent residence in caves.

Vegetation

Around 52% of North Torbia is forested, primarily consisting of rain forest in the upper elevations of the mountains. Common trees include coniferous pines at the very highest elevations, while broadleaf trees such as balau, meranti, and narra are found at the remaining elevations. Other plant species found in montane forests include bamboo, ferns, orchids, and climbing palms (rattan). Deforestation by both the government and the population is a continuing problem. Due to the country’s climate, trees keep their leaves year round. Lowland areas not devoted to agriculture are covered by tropical savannahs, mixed grasslands, scrub trees, and forests. Small mangrove swamps can be found on the coastline.

Agriculture

Most agriculture is concentrated in lowland valleys, with most of this land dedicated to annual crops. Permanent crops include abaca, banana, cashew, citrus fruit, coconut, coffee, 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 are non-existent. Food production is generally inadequate to meet the needs of the population; the country imports flour, grains, soybeans, and other foodstuffs to try to meet this demand. 

Rice is primarily grown on the slopes of the Cordillera Central Mountains, which have been terraced over the centuries to accommodate this practice. Some areas are irrigated in order to ensure good harvests—especially for rice—and to counteract the occasional droughts experienced in the country. Slash-and-burn agriculture is widely used, at the expense of North Torbia’s remaining forestland. In the few cases where this method was replaced with using commercial seeds, improper application of chemical fertilizers and insecticides contaminated both soil and water.

Climate and Weather

DATE-Pacific Subregional Climate Types

North Torbia experiences four different climate types, two that are only found in a small portion of the country. The most prevalent climate in North Torbia is the monsoon climate (Am) that is located on the western part of the country. The second climate is the equatorial climate (Af), which is located on the western 1/3 of the country. The third climate is the tropical savanna climate (Aw) that is located in the northern portion of North Torbia. The final climate, the subtropical oceanic highland climate (Cwb) is only found in North Torbia is a small portion adjacent to the country’s border with South Torbia.

Placeholder for Koppen Climate Map

Köppen climate classification
Zone	Precipitation Type		Heat Type	Acronym: Description
Tropical Climate (Zone A)	Rainforest (f)			Af: Tropical rainforest climate with an average precipitation of at least 2.36 inches of rain in every month. This is found on the southern two-thirds of the country’s eastern side.  Tuguegaro is located in this climate zone.
	Monsoon (m)			Am: Tropical monsoon climate with an average temperature of 64.4° F every month with significant rainfall, but driest month is around the winter solstice. The most prevalent climate in the country covering the western two-thirds of country except for two pockets of other climates. Aparri is located in this climate zone.
	Savanna, Dry Winter (w)			Aw: Tropical savanna climate with an average temperature of 64.4° F every month with significant rainfall. This climate only occurs in one area in north part of the country from the ocean to the mountains. Laoag is located in this climate zone.
Temperate Climate (Zone C)	Dry Winter (w)	Warm Summer(b)		Cwb: Subtropical highland climate influenced by monsoons with the coldest month averaging above 0° C, all months averaging below 71.6° F, and 4 months averaging above 50° F.  This climate is in a small area on the west side of the country, almost shaped like a circle, bordering South Torbia. Baguio City is in this climate zone.

Seasons Overview

Seasons Chart-Baguio City
	Temperature Coldest (F)	Temperature Hottest (F)	Precipitation (inches)	Days of Rain	Wind (Average in miles per hour)
January	55	74	0.60	3	4.5
February	56	75	0.9	3	6.7
March	58	77	1.8	5	6.7
April	61	78	4.1	9	6.7
May	62	77	13.4	20	4.5
June	62	76	18.7	22	4.5
July	62	74	30.8	26	4.5
August	61	73	35.6	27	4.5
September	61	74	22.5	24	4.5
October	60	75	17.9	17	4.5
November	59	75	3.8	8	4.5
December	57	74	1.0	4	4.5

Seasons Chart-Tuguegaro
	Temperature Coldest (F)	Temperature Hottest (F)	Precipitation (inches)	Days of Rain	Wind (Average in miles per hour)
January	66	83	1.3	8	6.7
February	67	87	1.1	6	4.5
March	70	92	1.1	5	4.5
April	73	96	1.9	6	4.5
May	74	96	5.1	11	4.5
June	74	95	6.2	12	4.5
July	74	93	7.7	15	4.5
August	74	92	9.7	15	4.5
September	73	91	8.7	14	4.5
October	72	89	11.8	15	6.7
November	70	85	9.1	15	6.7
December	67	82	4.8	12	6.7

Seasons Chart-Appari
	Temperature Coldest (F)	Temperature Hottest (F)	Precipitation (inches)	Days of Rain	Wind (Average in miles per hour)
January	69	82	3.74	11	6.7
February	70	84	2.2	7	4.5
March	72	87	1.5	5	4.5
April	75	90	1.6	4	4.5
May	76	92	4.6	8	4.5
June	77	92	6.2	10	4.5
July	77	92	7.1	11	4.5
August	76	91	7.5	12	4.5
September	75	90	9.6	12	4.5
October	75	88	11.7	15	6.7
November	73	86	11.2	17	6.7
December	70	82	7.4	15	6.7

Seasons Chart-Santiago
	Temperature Coldest (F)	Temperature Hottest (F)	Precipitation (inches)	Days of Rain	Wind (Average in miles per hour)
January	67	82	1.1	1	6.5
February	68	84	1.1	1	5.8
March	69	88	1.1	9	5.5
April	72	91	2.2	15	4.5
May	75	92	6.6	18	4.0
June	75	92	14.9	20	4.2
July	75	90	17.7	15	4.2
August	75	89	22.2	7	4.2
September	74	89	16.6	4	4.3
October	73	86	5.5	2	5.9
November	72	85	3.3	9	6.8
December	68	83	1.5	1	6.9

Seasons Chart-Laoag
	Temperature Coldest (F)	Temperature Hottest (F)	Precipitation (inches)	Days of Rain	Wind (Average in miles per hour)
January	67	77	0.2	1	9.4
February	68	78	0.1	1	7.6
March	71	81	0.2	1	7.6
April	74	84	1.0	1	7.6
May	76	85	9.7	9	7.6
June	76	84	12.3	14	7.6
July	76	83	17.7	18	7.6
August	76	82	23.0	19	7.6
September	75	82	16.4	14	7.6
October	74	82	4.1	7	7.6
November	73	81	1.2	4	9.4
December	69	78	0.1	1	9.4

Precipitation

Precipitation in North Torbia comes in the form of rain, with an annual average of 50–160 inches, depending on location. This usually takes the form of afternoon or evening showers, which are light and infrequent during the dry season while nearly daily and often heavy during the rainy season. Daily amounts vary, with maximums ranging from a low of 8 inches in part of the Cagayan Valley, to over 20 inches on the highest peaks of the Cordillera Central 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 (see charts above for example cities in each climate zone).

Temperature—Heat Index

North 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 inland valleys being warmest and high mountains being coolest. Average monthly highs range from the low 70s to the mid-90s degrees Fahrenheit. Monthly lows are not much cooler, usually dropping less than 20 degrees. Record highs usually fall in the 90s, but have been known to exceed 100. When combined with North Torbia’s high relative humidity, the heat index can easily reach levels that affect military operations.

Temperature—Wind Chill Index

Temperatures very rarely drop below 65 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. The highest mountain peaks can get cold at night; record lows in the Cordillera Central Mountains have reached the freezing mark.

Relative Humidity

Relative humidity is high throughout the year in North 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

North 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 the western coast 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. North Torbia is especially susceptible to these storms, experiencing nearly four typhoon-level storms per year, on average.

Visibility

North 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 2,500 m 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

North Torbia is subject to many types of natural disasters, often the same type that befall South Torbia. The northern part of North Torbia is more exposed to open water than South Torbia and could be more affected by oceanic storms.

Events

These natural disasters 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. There are several active volcanoes in North Torbia, but it has been over 100 years since the last eruption. 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 North Torbia’s infrastructure. Earthquakes can occur in North Torbia and the government often is overwhelmed when these do occur. Cyclonic storms hit regularly, with an average of 3-5 typhoon-category storms making landfall annually. One recent storm, Super Typhoon Haima, featured 140 mph winds and caused considerable damage. While North Torbia is concerned about deforestation and possible rising sea levels due to climate change, they are doing little about it because of fear of damaging their economy. One of the most used cooking sources is charcoal which requires the burning of wood. Thus, many rural North Torbians cut down trees to make charcoal in order to cook their food.

Disease

Major diseases in North Torbia include bacterial diarrhea, protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis B, malaria, tuberculosis, and rabies. (See the Social variable for more details on these diseases)

Flora

There are at least ten types of poisonous plants in North Torbia. These are the same deadly plants as found in South Torbia. They are listed beginning with the most dangerous plant.

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.
Rats	It is not really the rats that are poisonous, but the diseases that they carry. The most prevalent one in North Torbia is leptospirosis that makes a person’s skin turn yellow while making the kidneys stop functioning. Rats thrive in an environment that is not kept clean so they multiply rapidly whether they are a rural or city rat.