Physical Environment: South Torbia

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Physical Map of South Torbia

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 and low valleys used for agricultural pursuits. Both vegetation and climate are tropical in nature. Multiple natural hazards exist, resulting from the country’s geology, weather, native wildlife, and human activity.

Table of Physical Environment Data

Measure	Data	Remarks
Land Area (sq miles)	17,622	Includes inland water
Land Border (miles)	135	Belesia (23), North Torbia (112)
Coastline (miles)	2,268
Highest Elevation (ft)	8,422	Mt. Halcon
Lowest Elevation (ft)	0	Sea Level
Arable (cultivated) Land (%)	39
Permanent Crops (%)	10
Permanent Pasture (%)	<1	6% grasslands that could be used for pastoral purposes
Irrigated Land (%)	8
Forested Land (%)	36	Conifers (7), rainforest (9), scrub (14)
Urban Area (%)	5	Primarily Manila area

Terrain

South Torbia lies in southeastern Asia and consists of 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—part of the western Pacific Ocean—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 broken into two parts centered around the largest islands: 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 due south of South Torbian Luzon, and contains a north-south mountain range with valleys on the eastern and western coasts. A few small islands lie near the main ones, with the largest being Pulong Polillo to the east of Luzon and Lubang to the southwest of the same. Caves—both above ground and under water—are common in the archipelago.

Bodies of Water

As an island nation, 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. It possess a number of bays, with the largest and most important being Manila Bay in southern Luzon. Several rivers exist and 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 by shallow-drafted vessels for short distances from their mouths—if at all. Both natural and man-made lakes exist. 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 the mountainous island nature of the country. Water or air transport methods are required to and between islands and, 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 in the higher mountains increases difficulties 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, and cyclonic storms.

Natural Hazards

South Torbia is subject to many types of natural disasters, including 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 tsunamis and storm surges. 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; these can trigger landslides as well as causing direct damage to South Torbia’s infrastructure. A major earthquake centered near the North Torbia-South Torbia 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 storms a year reaching typhoon category. One of these, Super Typhoon Haima, reached 140 mph winds and caused considerable damage in October 2016. The country is also concerned about deforestation and possible rising sea levels due to climate change. Dangerous animals in the country include poisonous centipedes, crocodiles, jellyfish, scorpions, sharks, snakes, spiders, and disease-carrying insects.

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 on the islands has produced networks of 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—such as bamboo, ferns, orchids, and climbing palms (rattan)—are also present. Due to the country’s climate, trees keep their leaves year round. With the exception of the metropolitan Manila area, the lowland valleys are devoted almost completely to agriculture, while the 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 the 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, and soybeans.

Considerable amounts of land are irrigated in order to ensure good harvests—especially for rice—and counteract the occasional droughts experienced in the country. Slash-and-burn agriculture, while widely practiced in the past, has been nearly eliminated to help protect South Torbia’s remaining forests. This has given way to Western agricultural methods, such as commercial seeds, fertilizers, and insecticides. 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.

Livestock & Wildlife

South Torbians have do not have large numbers of livestock spread throughout the country when compared to their neighbors, but small-scale commercial farms are common. Common domesticated animals include cattle, pigs, goats, poultry, and water buffalo. The country also boasts multiple types of wildlife, including badger, bat, civet cat, crocodile, deer, lemur, leopard, manatee, mongoose, monkey, porcupine, scaly anteater, squirrel, tree shrew, and wild boar. One species of water buffalo, the tamarau, can only be found on Mindoro Island. South Torbia boasts a wildlife sanctuary and several national parks, which help to preserve the country’s array of indigenous wildlife.

Climate and Weather

DATE Pacific Subregional Climate Types

South Torbia experiences three different climate types that can be broken into two 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 type, Type I, is experienced on South Torbian Luzon 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.

Type III is experienced on the western slopes of the Sierra Madre Mountains and a small region due south of the same on South Torbian Luzon, and on 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.

Type II is found on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Madre Mountains and 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.

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.

Seasons

Month	Type I	Type II	Type III	Temperature	Wind
January	dry	rain	lighter rain	coolest	NE monsoon
February	dry	light rain	dry	cool	NE monsoon
March	dry	light rain	dry	hot	easterlies
April	dry	light rain	dry	hottest	easterlies
May	rain	rain	lighter rain	hot	easterlies
June	rain	rain	lighter rain	hot	easterlies
July	heavy rain	rain	heavier rain	warm	SW monsoon
August	heavy rain	rain	heavier rain	warm	SW monsoon
September	rain	rain	heavier rain	warm	SW monsoon
October	dry	rain	lighter rain	warm	SW monsoon
November	dry	rain	lighter rain	cooler	NE monsoon
December	dry	rain	lighter rain	cool	NE monsoon

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 during the rainy season. These 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 (I, II, or III).

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 Farenheit) and monthly lows are not much cooler, usually dropping less than 15°F. Record highs usually fall in the 90s, but have been known to exceed 100°F. When combined with South Torbia’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 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°F.

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 stereotypically associated with tropical jungles.

Wind

South Torbia experiences an annual wind cycle that drives the country’s seasons. Trade winds from the northeast begin blowing in November. These winds, which are also 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 (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 37 mph) to super typhoon (most severe; winds over 136 mph), are possible from June–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. One of these, Super Typhoon Haima, reached 140 mph winds and caused considerable damage in October 2016.

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.

Summary

South Torbia’s terrain varies from high, rugged mountains to flat lowland plains; while the former create obstacles for transport, they are not insurmountable. Natural disasters such as typhoons and landslides will complicate missions. Troops must deal with 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.