Sweet Island



Sweet Island is an island off the northern coast of Hatunwalla and a former Equestrian colony, currently an independent country.

History
See also Timeline.

Pre-colonial
Sweet Island was one of the markas in the Intillaqta Empire. Due to its low altitude and lack of a land bridge with the mainland, it wasn't highly populated, but it enjoyed a stable population of Llamas.

Due to the relative disconnect from the mainland, Sweet Island developed a unique culture and identity.

Conquest
During the Equestrian conquest of Hatunwalla, Sweet Island was the first place where the Equestrian military landed.

Due to its scant garrison, low population and difficulty to reinforce by a non-seafaring empire, it was quickly overwhelmed and the government was dissolved, with the management of the island falling into the hooves of the Equestrian Navy.

The island served as a jumping board for the invasion, being used as a point for resupply for the Equestrian military as well as a closer base of operations for the conquest of the mainland.

During this time, many sailors grew enamored with the sweet fruits that grew on the island and the native preparations involving sugarcane, and decided to give the island its current name.

Because of the need to feed the growing military presence, new plantations began to be set up in the island almost as soon as the naval government was established. Zebras that were enslaved during the Equestrian-Farasian war were sent to the island to satisfy the exploding demand for agricultural labor.

These plantations were mostly maize, as fruit couldn't be moved over long distances due to its short shelf life, but sugar and fruit plantations were set up for creatures staying at the island.

Colonial
When the invasion of Iskayntinsuyu was complete, control of Sweet Island was moved from the Equestrian Navy to the office of Foreign Affairs.

The end of the conquest and consequent recall of much of Equestria's military presence in Iskayntinsuyu caused the demand for food to fall sharply. Because of this, there was an effort to privatize the plantations that simply weren't useful to their owner anymore.

At the time, Sweet goods began gaining fame in the Equestrian mainland from the word of returning soldiers and the demand for sugar was growing at the time.

As the ownership of plantations was moved to private entities, the maize plantations were largely converted to sugarcane and a sugar industry began popping up. Wealth began flowing into Sweet Island from exports of sugar to the mainland.

The wealth, however, concentrated in Equestrian plantation owners. Society was fragmented, with Llamas and Zebras working in the plantations and sugar manufacturing facilities, which was harsh work and paid poorly, while only Ponies had received formal education and fulfilled cushier jobs. A common complaint became that even when slaves were free, living conditions for former slaves and their families hadn't improved.

Furthermore, there were strict trade restrictions set upon Sweet Island. They couldn't import from anyone other than Equestria, they couldn't export to anyone other than Equestria, and the prices on the goods produced on the island was kept low by Equestrian rule.

This grew resentment among Ponies who felt like the trade restrictions cut into their profits selling and drove prices of outside goods up.

Post-colonial
Equestria began considering banning sugar processing in Sweet Island to import raw sugarcane directly and move the processing industry to the Equestrian mainland instead.

This proved extremely unpopular.

Plantation owners were the first to revolt, claiming the independent kingdom of Sweet Island and having the largest landowner crowned king in place of the Equestrian-appointed governor.

The new king ordered the opening of trade and sought having the new state be recognized by potential trading partners.

However, while talks of revolution among landowners had sprung up, the rest of the population had talks of their own. Criticisms of the system of private plantations and its effects on wealth disparity had grown among all social sectors, from the Llama and Zebra workers to the educated Pony middle class.

With a still not fully established government of the landowning class that lacked Equestria's military backing, it didn't take long for a revolution to start under the leadership of a candy maker named Candy Cane.

The mob overran the relatively unprotected governor's palace and Candy Cane soon became leader of Sweet Island.

Current era
The first edict of Candy Cane's government was to strip landowners of their property and all plantations became public businesses.

A new constitution was drafted and independence from Equestria was once again declared.

Sweet Island's independence was initially recognized by Farasi and Zwali.

Equestria attempted to restore colonial order, but as Sweet Island declared independence, Iskayntinsuyu decided to declare independence as well, seeing a chance as Equestria would busy dealing with Sweet Island.

Demographics
Sweet Island's population is roughly one third Ponies, one third Llamas and one third Zebras. Despite the differences in species, conflict between them is rare.

Culture
Sweet Island's culture is a unique blend, mostly Equestrian but with strong Farasian and Llamasuyan influences due to its demographics.

Ecology
Sweet Island features several unique native species. Some of these are:


 * The Gamusino, a nocturnal orange rodent similar to a rat but with large mole-like claws and a extremely sensitive sense of hearing. Catching this animal is notoriously hard due to how it runs away from any noise and how it can easily it can disappear into the earth, and it is said that catching it can bring you an amount of luck higher than any rabbit's leg.


 * The Chupacabra, a blood drinking hairless mammal with sharp fangs which preys on large herbivores.


 * The Uyuyuy, a colorful short-legged bird which lays large eggs.