Spring 2009

From Above

Spring 2009

Quarterly Publication "FROM ABOVE"
Photography: DAVID CAMERON
Cover Photo: Sand Island (Osean Territory)

Sand Island

A solitary island floating near the border. Osean territory. A detachment sent by the Osean military provides surveillance of its territorial airspace and waters. This island is designated as a national wildlife conservation area by the Osean Ministry of the Interior. [1]

Karaska Region [2]

Within the sprawling verdant and magnificent scenery lies a town formed around an engineering college that has stood since ancient times. This region is well known as a tourist spot due to its mineral-rich wells and many health resorts.

November City

Called "Mile City" due to being located on highlands 1 mile above sea level. Prospering following the discovery of gold and silver mines, it became a city centered on commerce, industry, and tourism. In the center of the city is a giant stadium that can hold 70,000 people.

Yuke Mountain Range [3]

A mountain range that cuts across the eastern side of Yuktobania. The summit, surpassing 8000 meters, is subject to harsh weather conditions above wind force 10. As such, there still exists many untouched areas.

Bastok Peninsula

Located in the southeastern region of Yuktobania and jutting out towards the Pacific Ocean, Bastok Peninsula is in close proximity to the equatorial high temperature and humidity zone. Being as such, there are many trees growing rampant near the coastline. Due to being located closest to Osean territory, this has also become one of Yuktobania's defense positions.

Jilachi Desert

The green circles that can been seen in the central Yuktobanian desert are central pivot irrigation systems that uses underground water veins. The radius of the arm reaches 2 kilometers. Utilizing their abundant energy as an oil producing country, this is perhaps a symbol of large scale collective agriculture.

Payavlenie Ravine

Covering northern Yuktobania, the Payavlenie Ravine is complexly formed by steep cliffs. As this is a metamorphic rock zone where continental collision took place, there exists a mining operation for many types of ores here.

Bana City

The college town of Bana City, located in the southeastern regions of the continent is well known for its history of being the capital from which Osea originated, as well as being the host to many research institutions and cultural facilities. The river flowing through the center of the city is spanned by a number of bridges, connecting the old town and new city.

Glubina Region

While this region is subject to Mediterranean, humid subtropical, and west coast oceanic climates, it also holds traits of inland climate at the same time due to many mountainous areas. Winter average temperature is around 0 degrees, at night it is a frozen land where the temperature cools down to as much as minus 20 degrees, inhibiting human settlement. [4]

Translation Notes

[1] 内務省 is Japan's Meiji-era Home Ministry, however the same kanji is used for America's Department of the Interior (アメリカ合衆国内務省). The more modern rendering of Japan's Ministry of Home Affairs is 自治省. Interior/Home Affair Ministries generally handle a broad range of functions similar to the US Departments of Homeland Security and Justice, however the US Department of the Interior largely regulates the use of federally-owned land, similar to the Osean agency described here.

[2] カラスカ can be translated as either "Kalaska" or "Karaska". Kalaska could refer to the Italian town of Calasca, but Karaska is a small village in Poland.

[3] It is unclear whether the text is using Yuke in a possessive form or as a proper name for the mountains. The latter is supported by the labeling on the ancient map wallpaper, but contradicted by the in-game name of the Vladimir Mountains.

[4] It is not specified whether this is Celsius or Fahrenheit.