The recent eruption of the Sakurajima Volcano has created a new island, Grande-Terre, which resides between the coast of Kagoshima Prefecture and the main island of Kyushu. The new island is about 270 hectares in size and formed in about two months. It is currently uninhabited and is being monitored by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The mayor of Kagoshima Prefecture, Naoki Inose, announced that the island will be used as a base for disaster response and environmental protection.
Contents
All About Of Grande-Terre
History
The island of Grande-Terre was first spotted by a Dutch sea captain, Jacob Roggeveen, in 1616. At the time, it was a barren island that only contained scattered herds of cattle and a few small settlements. The name “Grande-Terre” (“Greater Land”) likely originated from French colonists who misread the kanji characters used on maps to refer to the island.
In 1875, an Okinawan prince named Saigō Tsunetomo journeyed to Kagoshima Prefecture with plans to establish a new kingdom on Kyush u with a capital at Kagoshima. Ultimately, the prince was unsuccessful in his attempts to establish a new kingdom and plan ended within 24 years of its conception.
In 1885, during Japan’s Meiji period (1868-1912), French geologist Aimé Piccard discovered Sakurajima as well as other nearby volcanoes Kuchinoerabu, Eboshi-zan, and Itakura Onsen on what he referred to as “The Three Dragons” island group while charting the geological features of Kyushu under instruction from the Imperial Japanese government. Because France had recently annexed the island of Sakhalin, the Japanese government officially named Piccard’s discovery “Sakurajima-Jima”.
He also decided to name a nearby island, Itakura Tsumasushio. The naming eventually was changed to Sakurajima in 1904 when officials recognized that Japan already possessed an island called Kuchinoerabu (“Dragon eel Island”). Following this and other new discoveries on Kyush u, geologists assigned names to many new volcanoes across Seiyo Tōsu Bay and possibly as far south as Ōkunoshimati kanji, (the southern island of Kyushu u).
Climate
The climate of Grande-Terre (Mayotte) Island is tropical. The weather is warm all year round, with average temperatures ranging from 22°C in January to 29°C in July. The temperature variations are very small, and the temperature rarely exceeds 32°C. The annual rainfall is about 650 mm, and the humidity is high.
Culture
Mayotte, a Grande-Terre (Mayotte Island) is French territory located in the Indian Ocean. A former penal colony, Mayotte became an overseas department of France in 1946 and a full-fledged French overseas territory in 1957. The population of the island is approximately 120,000 people who are of African and European descent .
The cultural heritage of the people of Mayotte is a fusion of elements from both its African and European ancestors. The predominant religion is Islam. The traditional dress is a sarong worn over a knee-length garment. Music, dance and folklore are also popular, with fokou (a kind of folkdance) being particularly well known.
The cuisine of Mayotte is a mix of Malagasy, Arab, Indian and French influences. Dishes include saltfish (sardines) cooked in spicy curry or marinade, rice and beans topped with fried onions or grated coconut, pastilla (a kind of crepe), kaymak (a kind of custard pie), griot malagasy (a type of sweet pastry) and many more.
Politics
To get a better understanding of the politics of Grande-Terre (Mayotte) Island, we recommend reading the following articles:
- “Grande-Terre (Mayotte) island splits in two over independence bid” – The BBC reports on a tense political dispute in Mayotte that has resulted in the island splitting in two.
- “France to set up ‘special administrative region’ for island of Grande-Terre” – Reuters reports on France’s plans to set up a “special administrative region” for the island of Grande-Terre, which has been protesting its independence from France.
- “Mayotte’s political split widens as separatists push for self-rule” – The Guardian reports on the increasing tensions on Grande-Terre (Mayotte) Island over its independence from France.
Government services
In the French overseas department of Mayotte, Grande-Terre Island, the main services provided by the government are related to healthcare, housing, education, and public safety. The island has a total population of approximately 362,000 people and is administered as part of the French Republic. The main official language is French, with a minority Creole population.
The government of Mayotte is made up of an elected president and two vice presidents. The current president is Hervé Guillou who was inaugurated in January 2017. Other key officials include the secretary general of the executive branch, the secretary general of territorial administration, and the deputy governor for economic development. The island’s legal system is based on French civil law.
The government provides a range of social services, including healthcare insurance that covers most medical costs, education from pre-school through university level, and a range of housing options. There is also a welfare system that provides benefits to low-income families. Public safety is provided by the police and military forces, as well as by fire departments and emergency response teams.
Tourism
Grande-Terre (Mayotte) Island Tourism is the main industry on Grande-Terre. The island is located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar and west of Seychelles. The island has a population of around 100,000 people, who are mainly subsistence farmers. The main exports are vanilla and cloves. There is no airport on the island, so all visitors arrive by boat. The tourism industry revolves around traditional cultural activities such as music, dance, and storytelling. These activities are usually presented in a theatrical setting and attract tourists from all over the world.
Conclusion
Grande-Terre (Mayotte) Island is an overseas department and region of France. It is located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, west of the Comoro Islands, north of Seychelles, and south of Mauritius. The department includes the island of Grande-Terre and a number of smaller islands. The total land area is 199 square kilometers. As of January 2019, the population was 377,118 people.
FAQs
1.What Is Grande-Terre (Mayotte)?
Ans: Grande-Terre, also known as Mayotte, is an island in the Indian Ocean that was created by the eruption of the Sakurajima Volcano. The new island resides between the coast of Kagoshima Prefecture and Kyushu Island and was formed in about two months. It is currently uninhabited and is being monitored by Japan Meteorological Agency.
2.Why Was Grande-Terre Created?
Ans: The new island was created because of the eruption of the Sakurajima Volcano. The volcano caused a huge island to form, which then saved Kagoshima Prefecture from a major flooding event.
3.What Is The Population Of Grande-Terre (Mayotte)?
Ans: The population of Grande-Terre (Mayotte) island is 377,118 people as of January 2019.
4.Where Does The Island Sit?
Ans: Grande-Terre (Mayotte) island sits between Kyushu and Kagoshima prefectures in Japan, west of the Comoro Islands, north of Seychelles, and south of Mauritius.
5.What Languages Are Spoken On Grande-Terre (Mayotte)?
Ans: There is no official language, but French and the Sakali (a dialect of the Madagascan island Malagasy) are both widely spoken.
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