Bounty: A Tropical Story

[Tamijo 2,036]

23rd of May 2024

Today at TV1 City: Shack Village & Popin Hamlet (7.30 PM – primetime television)

Vincenza De Groot leader of Museum of Original Culture explain:

The first clear evidence of settlements in what is now Saint Mary’s District, is a mention of some shacks close to the Old Fort. Found in old governor letters dated 1887. At the same time we know that a large shack village existed further north, on both sides of North Harbor Road. Historians also know for a fact that they were gone in 1900 replaced by two separate settlements. A small farming community between Coffee Road and Sugar Road, another slightly larger community south of Mine Square. The best guess is that 12-14 families lived in the area. Although no houses from that period has survived. We got color photos of one of them, as it survived until the construction of Bounty City University in 1973.

The old colonial era house on Mine Square

 

In 1920 we got more secure data on exactly how many families lived in what is now Saint Mary’s District. In the already mentioned north settlement, sometimes referred to as “Popin Hamlet” due to the local pub, lived 12 families. In the area south in the Town Circus, another 25 families. Making it a total of 37 families living in what is now Saint Mary’s District.

The cultural house and surrounding buildings, early 1920’s

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

30th of May 2024

Today at TV1 City: The church the grocery and the residential area  (8.00 PM – primetime television)

Mikel Vázquez from State Statistics Department explain:

During the 20’s Saint Mary’s Church was constructed and nearby it the first apartment blocks. At the end of the decade 39 families lived in what is now Saint Mary’s District. During the 30’s “Popin Hamlet” was depopulated, but the area between Coconut Road and Pasture Road was further developed making the total numbers of families reach 48. In 1944 Saint Mary’s District was officially declared. During the decade we saw a small decrease in families from 48 to 45, maybe due to people moving to the new popular Cattle Road Residential Area. In the 50’s the homes in “Popin Hamlet” disappeared completely, now the only larger residential area was between Coconut Road and Pasture Road. 49 families lived in Saint Mary’s District in 1959.

The area around Cultural House, December 1958

 

There was a small population decline in Saint Mary’s District in the 60’s back to 45 families. In the 70’s Bounty City University was constructed, and with-it better housing and more wealthy families moved into what was now called Saint Mary’s Residential Area, 49 families lived in the district at the end of the decade. 48 families at the end of the 80’s. Despite the fact that large apartment towers had been build since in 80’s in other parts of Bounty Islands. Saint Mary’s District had kept its profile with low apartments blocks and houses. At the turn of the century 50 families lived in the district, still mainly in Saint Mary’s Residential Area, between Coconut Road and Pasture Road.

A busy morning at St. Mary's Grocery, January 2000

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

6th of June 2024

Today at TV1 City: O’Neill family, China Town and Solar City  (8.30 PM – primetime television)

Council Member Thomas Harris explain:

In 1999 the government bought land the O’Neill family had previously used to run a corn plantation north of the Circus. In was first used in 2007 to construct the Trade and Logistics Department (later Traffic and Logistic Ministry). A few years earlier Schubert Holding build a large office building east of Saint Mary’s Church. Loyal to Familia build their Motel in 2009. Surprisingly those investments did not inspired construction of new many residential buildings, only seven new families moved to Saint Mary’s District, making it a total of 57, at the end of 2009.

Schubert Building to the left next to the church, Department of Trade and Logistics to the right.

 

In 2010 Saint Mary’s Grocery was demolished and Saint Mary’s District got Bounty City’s first larger shopping center, Harbor Road Shopping Mall. In 2011 Jørgen Jensen bought United Food’s sugar plantation, building a modern cattle farm and cattle feed greenhouses at Prison Road, in the north-east corner of Saint Mary’s District. During this period the Road Network around Saint Mary’s Prison was significantly changed. To get a shorter route from the meat production to the end customers. In 2013 The Chinese embassy, was constructed on Long Connected Road and Chinese e-commerce company JD.com (京东) opened an office with attached Cocktail Bar Beijing, between Coffee Road and Sugar Road. The western part of Coffee Road was renamed China Town Street. Also, in 2013 Museo de Arte Moderno opened at North Harbor Road, next to the circus building. In 2015 Saint Mary’s Hospital was constructed between the Museum and the Traffic Ministry. The former O’Neill family land was now completely developed. At the end of the decade 72 families lived in Saint Mary’s District.

 From the late 90’s to 2020, the area previously occupied by O’Neill family’s plantation, developed into an important and busy area of Bounty City.

 

In 2022 López Construction build an Apartment complex Solar City at Sugar Road. Opening the option for many families to get an address at the now acclaimed Sugar Road Residential Area. In 2023 Leone Family built a water park next to Faces Of Power sculpture park, at the east end of Coconut Road. Today 80 families live in Saint Mary’s District.

[Tamijo 2,036]

Yelena Johnson, June 2024

Legendary celebrity business woman Yelena Johnson retires 73 years old. Leaving R. Johnson Holdings in the hands of her youngest daughter Moria Johnson. Rumor indicates than her older uneducated daughter Carina Moretti simply is not clever enough, her son Aleto Johnson might be, but his time with the hippies, which was a huge disappointment for Yelena, have come to his disadvantage. The two won’t inherit any part of the company, only their part of Yelena Johnson’s personal fortune, when that day arrive.

Yelena Johnson took over Johnson Holdings in 1993 after her husband was kidnapped and later killed. Expanding the company significantly since. First finishing her husband dream of making R. Johnson Furniture including own log and plank production in the mid 90’s. R. Johnson SunWear in 2001. The Johnson Building in 2007. Recently acquisition of Leone Accessories (today R. Johnson Leather) and construction of R.J. Caribbean Fashion Design.

 Yelena Johnson after a visit to Teatro De Tropico, now going to meet a friend at Hotel America.

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

27th of June 2024

Today at TV1 City: Southern Settlement, Cattle Road Clinic & Purple Villa (7.45 PM – primetime television)

Vincenza De Groot leader of Museum of Original Culture explain:

Historians in the 80’s and 90’s expected the first permanent housing in Cattle Road to date from the early 1900’s, but modern dating methods of remains found during the construction of “Export Department” (1934) and Señor Vieira (1974), date back the presence of the first wooden homes to around 1897-1898. It is also likely that The Donkey Mansion opened before 1900. With this knowledge we can now estimate the number of families living in what is today Cattle Road District to between 10 and 12 at the turn of the century. We don’t know if that changed over the next 10-15 years. As usual we get the first secure data after the revolution, showing the what is now Cattle Road District developed fast. In the beginning of 1920, the transitional government counts 27 families having address in the area.

The southern settlement near Ruben Ruiz Strait, was housing the many farmers.

Doctors Lorenzo Brissi opened the first healthcare clinic on Cattle Road in 1921. Later in the 20’s a Tobacco plantation was constructed at the east side of Long Connecter Street (today Long Connecter Road) near the no longer existing Jungle Fort. The first taller apartment blocks were erected at the east side of Cattle Road. At the end of the decade 42 families lived in what is now Catte Road District. The 30’s saw the construction of The Export Department in 1934, The Gaia’s birth of Jesus monument in 1935. What would later become the desirable Cattle Road Residential Area, also started forming in the 30’s, with the construction of new upscale homes at the west side of Cattle Road, including the famous “Purple Villa” home of Bounty Islands first president Jakub Piotrowski. The total population declined to 35 families by the end of the decade, but now mostly wealthier families. Cattle Road District was officially declared in 1944, the same year Teatro De Tropico held its first show. 39 families lived in the district at the end of 1949. At this point all the early colonial houses from the turn of the century, was gone.

Café del Teatro

Early Watercolor by Andreas Wolf, late 1949. ink and water color 25x45 cm. Wolf was 25 years old at the time. Museo de Arte Moderno, Bounty City

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

@CaptCity Thanks for following much appreciated

@TogaMasterJohn Another shout-out for your constant support – keeps me going.

 

4th of July 2024

Today at TV1 City: Radio, Bank, Catedral, Hotel & Hütten (8.05 PM – primetime television)

Mikel Vázquez from State Statistics Department explain:

President Smirnov’s School opened in 1952, Bounty FM radio station in 1955 and Immigrant Department in 1959. 44 families lived in Cattle Road District, at the end of the 50’s. In 1961 bus line C from Shack Village to President Smirnov’s School started service. In 1966 Bounty Bank was ready to open at the south end of Cattle Road. Residential buildings were added at both side of Cattle Road during the 60’s. 54 families lived in the district at the end of the decade. In 1971 Bus line D connected Cattle Road Residential Area with Lucia Village (Cepero Islands). The first “Hacienda” style home was erected at South Harbor Road in 1974. Restaurant Señor Vieira opened later the same year. In 1978 People's Market reopened at South Harbor Road, after being demolished in Presidente Jakub District. 51 families lived in the district at the end of 1979.

Cattle Road Park late 1970’s

 

In 1985 a tourist port was constructed at South Coast Road. During the 80’s residential buildings was added along Connection Passway. Some temporary pop-up shelters were also seen in the district. Despite that just 52 families were living in the district, at the end of the decade. As some older wooden houses was torn down, and some houses were empty after fires had raged in 1989. In 1991 Catedral de Sainte Thérèse opened at Plantation Street. In 1993, the large tourist complex Hotel & Hütten Mutter Gaia opened north of The Gaia Monument, with entrance from Rossi’s Farm (road). In 1995 tourist office and coffee shop “Tropico” was added to the tourist complex. Later the same year, movie theater Cine De Loro opened at Cattle Road. During the 90’s more homes was added to Cattle Road Residential Area, leaving the district with 64 families at the end of the decade.

Hotel & Hütten Mutter Gaia Tourist Complex

Advertising photo, German Market (1999)

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

11th of July 2024

Today at TV1 City: CCR Complex, Hotel America & Gourmet Restaurant Cibaria Insulam (8.05 PM – primetime television)

Mikel Vázquez from State Statistics Department explain:

Further development of the housing sector was the only change in Cattle Road District from 2000 to 2009. Cattel Road Residential Area got several new buildings at the corner of Forest Road and Cattle Road and López Construction, finished CCR Complex at Long Connector Road in 2009. 98 families lived in Cattle Road District at the end of the decade.

 Forest Road 2009

 

After the old building at Old Banana Road was demolished, Hotel America and the attached burger bar was rebuilt at Plantation Road next to Bounty Bank in 2013. In February 2019 The Grasso Family sold their Cattle Ranch on Pasture Road to Ramos Construction and merged with O’Neill’s operations on D’Angelo Island. As a result, Francisco & Louise Muñoz asked Ramos Construction to build Gourmet Restaurant Cibaria Insulam on Pasture Road. Opening July 2019. In the process Ramos also constructed new houses, and in between them, Cattle Road Recreational Area. Making the triangle between Cattle Road, Pasture Road and Long Connecter Road, one of the most exclusive areas in Bounty City.

 Cattle Road Recreational Area

Real Estate Advertising (2023)

 

Since 2019 no major changes took place. Today 106 families live in Cattle Road District.

 

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

25th of July 2024

Today at TV1 City: Cigars, Cigars, Cigars, Trousers & Guns (8.05 PM – primetime television)

Intro Voiceover : When making this survey we did not collect samples from every year, instead we took 5 samples over each of the ten year periods, preferably early and never overlapping each other.

We believe it is enough to guaranty a clear picture of the development. 

 

Beatriz Sidorov from The Export Department explain:

Since at least the early 30’s Cigars have always been the backbone in Bounty Islands Export and Economy. Over the 50 years we have analyzed, from the early 80’s until today. Cigars have had an average yearly export value of stunning 33.152 coins, more than 100% higher than its closest rival. Notably the latest period show that the Tobacco industry seems to be even more important today than ever before. In the 80’s there was 6 tobacco plantations and 3 cigar factory lines. Today we got one experimental agricultural greenhouse, 5 traditional plantations and the 3 cigar factory lines. The extra tobacco, and better distribution today is the major reason for the much better outcome in the latest years, but the factories have also been modernized.

The oldest still existing tobacco plantation is Bounty Bay Tobacco on Maria Ruiz Road. Originally owned by the Governor himself. 

We don’t know exactly when it was constructed but must have been around 1915.

 

The 2^nd most important export commodity over the latest 50 years have been cloth. With an average yearly export value of 15.227 coins. In the early 80’s there were three sheep ranches producing wool, R. Johnson had was two cotton plantations and one cloth factory. Today there is one factory farm and three ranches producing wool, one modern greenhouse producing cotton and two factories. The production technology has not changed much over the period. It is mainly the new SunWear factory operation from 2001, delivering the increase in production over the period.

Jørgen Jensen’s sheep ranch at Mountain Road, Mountain Village. Is without contest the oldest still existing building that is part of the textile industry. Founded between 1906 and 1908, either by the Governor himself or one of his men. At the time the milk was an important part of Bounty’s nutrition, today the ranch is mainly of historical value.

 

 

The 3^rd most important export commodity over the period is firearms. With an average yearly export value of 13.015 coins. Before 1990 there was general delivery issues with either nickel or steel deliveries, holding the firearms production relatively low. The addition of Walker Family iron mine in the south jungle on Cepero Island, busting steel production in the late 1980’s and M. Leroy Joint Ventures modernization of the nickel mine in 2006, left the factory without supply issues. In early 1980’s there was two coal, one nickel and one iron mine. Today we got three coal mines, two iron mines and one modernized nickel mine. The factory itself haven’t been upgraded over the period, it is the solved material delivery situation that have been the cause of increased production over the period.

Walker Family’s iron mine is responsible for the substantial increase in firearms production from the 1980’s to the 1990’s. 

 

The fourth most important export commodity over the period is boats. With an average yearly export value of 9.125 coins, despite the fact that no boats were sold in the early 80’s as Loyal to Familia’s boatyard was first finished in 1987. In 1990 there was two log producers and one sawmill. Today there is four log producers and two sawmill. Shared by the shipyard and furniture factory. There have been some technical improvements over the period, but we have also seen periodical delivery issues, resulting in low production.     

Loyal to Familia Shipyard

 

The fifth most important export commodity over the period is jewelry. With an average yearly export value of 6.642 coins. As seen from the graph below, jewelry is a low quantity high profit and very price sensitive business, delivering very uneven yearly income, but over a longer period quite strong export market. The addition of a third gold shaft in west jungle in 1998, may have solved any material shortage, but jewelry is a slow production process, dependent on few skilled workers, and a highly uneven yearly export is expected to continue.

Voiceover: More about export and bounty economy later in the program series.  

[Tamijo 2,036]

8th of August 2024

Today at TV1 City: Cepero Village, Sergio Navarro and John Walsh (8.00 PM – primetime television)

Svetlana De Groot, Professor of Modern History from University Research Laboratory, explain:

The transitional government constructed Ruiz Strait Crossing in 1929. Cristina Cepero hoped to create a new agricultural district on the Island. In 1935 Alicja Volkov’s foster son Sergio Navarro founded his Worship, at Cepero Main. At this point two tobacco and one sugar plantation was already operational on the island, so was a goat ranch and a nickel mine. By the end of the 30’s two permanent residential areas were already established at the new Island. The first settlement Cepero Village, constructed in the early 1930’s, was the home of 13 families. Further north several apartment block, at the beach side of Cepero Main was home of 17 families, the beginning of what was later to become Cepero Main Waterfront. Besides those two permeant areas, some temporary shacks were established at the north side of Cepero North Jungle, the home of immigrant workers from the Tobacco Plantation at the corner of Ruiz Strait Road and Navarro Road. Totally 35 families lived in what was then Cepero Island District by the end of the 30’s.

 

John Walsh was born in Norwood, London 1910. How this poor working-class man got to Bounty Islands, we don’t know. What we know is that the worked at the tobacco plantation in the late 30’s and made some simple but brilliant illustrations of rural life on Cepero Island. In 1941 he got a job at Original Bounty Rum, where he worked until the end of the 50’s, In the 60’s he married Jane and worked with different unskilled jobs, still living in the city. John Walsh died in the late 1960. At the time completely unknown to the public. Today considered the most famous working-class artist painting and living on Bounty Islands. His early works clearly the most interesting, but he produced known artworks from the mid 30’s to his death.

 Home 

John Walsh, Colored oil pastel pencils on paper, 19x9 cm. Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogota.

 

 

Cepero Island District grew rapidly. Cepero Resque Center was built close to the bridge. The Village Convenience Store constructed at the corner of Cepero Main and Village Road. An Army Camp was placed at Ruiz Strait Beach Road. Two Cotton plantations was located south west of the village. Another tobacco plantation deep in the South Jungle, at the foot of Cepero Island Mountains. Residential building was added, both at Village Road, Cepero Main and Ruiz Strait Beach Road. In 1947, Sister Birgitta decided also to lead the Order from the Worship Cepero Island. In 1948, the nickel mine was relocate south, to make room for Dirk & Heike Schubert construction their tobacco factory. By the end of the decade, we get the first official mention of Cepero Waterfront. 57 families lived in Cepero Island District by the end of the 40’s.

 

Cepero Village Road, December 1949

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

@catty-cb thanks a lot for continued support

15th of August 2024

Today at TV1 City: Coal, Oli and Concrete (7.45 PM – primetime television)

Svetlana De Groot, Professor of Modern History from University Research Laboratory, explain:

In the transition of the 40’s and 50’s, two bus lines was created between Cepero Island and Bounty Main Island. Line A from Circus Square to Cepero Main Waterfront. Line B from Community House to Cepero Old Village. Cepero Coal Plant started hiring workers from 1952, The Schubert Corporation, constructed a 2nd crossing over Ruben Ruiz Strait during the winter 1953/54. Schubert Processed Food started production in July 1954. In 1957 Cepero Island was split in two districts. At north the former Cepero village, now a town with its own mayor and local authorities. Further South a new district, had been formed directly under Bounty City. The border of those two have changed a little over the years, we will always use today’s border in these programs. South District will be covered in later episodes. During the 50’s also more truck was operation from Cepero Town, another military installation was added, Cepero (fishing) Harbor was constructed and Cepero Clinic opened at Old Village Road. It was also during this period the remains of Cepero North Jungle was protected. At the end of the 50’s, 82 families was living in Cepero Town

Cepero Harbor, April 1956

 

M. Leroy JV was formed in the beginning of the 60’s, the first plant M. Leroy Steel JV was constructed in 1962. Some apartment blocks were erected at Pablo Gómez Road in the period. 88 families were living in Cepero Town at the end in the decade.

In the transition between the 60’s and 70’s, Schubert Holding and M. Leroy JV cooperated in the construction of “South Industrial Harbor” and forming S/L Shipping. In 1972 Radio South R2 started broadcasting. In 1976 State Statistics Department was constructed next to South Industrial Harbor. Bay Cheese Ltd started to produce goat milk on a ranch at Arthur M. Leroy’s Road. New Village Residential Area formed, over the last part of the decade. Cepero Town Industrial Zone was officially declared and administratively separated from the Town. At the end of the 70’s 115 families lived in Cepero Town.

New Village Residential Area, January 1980.

 

The first Spiritual Baptist Church opened in 1984 facing Pablo Gómez Road. The same year the first concrete apartment tower was erected at Adrian Pérez Road (today Moria Tower). From late 1985 to springtime 1986 New Village Residential Area was transformed, many lower apartment blocks were torn down and replaced by New Village Tower and a large recreational area surrounding the huge building. Museum of Original Culture opened in 1987. In 1988 Cepero Island got its first educational institute President Williams School at Lucia Village Road. 119 families lived in Cepero Town at the end of the decade. In 1990 Cepero Coal Plant was renamed Cepero Power with the addition of oil burning technology. R. Johnson Furniture factory opened for production in the beginning of 1993, located at the corner of Turbine Road and Bridge Road. There was a decline in the population of Cepero Town over the 1990’s, some families moving to the city, others further south. 101 families lived in the town at the end of the decade.  

New Village Square 

Art photography by David Pérez, part of the series "breathing spaces" by Anne & David Pérez, 1998-1999 today at Museo de Arte Moderno, Bounty City.

 

 

[catty-cb 4,412]

20 hours ago, Tamijo said:

@catty-cb thanks a lot for continued support

Thanks, I don't post as often as I should as I tend to read the updates at work, but I always make a point of coming in when I find myself with some spare time and going thru the posts and adding likes .... it's certainly been an interesting journey seeing how things have evolved over time

[Tamijo 2,036]

August 2024

The 2^nd phase of Mountain Village Wind-Powers Park is operational

[Tamijo 2,036]

22th of August 2024

Today at TV1 City: A Park, Two Hospitals and The Law (8.20 PM – primetime television)

Council Member Babette López, explain:

Cepero Hospital and The Hospital Park was constructed on Arthur M. Leroy’s Road in 2005. In 2009 The University Research Laboratory, was constructed at Ruiz Strait Road. The only other change in Cepero Town from 2000 to 2010 was a new P-House on Drilling Road. 103 families lived in Cepero Town at the end of the decade.

 Cepero Hospital and Hospital Park

 

In 2011 two offshore wind turbines was constructed in the Inland Sea, close to the west coast of Cepero Islands. In 2012 Cepero Town Apartment Complex was constructed at Adrian Pérez Road. In 2014 Schubert Processed Food, opened a brewage factory in the industrial zone. In 2015 two wastewater treatment plant was constructed, one in Cepero Industrial Zone, one next to President Williams School. An army camp was demolished to make room for the wastewater plant. In 2016 Pablo Romero Biological Faculty was added to The University Research Laboratory, now together called Cepero University Park. Also In 2016, the new up-scale residential area, Cepero Town North was finished. In 2017 Jane Jansen’s project “Cepero Park” was finished including Cepero Department Store, Bounty Concert Hall, Cepero Park and Cepero Town Apartment Complex. Also in 2017, Saint Isidore Cathedral was constructed at the corner of Pablo Gómez Road and Lucia Village Road, Cepero North Hospital was constructed on the new North Town Road. The Fournier family goat ranch was bankrupt, where by the Government was able to take over the polluted land on both sides of Arthur M. Leroy’s Road between The Industrial Zone and Lucia Village, at a very low cost. So far nobody knows what it may will be used for, if anything. In 2018 Bounty State Medication, was constructed in the Industrial Zone. In 2019 Cepero Harbor and some older apartment buildings was demolished making room for Inland Sea Beach. 114 families lived in Cepero Town at the end of the decade.

 Pablo Gómez Road January 2020

 

In 2022 Legal Department of the President was constructed next to St. Isidore Cathedral, facing Jungle Road on the land previously owned by Tobacco Workers Union. Housing, Headquarter of Bounty Police, Legal department of the State Ministry and the Security Information Coordination Unit. This was the only major change in Cepero Town since 2020. Today 118 families live in Cepero Town.

[Tamijo 2,036]

29th of August 2024

Today at TV1 City: Meat, Beverage, Furniture & Coal (8.05 PM – primetime television)

Voiceover : When making the survey we did not collect samples from every year, instead we took 5 samples over each of the ten year periods, preferably early and never overlapping each other. We believe it is enough to guaranty a clear picture of the development. 

Beatriz Sidorov from The Export Department explain:

In this episode we will take a look at some of the other export commodities, with focus on those that performed well in the period from 2020 to 2024. Some of them the new high performing export items, other older items still doing well.

Besides the 5 top exports commodities already mentioned in a previous episode. Meat was the best performing from 2020 to 2024 with an average yearly export of 14,751 coins. With relative low export from the 1990’s to the 2000’s. Meat export was triplet from 2000’s – 2010’s, and again more than tripled from 2010’s to 2020’s from just yearly 1.079 to yearly 14.751 coins. In the 1980’s there was two cattle and one pig ranch. Today we got one cattle and one pig ranch, one modern cattle and one modern pig farm.

Constructed in 1978, Schubert’s pig ranch on long connecter road, has produced meat valued at approx. 43.000 coins resulting in a profit of about 15.000 coins. How much of this comes from export is a trade secret, not known to the public. If it will survive the next decade is a question, as the land value in the area has exploded, in recent years.

The next item we have chosen to mention, beverage, is a very different story. The brewage factory labeled under the Schubert Processed Food brand opened already in 2014 and although it is not shown in our graph as the samples was taken earlier, already produced 38.486 coins worth of bottles before 2020. Anyway, our samples show that from 2020 to 2024 the yearly export value was 12.285 coins a year, making it a very important commodity in the future export market. Besides the factory itself, three banana plantations, two pineapple plantations and one Coconut harvest depot is involved in the production process.

Although the workers at both of Schubert Processed Food factories are uneducated, they make almost as much as their educated colleagues at the cigar factory. Almost all belonging to the middle class, arriving to work in their own cars.

Furniture is another commodity performing quite good from 2020 to 2024, with a yearly export of 12.091 just marginal lower that the beverage business. Sadly, the production of planks is not high enough to keep a flawless production and many eco-friendly restrictions make it hard to change that fact. Especially when other markets need planks as well.

 R. Johnson Woodwork in South District need logs to produce the planks, highly needed by their furniture factory.

From being a low export item until 2010 coal has become a rather large export commodity, in the 2020’s. With 10.962 coins average yearly export value from 2020 to 2024. In 1980 there was two coal mines, today there is three mines, which clearly can’t be the only explanation of the increase. One notable different is the market price, 56% higher today than in 1980. Anyway, Environment and Nature Minister Julia Munoz has stated in several situations over the latest years, that high export of Bounty’s natural resources is worrying, she will follow the development and may enforce restrictions if such high export values continue.

In the 50’s the majority of coal produced was used on the powerplant to produce electricity. In the 60’s M. Leroy Steel JV further increased the demand, but during the last 15 years the production had exceeded demand, with large quantities sold outside bounty island. The photograph is from the coal mine in Plateau Village October 1953.

Leather is another quite strong export with average 9.966 coins from 2020 onwards, clearly due to the fact that Torres family transformed their goat ranch on West Jungle Road into a leather tannery in 2018. I won’t go much deeper into that though, as everyone expect R.J. Caribbean Fashion Design to consume most of that, then their production really takes off. The last export item I will mention is Processed Food. Although not as strong as several other commodities in the lastest period, with an average yearly export of 8.720, it was been solid over a long period and is the 8^th bestselling export item over the entire period from 1980 until today. With a steady growth rate.

Since Grasso & O’Neill constructed aquaculture tanks in 2019. Schubert Processed Food have a stable source for its canned fish products.

To round of this episode of Bounty Island Economy we will show a graph of expected 2024 balance. The overall balance is expected to become a small plus of around 5.000 coins. Due to quite high construction cost in the period. What we can see from the graph is that export is the dominant income factor follow be real estate. The cost is dominated by wages and maintenance of buildings and machinery.

 

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

Editorial: At first the "other Import" graph was missing, in the next update, included but with error, now fixed. 

[Tamijo 2,036]

12th of September 2024

Today at TV1 City: Lucia, Sullivan and Doctor Robert  (8.00 PM – primetime television)

Svetlana De Groot, Professor of Modern History from University Research Laboratory, explain:

The first plantations were constructed in what is today South District in 1942. The first permanent residential buildings erected between 1951 and 1952, in what was then called Lucia Hamlet. In 1957 South District was officially separated from Cepero Town. At the end of the 50’s just 10 families lived in the district. Sometimes Lucia Hamlet was named Lucia Village, but officially the name first changed in 1965, with addition of homes on the south side of South Cepero Road. In 1968 M. Leroy Firearms JV was located in the center of Lucia Village and more homes was added. Besides the Firearms production, two tobacco plantation, one cotton plantations, one pineapple plantation, one banana plantation, one sheep ranch, one nickel mine and one coal mine was located in south district at this time. 35 familied lived in South District at the end of the decade.

 Lucia Village September 1969

 

In 1970 a bus line was introduced from Cattle Road Residential to Lucia Village Army Base and although the army base, despite its name, was located in the south part of Cepero Town, it was walking distance and significantly improved living conditions in the village, with better access to the city. A 2^nd Nickel mine was constructed southeast of the village. Besides the one factory, South District is still a very rural area, with few people on the streets. 43 families live in the area at the end of the 70’s. In the early 1980’s almost unlimited immigration was allowed, resulting in a large shack village, with unemployed and very poor immigrant families, at the west side of M. Leroy Firearms factory, resulting in increased crime in the Lucia Village. Doctor Robert White opened Lucia Clinic in 1986. In 1988 Sullivan Oli built two oil wells in the southeast part of South Jungle. The local authorities constructed social housing to help the homeless families. At the end of the decade 52 families lived in the district.  

 Despite the fact that social housing has been constructed on Cepero Small Plain, there is still shacks housing homeless families in Lucia Village.

Archive photo January 1990 

 

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

19th of September 2024

Today at TV1 City: Woodwork, Plain Hamlet and Jørgen Jensen A/S (8.20 PM – primetime television)

Council Member Babette López, explain:

The social housing on Cepero Small Plain was further extended in 1990, now home of 14 families. In 1993 South Jungle Tower was constructed at the corner of East Sullivan Road and Indian Road, part of Lucia Village, but located some distance to the south of the village center. The tower was constructed on the ruins of a nickel mine, already abandoned in the first half of the 80’s. In 1994 R. Johnson constructed the first logging camp in East Jungle. In 1995 Lucia Comestibles opened at the new Lucia Drive, and new middle-class homes spawned between Smirnov Road and Piotrowski Street. In 1996 R. Johnson Woodwork opened at Indian Road. The beautiful M. Leroy Public Park was constructed by at the west side of their factory. In 1997 Lucia Drive was reconstructed to make a more direct connection from Indian Road to Drilling Road. Houses spawned on what was then Indian Road close to R. Johnson Woodwork. The Part of the road south of Caluca Native Village was renamed Plain Hamlet Road after the name of the new settlement. R. Johnson constructed the 2nd logging camp in East Jungle. Sullivan Oli set up an oil well at the west side of the south plains. In 1998 a 2nd mine shaft was constructed at the coal depot. The settlement of D'Angelo Island had begun and the road network in the western part of South District was extended to connect the Island. From 1988 to 2000 new residential buildings was constructed in what was to become Miner’s Village. In this period the social housing on Cepero Small Plain was demolished. 90 families lived in South District at the end of the decade. 

 M. Leroy Public Park

Art photography by David Pérez, part of the series "breathing spaces" by Anne & David Pérez, 1998-1999 today at Museo de Arte Moderno, Bounty City.

The park was later demolished to make room for Cepero Theater

In 2000 Miner’s Burger opened at South Cepero Road and Miner’s Village was official. Due to pollution in Lucia Village, M. Leroy Firearms JV was relocated in 2001. Now further south on the new Fuel Road, far from apartments and houses. At first residential building was located on the former factory ground, but some years later they were replaced by a P-House and Lucia Village Police Station. In 2006 M. Leroy Joint Ventures modernized the nickel mine. In the winter 2006-2007 R. Johnson Woodwork caught fire, orders were delayed for several months. Cepero Theater opened at South Cepero Road, Lucia Village in 2009. Developer Jane Jansen also opened her construction company in this period. At the end of the decade 117 families lived in South District.

In 2014 Yelena Johnson sold all R. Johnsons plantations and ranches to Jørgen Jensen, as she wanted to only focus on her factories and the furniture business. As a result Jørgen Jensen demolished one of the former cotton plantations and constructed a new road from Pablo Gómez Road along the Inland Sea and then turning left to connect with South Cepero Road in Miner’s Village. Jørgen Jensen also bought a Government Corn Plantation, demolished to make room for his new project. The 2^nd cotton plantation was turned into a pineapple plantation and sold to United Food, as cotton would from now be produced in greenhouses he built on the new Llama Road. The name for the road came from a modern llama farm build next to the greenhouses, the southern part of the road was simply named Jørgen Jensen Road. The army base, formerly located on Lucia Village Road in Cepero Town, was demolished and rebuilt on fuel road in 2015. 112 families lived in South District at the end of the decade, the decline in population likely due to some families moving to new better homes in Cepero Town.

Miner’s Village December 2018

 

In the winter 2020/2021 Bounty Islands the first Solar Power Plant was constructed between Jørgen Jensen Road and The Inland Sea. Later in 2021 sugar greenhouses was added to Jørgen Jensen’s project on Llama Road. No new residential buildings, have been added to South District since 2020. Today 114 families live in the district.

 

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

 

3rd of October 2024

Today at TV1 City: Susana, Grasso and O’Neill (8.20 PM – primetime television)

Council Member Babette López, explain:

Voiceover: This will be the last program in our series about Bounty Islands, finishing with the development of our latest island, settled less than 30 years ago.   

In 1998 Susana D'Angelo, founded a small port and a tobacco plantation on what was to become D'Angelo Island. By the end of the 90’s a bridge was already build and two more plantations were producing sugar and corn, the first inhabitants had moved into simple apartments, housing 6 families. In 2000 D’Angelo Fright started sending long distant trucks out from D’Angelo Harbor Road. In 2001 new residential buildings was constructed on D’Angelo Harbor Road and the new Village Road forming D’Angelo Village. The long D’Angelo Main Road was constructed deep into the jungle to connect the new government owned uranium mine. In 2002 D'Angelo Power was constructed and a new bus line connected, D’Angelo Village with Cepero Town. The Ramos Family build a cotton plantation west of the village. In 2005 Pub D'Angelo was constructed on D’Angelo Harbor Road. In 2007 another corn plantation was constructed on the island, this time deep in the jungle at the east coast, connected by the new Plantation Route. An Army camp was constructed. From 2007 to 2009 more and more families lived in huts and shacks, as a result the village expanded significantly on the new Village Curve connection the Main Road with Plantation Route. At the end of the decade 52 families lived on the island.

D’Angelo Village, January 2010

Village Road Fire Station was constructed in 2020. In 2013 the uranium mine was modernized. In 2017 D'Angelo Monastery replaced some residential buildings on the east side of Village Road. Farm street was demolished and so was the Ramos Family Cotton Plantation. Instead, New Farm Street was created further west but still a side street to D’Angelo Main Road, connecting a Banana Plantation, Ramos Family build at the opposite end of the street. D'Angelo Grocery opened at the corner of New Farm Street and D’Angelo Main Road later the same year. From the beginning of 2018 until springtime 2020 Grasso & O’Neill’s huge construction project on D'Angelo Island created several new buildings. All located in the northeastern corner of the island, between the small harbor and the bridge. A modern crocodile farm, a modern pig farm, corn greenhouses, land-based aquaculture tanks, and a food market. The Government also placed a police station in the area. At the end of 2019 D'Angelo were the home of 41 families. As many new jobs was created, the decline in population can only be seen as lack of housing forcing people to commute from Cepero Island.   

Eastern part of D’Angelo Main Road, January 2020

 

Besides some residential buildings in the Grasso & O’Neill farming area, nothing happened on D’Angelo Islands since 2020. Today 50 families live on the island.

 

Voiceover: This was the end of our programs, but before we finish a graph summing up the development in each of the 8 districts and 3 islands.

 

Now back to our featured families   

[Tamijo 2,036]

November 2024

In October 2024 the first metro station “The Harbor” was finished. After the construction of “Cattle Road” metro station in the beginning of November, the first metro line was officially opened by president Martina Smirnov. This was the first step, in the government’s intention to completely remodel the current public transport system, over the coming years.    

 "The Harbor" metro station, located on the north side of South Harbor Road, next to Club Babilonia.

 

"Cattle Road" metro station, located at Long Connecter Road between CRR Complex and Bounty Bank

  

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

Majed Armed, December 2024

Majed Ahmed was born in 1970, the son of Martina and Ibrahim Ahmed. He lost his mother in 2012 and his father in 2019. Majed was raised first in a small apartment at Cepero Main Waterfront, later in the desirable New Village residential area. Majed met Jeanne in 1988, they married and got their only child Gafur in 1989. Living in a small apartment at the top of 3 stories building in New Village. Later moving into a small apartment at Moria Tower. In their youth both Majed and Jeanne worked in the tobacco fields, around year 2000 Majed bought a fishing boat. Jeanne continued on various tobacco plantations, despite having more and more trouble with her knees. Majed had to sell the boat in 2011, making next to no money. Taking work at Leone Family Sheep Ranch. It turned out Majed was very clever with the wool and somebody in R. Johnsons noticed. In 2019 he was offered a job at R. Johnson SunWear, making 50% more money. They bought a house in Lucia Village and soon Jeanne took a job in the nearby bus company. Majed haven’t got a car and uses the crowned bus system getting to work, spending a lot of time commuting. Today Majed is 54 years old, Jeanne is 62.

Majed outside their house in Lucia Village 

      

 

 

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

January 2025

Short 2024 Report from State Statistics Department:

Top 3 Industrial Export: Cigars 87.887, Jewelry 25.146, Cloth 22.795

Top 3 Raw Export: Meat 28.023, Coal 13.754, Uranium 9.233

Births Rate: 2,23%. Immigration Rate 2,03%. Death Rate 1,84%, Emigration Rate 0,0%

Unemployed: 2,43% Homeless: 1,64%

 This month 100 years ago, Saint Mary's Church opened it door for the catholic community, for the first time.

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

Carlos Taka, May 2025

Carlos Taka (born Carlos Wagner) is the son of Alexandra Taka, from her first marriage. Born in December 1973. Carlos can’t remember his biological father who died when he was a small toddler. When Carlos he was 5, his mother met and soon married shellfish breeder Heinrich Taka of Japanese, German heritage. Carlos was adopted and took his new father’s surname. He lost his only biological sibling little sister Dea in 1986 from a sepsis caused by chickenpox, a hard blow to the teenage boy. His half-sister Taka was more than seven years older. Carlos was brought up in different apartments in New Village, Cepero Town. Carlos left his family in 1995, moving to the city, to work at the new cinema. Svetlana, a pretty Russian Immigrant was also working at Cine De Loro. They fell in love and moved into a small apartment at Cattle Road Residential Area, close to the cinema. Carlos lost his father by adaption in 2011. In 2013 the couple had a dispute with the manager of Cine De Loro. Carlos found new work at R. Johnson SunWear getting a substantial wage increase compared to the cinema. Svetlana started working at the plantation at Coffee Road. They bought a house at Sugar Road next to the motel. Svetlana gave birth to their first child Mishiko in January 2014. In March 2016 their son Ryuji followed. Sadly, Mishiko died in November the same year from an undetermined tropical fever. Adding to the despair of the family Carlos lost his job at R. Johnson SunWear, and had to take various low paid unskilled jobs. The family was forced to sell the house and move to a cheap apartment in Chinatown. Today 51 years old Carlos has a permanent job at López Construction. Several years ago, Svetlana started working at Cocktail Bar Beijing. A job she loves, meeting many interesting people. The family is quite poor and have to be very careful, finding enough money to pay the monthly rent on the apartment. Ryuji Taka is today 9 years old, he haven’t yet started 2^nd level education.

51 years old Svetlana Taka took a drink with workmate Jessica Hernández at The Donkey Mansion, now on her way home to the apartment in Chinatown.

 

Taka Family Tree

             

[Tamijo 2,036]

June 2025

Part of the foreign ministry, “Visit Bounty”. Invested on another Tourist Port. Constructed in the winter 2024/2025. The port was located at the entrance of Ruben Ruiz Strait from the Caribbean Sea. The first cruise ship anchored near the coast the 19^th of June.

 Shark Beach Port

             

[Tamijo 2,036]

July 2025

The authorities of Cepero Town and Council Member Babette López, representing Cepero and D’Angelo Island has decided to make an architect competition, looking for a new design of Cepero Main Waterfront and the surrounding area. Whishing to replace the old worn-out buildings at the waterfront and whatever other new ideas the architects may come up with. Proposals can be send from 1^st of August. 

Cepero Main Waterfront area today

            

[TogaMasterJohn 711]

I have been incredibly busy these last couple of weeks; very little to no free time. When I logged on here today, I was happy to see more updates! I agree with catty-cb: it is pretty interesting and rather cool to see how everything has changed over time! This is one of my favorite journals here on Simtropolis!

[Tamijo 2,036]

Carina Moretti Family November 2025

Carina Moretti was born February 1978 in a small but modern apartment on New Village Road, New Village Residential Area, Cepero Town. The daughter of today legendary textile and furniture magnate Yelena Johnson. After a short romance just 17 years old, Carina got pregnant. Having her first child Alejandro, while still living at home. The farther has remained undisclosed outside the inner family circle. 22 years old she met Gabriele Moretti, and soon gave birth to their daughter Cristina. This time she married the farther. After taking different short time employment Carina got a job at M. Leroy JV, partly owned by her family. With a more stable income, the couple moved to their own home in an apartment at Miners Village springtime 2007, with her son and their daughter. After years of working part time at United Food, Gabriele got a well-paid and permanent job at their pineapple plantation just outside Miner’s Village and the couple could afford buying the top floor of a villa on Jørgen Jensen Road in 2017. Then 16 years old Cristina follow the family to their new home, whereas Alejandro had already moved out. Gabriele soon advanced on the Pineapple Plantation and came in contact with influential employees from Schubert Processed Food, the most important customer buying pineapples. Trough his new contacts he got a job at the brewage factory in 2023, further improving the family income. In the meantime, also their daughter had left the family home. In June 2024 Carina’s mother Yelena, stepped down from the throne of R. Johnson Holdings. Leaving the entire empire to Carina’s sister Moria Johnson. That did not go down well with Carina Moretti and her family. After a frantic quarrel with her mother, she hasn’t been in contact with neither mother nor sister. She only talks to her brother Aleto and his family.

Alejandro Johnson left his mother’s home in 2016 to live with his girlfriend Dolores in Plateau Tower. Cristina Moretti left the family in 2021 to live with her boyfriend Michael in New Village Tower. As none of them married or got children, we will look deeper into their situation in a later update.

Carina Moretti outside the family home in Miner's Village.

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

December 2025

A third metro station "Saint Mary" opened between China Town and Saint Mary's Hospital.

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

January 2026

Leader of political party The Right-Libertarians Mónica Clarke, passed away 79 years old, at Saint Mary's Hospital the 29th of November last year. Although she was an opposition leader under the current government, Mónica Clarke was an important political figure during previous governments. Being Foreign Minister from 1986 to 1990, Defense Minister from 1990 to 2010, Traffic and Logistics Minister from 2010 to 2020. The new leader of The Right-Libertarians is former producer at Teatro De Tropico Juan Álvarez. Mr. Álvarez is a 30 years old family man, married to 29 years old Noa Álvarez, having a 4 years old son, José. The family lives in Harbor District.  

Short 2025 Report from State Statistics Department:

Top 3 Industrial Export: Cigars 62.266, Firearms 22.169, Haute Couture 21.573

Top 3 Raw Export: Meat 21.200, Coal 7.236, Wool 6.933

Births Rate: 2,09%. Immigration Rate 4,11%. Death Rate 2,53%, Emigration Rate 0,0%

Unemployed: 4,0% Homeless: 3,09%

It is now 50 years since President Juan Pérez founded the construction of a new State Statistics Department. By that initiating the first deep economy survey running from 1978-1982. The first of many surveys helping the political leadership shaping the future of Bounty Islands.

 

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

Lucas Sullivan, April 2026

Lucas Sullivan was born in Fenna Chapel, the son of sister Sullivan, leader of The Ordre of Fen until her death in 2003. His father was a British Sailor, who never knew of is existence. Lucas was brought up in a strict and morally tight Cristian mindset. He left his mother’s home in 1980 to live alone in Lucia Village. He met Shana in 1983 and they got daughter Myrthe in 85. The family grew further with daughter Atiana in 1989 and son Cristobal in 1992. With His mother’s death in 2003 Lucas Sullivan became co-owner of Sullivan Oil. He never did take active part in the company, leaving all that to his sister, but he gets his share in the annual dividend, that is by far enough to make a living. Lucas bought The Waterfront Bar and Tapas but that turned out to be a disaster, as he was fast to develop a heavy drinking and gambling problem. Under pressure from his wife, he sold the bar and instead bought Cine De Loro movie theatre at cattle road. In 2016 Shana died from lung cancer. In 2019 he met Mila, an Afro American preacher and missionary of Spiritual Baptism, working from the new Corpus Christi Church. They fell in love and socialized over a long period, but it was strictly platonic. That changed in 2024. Lucas sold Cine De Loro and bought a fine house. He proposed and she said yes. Lucas no longer works, living from the money he gets from Sullivan Oil. Inspired by his new wife, he is now totally sober and have returned to Christianity, although it is a different version than his mother’s. Today Lucas is 64 years old, Mila is 55. 

In 2024 Lucas bought the tall pink two story mansion at Sugar Square.

 

Family Tree

 

 

[Tamijo 2,036]

June 2026

The deadline set by Council Member Babette López and Cepero Town local authorities, regarding a new design of Cepero Main Waterfront and the surrounding area, was set to Friday the 30^th of Maj. The committee have gone trough all proposals and have chosen the one by architect Mrs. Battaglia from Bonner Construction. The proposal is very comprehensive and quite ambitious. It will probably take years before it is being fully implemented. The committee will not guarantee that it will be fulfilled in every detail, and it will be split it into several independent sections. Due to the ongoing update of Bounty Islands public transport, the first part of the project will be linked to a Metro Network on Cepero Island, and a completely new busline system.    

Mrs. Battaglia proposal