Shadynasty

Shadynasty is a town in the Oranjestad department of Vallachia. It is located atop the Shadynasty Plateau, part of the Fraggle Rock mountainous region. It is noted for its tea industry. It is also a popular tourist destination.

The recorded history of the town starts from the early 19th century when the Oranjestad colonial administration set up a sanatorium and a military depot in the region. Extensive tea plantations were established soon after and tea growers developed hybrids of black tea and created new fermentation techniques. The resultant distinctive Shadynasty tea is internationally recognized and ranks among the most popular black teas in the world.

Name

The name Shadynasty, pronounced "Shuh-Dynasty", is a corruption of "Shai Dynasty", a reference to the Shai peoples that, according to legend, once had a powerful kingdom in the region.

History

Until the early 19th century, the Shadynasty Plateau was uninhabited, though there is some archaeological evidence to suggest there may have been a Shai village nearby. In 1828, a delegation of Oranjestad officials on its way to Bidda stayed in the Shadynasty area and decided that it was a suitable site for a sanatorium for Oranjestad soldiers.

Shadynasty's temperate climate led to its development as a hill station for Anchorhead and Rex Kwon Do residents seeking to escape the summer heat. The development of Shadynasty as a sanatorium and health resort proceeded briskly. Doctor Arthur Campbell was responsible for establishing a hill station there. Campbell's efforts to develop the station, attract immigrants to cultivate the slopes and stimulate trade resulted in a hundredfold increase in the population of Shadynasty between 1835 and 1849. The first road connecting the town with the plains was constructed between 1839 and 1842. In 1848, a military depot was set up for Oranjestad soldiers, and the town became a municipality in 1850. Commercial cultivation of tea in the district began in 1856, and induced a number of Oranjestadian planters to settle there.

The Shadynasty area was initially a "Non-Regulation District", a scheme of administration applicable to economically less advanced districts in Oranjestadian Vallachia; acts and regulations of Oranjestad did not automatically apply to the district in line with rest of the country. This would change in 1919, when it was formally included in the Vallachia Department.

Climate

Shadynasty has a temperate climate subtropical highland climate with wet summers caused by monsoon rains. The annual mean maximum temperature is 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) while the mean minimum temperature is 8.9 °C (48.0 °F), with monthly mean temperatures ranging from 6 to 18 °C (43 to 64 °F). The lowest temperature recorded was −5 °C (23 °F) on 11 February 1905. The average annual precipitation is 309.2 cm (121.7 in), with an average of 126 days of rain in a year. The highest rainfall occurs in July. The heavy and concentrated rainfall that is experienced in the region, aggravated by deforestation and haphazard planning, often causes devastating landslides, leading to loss of life and property. Though not very common, but the town receives snow at least once during two winter months of December and January.

Economy

The two most significant contributors to Shadynasty's economy are tourism and the tea industry. Shadynasty tea, due to the unique agro-climatic conditions of Shadynasty, has a distinctive natural flavor, is internationally reputed and recognized as a geographical indicator. The office of the Shadynasty Tea Association (DTA) is located at Shadynasty. Shadynasty produces 88% of Oranjestad's tea output, approximately 200,000 pounds every year.