CLASS ISLAND PHOTOS

EAST ISLAND

This island has an average elevation of 25 meters (82 ft.) above sea level. There is one mountain, an extinct volcano, rising to a height of 650 meters (2,130 ft.) at the most northeastern tip of the island. Most of the vegetation (trees) have been stripped away because East Island is used primarily for farming. There are a number of plantations, which grow fruit such as pineapples, bananas, and oranges for export. Most of the 5000 people who live here are farm labourers who have little in the way of material possessions. Their homes are wood with thatch roofs. These homes are scattered across the island, on the plantation. There is only one main road. It leads to a warehouse and dock on the west tip of the island.

BIRD ISLAND

This is a low, swampy island. More than half of the island is less than 4 meters (13 ft.) above sea level with the highest point of 12 meters (40 ft.) above sea level in the southwest corner. There are a few small villages around the edge of the island. Most of the people make their living from fishing or tourist guides. The entire population is only 900. Their homes are mainly built from wood, some with thatch roofs. There is one concrete block building on the entire island. It is a combination hospital, police station, and government office. This building is located at a height of 7 meters 923 ft.) above sea level on the East Side of the island. Many tourists come here to experience the abundance of marine life on the shores and coral reefs, since the western part of the island is maintained as a sanctuary for migrating birds.

CENTRE ISLAND

This island has an average height of 40 meters (130 ft.) above sea level. Along a small area in the south there is a stretch of sandy beach sloping upward to a row of hotels at an elevation of 6 meters (20 ft.) above sea level. The island has a total population of 30,000 with 24,000 of these living in Vargo City. Many of the remainder live in a small town near the hotels on the south shore. These people make their living from the tourist trade. At any given time there are 3000 tourists on the island. The remainder of the people live in small villages, or homes along the coast, particularly on the West Side of the island. Vargo City, built on a hill overlooking the docks and hotels, is a modern town with well-constructed buildings, a hospital, three high schools and a large community center. The police force consists of 45 officers. There is an airport just north of the city and a government dock on the East Coast where supplies are brought to the island by freighter.