Ajo island

Ajo Island (Island of Serpents) is an island in Alero off the coast of Jimmada. It is the largest island territory of the Republic of Alero, with most of its population consisting of the Abuda ethnic group. Its population as of 2020 is about 158,000. The island's largest settlement and capital is Kẹtẹkẹtẹ. The island is made up of two shield volcanoes, with Mount Tiakoge being among the country's highest points at 2,361 m above sea level. Ajo gets its signature name from an outcropping of stones on its eastern shore, which resemble the back of a great serpent. It is governed by an elected governor, and enjoys limited autonomy from the mainland.

History
Archaeological evidence suggests that the island was once a crossroads of international mercantilism. Unearthed pottery, glassware, currency, and jewelry from Agarad to Nzandi indicate the the region was a notable and prosperous point on a global network of trading routes. An excavation carried out in the 1920s by an archaeological team from Haksarad uncovered the ruins of a larger market/temple superstructure, as well as coins minted in what is now Haksarad between the late 8th and 10th centuries. A later archaeological sweep in 1976 yielded fragments of stoneware and pottery with origins somewhere in Western Edury between the 8th and 9th centuries. At the time, the island was at the height of its trade acumen.

For several centuries, Ajo Island was divided into a number of smaller communities, including Bambado, Istanda, Mistsambuli, Mbanji, Jambu, Mbude, Domba, and others. The matriarchs of these extended family clan groups were known as the mfame. In 1815, the island was brought under the direct rule of Queen Eyiyemi following a brief military campaign to assert her control over the island. Following this, the island would remain under the direct control of the Kingdom of Alero, and then the Aleri Republic.

During the reign of the Besida Regime, the island was the site of Gbagbe Prison, a work camp where political dissidents were sent to mine gems (principally opals) from the island's inactive volcanoes. One such prisoner was now-President of Alero Abugeya Tosanwumi. Even after Tosanwumi's escape, the island continued to be of great relevance. In 1983, shortly following the collapse of the Besida government, the island was the site of a prisoner riot. Already under garrisoned, the regime's remaining troops on the island either deserted or were overrun. Much to the chagrin of locals, who aided in the assaults, many called the island "the first free soil of the new Alero."

Geography
Ajo Island is 1,025 km2 in area, being oblong in shape going North to South. Most of the population lives on the northern portion of the island. The land in this region is less rocky, making it much more suitable for growing crops and raising livestock. Additionally, it is home to the island's only natural harbor, an asset which led to its being settled and frequented often in centuries' past. The southern part of the island, while being the closest to the mainland, is also the part of the island with the greatest elevation. It is home to the island's two extinct volcanoes, along with many other landforms of note.

The Serpent's Tail
On the southeast tip of the island, the rocky protrusion known as The Serpent's Tail can be seen jutting into the Ajo Sea. The ridge is dotted with free-standing stones that take on the appearance of a snake's spine, covered in a verdant moss which adds to the reptilian appearance. The site is a common place for tourists and hikers to visit.

Irungbọn caves
The Irungbọn caves are a geological formation with a long, fascinating history. The southern portion of the island is characterized by countless underground rivers that snake beneath the rocky landscape. Some 250,000 years ago, the constant erosion of these underground rivers flowing between two hard layers of limestone caused the upper layer to weaken and buckle. From these collapses, the Irungbọn caves were born.

The new access to the revealed river created an easily accessible source of fresh water, attracting animals and humans alike. Bones found in the caves and surrounding areas prove that animals of all kinds frequented it. Indeed, tool marks on the bones prove the presence of humans going back thousands of years as well. The caves have long been a sacred space for people local to the island. For thousands of years, they have journeyed into the caves to hold annual rites and prayers. It remains a place of religious worship, closed to the public during holy days/weeks. When the caves are open to the public (as they normally are), they offer a surreal, peaceful sight to many tourists each year.

Ailopin Lake
Located adjacent to the small village of Ife on the southern tip of the island, Ailopin Lake is a turquoise saltwater lake found in a crater only yards from the adjacent ocean. The small lake likely formed as a result of volcanic activity from the nearby Mount Tiakoge centuries ago. Local folklore states that a holy man traveling through the region cursed the lake after local refused to give him water. Throughout the day, the lake is said to seem as though it is changing color, shifting from aquamarine to a deep green. A layer of volcanic rock sits on the top edge of the crater. Nestled next to the small village of Mitsamioli on the northern tip of Grand Comore, a turquoise saltwater lake sits in a crater just yards from the crystalline ocean. This small lake, known as Lac Salé or Lac Niamawi, likely formed as a result of volcanic activity from the nearby Mount Karthala in the 16th century. The lake continues to be a beautiful hike for visitors and locals alike, and there is a short trail that winds around the crater and the nearby volcanic hill offering views of the vast ocean beyond.

Economy
The primary occupations of the people of Ajo have traditionally been fishing, animal husbandry, and the cultivation of dates. Weather patterns make the island difficult to access from Summer to Fall each year. In 1989, a new airport was constructed on the island that opened it to the outside world year-round. There have been regular flights to and from the island ever since '89. Tourism to the island has increased over the years, as many operators have begun offering trips to the island. Delta Today, a popular Eduran travel magazine, claimed "the island has become a dream destination for the discerning traveler."