Avatar:Shimsom Big Island

<infobox theme-source="nation"> <image source="image" /> <title source="name"><default>Shimsom Big Island</default></title> <group> <header>Physical information</header> <label>Location</label> </group> <group> <header>Government</header> <label>Position</label> <label>Capital</label> <label>Form of government</label> <label>Head of state</label> <label>Religious authority</label> <label>Currency</label> <label>Ruler</label> <label>Owner</label> <label>Leader</label> <label>Administrator</label> <label>First appearance</label> <label>Last appearance</label> </group> <group> <header>Location on map</header> </group> <header></header> </infobox> Shimsom Big Island, sometimes just called Big Island by locals, is the largest of the Shimsom Islands, located in the South Sea. The island has historically been an important trade hub between the Earth Kingdom and the Southern Water Tribe.

History

The Shimsom Islands have historically been the site of many Water Tribe fairs and trading posts, and several qarmat had carefully been maintained over centuries as centers for the Order of the White Lotus. After the Platinum Affair occurred, the Shimsom Islands were selected as the location of one of the four shang cities open to international trade, with the Earth Kingdom, the Water Tribes and the Fire Nation pursuing strict isolationist policies. Big Island's deepest harbor was chosen as the best site, and the permanent town of Port Tuugaq was quickly built.

When the Unanimity project was developed by Zongdu Dooshim of Bin-Er and Zongdu Chaisee of Jonduri, several firebenders were trained on Shimshom Big Island, eventually developing combustionbending abilities. A large amount of light and noise was reported, attracting the attention of "Mama" Ayunerak of the White Lotus, as it was thought to possibly be a spiritual disturbance. Avatar Yangchen also came to Big Island, thinking that Unanimity was still at Port Tuugaq. After meeting with Mama, Yangchen went to investigate the landscape, noticing the unnatural depressions in the environment. Yangchen cleared the heavy snows with the Avatar State, and they found round, large holes in the ground that were like craters. Noticing the distance markers, they concluded that the place was some kind of target range. Yangchen soon left the island, concluding that she and Kavik must have been wrong that Unanimity was still there.

By 305 BG, the island was still an important trading partner of Omashu. Strong, reliable winds allowed merchant ships from the harbor towns linked to Omashu to reach Shimsom Big Island directly, circumventing the coast of the southern Earth Kingdom.