Breakertown

Dossier, Backgrounder and Workbook

Disclaimer : Values / data / examples in this workbook are fabricated and are for explanation of concepts only.
They are not real and do not represent any actual legislation, requirements or standards of practice.

For University of Calgary, ENGO 699 – Fundamentals of Asset Management and Sustainability use only.
Breakertown, Erehwon
Breakertown
Breakertown (/bɹeɪkә taʊn/) is a town in the island nation of Erewhon. It is the major population centre of the
island and is located at the mouth of the river Drake. Famous [specify] in the early 19th century as base of
operations for piracy, its residents continue address each other affectionally as “Hearties.” [citation needed]

History

Breakertown was founded in 1780 by the shipwrecked crew of the pirate ship “Fortuna Forte.” The ship was
attempting to find harbour along the shore of the (then unnamed) island of Erewhon when it ran aground. A
large number (120) of the crew survived, including its captain Laura Akamai. Breakertown, as seen from The Pinnacle
The surviving crew found that the island supported significant supplies of tall timber (Samanea Saman)
suitable for ship masts, as well as a diverse range of game and plants suitable for cultivation. Rather than
leaving the island, the crew founded a colony specialising in ship repair and resupply for other ‘non-aligned’
shipping vessels. Dangerous shorebreaks surrounding the island provided convenient security against raids
or incursions by other maritime powers.
Erehwon

The population of Breakertown initially grew slowly, mainly through the crew of visiting ships occasionally
opting to stay on the island as an alternative to a sea-faring existence and an influx of settlers interested in
an alternative lifestyle based on spontaneous collectivism.
Regional Location
As piracy and privateering progressively disappeared in the 19th century, Breakertown went into decline due
to a lack of clientele requiring ship-support or trading services. Residents focused on sustenance farming Coordinates : 7°46'8.77"S 87°13'24.10"E
and the export of raw materials including fish and timber. Limited resources on the island (and growing
Country Erehwon
deforestation) necessitated the creation of a system of centralized government to ensure organised
Administrative Region Central
infrastructure development, including the creation of industrial facilities focusing on communal processing of
raw materials (including agricultural products) for export. Incorporated October 2, 1795
Mayor (2021) Thérèse Fana
 In the 20th century, Breakertown’s fortunes improved with the proliferation of trans-pacific communication Area (2020)
cables, leading to the growth of a specialized industry [vague] centering on the region which continues to this • Land 45.1 km2 (17.4 sq mi)
day. Since the 2000’s, Breakertown has become recognized as a desirable tourist destination and
Population (2020)
retirement locale. • Total 32,500
• Density 720.6 / km2 (1,867.8 / sq mi)
Geography
Time zone UTC +06:30
Breakertown is located on the island of Erehwon, approximately mid-way between Madagascar and
Australia in the Indian Ocean. The island’s estimated area is 650 square kilometres (160 600 acres), with
the islands greatest with being 32 km (20 mi), and an approximate length of 64 km (40 mi).

The town is located at the mouth of the river Drake, one of the two main rivers on the island. The town
itself is located on lowlands separating the Alias highlands and the southern coast, approximately at the
midpoint of the island.

As of 2020, the total area of Breakertown comprised approximately 45 km2 (11 100 acres).

Layout
Satellite View of Breakertown (municipal outlines
shown in red)
Breakertown features several distinct districts. The oldest portion of the town is located on the north side of
the river Drake along the norther coast, and features a mix of residential and commercial activities. The
majority of buildings are less than four stories, with narrow streets branching off several main
thoroughfares. The main port is between the town and the river, and supports commercial shipping, as well
as growing cruise liner activity.

The airport is located on the east side of the town and area features additional facilities for processing
agricultural projects and other light industry. Heavier industry such as cement production, waste
processing and power generation occurs in an area located inland.

Outside of Breakertown, areas are predominantly dedicated to agriculture or forestry, with several small
Topographic Map of Erehwon (Breakertown extents
villages acting providing limited services to local residents.
shown in red)
Climate

Breakertown’s climate is considered to be a Mediterranean climate, featuring hot, dry summers and humid
and mild winters. The majority of rainfall occurs in the winter months, although sudden storms in the
summer can lead to a large amount of precipitation in a short period of time.
Demographics
The population of Breakertown as of 2020 is 32 500, making it the largest population centre on Erehwon
(2020 total population, 85 300). Recent population growth of Breakertown has outpaced growth of the
island generally, mainly due to migration of rural populations to the town, as well as an increase in
immigration since 2005 as Erehwon became recognized as a desirable destination for retirees.

In the 1980’s, Breakertown (and Erehwon in general) saw a period of de-population as emigration from the
island was greater than the rate of immigration and internal population growth. This trend reversed in the
1990’s as economic opportunities [what?] increased on the island.
Economy
Economic activity on Erehwon focuses on three main areas including :

• Agricultural processing and export. Erewhon’s primary agricultural exports include honey,
pomegranate and loquat. Breakertown features shipping facilities for agricultural produce
(including storage, refrigeration, logistics and port facilities), as well as facilities for producing
higher-value derivatives (such as juices and liqueurs).

• Communications and internet technology. In the 1960’s, Breakertown’s economy saw an uplift due Loquat fruit (left) and derived Nespolino liqueur
(right)
to the need for specialized undersea communications cable support, including repair and
maintenance of cable-laying vessels, as well as acting as a port-of-call for vessels in the area.
Work in this field declined in the 1980’s as line construction was completed, but Breakertown
continues to host several businesses specializing in underwater cable repair. Additionally, since
2000, Breakertown has leveraged its location as a hub of communication cables to develop an
industry centring on internet hosting and cloud-computing.

• Tourism. Since the expansion of Akamai International Airport in 1987 and a concerted marketing
effort by the Ministry of Tourism, visitation to Erehwon has increased significantly. As of 2020,
Cable laying vessel
there are over 30 resorts on Erewhon, hosting over 250 000 tourists annually. Although many
tourists depart to specialized all-inclusive resorts located across the island, Breakertown remains a
significant centre of activity.

• Retirement services. Breakertown has seen a significant increase in the number of immigrants
arriving for retirement purposes. This is linked to a favorable climate, high-quality medical facilities
and a favorable taxation regime. The increase in this demographic has resulted in knock-on effects
on employment in the medical support fields.

With a 2020 Gross National Income per capita of $12 300 (USD), Erewhon is considered an upper middle-
Akamai International Airport c. 2015
income country. Due to a historical anachronism, the Canadian Dollar is the official currency of the island.