Bankene

Bankene is a fictional coastal archipelago and municipality in Verdia, a Verdian nation. It comprises five inhabited islands and several smaller islets located along a shallow continental shelf. The Verdian name Bankene translates to "the banks," reflecting extensive sandbanks and tidal channels that characterize the coastline. The principal settlement sits on the central island, Bankenøya, serving as administrative and economic hub.

The archipelago lies in the Verdia Sea, within a temperate maritime climate that yields mild winters and cool summers. It features rocky shores, sandy beaches, and numerous sheltered coves. Seagrass beds and eelgrass meadows support diverse fish and bird life, and several areas are designated as marine protected zones.

Human activity on Bankene dates back to the Iron Age, with periodic trade and fishing settlements. It gained municipal status in the early 20th century and is part of Verdia’s Northwest Province. The municipality is governed by a council elected for four-year terms, led by a mayor.

The population is around 7,800, primarily Verdian-speaking. The economy relies on small-scale fisheries, aquaculture, maritime services, and seasonal tourism. The central island hosts the harbor, a fish market, and light manufacturing facilities.

Bankene hosts an annual harbor festival and a cuisine centered on seafood such as smoked cod and sea urchin. Transportation includes ferries to the mainland port of Lindstad and a regional airstrip on Bankenøya, with internal roads linking settlements.

Notable features include White Sand Beach, Banken Head, and Klippe Harbour. The nearby Bankene Marine Reserve protects critical habitats, including seagrass meadows and migratory bird roosts.