Kuluihin

Kuluihin is a coastal town on the island of Kuluihin in the Veridian Archipelago, part of Veridia. It serves as the administrative center of Kuluihin District and functions as a modest fishing and trading community with light industry. The town sits at the head of a natural embayment and is connected to nearby settlements by coastal roads and a small ferry.

The name Kuluihin derives from the Kuluihani language, with kule meaning "bay" and ihin denoting "home" or "place."

Kuluihin has a tropical maritime climate, with warm temperatures year-round, a rainy season May to October, and a dry season otherwise. The landscape is low-lying, with mangroves along the estuary and small hills inland.

Historical records indicate settlement in the pre-colonial period, with the town growing as a harbor for regional fishing fleets and as a waypoint for inland-trade routes. In the 20th century, port modernization and road improvements contributed to gradual growth and renewed agricultural activity in the hinterland.

The local economy centers on fishing, boatbuilding, and seafood processing, supplemented by tourism around the bay, beaches, and reefs. Public infrastructure includes a town hall, a modest port quay, a district secondary school, and a regional clinic. Access is provided by coastal roads and a daily ferry to neighboring settlements.

Residents are predominantly of coastal Kuluihani descent, with communities from adjacent areas. The Kuluihani language is widely spoken at home, while the national language is used in education and government. Cultural life centers on the Tide Festival, markets, and traditional music. Local cuisine emphasizes seafood, coconut, and root crops.