Mermaid Island

Ízul Sirenas (Mermaid Island) is a small island located east of Cape Cross Parish. Only 3.8 square miles in area, it is one of the most interesting islands in Brunant.

Early history
The islands were known to Spanish and Brunanter sailors and fisherman as early as the 16th century. A small Spanish contingent of three sailors and five soldiers landed on the island ca. 1536 and claimed it for Spain. Both a cross and a flag were planted, but only the cross remains to be seen in the beach. Around this time the island got the name of Isla Sirena (Ízul Sirenas),since many sailors reported seeing mermaids in the waters around the islands. King Anders I authori\ed an expedition to the islands in 1540. His men claimed the island for Brunant but found no mermaids. While frequented by fishermen in the following centuries, it was largely unknown to Brunanters.

Penal colony
In 1799, James Carrington had a prison colony built on the island's south side to house political enemies. 38 prisoners were stationed there, along with ten soldiers as guards. In 1800 a passing Genoan ship picked up two sea-borne prisoners who claimed that the colony had been wiped out by mermaids and "satanic evils". When the government sent men to investigate, they found the prison in ruins and concluded that a small tremor was likely the cause. They found no survivors and after returning to Koningstad they caught an illness and died (modern scientists have concluded that most likely a disease broke out and killed them).

In 1913, fishermen again reported mermaid sightings, but another boat later that year revealed them to be a group of Mediterranean monk seal, a rather endangered species.

Modern history
In the following years, there were many uses for the island. During WWI, a garrison of 15 soldiers was stationed in the island and recalled in 1918; the men did not see mermaids, but two soldiers did die in strange conditions (again believed to be an illness, but contemporary doctors studying the bodies were unsure as to the cause of death). In 1928, the government looked into protecting the island and its flora and fauna. Plans were put on hold due to the Great Depression.

During WWII Mermaid Island was occupied by 22 German soldiers (of which 3 later died). In 1943 a scouting party discovered some ancient ruins deep in the interior. But, by the time a expedition could be mounted to study them, Germany was being pinned on all sides and Brunant was on the verge of liberation. In the postwar period, the government closed the island to citizens and had the Realmarine patrolling the waters.

In 1967, the government finally sent a group of archeologists and researchers to study the ruins. They concluded that they were Carthaginian ruins, likely a burial or religious site. Prior to this, Villa Fulvia (ca. 280 BC) was thought to be the oldest known settlement in Brunant. But, some of the experts had reservations and believed they might have been more modern ruins or even a hoax planted by the Germans. In 1968, a second party discovered a German radio outpost near the northeast side.

In 1971 the Government declared it a natural sanctuary. Since then all visits to the island are pre-arranged and greatly limited in order to not damage the ecosystem.