Perhaps the least willing Region (and following 2009 reforms, state) to join the Union, the Northern Isles are still a mystery to most. Relying mainly on a large fishing industry, the steep volcanic islands with marshy geography on most flat areas being suitable for very little else, the islands have a very small economy and are still very poor. Transport to the Northern Isles was, at the time of unification, by boat from West Mearor, and took several days in some weather conditions. This was remedied by the Norther Isles Transport Initiative, which resulted in the construction of an International Airport and larger dock facilities on Torness. Ambitious plans by the navy to secure some of the money for a new deep water naval base have proved unsuccessful