Southern Columbia Protectorate
 | This article refers to a micronation or element of micronationalism which is defunct and no longer exists. You can help make the article reflect that or ask on the talk page for further information. |
Southern Columbia Protectorate | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
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| Anthem: "God Save the King" | |
 Territory claimed, but not controlled, by Southern Columbia (green) in North America (agate grey) | |
| Status | Government-in-exile |
| Location | Vancouver Island (de facto) |
| Capital | Cookstown |
| Official languages | English |
| Recognised regional languages | Indigenous languages |
| Ethnic groups (2023) |
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| Religion (2023) |
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| Demonym(s) | Southern Columbian |
| Government | Self-proclaimed responsible government under a constitutional monarchy |
• Monarch | Charles III [a] |
• Governor | Dustin Carlson |
• Premier | Doug Baglot |
| Legislature | Legislative Assembly |
| Independence from the United States | |
• Established | 15 May 2023 |
• Merged with Vancouver Island | 7 December 2023 |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.001456868 km2 (0.000562500 sq mi) |
• Water (%) | 0.02 |
| Population | |
• 2023 census | 9 |
| HDI | 0.936 very high |
| Currency | Southern Columbian Pound (£) (SCP) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (PST) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Date format | mm/dd/yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +1 |
| Internet TLD | .com |
Website example | |
Southern Columbia, officially the Southern Columbia Protectorate, was a North American micronation claiming territory in five U.S. states in the Pacific Northwest. It was founded by Canadian micronationalists Dustin Carlson and Luke Gonyer on 15 May 2023. Southern Columbia declared its independence from the United States but its existence was never formally recognized by the United Nations or the government of any sovereign state.
The micronation was a self-proclaimed British protectorate with internal self-governance, although it lacks formal oversight or acknowledgement from the United Kingdom. It had a political structure largely modeled on the British Overseas Territories, particularly the Falkland Islands. It's government sought to reclaim the "lost territory" of the 19th century Columbia District which is today located south of the 49th parallel in the United States. The territory was granted to the U.S. following the 1846 Oregon Treaty that resolved the boundary dispute between the UK and the U.S. over the jointly-occupied Oregon Country. Southern Columbia was governed from Vancouver Island in Canada as a constitutional monarchy that swears allegiance to King Charles III as its monarch and head of state. Dustin Carlson served as the nation's self-appointed governor, while Luke Gonyer acted as premier and head of government.
Southern Columbian foreign policy prioritized diplomacy with other micronations, as well as encouraging international trade to grow its small but highly diversified economy. The micronation had a population of 11 permanent residents, and regularly issued its own passports, stamps, and postcards.
Etymology
In the 1975 British Columbia Chronicle, historians Helen B. Akrigg and G.P.V. Akrigg coined the term "Southern Columbia" for the "lost" area south of the 49th Parallel. In 2023, Dustin Carlson chose Southern Columbia Protectorate as the formal name of the new nation and its restoration effort. Its citizens are referred to by the demonym "Southern Columbian."
History
The history of Southern Columbia dates back to 2019. Dustin Carlson became fascinated by the concept of micronations after watching a YouTube video about the Republic of Molossia and subsequently doing a great deal of research about established micronationalists around the world. Carlson began to lay the groundwork for a self-proclaimed government that would combine his passion for British and Canadian history with his desire for independence.
In early 2020, Carlson began researching the history of his home province of British Columbia and developed a plan to revive the former British-claimed territory now located south of the Canada-U.S. border as an independent nation-state. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic put the project on hold for a lengthy period of time, but efforts resumed in late 2022. By early 2023, the essential functions of a working government began to take shape. The Southern Columbia Protectorate declared its independence on 15 May 2023. Lacking any physical jurisdiction over its claimed territory, the government of Southern Columbia was set up to function as a government-in-exile based on Vancouver Island in Canada.
Southern Columbia was initially established to act as a potential successor state to the Dominion of Vancouver Island which went inactive in May of 2023. When Vancouver Island was revived later that year, Southern Columbia agreed to a proposal to merge the two governments which effectively led to its dissolution as an independent state.
Politics and government
Southern Columbia has a responsible government based upon the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy.
Monarch
Charles III is the reigning King of Southern Columbia, although this position has not been acknowledged by His Majesty. As an unrecognized micronation, the powers of the South Columbian monarch are mostly ceremonial although the King is legally considered the nation's de jure head of state.
Governor
The Governor of Southern Columbia is the nation's de facto head of state acting "in His Majesty's name and on His Majesty's behalf" in the absence of the monarch. Unlike the 15 British Overseas Territories where the governor is directly appointed by the King, Southern Columbian governors are appointed by the legislature due the country's political status as a micronation. The position has no fixed term limit, with the governor serving at At His Majesty's pleasure so long as he/she enjoys the confidence of the legislature.
Premier
The micronation's head of government is the Premier of Southern Columbia, a civil service position appointed by the governor on the advice of the legislature. The premier serves a term of four years, which can be extended an additional two years at the request of the legislative body or a public referendum.
Legislative Assembly
The unicameral legislature of Southern Columbia is the Legislative Assembly, which consists of 4 elected members. Sittings of the Legislative Assembly are normally held at Government House, the de facto headquarters and personal residence of the governor. The constitution stipulates there must be at least one meeting of the Legislative Assembly every year, although the Assembly sometimes meets as often as once per month.
Law and order
Article VI of Southern Columbia's constitution states that all citizens shall have the same legal rights as those residing in Canada or the United States. Article VI Section II requires every citizen of Southern Columbia to obey all Canadian or American laws at all times. The same rule applies to its citizens living abroad with regards to the laws of their home countries. The Supreme Court of Southern Columbia handles all internal disputes within the micronation, while the Southern Columbia National Police (SCNP) is the territorial police force responsible for law enforcement.
Military
Ministries
The government of Southern Columbia has nine active ministries:
- Ministry of the Gubernatorial Household
- Ministry of State
- Ministry of Foreign Relations
- Ministry of War
- Ministry of the Interior
- Ministry of the Treasury
- Ministry of Justice
- Ministry of the Environment
- Ministry of Development
Foreign relations
Since its foundation in 2023, Southern Columbia has appointed several diplomatic agents abroad to press its rights for self-determination. While not formally recognized by the government of any macronation or intergovernmental organization, its government unilaterally recognizes the sovereignty of over 200 nations, both on the maconational and micronational stage.
Southern Columbia is part of the Western Canada sector, and has active diplomatic contacts with several other micronations in the region.
Unilateral recognition
All United Nations member states
British West Florida
Bumbunga
Confederate States
Cook Islands
Ethosia
Haida Nation
Holy See
Lostisland
Manchukuo
Molossia
Niue
Pavlov
Sealand
Slowjamastan
Somaliland
Taiwan
Westarctica
Mutual recognition
Recognition refused
Geography and climate
Southern Columbia is managed from Cookstown, the nation's de facto capital, which is located entirely within Canadian sovereign territory. Cookstown is situated on the eastern coast of central Vancouver Island near the Canadian town of Comox, bordered by forests on two sides and residential housing on the remaining two. Its local geography features a large flower garden, Koi pond, and numerous vegetable crops. Two large Douglas fir trees provide shade to the northern portion of the property, which houses a gazebo for hosting diplomatic summits. Government House, the personal residence of the Governor and his family, is located along Cookstown's eastern boundary and includes street access via its main border crossing with Canada.
Cookstown has a Mediterranean climate according to the Köppen climate classification. Summers are hot and dry, with frequent heat and wildfire warnings, while winters are typically mild, but can experience heavy rain and snowfall at times.
| Climate data for Cookstown | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 6.4 (43.5) |
7.4 (45.3) |
9.6 (49.3) |
12.9 (55.2) |
16.6 (61.9) |
19.8 (67.6) |
22.8 (73) |
22.7 (72.9) |
19.0 (66.2) |
12.9 (55.2) |
8.5 (47.3) |
5.9 (42.6) |
13.7 (56.7) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 1.4 (34.5) |
1.2 (34.2) |
2.5 (36.5) |
4.6 (40.3) |
8.0 (46.4) |
11.1 (52) |
13.3 (55.9) |
13 (55) |
9.9 (49.8) |
6.0 (42.8) |
2.9 (37.2) |
0.9 (33.6) |
6.2 (43.2) |
| Source: www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca (archived data from 1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
Economy
Insert fiscal information, such as the micronation's exports, imports, and industries. You can briefly discuss the micronation's currency but that should generally be kept in a separate article.
Culture
Insert information about the micronation's holidays, customs, education, spoken languages, arts, the press, and television here.
National colours and symbols
The flag and coat of arms of Southern Columbia are similar to those of the Colony of British Columbia from 1870-1871. The flag is a defaced Blue Ensign with the badge of the Southern Columbia Protectorate on a white disk in the fly half. The governors personal standard is a Union Flag defaced with the nation's arms in the center, similar to the flags of governors of the British Overseas Territories.
The coat of arms, technically considered a seal, and is a modern adaptation of the design completed by Richard Clement Moody for the Colony of British Columbia. It features the Royal Crest of the crowned lion upon the Imperial Crown supported by laurel and oak branches. On either side of the crowned lion are the letters "SC" for Southern Columbia.
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National Flag
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Flag of the Governor
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Coat of Arms
Holidays
| Date | Name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day | Celebrates the start of the new year. |
| Third Monday in February | Family Day | Shared statutory holiday with British Columbia. |
| Between 20 March and 23 April | Good Friday | Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus, on the Friday before Easter. |
| 15 May | Sovereignty Day | Celebrates the 2023 proclamation of Southern Columbia's independence. |
| Second Monday in June | King's Official Birthday | Celebrates the birth of the Sovereign, King Charles III. |
| 15 July | President Baugh Day | Honors Kevin Baugh, President of the Republic of Molossia and original inspiration for the establishment of a micronation. Dustin Carlson first watched a documentary about Molossia on this day in 2019. |
| 22 October | Governor's Day | Celebrates of the birth of Dustin Carlson, founding father and inaugural governor of Southern Columbia. |
| 11 November | Remembrance Day | Memorial holiday shared with Canada. Honors Canada's war dead. Anniversary of the armistice ending World War I in 1918. |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | Commemoration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. |
See also
Notes
- ↑ Charles III does not recognize Southern Columbia and has not acknowledged the existence of its government.
- ↑ Southern Columbia currently recognizes the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as the government of Afghanistan instead of the de facto ruling government, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.