Autonomous Republic of Altis
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The Autonomous Republic of Altis is an administrative area of the Republic of Kosmark annexed in 1948 as a result of the aftermath of World War II.
| Autonomous Republic of Altis Autonome Republik Altis | |||
| |||
| Autonomus Republic of Kosmark | |||
| Motto: None | |||
| Aegean Sea | |||
| Capital | Kavala | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 6th Oct 1946 (Republic of Altis) 15th Sep 1948 (Annexation by Kosmark) 12th April 1982 (Autonomous Republic of Altis) | ||
| Population | 16,800 | ||
| Area | 290km2 | ||
| Government | Government of the Republic of Altis | ||
| President | Attis Papandrea | ||
| Governor | Michael Adlan | ||
History
World War II
Altis was formerly the Greek islands of Lemnos and Agios Efstratios in the Aegean Sea. During World War II after the Nazi invasion during the Battle of Greece, Lemnos and Agios Efstratios were occupied by German forces.
The occupation lasted until the end of the war although the German forces stationed on the islands were reduced as more important conflicts elsewhere required more German troops. After the war was lost by the Axis powers the remaining troops on the islands were driven out by a small militia using captured German weapons.
Aftermath
The militia were now the controlling power on the islands and were impatient with Greece's failing attempts to recuperate after the war and prevented access to Greek troops when Greece tried to regain its influence on the islands in January 1946. Leaders of the militia pushed for independence and the formal declaration was countersigned by the Greek Prime Minister on 6 October 1946.
Republic
The new Republic of Altis lasted for just under a year before disagreements between two different divisions of the militia which had formed the government escalated into armed attacks and by September 1947 into a civil war. The Greek government saw this as an opportunity to retake the islands of the Republic of Altis and invaded with a force of 5,000 troops, compared to the 1,300 militia. The civil war was now being fought by three factions and casualties were taken everyday by all sides.
The Kanish Defence Forces stationed in Turkey were in the process of pulling out after the war but Commander of 8th Infantry Brigade Sebastian North contacted the Kanish government to request the authority to intervene in the Altian Civil War. Permission was given in March 1948 and the Brigade of 4,000 invaded Altis taking the total number of troops in conflict to over 9,000.
Heavy fighting ensued however the Kanish Defence Forces were considered victorious by July 1948 when all of the commanders from the various belligerent factions were detained by Kanish Military Police as a result of successful raids on Headquarters areas. In order to remove the opposition element from the civil war, Kosmark demanded that the Republic of Altis be transferred over to Kosmark. In order to ensure the return of Greek troops back to Greece the Greek government agreed to the proposal and the militia leaders shortly afterwards. The annexation occurred on 15 August 1948.
Autonomous Republic
Just under thirty-five years after Kosmark took over Altis, the first election of the President of Altis occurred. Thyrus Contos was elected with 56% of the vote and as a result, Kosmark awarded Altis with some degree of Autonomy and as such it was renamed the Autonomous Republic of Altis. Since then, three Presidents have been elected as well as a formal government with responsibilities for policing, transportation and the economy. However defence still remains the responsibility of Kosmark.
Geography
Altis
The main island of Altis is arid, with rolling and sub-mountainous terrain to the West and centre and flat plains towards the north-east and south-east. A large salt flat is located towards the East of the island as well as a second smaller salt flat just to its south. Large, mainly coniferous forests cover the North-West as well as pockets of woodland spread out over the rest of the island. Most of the island is covered in small, low-level shrubs.
Stratis
Stratis is composed of rugged terrain, with large expanses of forest. Most of the island is steep, holds little arable farmland and few in-land water sources. As a result, there are only a few settlements, Agia Marina (the main port) and Girna (small fishing village) as well as a selection of individual houses scattered about the island. A number of military bases hold occasional visiting troops during exercises. Air Station Mike 26 holds a radar station that is constantly manned to survey areas south of the Republic of Altis into the centre of the Aegean Sea.
Tilos
Tilos lies South-South-East of Stratis. It is similar to Stratis in that it the terrain is rugged and rocky meaning that there is no a large amount of agriculture. The main town lies within Lavidia bay and therefore is surrounded by hills on three sides.
Climate
The climate in Altis is mainly Mediterranean. Winters are generally mild, but there will be a snowfall occasionally. Strong winds are a feature of the island, especially in August and in winter time.
Economy
The economy of Altis is mainly centered around fishing, tourism, science and technology. A few large companies on Altis are floated on the Kanish Stock Exchange and also have international markets. Whilst the GDP per capita of Kosmark is $36,510 in Altis GDP per capita is around $24,120, making it 51st in the world.
Fishing
Fish is the main export of Altis, making up 65% of its GDP. Selections of catches range from common Sea Bass to slightly more rare Swordfish as well as other fish such as Sea Bream, a common fish used in fast food on Altis. Catches are transported by air everyday to nearby cities such as Athens, Istanbul, Naples and Palermo.
Transport
Main transport into Altis is by air, the main International Airport (ICAO: ATIL) serves flights to and from Naples, Rome, Istanbul, Athens, Cyprus, Albania, Tunisia, Egypt, Palermo, Kosmark, United Kingdom, Malta, Israel and Lebanon. A smaller air base on Stratis also serves commercial traffic twice a day, once for passengers and once for cargo. Major roads run from Kavala across the central-western part of Altis to Pyrgos and further to the South-East. Commercial freighters dock into Neri twice a week whilst Kavala and Pyrgos serve ferries and cruise liners from Greece. The small port of Agia Marina on Stratis serves fishing vessels and private sailing vessels.