State of Avon

State of Avon État d'Avon (French)
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem: "Highlander March"
Map of Avonite claims in the Western United States
Capital	Agincourt
Official languages	English French
Religion	State atheism
Demonym(s)	Avonite
Government	Constitutional semi-democracy
• Chairman	Asher Young
• First Minister	Jebediah Powell
Independence
• Formation	25 March 2018
• Dissolution of the City of Nolius	10 August 2022
Area
• Total	7.593 km2 (2.932 sq mi)
Population
• 2024 estimate	21
Currency	United States dollar
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	right
Preceded by Nolius

The State of Avon, more commonly referred to as simply Avon (ˈævən), is a self-declared, independent sovereign state commonly referred to as a micronation. It was established on 10 August 2022, following the dissolution of the formerly Columbian city of Nolius, and is the successor state of both Nolius and the State of Herzetia. Avon is located in North America, primarily in the US state of Oregon, while also holding exclaves in Washington and Utah. It possesses an estimated population numbering 21. The State of Avon is currently a member state in the International Workers Congress and the Micronational Assembly, and is a member of the Korp Sector.

Etymology

Avon comes from the indigenous Welsh word for river, most of Avon being located upon the Columbia River in Oregon. The name also serves to draw from the Chairman's ethnic roots in the British Isles, being derived from the River Avon in the United Kingdom.

History

Prehistory and Monarchical Period

A Herzetian propaganda poster, dating back to the days of the monarchy.

The Herzetian period of Avonite history is rather large, beginning with the inception of the Kingdom of Herzetia on 25 March 2018, following a brief tenure of existence on the popular roleplaying and political simulation site Nationstates. A.Y cited dissatisfaction with the United States' political climate and hobbyistic interest as the reasons for independence. Herzetia was quick to join the Micronational Assembly, doing so in the winter following its creation. Herzetia maintained diplomatic relations with a multitude of other nations, most of which also were member states of the Micronational Assembly. It was during this initial monarchical period that Herzetia acquired the territory of South Yeno, received as a gift of goodwill by the now-defunct United Ocean States in Rhode Island. This land would later be ceded to the Great Lawl Reich during the kingdom's collapse.

Caliphate Period

In August of 2020, the Kingdom of Herzetia was forcibly dissolved following the two-day Herzetian Insurgency, and was reformed immediately as the First Grand Herzetian Caliphate. During the ensuing 'Caliphate Period', Herzetia participated in the Tungsten-MACP War and became integrated within the Korp Sector. The Caliphate collapsed in November 2020 and was immediately replaced with the State of Herzetia.

Reformation and Columbian Period

During the existence of the State of Herzetia, there was a heightened emphasis placed upon establishing trade with other micronations, solidifying relations within the Korp Sector, and annexing additional territory. Due to a lack of citizens, democracy did not function. The functional nonexistence of any citizens, in conjunction with Asher Young's growing ambivalence towards the hobby, led to the annexation of the entire nation to the Constitutional Republic of Columbia in November 2021. Following the treaty of annexation, Herzetia was dissolved and reincorporated as the Columbian city of Nolius. Aggressive territorial expansion would continue under the banner of Nolius, but the city was thrown into crisis during the Herzetian Nativist War, beginning in March 2022. Nolius was unable to adequately defend itself from internal aggression, and agreed to conclude the war in August 2022 following allegations of misconduct surrounding a close ally of the CRC. Nolius, wishing to be separate from Columbia, declared itself independent and shortly thereafter reformed into the State of Avon.

Renewed Activity Period

Though the State of Avon was officially created in August of 2022, it was not until about a year later that Young began to take steps in order to establish it within the micronational community. 2 September 2023 saw the creation of the Constitution of the State of Avon, as well as its official Discord server. Avon would join the International Workers Congress on 3 September, signaling explicit socialistic ideals guiding the nation. On 10 September 2023, Seaman Island was surveyed via a state-led marine expedition. In order to allow the coexistence of both a small population and functioning government, Young made the decision to divide Avon's 12 boroughs into 4 voting districts , allowing for the election of two senators to represent each district, rather than requiring representation from each individual borough. On 13 September 2023, the Agrarian Socialist Party was established by Jebediah Powell as Avon's first political party. Both the Revolutionary Socialist Front and Avonite Democratic Party were established on 14 September 2023, by Luciferio Mikhailovich and A.M. Marhaen respectively, and the right-wing People's Party was established on 1 October 2023. In the midst of political party creation and mobilization, the State of Avon established mutual recognition with the Redrock Socialist Union and Saspearian, while maintaining informal relations with the Commonwealth of Faltree. The first elections for the Avonite Popular Congress were held on 5 October 2023, officially beginning at 8:00 PM PST. The voting period concluded after 24 hours. As only five Avonites declared their candidacy, only five senators were elected to the First Congress, with three vacant seats.

First Congress Period

After the elections concluded, the first Congress thereafter sought to elect among themselves a First Minister. The Avonite Democratic Party and People's Party came into a coalition with one another, forming the National Agrarian Front and nominating A.M. Marhaen as their candidate for First Minister. After some discussion, the Agrarian Socialist Party decided to join the Front, supporting Marhaen in place of their former candidate, Jebediah Powell. At 6:10 PM on 7 October, Marhaen was elected as Avon's premier First Minister, solidifying the members within the National Agrarian Front as the majority government, leaving the Revolutionary Socialist Front as the only member of the opposition. Shortly thereafter joining the opposition, however was the Avonite Freedom Party, another right-wing party, founded on 8 October 2023 by James Sun. Sun would shortly thereafter be appointed by Young as a Senator to the Avonite Popular Congress, representing Sudbury within District 1. Young made the decision as there were not any other Avonite citizens who resided within that district. On 12 October, Kagan O. became an Avonite citizen and nearly immediately created the National Anarcho Capitalist Party. On 15 October, Yusuf Rakim would reform the People's Party into Sane, a distinct movement away from the right-wing politics of its predecessor.

Marhaen's Resignation

On 19 October 2023, A.M. Marhaen penned his resignation from the State of Avon's government, as well as the governments of all other micronations he held positions in, save for Marhaenia , citing factors pertaining to his personal life. The Avonite Democratic Party was thus disestablished, and the next day, Jebediah Powell, James Sun and Yusuf Rakim each pulled their parties out of the National Agrarian Front, which was then immediately dissolved. Another vote for First Minister was held within the Popular Congress, pitting Powell against Sun. Powell received 80% of the vote, and the election concluded after Sun announced his concession on the 22nd, thereby establishing Powell as the second Avonite First Minister.

Government and politics

Avon is governed as a constitutional semi-democracy (also known as an anocracy), lead by the Chairman of Avon, who is followed by the First Minister of Avon. The Avonite Popular Congress functions as the nation's legislature and is made up of senators hailing from each Borough of Avon. The Constitution of the State of Avon was written on 2 September 2023, approximately a year following the nation's founding.

Political parties

Avonite citizens are permitted to apply for the creation of political parties to represent their interests.

Active political parties

Status	Party			Logo	Leader	Political position	Ideology	Senators in the Avonite Popular Congress
Government Jebediah Powell Ministry	Agrarian Socialist Party	ASP			Jebediah Powell	Left-wing	Agrarian socialism, Environmentalism	2 / 8
Opposition	Sane	N/A			Yusuf Rakim	Center-left	Liberalism, Populism, Social Democracy, Developmentalism	1 / 8
	Avonite Freedom Party	AFP			James Sun	Right-wing	Avonite Constitutionalism, Protectionism, Militarism, Environmentalism	1 / 8
	National Anarcho Capitalist Party	NACP			Kagan O.	Right-wing	Mafiaism, Capitalism, Anarchism	0 / 8

Political Subdivisions

Boroughs

Boroughs are integrated regions of Avon that are considered central to the country's history and governmental function. Boroughs may or may not possess permanent populations.

Flag	Name	Location	Population	Area	Borough seat
	Rochester	Oregon	5	0.028 km²	Agincourt
	Sudbury	Oregon	5	0.001 km²	Forty-Six
	Roosevelt	Oregon	1	0.014 km²	Big Stick
	Beatty	Oregon	4	0.027 km²	Whiterose
	Umbra	Oregon	0	0.003 km²	Hulot
	Highland	Oregon	1	0.209 km²	Fort Cnoc
	Harlaus	Oregon	1	0.025 km²	Praven
	San Juan	Utah	1	0.832 km²	Holden
	Bluff	Utah	0	0.089 km²	Alpine
	Shaniko	Oregon	2	0.359 km²	Allthings
	Seaman Island	Oregon	1	0.069 km²	Demain
	Wishram	Oregon	0	0.234 km²	Wasco

Special Zones

Avon encompasses special zones that do not belong to any borough.

Flag	Name	Location	Area
	Rupert's Bridge	Oregon	0.001 km²
	Territory of Des Ours	Oregon	0.100 km²
	Herbert Territory	Oregon	0.442 km²

Protected Areas

Main article: Avonite Protected Area

Avon also possesses and protects several areas that do not belong to any political subdivision (though exceptions may be made) for the purpose of historical or ecological preservation.

Name	Location	Area
Grasslands Heritage Site	Oregon	0.03 km²
Horsethief	Oregon	0.32 km²
Rowena	Oregon	1.8 km²
Stonehenge	Oregon	0.15 km²
Bluff Fort	Utah	0.02 km²

Diplomatic relations

Formal relations

The State of Avon is open to establishing diplomatic relations with other nations.

• Saspearian, since 1 October 2023.
• Free State of Wetherill, since 7 February 2024.

Informal relations

• Aleunnic Workers' Republic, since 10 August 2022.
• People's Republic of the Dales, since 10 August 2022.
• Commonwealth of Vandelland, since 10 August 2022.
• Bepistani Reich, since 10 August 2022.
• Commonwealth of Faltree, since 29 July 2023.
• Republic of Charbonneau, since 13 June 2024.

Unilateral recognition

• All 193 UN member states and observers, excluding Israel, since 10 August 2022.
• State of Palestine, since 10 August 2022.
• All member states of the Micronational Assembly, since 10 August 2022.

Recognition refused

• Israel (fascist apartheid state), since 10 August 2022.
• Roscami Federation (fascist entity advancing illegitimate land claims upon allied nation), since 21 August 2023.
• Kingdom of Pontunia, since 24 September 2023.

Geography

Avon encompasses a wide array of different climates and topographies. Mainland Avon is semiarid and dry for most of the year, though it experiences an intense wet season during the spring. Avon experiences extreme temperatures in both hot and cold times of the year, with temperatures often dipping below zero degrees Fahrenheit during the winter and equally often rising above 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer. San Juan Borough in Utah is located in a desert biome and experiences intense heat and drought for most of the year. Bluff Borough is further north and experiences a much more moderate climate year-round.