Kingdom of Courline

Kingdom of Courline
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Lands Afar, Beneath The Crown"
Anthem: "God Save the King"
Territorial claims of Courline in the Antarctic continent highlighted in red.
Capital	Coulman Island
Official languages	English
Religion	Christianity
Demonym(s)	Courlese
Government	Unitary absolute monarchy
• Monarch	Jerold I
• Regent	Vacant
Legislature	none
Formation
• Establishment of claim	December 14, 2020
• Independence	April 29, 2024
• Current constitution	April 30, 2024
Area
• Total	861.55 km2 (332.65 sq mi)
Population
• 2024 census	2 registered citizens
Time zone	UTC +12:00
Website Official Facebook page

Courline, officially known as the Kingdom of Courline, is a self-proclaimed sovereign state, recognized as a micronation by external observers. It comprises more than seventeen islands in Antarctica, primarily in the Ross Archipelago and offshore Victoria Land. All are collectively designated by the Courlese government as the Courline Islands. Coulman Island serves as the ceremonial capital of the country. Aside from Coulman, the other major islands include Beaufort Island, Black Island, Franklin Island, and White Island.

The claim was established on December 14, 2020, by Jerold I, the founder and current monarch of Courline. It became a separate micronation on April 29, 2024. Courline maintains a protectorate status under Arlandica.

The country is a member of the Santo Niño Cooperation Union. Although the membership application has not yet been sent to the relevant authorities, it hopes to join the Antarctic Micronational Union.

History

On December 14, 2020, Jerold I, the founder and incumbent king of Courline, claimed Mac. Robertson Land, which was privately owned by himself. He even wrote a document declaring his claims to the land, thus making it an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Arlandica and the first Filipino micronation to lay claims in the continent. Two years later, he expanded to Coulman Island, Beaufort Island, and Franklin Island located in the Ross Sea. Although Jerold I gave Coulman Island to the administration of Vilasia following the ratification of the Treaty of Coulman, the remaining lands that belonged to Arlandica became a province known as the Arlandican Antarctic Territory.

On August 27, 2023, Arlandica's parliament passed an act to formally recognize Vilasia's claims over Beaufort Island and Franklin Island and to dissolve the Arlandican Antarctic Territory. Mac. Robertson Land was left abandoned and unclaimed, however, the Grand Duchy of Zakinesia claimed Mac. Robertson Land after the dissolution of the province.

On April 29, 2024, an "Agreement for the Cession" was signed between Arlandica, Vilasia, Zakinesia, and the newly-formed Kingdom of Courline. This agreement involved the withdrawal of all claims by Vilasia and Zakinesia to transfer them to Courline, which would be recognized as an independent sovereign state. The transfer of claims did not include Mac. Robertson Land. According to the agreement, all forms of claims in the area must be abolished in respect to the claim of Karnia-Ruthenia. The following day, Courline enacted its basic law and coronated Jerold I as the monarch of Courline, under a personal union with Arlandica.

On May 22, 2024, Courline expanded its claim to include White Island, Black Island, and additional offshore islands in Victoria Land.

Legal status

The country claims to be a sovereign state, making it a secessionist micronation, independent from New Zealand's claim to the Ross Dependency. Despite the fact that Courline's territorial claim in the continent lacks recognition by most of the micronational community, the Courlese government is committed to maintaining these claims due to the personal interest of its monarch.

According to research conducted by the Arlandican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, all of the claims are not disputed by other Antarctic micronations, including members of the Antarctic Micronational Union. The Empire of Lehmark had a claim to White and Black Islands in the Ross Sea but later abandoned them following the micronation's dissolution. Ross Island itself is not included in Courline's claim.

However, the Courlese claim in Antarctica does not hold international legal recognition, as the Antarctic Treaty prohibits the assertion, support, or denial of territorial sovereignty claims by individuals or governments, including Courline.

Geography

Coulman Island

Beaufort Island

Franklin Island

Courline is considered an archipelago consisting of over 17 islands, including small icy rocks, all located in the Ross Archipelago and offshore Victoria Land. Its major islands are Beaufort Island, Black Island, Franklin Island, White Island, and Coulman Island, which is the largest island and the capital. The entire archipelago is situated in the Ross Sea. The country has a total land area of 861.55 square kilometers (332.65 square miles), making it larger than Bahrain. The tallest mountain in the country is Hawkes Heights, at 6,562 feet (2,000.1 meters). Most of the terrain is covered with ice, and all of the territories are uninhabited.

Climate

Courline has a polar climate characterized by extreme cold, strong winds, and low precipitation. The area is covered in ice and snow year-round. Precipitation in the country is very low, typically less than 200 millimeters (8 inches) per year, and mostly falls as snow. The region is considered a polar desert.

During the Antarctic summer, temperatures can range from -2°C to -20°C (28°F to -4°F). The coastal areas, including parts of the country, can experience slightly milder conditions compared to the interior of the continent. In the winter months (June to August), temperatures plummet significantly, often ranging from -20°C to -50°C (-4°F to -58°F). It can get even colder during severe weather conditions.

Biodiversity and environment

The flora in the Ross Archipelago is sparse due to the extreme cold, with the majority of the region being ice-covered. However, in the ice-free areas such as Beaufort Island and Black Island, there are pockets of life. These areas support simple plant life including mosses, lichens, and algae. These plants are adapted to the harsh conditions, often thriving in nutrient-poor soil and enduring prolonged periods of darkness during the winter months. Lichens are particularly prominent, as they can grow on rocks and other surfaces where few other plants can survive. Penguins are the most notable inhabitants, with Adélie and Emperor penguins being common in the country.

Islands

Map of the territorial claims of Courline

The following are the islands claimed by the Kingdom of Courline:

Victoria Land

• Coulman Island
• Franklin Island
• Kernbridge Island
• New Melascoville Island
• Emerging Island
• Apostrophe Island
• Tiger Island
• Lion Island
• Gregory Island
• Depot Island
• Tripp Island

Ross Archipelago

• Beaufort Island
• White Island
• Black Island
• Heald Island
• Hahn Island
• Bratina Island

Some islands are unnamed macronationally, however, the Courlese government has provided names for them. This list does not include the adjacent islands around Kernbridge and New Melascoville Islands, but they are part of the Courlese territorial claim.

Government and politics

King Jerold I, March 2024.

The Courlese government is composed of a monarch and a regent. It is an absolute monarchy according to the Basic Law of Courline, the constitution of the country. The current monarch of Courline is Jerold I, and the regent is vacant as of April 2024.

Monarchy

The monarch of Courline is the head of state and government. All executive, legislative, and judicial powers are vested in the monarch, who exercises unlimited authority. This style of governance is known as "rule by decree."

The monarch is from the House of Arlandica, placing Courline under a personal union.

Regent

The regent of Courline is appointed by the monarch and has the authority to make decisions and issue decrees on behalf of the monarch during the monarch's absence. The regent acts as the assistant to the monarch and caretaker of the country.