Despotate of Acadia
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Most Serene Despotate of Acadia La Sérénissime Despotat de l'Acadie | |
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 Flag
 Coat of arms
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| Motto: Republicani delenda est. | |
| Anthem: Ave Maris Stella | |
 Maine, Androscoggin County in Red Capital is Surrounded by Androscoggin County, Maine | |
| Capital | Montreal (de jure) Acadiopolis in Androscoggina (de facto) |
| Largest city | Montreal |
| Official languages | French, English, Greek, Latin |
| Demonym(s) | Acadian |
| Government | Constitutional Enlightened Despotism |
• Prime Minister | Miranda McNamara |
• The Despot of Acadia | His Serene Grace Robert I |
| Legislature | Estates-General |
| Establishment | 2010 |
| Population | |
• Census | 15 (de facto) |
| Currency | Swiss Franc |
| Time zone | (AST) |
Website Government | |
This nation is an applicant to the Organisation of Active Micronations | |
Acadia, officially The Most Serene Despotate of Acadia (La Sérénissime Despotat de l'Acadie),commonly referred to as the Despotate of Acadia, came into existence on January 5, 2010, when Tea Party Republican Paul LePage was sworn in as the 74th Governor of the US State of Maine. The nation claims territorial sovereignty over roughly 2.5 acres of private lands previously under the jurisdiction of said state along with several state parks and natural wonders. Sovereignty is also claimed over the islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, the traditionally French speaking areas of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and the immediate environs of the city of Montreal, the de jure capital. The newly formed city of Acadiopolis in Androscoggina (Acadiopolis) serves as the de facto capital and seat of government until such time as control of Montreal is affirmed. Official languages are French, English, Greek, and Latin; French is the primary language of government as well as the traditional linguistic heritage of the region.
Etymology
Acadia was the name of the French territory in this region prior to English conquest and has survived in the cultural traditions of its people, and in such civic institutions as Acadia National Park, the town of Acadia, Maine, and Acadia University. Both the English (Most Serene Despotate of Acadia) and French (La Sérénissime Despotat de l'Acadie) names are entirely acceptable in reference to the nation.
Government and politics
The Despotate of Acadia is ruled by His Serene Grace Robert I, Despot of Acadia (Son Altesse Robert, Despote de l'Acadie). He wields great power and acts in an enlightened manner to move the nation forward. Having declared the independence of the nation and led it forward from its inception, he is accorded the highest honors and would surely be held in greatest regard at any foreign court which may elect to receive him at their own expense. The Court of the Despot is officially known as the Court of Saint Crispin.
The Despotate has two Estates-General, one of the nobles and one of the commons. The legislature sits at the seat of government, Camp Knot-a-Kare in Acadiopolis, every third year.
Law and order
This excellent television program is held in the highest regard by the Court of Saint Crispin.
Foreign relations
The Despotate of Acadia has not been much approached to open bilateral relations, but is very open to new alliances and establishing a stronger diplomatic position abroad to improve its standing. To this end, the Despotate has applied for membership to the Organisation of Active Micronations and the Court of St. Crispin is also interested in contact from other nations interested in bilateral ties. The Court can be reached at despotofacadia(at)gmail(dot)com.
Mutually Recognized States
Military
The Military of the Despotate of Acadia traces its origins to citizen brigades fighting in the Aroostook War between Maine and Canada in the 1800s. A naval presence is maintained on Lake Androscoggin during the summer months of June, July, and August. No standing military is kept active, rather citizens are encouraged to be prepared in the event that troops are needed to defend the sovereignty of the Despotate or its allies against hostile encroachment.
Geography and climate
The Despotate enjoys a humid continental climate with pleasantly warm summers and cold, snowy, severe winters. In July highs are around 75-80 Fahrenheit while in January highs are typically around 32 Fahrenheit.
The Despotate is entirely surrounded by the state of Maine and its territory is non-contiguous. Much of the land is wooded, with lakes and streams punctuating the landscape and a diversity of wildlife indigenous to the northern forests.
The Despotate of Acadia comprises approximately 2.5 non-contiguous acres of land privately held by the family of HSG the Despot, surrounded completely by the towns of North Yarmouth and Leeds, Maine, United States. The capital, Acadiopolis in Androscoggina sits on a 275x100 parcel of land on the shore of Lake Androscoggin, completely surrounded by Androscoggin County, Maine. The remainder of the territory under the control of the Despotate is surrounded by the town of North Yarmouth, Maine and borders the major thoroughfare of U.S. Route 9.
The Despotate claims sovereignty over Bradbury Mountain State Park, Range Pond State Park, Androscoggin Riverlands State Park, and other portions of public land in the Western Maine region, but does not currently have the resources to enforce these claims. Nor does the Despotate have the strength needed to support its claims to traditional Acadia and the Montreal metropolitan area. The Despotate does not intend to take these lands by force, but rather push its claim through valid channels of diplomacy to ensure the fulfillment of the rights of its people.
Economy
Tourism is the mainstay of the economy. Paper production and logging previously held highly important positions, but have declined in recent years to become almost insubstantial. The majority of full time employment is in the government sector.
Culture
The Despotate came into existence on January 5, 2010. January 5 is a national holiday celebrated as the Day of Enlightenment and Liberation. Gay and Lesbian Pride Month is observed as a national holiday—no work is done during the month of June in solidarity with the homosexual community at large. The Despotate considers itself enlightened, progressive, and liberal in character and action. Universal health care is a right of the people and the power of corporations is greatly restricted.
The official religion is Christianity without a specification of denomination, but all faith groups are accorded equal rights and protections before the law. All religious observances are held as holidays.
The official languages of the Despotate are French, English, SPanish, Greek, and Latin. The latter two derive from the origins of the Despotate system of government during the French conquests of the Levant in the Crusades. French is the language of government; French and English are both widely spoken among the population.
Media
The sole media outlet presently is in the form of government publications that appear erratically. In the future the Despotate hopes to attract independent journalists to report more effectively on the subject.