Kingdom of the Golliez

Kingdom of the Golliez
Royaume du Golliez (fr)
Rouèômo dou Golliez (frp)
Kingdom of the Golliez Royaume du Golliez (fr); Rouèômo dou Golliez (frp)
	Flag Coat of arms
	Motto: "Tozo mi louéin, tozo mi hâtt" "Always further, always higher"
	Anthem: Lôn evèr
	Map of Europe, The Golliez is marked with the green dot.
Status	Active
Location	Lens, Switzerland
Capital	Ardoises
Largest village	Ardoises
Official languages	Franco-Provençal, French
Recognised national languages	Franco-Provençal, French, Neapolitan, Italian
Ethnic groups (2023)	83.5% Caucasians; 16.5% Afro-Carribeans;
Religion (2023)	100% Christianity;
Demonym(s)	Golliatzons
Government	Hereditary monarchy
• King	Maxime I
Legislature	Parliament
Independence from Switzerland
• Independence	26 November 2022
• Constitution ratified	14 December 2022
Area
• Total	0.0004 km2 (0.00015 sq mi)
Population
• 2022 census	4
Membership	6
Currency	Rondin (R)
Time zone	GMT+1
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+41
	Website; Official website
	This nation is a member of the Union Against Micronational War

The Kingdom of the Golliez (French: Royaume du Golliez; Franco-Provençal: Rouèômo dou Golliez), more commonly known as The Golliez, is a micronation enclaved in southern Switzerland established in 2022.

Etymology

Golliez means puddle in Franco-Provençal. It's the only state in the world that recognise this language as a national one and that uses it for administration and so on.

Franco-Provençal was spoken in the area (Canton of Valais) for centuries before that French was the only language admitted at school in the 19^th century. Since this time, the number of native locutors of Franco-Provençal began to decrease and is nowadays known only by the elderly and a very few young people.

As an effort of conservation, the government chose this name to encourage its inhabitants to rediscover their language.

History

The kingdom is founded on the 26^th of November 2022 by the king Maxime I. Independence has always been obvious. The lack of freedom and the ever-increasing cost of living motivated this decision.

The constitution is ratified by the king and the parliament's president on the 14^th of December of the same year.

On the 31^st of May 2023, the kingdom became a member of the Union Against Micronational War (UAMW). In a statement the same day, the king declared that the entry into the union was decided because "... our country was created for the purpose of peace and goodwill towards the nations of the whole world."

The Golliez has also been an observer member of the Union of Micronations of Central Europe (UMCE) since 8 September 2023.

On the 19^th of December of the same year, after months of tractations to become a member of the Grand Unified Micronational (GUM), the kingdom withdrawed his application as it has never been mentioned in any quorum sessions despite the numerous requests.

On the 16^th of February 2024, the kingdom sent a request to become a member of the League of Independent Nations, which was approved on the 13^th of April^[1].

Geography and climate

The kingdom is situated at an altitude of 999 meters for its lowest point and 1006 meters above the sea for its highest point. It has no water in it, except the puddle on the top of the kingdom from which it takes his name. This puddle is used to water trees and plants across the kingdom with a small canal.

It is common in summer to have temperatures higher than 35 °C but winters are cold ones with common temperatures which gets lower than -20 °C, especially in January and February. However, its climate is very dry and is described as a mediterranean one.

Environment

Fauna and flora has always been monitored. The Royal Office of Environment (ROEV) published a list of the animals and insects that have been caught on camera and the plants growing inside the kingdom.

This aims to know the diversity of fauna and thus allow the implementation of strategies to guarantee its conservation. It is also a way to prevent damage caused by various animals to crops and homes.

The list is accessible on the kingdom's website, in both Franco-Provençal and French languages.

Politics and administration

The Royal Parliament exercises the legislative power while the king exercises the executive power. Law projects can be proposed by either the parliament or the king.

The territory is subdivided in two arrondissements, three districts and eight municipalities called "communes".

The capital of the kingdom is the village of Ardoises. The king's palace, which also serves as the government palace, is located there.

Economy

The majority of workers are commuters working outside the kingdom.

Currency

The currency of the Golliez is the Rondin (R). Coins are made of aluminium and casted by the Royal Bank. The first serie was made in 2022 and is still in use.

Banknotes are currently under study and should be put into circulation during the year 2024.

Agriculture

The agriculture is the main part of the kingdom's economy. It consists of wheat, barley and spelt fields and orchards of fruit trees.

Culture

Public holidays are New Year festivals, Catholic festivals and Independence Day.

Name	Date	Notes
New Year's Day	1 January	The first day of the Gregorian year.
Saint Joseph's Day	19 March	Fathers's day; Celebrates Joseph, father of Jesus.
Easter Day	Between 22 March and 25 April	Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.
Corpus Christi	60 days after Easter	Celebrates the real presence of Jesus.
Assumption of Mary	15 August	Celebrates the rise to heaven of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Independence Day	26 November	The day of the foundation of the kingdom.
Christmas Day	25 December	Traditional commemoration of the birth of Jesus.
New Year's Eve	31 December	The final day of the Gregorian year; Saint Sylvester's Day.

National emblem

The red deer is the national emblem of the kingdom. That's the most representative animal of the nation which is situated in the middle of the forest, in a glade. Although the red deer is the emblem of the kingdom, it causes a lot of damage to young trees. This is why the government encourages homeowners to plant tall trees instead of small ones.

Military and security

The Royal Armed Forces of the Golliez consists in a single infantry company which was created to prevent enemy attacks and support the population in case of natural disasters. Being a pacific country, the Royal Army will never lead attacks against any other state but will be only deployed in case of invasion attempt.

As the territory is enclaved in Switzerland, it's protected de facto by the Swiss Armed Forces, but no foreign military forces are tolerated inside the kingdom as proclamated in the 7^th article of the constitution (except if a treaty was concluded before).

The Golliez has a police which guarantees people's safety and infrastructures. It's based in the village of Ardoises and is competent for the whole territory.

Foreign relations

All micronations and nations around the world are considered friendly by the government.

Mutual recognition

Diplomatic and informal relations

Religion

The state religion is the Roman Catholic Church, however, other religions are tolerated.

The patron saint of the kingdom is Siricius, pope between 384 and 399. An oratory and a statue representing him are being developed (late 2023). The oratory is built of dry stone and the statue of wood, partly covered with gold paint. These objects are entirely made with raw materials from the kingdom.

References

↑ Voting results of the 75^th session of the LIN

[1] Voting results of the 75^th session of the LIN

[1]