Phoklandian Free State

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Not to be confused with Falkland.
Phoklandian Free State
Estado Libre de Phokland
Fokland Vrystaat
Motto: "Ster Van Die Weste"
"Star of the west" (eng)
Anthem: March of the Union
Imperial Anthem:
Gott erhalte, Gott beschütze
Territory of Wynland
Territory of Wynland
CapitalOrbly
Largest cityStroma
Official languagesEnglish, Spanish, Afrikaans
Recognised regional languagesPhoklandian, Navārdian
Demonym(s)Phoklandian
GovernmentUnitary parliamentary triarchical feudal semi-republic
Casper von Navārdia
Charles Ross
Richard Seeger
LegislatureUnion Triumvirate
• Upper house
Diarchical Council
• Lower house
President's Council
Independence from America
• Phoklandian independence
10 February 2007
• Reformed
30 October 2019
• Union Established
1 January 2020
• Union Dissolved
15 April 2020
Population
• 2020 estimate
35 (based on February 2020 census)
GDP (nominal)estimate
• Total
₳200 (Based on 2018 statistics)
CurrencyAtlanto
US Dollar accepted unofficially
Time zoneUTC-7:00 in Gleichenberg and Wynland
UTC-6:00 in Stroma
UTC-4:30 in Orbly, Todge, Pope Island and New Santiago
UTC-3:00 in Northarctica
UTC+12:00 in Arcelia
Date formatdd/mm/yy (Phoklandian Calendar)
Driving sideright
Calling code+1
Internet TLD.com

Phokland (officially the Phoklandian Free State and also known as the Union of Phokland or Electorate of Phokland) was the final incarnation of a series of unrecognized, non-contiguous sovereign estates of the Holy Roman Empire - better known as micronations - located in the southern United States and north-western Antarctica that were created by longtime micronationalist, Charles Ross. The nation was loosely based on South Africa and the Orange Free State. Therefore, the nation used many traditions and symbols associated with said states.

Phokland was formed in 2007 as a separatist state but had since transitioned into more of a community than a genuine independence movement. The governing philosophy of the state was "peace through diplomacy" and as such, the nation attempted to maintain constant positive relations with as many other nations as possible. It is for this and several others that Phokland has gained some notoriety within the community, particularly within the MicroWiki, Atlanta and Kyberian sectors.[1] Phokland dissolved on the 15th of April 2020 following a split in the government leading to the breakup of the nation.

Etymology

The name Phokland comes from a combination of the country name of Poland and the swear word "f**k". Historically however, the country of Phokland has gone under several different names:

History

The Phoklandian Free State has existed in some capacity, excluding a four-year hiatus, since 2007. During this time, the country has gone through eight different names and governmental structures.

Pre-Phoklandian history

Main article: Kingdom of Rosston

The idea of Phokland was first conceived by Charles Ross in early 2007 as a way to establish an absolute monarchical kingdom in the playground of his primary school in Gilbert, Arizona. The nation officially came into existence at noon on 10 February 2007. The new nation was given the name of the Kingdom of Rosston, and Ross was given the title of King Charles I. The initial land claim of the kingdom was made up of the sandbox and play structure in the playground. However, other territories were eventually added to the nation, including King Charles' bedroom and the local swimming pool (though the claims to these territories were disputed). In addition, many of the King's friends also joined the nation as subjects during this time. Though originally fictional in nature, the Kingdom of Rosston was able to get minor recognition from the school and (to an even lesser extent) the neighborhood it resided in.

Flag of the Kingdom of Rosston

The nation continued in this capacity until late 2013, when it was decided by Charles I that the nation lacked the motivation necessary to continue its existence. Therefore, on the evening of 11 December 2013, all actions of the Kingdom of Rosston as a nation were put on hiatus and Charles I indefinitely suspended his role as monarch.

People's Republic

Following four years of inactivity, Rosston's original founder Charles Ross and his friend Brock Lang sought to restore the Kingdom. However, unlike its previous fictional form, the new nation was designed to act as a political experiment. This experiment would be to prove that young adults (i.e. older teenagers) were capable of running a government successfully. The idea was created in response to the two founders becoming angry at their home macronation's perceived lack of respect towards younger people and its lack of governmental representation for teenagers and young adults.

On the evening of 13 December 2017, Ross (then Prime Minister) and Lang (then Minister of Defense) ratified the first Phoklandian Declaration of Independence, thus re-establishing the Kingdom of Rosston. However, it was decided soon after independence that the nation would change its name to Phokland and (for a short time) not have a monarchy, thus re-establishing the country as a democratic republic.

From 13 December 2017 until 27 April 2018, Phokland functioned as a democratic republic, with Ross serving as the nation's first Prime Minister. During this time, the country saw the establishment of its first governing body, The Phoklandian Emergency Senate, as well as the acquisition of Phokland's first official area of territory as the result of a land purchase by Prime Minister Ross. This time period also saw the beginning of Phokland's (tumultuous) relationship with the Empire of Lanzantonia.

Aerial map of the People's Republic of Phokland's original land claim

From 26–27 April 2018 the then People's Republic of Phokland suffered a national crisis when Lang resigned from his position as Defense Minister and effectively left the nation. This event left Prime Minister Ross as the only active citizen of the country. Due to this, he decided to re-establish his status as a monarch, specifically as a Prince, and to re-establish the nation as a Principality.

Principality

Hours after the decision to make Phokland a principality, Brock Lang changed his mind about leaving the country and was shortly thereafter appointed to the role of Prime Minister, in an event known as the "Phoklandian Unification." Lang held the position of Prime Minister until he was voted out of office during the 2018 elections, succeeded by the Chairman of the Phokland First Party, James Ellis.

Under this new government of Prince Charles I, the nation saw a rise in population, growing from two people in April 2018 to thirty three by October of that same year. The new government also formalized the military of Phokland and entered into diplomatic relations with other states such as the Republic of Bonumland and the Principality of New Eiffel.

Viceroyalty

Antarctic claims of Phokland

On 11 November 2018, Phokland was annexed by the Principality of Domanglia. This annexation was the result of a lack of resources which had led to the complete collapse of Phokland's economy, and a need for a more stable ruling government. Domanglian annexation was seen as the best option for fixing this and Phokland was given to them. Among the conditions of this annexation were that Phokland would be self-governed through a new local government, with Charles I acting as viceroy of the new state whilst retaining the title of Prince.

Tsardom

Following the dissolution of the Principality of Domanglia on 29 January 2019, Phokland regained its independence, and was reorganized into a Tsardom, with Charles I being crowned Tsar. Following this, the nation experienced rapid growth in population, land, and recognition. Phokland quickly began forming diplomatic relations with several states and expanded its territorial size, claiming two separate areas of land within the continent of Antarctica (the disputed claims of the Lordship of Arcelia and Territory of Northarctica).

Example of a one hundred dollar bank note issued under Phokland's new currency.

In addition, several new acts of legislation were introduced, with the most significant one being the Anti Discrimination Act of 2019. Phokland also introduced a new currency, the Phoklandian Imperial Dollar, which has an exchange rate based on the United States' currency (USD).

Reorganization

In late July 2019, the Tsardom of Phokland entered into a state of national crisis when inactivity within the nation reached a critical amount. At this time most of the government was inactive, and while a mid-July poll showed that the majority of citizens wished to continue the nation, the poll showed that they would rather the monarch reign as an absolute Tsarist Autocrat. As such, on the thirty first of July 2019 and in accordance with this and other voted upon decisions, the reigning monarch Tsar Charles I, dissolved the democratic government (choosing instead to consolidate power within a small select group of ministers) and renounced all claims to the continent of Antarctica, instead deciding to maintain a ceremonial "claim" of "land" on the geofictional planate of Micras and maintaining claims to the former U.S. Phoklandian Embassy (later renamed to the Grand Duchy of Vundenberg and designated as the nation's capital).

Project Micras

In early 2019, the Phoklandian government began a campaign to reinstate and revitalize the citizenry. To do this, it was decided that (in addition to its real Antarctic claims) Phokland would acquire a sizable piece of "land" (roughly 810,000² km) on the geofictional planet of Micras. This area came to be known as "Phoklandian Micras". This area was not recognized as a part of the country but rather as a "community project" that was designed to give the citizens of Phokland something to work on together that would hopefully add new light to the nation.

The physical makeup of the Phoklandian territory on Micras was primarily tropical in nature. The area rested in the northern most coastal regions of the continent of Eura in southern Micras. The majority of the territory was populated by junglescape terrain and tropical beaches. The only exceptions to this were parts of the southeastern portion of the nation where the climate is dramatically hotter than anywhere else in the country, and hence primarily a desert biome. South of the mainland (within the Corasaunt river) is the small island of Kaiserliche ("Imperial Island" in English). This island was (contrary to the rest of the nation) mostly forest and is primarily made up of rocky coasts and densely forested areas. The island is roughly 10,000 square kilometers in size and is home to roughly 16,000 "people". The small island was also the home of the Principality of Lisseum (a phoklandian feudal state).

These holdings would not last long however, as on 25 August 2019, Phokland surrendered all micrasian holdings to the Principality of Graustark following it's declaration of succession from Phokland.

Abdication crisis

Between August and October 2019, Phokland entered into another state of national emergency when the incumbent monarch; Charles Ross abdicated in favor of former Prime Minister Mia Sanchez. Upon taking the throne, The new Tsar (now retitled as Empress but still commonly referred to by the old title) caused uproar amongst the citizenry due to many of them not wanting the old ruler to leave.

This disdain was further compacted by Empress Mia's lack of activity within the nation. This caused a divisive rift between the government with the new Prime Minister taking de facto leadership over the country.

The (seemingly) problematic reign of Tsar Mia ended on the evening of 9 October 2019 when the Prime Minister along with the former monarch (who had been off running the state of Graustark) and several other members of the cabinet and military took control of Phokland's capital and convinced Mia to abdicate, thus re-establishing Tsar Charles as sovereign of Phokland. One day later, he was crowned King of the Phoklandians (though like Mia, the title of Tsar continues to be popularly used).

Emosian agreement

Once returned to the throne, King Charles soon realized that the nation lacked the necessary structure to continue on its own. Therefore, on 11 October 2019, by royal decree; the Tsardom of Phokland was officially re-organized into the Phoklandian Imperium and was reconstituted into an independent protectorate of the Empire of Emosia (in a structure similar to Japanese controlled Manchukuo). Under this new structure, Charles would be allowed to continue his reign as Phokland's ruler with Emosian monarch James I being given the position of Governor General and acknowledged as the nation's unified superior. This submission has since been referred to as the "Emosian agreement".

This agreement would be short lived as on the 30th of October, Phokland declared independence from emosian dominionship. This was due to massive amounts of inactivity and neglect on the part of the emosian government. Following independence, Phokland reorganized itself back into a royal state; becoming a de jure Kingdom while remaining a de facto Tsardom.

Union

Unfortunately, the newly gained re-independence did little to help curb the lack of activity within the nation. Therefore, as a last ditch effort to save the Phoklandian project; ruler Charles Ross officially abolished the monarchy, suspended the legislature and took power as State President (a title borrowed from the south-African Boer states). In addition, the newly established "republican" nation merged with the small (but considerably more active) Grand Duchy of Navārdia. This new union equally united the country into three provinces - Homelandian, Navārdian and Anarctic.

Dissolution

On 15 April 2020, Navārdia declared independence from the Union; along with them went a majority of the nation's land and citizens. Finding the situation no longer sustainable and additionally finding the state without a working government, the State President, the Press Minister and Charles Ross (not serving a specific role at the time) collectively decided that the country should end. Therefore, at midnight on 15 April 2020 the Phoklandian Free State officially dissolved, thus ending the thirteen year non-continuous run of the nation.

Geography

Phokland as a whole was comprised of three provinces at time of dissolution. The provinces were, in total, comprised of two cities, three towns, one territory, two counties and two special administrative regions. All Phoklandian claims fell under the administration of the federal government and, in the case of the Navārdia province, a local administration with special privileges.

Name Flag Capital Date of Founding
Homeland Province
City of Stroma N/A 13 July 2019
Town of Gleichenberg N/A 8 April 2018
Town of Entenburg N/A 1 March 2020
Wynland SAR N/A 15 December 2017
Navārdia Province
City of Orbly N/A 1 January 2020
Town of Todge N/A 29 September 2019
Pope Island N/A 23 October 2019
New Santiago SAR N/A 12 January 2020
Antarctic Province
County of Arcelia New Gilbert 5 February 2019
County of Northarctica Royal Point 6 February 2019

Climate

The weather patters within Phokland varied greatly depending on one's location within the country.

Climate in Homeland

Climate data for Wynland
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 20
(68) 		22
(72) 		26
(79) 		30
(86) 		35
(95) 		40
(104) 		41
(106) 		41
(106) 		38
(100) 		32
(90) 		25
(77) 		18
(64) 		41
(106)
Daily mean °C (°F) 14
(57) 		16
(61) 		19
(66) 		23
(73) 		28
(82) 		33
(91) 		35
(95) 		34
(93) 		32
(90) 		25
(77) 		18
(64) 		13
(55) 		24
(75)
Average low °C (°F) 8
(46) 		9
(48) 		12
(54) 		16
(61) 		21
(70) 		26
(79) 		29
(84) 		28
(82) 		25
(77) 		19
(66) 		12
(54) 		7
(45) 		7
(45)
Average Precipitation mm (inches) 4.1
(0.161) 		6.8
(0.268) 		3.9
(0.154) 		0.8
(0.031) 		0.1
(0.004) 		0
(0) 		6.4
(0.252) 		6.5
(0.256) 		2.4
(0.094) 		1.4
(0.055) 		1.2
(0.047) 		4.4
(0.173) 		3.2
(0.126)
Source: [1] (data from 1985–2015)

Climate in Navārdia

Climate data for Orbly, Pope Island and New Santiago
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 13
(55) 		15
(59) 		19
(66) 		24
(75) 		28
(82) 		31
(88) 		32
(90) 		32
(90) 		28
(82) 		23
(73) 		18
(64) 		14
(57) 		32
(90)
Daily mean °C (°F) 6
(43) 		8
(46) 		12
(54) 		16
(61) 		21
(70) 		24
(75) 		26
(79) 		26
(79) 		22
(72) 		16
(61) 		11
(52) 		7
(45) 		16
(61)
Average low °C (°F) 0
(32) 		1
(34) 		5
(41) 		8
(46) 		14
(57) 		18
(64) 		20
(68) 		20
(68) 		16
(61) 		9
(48) 		4
(39) 		1
(34) 		0
(32)
Average Precipitation mm (inches) 52.7
(2.075) 		62.4
(2.457) 		59
(2.32) 		38.4
(1.512) 		31.6
(1.244) 		47.8
(1.882) 		55.7
(2.193) 		46.2
(1.819) 		28
(1.1) 		22.3
(0.878) 		38.3
(1.508) 		52.7
(2.075) 		44.6
(1.756)
Source: [2] (data from 1985–2015)
Climate data for Todge
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 8
(46) 		10
(50) 		15
(59) 		21
(70) 		25
(77) 		29
(84) 		30
(86) 		30
(86) 		26
(79) 		20
(68) 		15
(59) 		9
(48) 		30
(86)
Daily mean °C (°F) 2
(36) 		4
(39) 		9
(48) 		14
(57) 		19
(66) 		23
(73) 		25
(77) 		24
(75) 		20
(68) 		14
(57) 		8
(46) 		4
(39) 		14
(57)
Average low °C (°F) -3
(27) 		-2
(28) 		2
(36) 		7
(45) 		12
(54) 		17
(63) 		19
(66) 		18
(64) 		14
(57) 		7
(45) 		2
(36) 		-1
(30) 		−3
(27)
Average Precipitation mm (inches) 51.1
(2.012) 		53.6
(2.11) 		65.7
(2.587) 		68.2
(2.685) 		70.1
(2.76) 		75.8
(2.984) 		68
(2.68) 		46.8
(1.843) 		45.2
(1.78) 		34.1
(1.343) 		49.2
(1.937) 		66.8
(2.63) 		57.9
(2.28)
Source: [3] (data from 1985–2015)

Government

Phokland was a diarchical feudal state with a council of three leaders, known as the Union Triumvirate, which headed the nation's affairs. These leaders included the State President; who was tasked with serving as Head of State, Chancellor of Court; who was responsible for acting as a de facto Head of Government and, Prince-elector who's job it was to represent Phokland in the legislation of the nation's feudal overlord (the Holy Roman Empire) known as the Imperial Diet. Together, these three individuals further outsourced government positions to others, usually as a reward for winning local elections organized at the Triumvirate's leisure.

Flag of the Principality of Phokland hanging in a citizen's bedroom

Incumbent members of government

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Phokland

Since gaining independence, Phokland had engaged in many forms of diplomacy both inside and outside of the micronational realm. As a courtesy, Phokland de facto recognized all micronations and geofictional projects. However, Phokland declared its de jure recognition of many states, and also maintained formal diplomatic relations with several nations both around and outside of the earth. In addition, Phokland maintained membership within two super-national organisations; those being the Holy Roman Empire and the League of Professional Nations, the former of which Phokland was a client state of.

Nations formally recognized by Phokland

Nations with mutual diplomacy

Culture

National holidays

Date Name Purpose
1 January New Year's Day/Union Day Celebrates the incoming year and the day that the Union was founded.
10 February Kingdom Day Celebrates the founding of the Kingdom of Rosston.
12 July Phoklore Day Celebrates local and international urban legends, folklore, etc.
25 August John McCain Day Marks the date of former United States Senator John McCain's death.
1 October (every other year) Election Day Voting Day for all (electable) government positions.
7 October Maxine Ross Memorial Day Day of remembrance for the late Maxine D. Ross, the first director of the Phoklandian Border Patrol.
13 December Founding Day Celebrates the day that the Kingdom of Rosston was reorganized into Phokland.
25 December Christmas Celebration of the Christian holiday.

Cuisine

Phoklandian cuisine is primarily based upon that of America, but has influence from around the world. Favorite foods around Phokland include sandwiches, pasta, pizza and salad. Water, tea and milk are the most common beverages in the nation, although carbonated drinks and cocktails are often served as well (with virgin options for those under the legal drinking age). Phokland has its own cocktail, called the Balmorran Sunrise.

Economy

Logo of the national ferry company (based in Vundenberg)

The economy of Phokland is primarily agricultural, with several state-run gardens and fields being used. These gardens are used primarily to grow red peppers, cherry tomatoes and lettuce. In addition, Phokland also exports different types of teas. This tea trade is Phokland's most lucrative export and, though owned by the Phoklandian government, is managed by the South Balmora Trading Company. Most of the plants grown in Phokland are sold at a local farmer's market located near to the capital. The growing and selling of plants at market is the responsibility of the Minister of Agriculture. Besides agriculture, Phokland is also home to several small privately run businesses.

The Phoklandian Free State currently holds trade agreements with several states, these being:

Nation's name Type of agreement Resources exported Resources imported
Empire of Kyberia Free Trade Area Military surplus, etc. Tea, etc.
Commonwealth of Dracul Limited Trade Agreement Tea Turtles, custom heraldry

All trade is managed by the Trade Minister and the State President.

Military

Phoklandian Civil Ensign

At present, the nation of Phokland currently posses a standing defensive military known as the Phoklandian Defense Force (PDF). The purpose of the force is to protect the nation's territorial holdings from external threats, as well as to conduct border patrols and general civil service.

In the past, Phokland has also had a Coast Guard. This was due to a large lake that surrounds most of mainland Phokland's territory. The Coast Guard adopted the same ranking system as that of the U.S. Navy, with the exception of the rank of Chief Admiral. For the most part, the Phoklandian Coast Guard served a ceremonial purpose, as Phokland did not need military protection most of the time.

At its dissolution, the Phoklandian Coast Guard consisted of eleven individuals and one boat, the P.C.G. Langston (named after founding member Brock Lang). There also existed the Phoklandian Royal Guard, a detachment that was tasked with the protection of the sitting Monarch, the Prime Minister, and other "high priority" government officials.

Currently, the Phoklandian Border Patrol and the Domanglian Foreign Intelligence Service exist as private organisations contracted by the Phoklandian Government to patrol the land borders of Phokland's territory and to protect Phoklandian citizens. While under contract, these organizations are under the direct command of the Monarch.

Conflicts

Between 14 December 2017 and 27 April 2018, Phokland was engaged in the Conquest of New Persia.

On 4 April 2018, Charles I declared war against the nation of Mangolia, primarily due to its declaration of war against Iustus, a former Phoklandian ally. Two days later, Mangolia surrendered and was reconstituted as the Republic of South Mangolia with partial political control being gifted to the Phoklandian government. However, on 9 April the remnants of the Mangolian Army regrouped and declared war on the Principality of Phokland, the Principality of Gleichenberg and the Grand Imperial Empire of Lanzantonia (another former Phoklandian ally). On 7 August of the same year, Charles I declared an unofficial ceasefire with the Mangolian rebels due to the facts that the conflict had essentially turned into a "cold war" and that a financial decline in Phokland had made a continuation of the war effort seemingly impractical.

On 18 January 2019, a former Phoklandian ally called Indecencia declared "war" on Phokland, despite the fact that at that time Phokland was a part of the nation of Domanglia and did not claim sovereignty. However, following Phokland's independence later that month, Indecencia hardened their claims of war. Phokland refuses to admit that any war took place, and due to the nature of it refers to the conflict as a diplomatic misunderstanding as opposed to an all out war. The situation was eventually resolved in March 2019, when both sides agreed to drop all claims of diplomatic tension and return their relationship to what it had been prior to the conflict.

On 15 April 2019, Phokland participated in the Emosian Civil War. This conflict was sparked when the Khanate of Spunkia launched an invasion of the Empire of Emosia. During this invasion, the Emosian Phoklandian Embassy was overrun and ransacked. As a result of this (and following through on a mutual defense treaty signed with Emosia) Phokland declared war on the khanate. Following a two week long campaign, phoklandian forces were able to retake their embassy, and the war ended in victory for Phokland.

On 13 August 2019, Phokland declared de facto war on a guerrilla militia that has engaged in several cross border raids and pipe bombings against PDF service members.

External links

See also

Holy Roman Empire
Order of Unity

References

  1. ↑ "Micronational Popularity Index". MicroWiki, 12 March 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  2. ↑ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1opylvclzvr7HCLxK_HqVD5jOH5WmB0K_gb832aUx1-I/edit?usp=sharing Treaty with Phokland and Cycoldia
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