Kingdom of Pontunia

Kingdom of Pontunia
Kingdom of Pontunia
	Flag Coat of arms
	Motto: "Tu Es Tutes" "You are Saved"
	Anthem: "Thaxted"
Capital	New Rouen
Official languages	Louisiana French, Kouri-Vini, English
Religion	Catholicism
Demonym(s)	Pontunian
Government	Unitary constitutional monarchy
• King	Andrew I
• Regent	Reynaud de Bourbonelle-Acadiana
• Prime Minister	Alexandra
Legislature	15th Parliament of Pontunia
Establishment
• Independence of Pontunia	12 January 2020
• Elevation to Kingdom	5 August 2021
• Restoration	19 December 2023
Population
• December 2023 estimate	15 residents, 10 online citizens
HDI	0.893; very high
Currency	Pontunian Ducat
Time zone	UTC-6 (LST)
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy VE
Driving side	right
Internet TLD	.po (proposed)

Pontunia, officially the Kingdom of Pontunia, is an independent sovereign state, commonly known as a micronation by external observers. Located primarily in Metairie, Louisiana, with other enclaves and semi-enclaves in Acadiana, The Florida Parishes and the Greater New Orleans Area, Pontunia consists of 15 citizens residing within its main area, and numerous online citizens.

Etymology

Pontchartrain and Maurepas are the names of two lakes situated to the north of Pontunia, which upon its creation in January 2020 was founded with the name "Pontchartrain-Maurepas". The shorter name "Pontunia" was soon derived from this as a nickname. Etymologies retrospectively assigned to Pontunia alone include the Greek primordial deity of the sea Pontus, or the Latin pōns ("bridge") in reference to the nearby Lake Pontchartrain Causeway.

History

On 12 January 2020, Andrew Perdomo, inspired after learning about the micronations of Molossia and Sealand, signed a Declaration of Independence to “preserve the culture and beauty of Southern Louisiana”, and became Duke of Pontchartrain-Maurepas, with his father Eric Perdomo, Lord of the Floridian March, as his regent. However, the Regency was abolished shortly afterwards on the 16th after a committee of vassals debated Andrew I’s minority, and decided that Andrew was not incapable of ruling and therefore did not require a regency. Eric was named heir apparent.

The Duchy had been founded with vague territorial claims, ill-defined other than a plan for an optimum future extent. On 2 September, the actual territorial extent of the Duchy was defined, with the name of the Ducal Domain. Shortly after this, a communist insurrection broke out against the ducal government, but was successfully quashed on 7 October.

On 13 February 2021 Pontunia was partitioned between an independent micronation and New Pontunia.

On 5 August 2021, the Duchy became a Kingdom.

The Long Year

On 26 February 2023, Madgett v. Perdomo was filed and decided in favor of Charles Madgett, beginning his attempts to annex Pontunia. This led to Pontunian residents declaring a Catholic Republic. On 13 May 2023 the monarchy was restored under Andrew Perdomo. In October, after repeated failures in convening a Parliament, Andrew Perdomo abolished the monarchy, only for the monarchy to be restored by the people on 19 December.

Government and politics

Pontunia is officially a devolved parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The constitution of 2024 puts heavy emphasis on the parliament.

Political parties

Pontunia is mostly non-partisan, with most Members of Parliament being independents. The Coalition of National Unity is the oldest continuous organization in Pontunia, maintaining its political movement since the founding of the nation.

Foreign Relations and Defense

The diplomatic relations of Pontunia are implemented by the Monarch. The United States of America claims ownership of all land comprising Pontchartrain-Maurepas.

Macronational overview

Recognized	Special status	Partial	Unrecognized	Condemned
Vatican City Taiwan Russia Serbia Kingdom of Laos Sovereign Military Order of Malta Tibet Afghanistan Abkhazia South Ossetia Somaliland		Afghanistan Kosovo	Ukraine	Israel China North Korea Venezuela Iran Cuba Palestine

Micronational overview

Dependencies	Recognized	Condemned	Non-State Enemies
Kalamastia	Bushistan Begon Kamore Cycoldia Terra Excelsior Gapla Bryantia Cotter Menaceland Westarctica Ladonia Pibocip * West Who Aigues-Mortes Fergus Slabovia Molossia Flandrensis Shiloh Ruritania Raphania Aethodia Saint-Castin North Barchant Obsidia Amethonia Socialist Republic of Duck Island Kapreburg Empire of Karnia-Ruthenia Free Nation of New Athens Austenasia	Ela'r'oech

Law and order

Pontunia has abolished capital punishment.

Elarians were expelled from Pontunia for security reasons.

The Pontunian military is ultimately responsible for the defense of the nation. The Army is not a standing army, but called upon in times of need.

Geography, territory and climate

Pontunia is mostly flat and built on drained swamp, the city of New Orleans is below sea level. The climate is subtropical and warm most of the year.

Economy

The Ducat is on a Silver Standard, alongside considering Oreo packages legal tender.

Culture and media

Typical music of the area includes jazz and zydeco. The National Dance is called “bōenska”, or Quarterstaff Dance. It also functions as a martial art of sorts, and is taught to the army, as well as privately.

Classification of Pontunia

Bricks and Mortar, Small, Statehood — 5th World (Boodlesmythe-Tallini)
3.6 (Dresner's)
1.9 (Economic Potential Index)
3.46 (Democracy Index)
4 (Freayth's)
3.2 (Linden's)