Principality of Rossland
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Motto: "Onward" Territorial claim (green) | |
Anthem: Dvorak: Symphony No.9 "From the New World" | |
Official languages | English Maori NZ Sign Language |
Demonym(s) | Rosslander Rosslanders (plural) |
Government | Absolute Monarchy |
• Prince | Ryan James |
Establishment | 11 May 2022 |
Population | |
• Census | 0 (2022) |
Time zone | Varies |
The Principality of Rossland is an antarctic micronation founded on the 11 May 2022. The Principality lays claim to the parts of the Edward VII Peninsula and Roosevelt Island in the Ross Dependency of Antarctica.
Contents
Etymology
The Principality of Rossland was named after its territory's close proximity to the Ross Sea.
History
Edward VII peninsula, claimed by Rossland, was discovered by the British National Antarctic Expediton (1901-1904) led by Robert Falcon Scott, who gave the name of Edward VII Land to the landmark that points out from Marie Byrd Land. Roosevelt Island, which is actually an ice rise, was named in 1934 by Richard E. Byrd after US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Rossland was actually created as a micronational project in 2022 by Ryan James, self-proclaimed prince and head-of-state of Rossland. Before the 1 October 2022, Rossland was a constitutional monarchy with an elected prime minister, however on the annual elections on 1 July 2022 the citizens voted for Rossland to become an absolute monarchy, and it was agreed in parliament that Rossland would begin steps to do so.
Rossland has since become an absolute monarchy and adopted a new system of government, flag and coat of arms representing its new form of administration.
Geography, Climate and Wildlife
The waters surrounding Rossland are on average below freezing (-1.5 °C), however the ocean depths remain unfrozen due to the salinity of the water. Generally, most animals do not survive these temperatures, however the ross sea is full of life.
Wildlife
Penguin species such as the Adelie and Emperor Penguins make the Ross Sea their home, with Adelie Penguins being the most common penguins in the area, there are around 5 million of these birds in the Ross Sea alone. Flying birds such as the Antarctic Petrel and Albatrosses also live here, as well as type c orcas, antarctic minke whales and many small fish and invertebrates such as krill, silverfish and toothfish. Seals such as weddell seals, leopard seals and crabeater seals are the main predators in the Ross Sea.