Principality of Southwater
Principality of Southwater Fyrstendømmet Sydvand | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
| |
| Motto: Where the waves break free | |
| Capital territories | Timber Cove, Sydhavn |
| Largest city | Timber Cove |
| Official languages | English, Danish |
| Demonym(s) | Southwatrian |
| Government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Kalan Cameron af Sydhavn | |
| Legislature | Crown Council |
| Establishment | |
• Declared independence | 11 January 2024 |
• Integrated into Alsann | 30 April 2024 |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.47 km2 (0.95 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2024 estimate | 2 |
• Density | 0.8/km2 (2.1/sq mi) |
| Currency | Alsane mark (ANM) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (AWST) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +61 (de facto) |
| Internet TLD | .au (de facto) .sw (planned) |
Website Government website | |
Southwater, formally the Principality of Southwater, is a federal state and sovereign principality of the Commonwealth of Alsann. It is located in the south-west of Australia. It was declared independent on 11 January 2024 from the Alsann Republic, and became the first state to form the Commonwealth of Alsann on 30 April 2024. The Principality consists of two regions and one regional municipality. Southwater has two capital cities, with the seat of the executive in Sydhavn and the seat of the legislature in Timber Cove.
The Principality of Southwater, as a federal state of the Commonwealth of Alsann, hosts its own sovereign government which has remained unchanged since its foundation. It has two organs of government. The Principality is led by the Sovereign Prince, Kalan Cameron af Sydhavn[a]. Its legislature, which also acts as constitutional court, is the 4-member Crown Council.
Etymology
The name 'Southwater' was inspired by the Swan Coast's placement on the southern coast of Australia, facing a southward expanse of the Southern Ocean.
The name was originally devised during the Concordian Republic's demise, as a geographically descriptive name for a state. However, when the Alsann Republic was formed, the name was not put into use. It was the original name of a seat for the 2022 Alsane federal elections, although by the time of the election the seat was known as Ithyca instead. Southwater, in reference to the territories, began when it declared independence on 11 January 2024.
The nation also uses a Danish name, Fyrstendømmet Sydvand, as a second-language name for the Principality. Danish is used due to the Principality's inspiration in its approach to statehood, using many alternative Danish names.
History
The Principality of Southwater was only the second monarchy to occupy the region, preceded by the short-lived Crown Republic of Flinders. It was first considered due to the continuing issue of inactivity in Alsann, which by late 2023 had reached such a point that elections could not be organised. Late December marked the first point of real consideration for statehood, when the flag of the Principality was designed and a system of government considered. It was already determined that the two stars reflected a southern and northern territory, which were eventually decided to be the Swan Coast and Ibisca, respectively. In the following week, the model of the Principality led by a Sovereign Prince came to be shaped, with the objective of avoiding monarchical grandeur while retaining the benefits of a constant head of state.
On 11 January 2024, the Principality of Southwater published an article on its website including a declaration of independence from the Alsann Republic, called the 'Notice of Secession'. It declared 'unequivocal independence' from Alsann, established the offices of Sovereign Prince and Crown Council, and requested that Alsann not take military action against the new nation. Shortly thereafter, the Sovereign Prince's office announced a number of symbols representing the Prince, including the Princely Flag (pictured).
On 27 February, Southwater gained territory in its southern regions due to the 'New Southwater' territorial reforms. The New Southwater plan included the creation of a new region on the west-facing coast – which would become the Leeuwin Coast – while reducing the Swan Coast's size to be more centralised and establishing new maritime boundaries of 2 nautical miles. This change in territory resulted in a net gain of 1.2km2, and the inclusion of 25 new islands and islets.
The principality gained 3 ensigns on 24 April, with the inclusion of the National, Princely, and Naval Ensigns. Also announced on that day was formal rules on the display and design of all flags and ensigns. Six days later, on 30 April, a political party named the Social Democrats announced their formation in the Crown Council. These were inspired by the Danish Social Democrats, with influences from the green movement as well.
On 8 March 2024, the Sovereign Prince signed in secrecy a draft agreement set forward by an unknown party which included the basis for the Commonwealth of Alsann. In collaboration with the Sovereign Prince, the agreement was modified over the next month until its announcement to the public on 30 April 2024 as the Commonwealth Ascension Agreement, later known as the Charter of Alsann. Southwater was the first state of the Commonwealth, which introduced a new confederation model where the states would be empowered to retain their government and sovereignty. The Flinders Republic joined on 1 May 2024, allowing the Commonwealth to begin operations in earnest.
Since joining the Commonwealth, the Principality of Southwater has enjoyed a role as a highly influential state, holding a seat in the National Assembly for the Regional Municipality of Ibisca. As part of joining the Commonwealth, it made compromises with the Alsane government which include the use of Danish as a national language of Alsann.
Notes
- ↑ In full, Sovereign Prince Kalan Cameron af Sydhavn af den territorierne i Sydvand-Leeuwin, or Kalan Cameron af Sydhavn-Leeuwin