Port Balaine
| Port Balaine | |||
| State of Floria | |||
| Autonomous State of Port Balaine Autonome Staat Walhavenplaats (bv) État autonome du Port Balaine (ax) | |||
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| Motto: "In posterum cum felicitas" (la) "Into the future with good fortune" | |||
| Anthem: | |||
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| Map versions | 17.0.4– | ||
| Sovereign state |  Floria
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| Capital city | The Promenade | ||
| Largest city | Wellingdon | ||
| Regional languages | Batavian · Istvanistani · Alexandrian | ||
| Recognized languages | Florian | ||
| Ethnic groups | 97.7% White Balainese 2.3% Other | ||
| Religious affiliation | 67.9% Nazarene —53.8% Albigensian —12.1% Protestant —2.0% Other 27.3% Irreligious 4.8% Other | ||
| Demonym | Balainese | ||
| Government | Devolved executive-led autonomous region within a federal two-party republic | ||
| • Chief Counsellor | Charissa Bardsley | ||
| • Deputy Chief Counsellor | Winston Haanraadts | ||
| • Assembly President | Wesley Aitken | ||
| • Senior Judge | Marina Barwegen | ||
| Legislature | Assembly of Keys | ||
| Formation (Norton) | |||
| Admitted to the Micras Cartography Society | 14.XIV.1688 | ||
| Annexation by Floria | 17.XIII.1706 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 20,240 km2 (7,815 sqmi) | ||
| • Water | 2.62% | ||
| Population | |||
| • 1705 census | 2,046,892 | ||
| • Density | 101.1/km2 (261.9/sqmi) | ||
| GDP (PPP) | |||
| • 1706 estimate | $58.55 billion | ||
| • Per capita | $28,602 | ||
| Currency | Florian dollar ($) (FLD) | ||
| Time zone | CMT | ||
| Calendar | Norton Calendar | ||
| Abbreviation | PBN | ||
| Internet TLD | .pb | ||
Port Balaine (/pɔɹt ba.leɪn/ Port Ba-layn; Batavian: Walhavenplaats (/ʋɑl.ɦa.vən.plats/); Alexandrian: Port Balaine (/pɔʁ ba.læɪn/); Florian: Port a' Mhuc-mhara (/port ə muxk.vaɾə/)), officially the Autonomous State of Port Balaine, is an autonomous constituent state in the Liberation Islands of the Confederate States of Floria. It is the southernmost state of Floria, lying in the Southern Norfolk Isles on Apollonia. Port Balaine borders the other Florian Liberation Islands to the north, the Gulf of Esgality to the west, and the North Raynor Sea to the south and east.
The Balainese archipelago comprises four isles: Wells, St. Peter, Herm and the uninhabited Wyrm Skerry. Port Balaine takes its name from the eponymous port in the largest city, Wellingdon, though most of its land area is outside the city. Port Balaine has slightly more than 2 million residents as of 1705 AN, four-fifths of whom reside on Wells. The Promenade, on Herm, is its capital. The state has historical been under the control of numerous nations on Micras, as an important maritime center on the south of Apollonia. In 1706 AN, it was reincorporated into Floria as an autonomous region.
Etymology
The name of the state comes from the Old Alexandrian word "Balaine" for "whale." Port Balaine in its early history was a significant commercial center for whaling and served as a whaling port into early modern times. The state's name retains its archaic spelling in modern Alexandrian.
In Batavian, Port Balaine is instead rendered as "Walhavenplaats" (Whale-Harbortown), and "Port a' Mhuc-mhara" (Port of the Whale) in Florian.
History
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Collaboration: The history section of this article is considered a collaboration. Please contribute if you are knowledgeable of Port Balaine's or the Southern Norfolk Isles' history. |
Historical crossroads
The Norfolk Isles carries one of the oldest names on Micras. The early Republic of Norfolk, created around 1440 AN, held a distinction as a naval and fishing center in southern Apollonia, and was site of numerous naval clashes in its early inhabited history. The region was caught up in the Infernal War of 1448 AN–1450 AN against the People's Republic of Hell and the Flying Islands of Jasonia. During the war, Hell captured the Norfolk capital, which was liberated by Blackrock. However, the republic never fully recovered, and soon entered a slow decline.
The century of empires
After the collapse of the republic, the Norfolk Isles came under the control of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth as the County of Norfolk around 1545 AN. However, at this time, the region was dominated by powerful pirates. A loose confederation was shortly formed as the Free Maritime Republic. However, Shireroth would retain control for the next decades.
Following the Revolution of 1617 in Shireroth, the constituent Apollonian Republic succeeded, taking the Norfolk Isles with it. The islands were then incorporated into the region of Aryashit and administered from the mainland. However, it was a time of great turmoil. The native Norfolk peoples slowly saw their culture eliminated, and ultimately Aryashit lead to nuclear catrophe that destroyed historical Tymaria City on the Island of Wells.
After the destructive Aryashit administration, the Norfolk Isles came under the influence of Jingdao in 1632 AN. This period also saw close relations with the Kingdom of Batavia, leading to significant cultural influence over the islands. However, the political situation became unstable, and numerous governments faltered during this time.
Los Liberados period
By 1668 AN, the islands had come under the administration of the Kasterburg Republic. This was short lived, as in 1669 AN, the Norfolk Isles gained their independence as the Republic of Los Liberados. The republic was a member of the Batavian Confederation, which continued the Batavian traditions on the islands. However, Los Liberados failed to maintain its strength, and became a protectorate of the Florian Republic in 1676 AN. Severe backlash saw independence regained in 1677 AN.
Stability was not favorable to the Norfolk Isles. The islands were soon drawn into the Verionian–Raspur War of 1679 AN–1683 AN. In 1682 AN, Los Liberados was absorbed into the Confederated States of Gran Verionia, who held only a tenuous grasp over the region. Control collapsed again in 1686 AN.
Formation of Port Balaine
In 1688 AN, the independent Commonwealth of Port Balaine was organized the peoples of the Southern Norfolk Isles. The new nation following the Period of Disorder from 1686 AN–1688 AN. Port Balaine was dominated by the Justice & Harmony Party in a dictatorial regime. The Council of Ministers, intended to be elected posts, became a collection of life appointments, increasingly dominating the legislature and judiciary.
Annexation by Floria
Main article: Florian invasion of Port Balaine
In 1706 AN, the neighboring Confederate States of Floria launched an invasion of the islands. Floria asserted its claim from the era of Los Liberados, a Florian protectorate, as the Liberation Islands territory. Initial landings were made on Wells before the capture of St. Peter and The Promenade. After the second failed peace talks, Florian forces launched the Siege of Wellingdon. Guerrilla fighting raged in the Arcadian Mountains.
After seven months of warfare, the Commonwealth surrendered after constant defeats. Port Balaine was incorporated as the autonomous 13th state of Floria.
The new Florian era
The Florian ownership of Port Balaine began numerous changes to the islands. The Florian language was introduced for the first time, and missionaries from the Church of the Holy Lance and Church of Floria moved to the state. In 1707 AN, a seminary of the church was opened on the campus of Wellingdon University. Weapon and vehicle production factories were built to support Floria's national defence efforts creating jobs for those affected by the invasion. Morale quickly boosted and the region's economy improved to an economy similar to the mainland. Rail and highway infrastructure was also modernised to Florian standards. Port Balaine eventually became a popular tourist destination for Florians once the reconstruction efforts on the islands were complete.
Geography
Port Balaine consists of an archipelago in the North Raynor Sea, at the southern end of Apollonia. The smallest isle, Herm, is home to the capital city, The Promenade. The middle isle, only somewhat larger than Herm, is St. Peter. The largest island, dwarfing both Herm and St. Peter by six times, is Wells. Wells is also home to the largest city, Wellingdon.
Port Balaine alternates between flat lowlands to mountainous terrain. The highest point outside of the Arcadian Mountains is Mt. Zvindle on Herm, at 782 m. The Promenade lies on its eastern slopes. On St. Peter, it is the source of the Plassi River, at only 341 m. The Wellish Plain, in South Wells, rises only to 81 m. But the highest point in Port Balaine overall is Mt. Vadon, at 1,615 m, in the northern Arcadian Mountains.
Administrative divisions
The state is divided into four counties: three on the island of Wells, and a fourth in the south over Herm and St. Peter as well as Wyrm Skerry. A County Mayor is the chief executive of each county, appointed by the Chief Counsellor, but exercises no political authority.
| County | Seat | Mayor | Area | Pop.[A] | Density | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
City & County of Wellingdon |
Wellingdon | Stephania Elwes | 1,004 km2 | 541,824 | 539.8/km2 |
|
North Wells | St. Albert | Cailean Van der Vennen | 7,766 km2 | 361,216 | 46.5/km2 |
|
South Wells | Magden | Albin Isabel Blair | 8,591 km2 | 722,432 | 84.1/km2 |
|
Herm & St. Peter | St. Peter | Clinton Blain | 2,880 km2 | 421,419 | 146.3/km2 |
Climate
The archipelago enjoys a tropical, hot semi-arid to tropical monsoon climate. Most rainfall is during the blushing to glistening warm seasons. The driest season instead extends from the frosty to melting seasons. The lowlands of the Wellish Plains and the isles of Herm and St. Peter are covered in grassy plants. In turn, much of Wells, especially the lower Arcadian Mountains, are covered in a dry broadleaf forest. Moist forests take over above 750 m.
Because of the hot climate found throughout Port Balaine, Wellingdon' infrastructure struggles to reduce its effect as an urban heat island.
Biodiversity
The wildlife of Port Balaine is spread over its archipelago. Flora and fauna range the entire spectrum native to tropical dry forests, grassland, and highlands monsoon climates. Some species are endemic to Port Balaine, from its separation from mainland Apollonia. Because of development, many lands in Port Balaine have been converted to agricultural fields and several varieties of cultiable plant and tree species were introduced.
Much of the isles' original vegetation, especially in the Wellish Plain and Nome Basin, has been eliminated by development. Overfishing has also threatened native oceanic species. Conversation, in defense of Port Balaine's natural resources, has gained traction since the 1690 ANs. State parks, such as the entire land of Wyrm Skerry Natural Preserve, protect the extensive local biodiversity.
Government and politics
Port Balaine is an autonomous state of Floria, with devolved executive, legislative, and judicial powers. The state operates on an executive-led government, continuing an emphasis on executive power inherited from the former Commonwealth. Port Balaine utilizes a traditional three-branches model of government. The state also enjoys the right to mint its own commemorative coins of the Florian dollar.
Executive
The Chief Counsellor of Port Balaine exercises the executive power, and is responsible for enforcing state law and providing for the civil defence. The Deputy Chief Counsellor acts in the stead of the Chief Counsellor when absent. Executive departments of Port Balaine may further promulgate regulatory rules, as delegated by the legislature.
The Chief Counsellor appoints the 11 members of the Executive Council, the cabinet of principal secretaries of the state government. The Executive Council has the authority to dissolve the Port Balaine legislature, while the Chief Counsellor may veto legislation and force reconsideration.
Civil defence
Main article: Uniformed services of Port Balaine
Following the annexation of Port Balaine, the armed forces of the commonwealth were reorganized under the Department of Civil Security as the four uniform services. The Constabulary was retained as a minimally-armed state police. The Port Balaine Coast Guard and Civil Air Service were created in 1707 AN as ocean and terrestrial search-and-rescue agencies, respectively. The Public Health Service, beneath the Surgeon-General, was also organized to address health emergencies statewide. Since Port Balaine is part of the Confederate States of Floria, the mainland armed forces are also responsible for its defence.
Legislature
The Port Balaine legislature is the unicameral Assembly of Keys. It is comprised of 127 members, who sit for five-year terms each, unless the legislature is dissolved early. All members are elected at-large through party-list proportional representation, calculated by D'Hondt's Method with a 3% cutoff. The Assembly can enact state law, approve budgets, and impeach a sitting Chief Counsellor. It also elects the Chief Counsellor, who serves at the pleasure of the Assembly. Port Balaine also votes for a Senator for representation of the state in the Florian Congress.
Political parties
An assortment of political parties are represented in the Assembly. Following the first statewide election on 21.IV.1707 AN reorganized ruling Party of Justice & Harmony retained a majority following from its Commonwealth regime.
| Party | Abbr. | Leader | Ideology | Votes[B] | Assembly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party of Justice & Harmony | JH | Zackary Stuart | Right-wing populism | 452,157 | 68 / 127
| |
| Free & Social Balainese | FS | Theodora Oomen | Social democracy | 235,346 | 35 / 127
| |
| Party of Reformation | PR | Bartholomeus Baarsma | Economic liberalism | 80,029 | 12 / 127
| |
| Movement for Freedom | MF | Liberty Duff | Civil libertarianism | 66,459 | 9 / 127
| |
| Farmer-Community Party | FC | Marie De With | Green, agrarian politics | 26,324 | 3 / 127
| |
Judiciary
The judicial power in Port Balaine is vested in the High Court of Appeals and lower courts. The Senior Judge, appointed by the Chief Counsellor, is the chief of the courts. The judiciary interprets state law and adjudicates the merits of claims. However, cases based in Florian law are heard by the confederate judiciary. Uniquely, the judiciary has its seat in Wellingdon, not the capital, the Promenade.
Each county in Port Balaine has a County Superior Court of general jurisdiction. In larger towns, limited jurisdiction magistrate courts hear petty matters; Willingdon has the Metropolitan Court for the same purpose. The High Court of Appeals is made up of 13 members, also appointed by the Chief Counsellor, who hear cases in three-judge panels. Final appeals can, by discretionary writ, be heard by the entire court en banc.
Economy
Transportation
Port Balaine's transportation network is managed by the state, for roads by the Port Balaine Highway Agency, and rail by the government-owned Port Balaine State Railways. Wellingdon is the main gateway to Port Balaine internationally, with a domestic highway into Floria crossing the Pretannia Channel.
Highways
The high-speed motorways in Port Balaine, the A-1 and A-2, are the backbone of the highway network. The A-1 goes from the capital The Promenade the length of Port Balaine, reaching Bearum, and onto the rest of the Liberation Islands. The A-2 provides a connection to Wellingdon itself. B-marked highways provide additional paths to well-populated centers. Finally, C-marked routes allow passage through sparsely populated and rough terrain.
Railways
Main article: Port Balaine State Railways
The railway network in Port Balaine comprises a series of passenger and freight routes, reaching most corners of the state. AtomRail (Autonomous Railway) serves passenger routes throughout Port Balaine on three service routes. Smaller heritage lines also provide numerous tourist excursions.
Aviation
Abona Pilotus International Airport is the gateway to Port Balaine by air, and its only international connection. Smaller state airports serve the corners of Port Balaine. Prior to the Florian annexation, Victoria and Old Stearck Air Fields were used by the Port Balaine military. Due to hilly geography, the state government is served directly within The Promenade by its Helidrome, with the Isle of Herm Airdrome doing fixed-wing operations.
The Verlocke Cosmodrome is a unique facility within Port Balaine, a space center and rocket range, now owned by the Florian government.
Energy
Port Balaine is poor in suitable natural resources to generate energy, and is a net importer of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels comprise the majority, 61%, of the state's energy production, most of which is oil. A significant minority is then produced by solar, 25%, and wind, 14%. The largest wind farms are found in the Cascade Hills and the edges of the Nome Basin, while most solar is produced on the Wellish Plain.
| Rank | Name | Region | Manager | Pop.[A] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wellingdon | Wellingdon | Mayor Stephania Elwes |
541,824 |  |
| 2 | St. Peter | Herm & St. Peter | Radboud Hodson | 105,355 | |
| 3 | The Promenade | Herm & St. Peter | Francis McAlister | 60,207 | |
| 4 | St. Albert | North Wells | Blanche Meeuwissen | 56,678 | |
| 5 | Magden | South Wells | Ruth Leila Andela | 33,864 |  |
| 6 | Eyot | South Wells | Corrine Adair | 27,515 | |
| 7 | Ludgate | South Wells | Tod Louisa Peck | 27,091 | |
| 8 | Craper | South Wells | Gaylord Traylor | 21,672 |
Agriculture and fishing
The state relies heavily on the production of foodstuffs as its economy. The Wellish Plain, though dry, provides wide farmlands, allowing the cultivation of maize and beans. In the Nome Basin, the wet highlands allow coffee and banana plantations.
The North Raynor See also offers bountiful fishing grounds, where Raynor gadus, Greentail tunny, and Norfolk rostra. In the Sumorsat and Brystow Channels, shellfish are caught in thriving Balainese nipper fisheries. Whaling, though the state's namesake, has been outlawed for over a century.
Industry
Wellingdon is the industrial heart of Port Balaine, with numerous manufacturers. Textiles are a common product, with raw goods arriving by Wellingdon Harbor and exported as finished goods. The agriculture and fishing industries also support many canneries and food processing plants in places like St. Peter, Wellingdon, St. Albert, Magden, and Eyot.
Foreign multinational companies
The Apollonian Directorate of the Honourable Company is amongst the first multinationals to invest in Port Balaine after the Florian annexation. The Company had not waited for the formal surrender before establishing a residency on the main thoroughfare of The Promenade. First in charge of a party of eight factors and forty junior clerks, operating from rented offices and warehouse space, the Resident sought to arrange purchase of a formal concession and establish the customary infrastructure by no later than 1710 AN.
In the meantime, the operations of the residency focused upon the core missions of the Honourable Company. The Company identified commodities for bulk export to the burgeoning domestic markets of the core economies in the Raspur Pact: Floria itself, Natopia and New Alexandria. If enough could be sourced, the islands of Port Balaine are hoped to be destinations for the vast SATCo trade fleets. The fleet's regular convoy sailings are the mainstay of intercontinental commerce within the Pact's free trade area.
Tourism
After the end of the Commonwealth's isolationist policies, a growing tourism industry is developing in Port Balaine. The Nome Basin as seen increasing natural tourism, enjoying the parks and trails of the highlands. In Ludgate, a growth of seaside hotels, and the Casino Ludgate, have opened an entertainment and nightlife destination.
Demographics
Languages
The majority of residents are bilingual, speaking Batavian and Istvanistani since birth. A substantial minority speak Alexandrian. Only a small population in Port Balaine speak Florian, mostly residents who moved from the Florian speaking parts of the mainland. Elementary school education is done in Istvanistani while middle education is in Batavian. Secondary education coursework is merged with the two, though substitutions are available to take Alexandrian classes.
At the collegiate level, degrees may be completed in Batavian, Istvanistani, or Alexandrian (undergraduate only). Minor coursework is available in Florian.
Official statuses
Batavian, Istvanistani and Alexandrian are regional languages of Port Balaine, while Florian carries federal recognition. Florian gained its status in 1706 AN because of federal Florian law (it is official confederation-wide). Alexandrian was promoted to a regional language that same year.
Batavian and Istvanistani form the backbone of government in Port Balaine. All government operations must be immediately available in both languages, such as in the courts and receiving public services. Alexandrian and Florian must be requested in advance.
Religion
The majority of Balainese people adhere to the Nazarene faith, with 53.8% of the total population adhering to Albigensian denominations. Few formal religious institutions exist in Port Balaine, and most churches are either congregationalist or organized into local presbyteries. A significant minority of Balainese are irreligious, a residue of the religious censorship under the Commonwealth government.
Culture
Football
Main article: Port Balaine Football Association
The most popular sport in Port Balaine is football. In the state of just over 2 million, there are 34 member clubs in the Port Balaine Superleague, the statewide league of football. As an autonomous region, Port Balaine remains represented in the Fédération Micraise de Football through its national football team, organized since the Commonwealth. Port Balaine's premier sporting facility, Cherryholm Stadium in Wellingdon, has an unconfigured capacity of 20,776, and hosts national team matches.
Mass media
Broadcasts Port Balaine is the state-owned broadcast corporation. It offers wireless television throughout Port Balaine, radio broadcasts, and cable channels in and around Wellingdon, St. Peter, and The Promenade. An assortment of private broadcasters also operate, such as CeolmaerTV out of the district of the same name in Wellingdon. As Port Balaine is a Florian state, channels such as Floria Today and Red Sports also broadcast.
Print media is privately owned. The largest newspapers include the Wellingdon Current, the St. Peter Post, and The Financial Spectator.
Classical music
Both Wellingdon and St. Albert in North Wells are destinations for classical music. The publicly funded Port Balaine Philharmonic performs a year-round concert series in Wellingdon and St. Peter. In St. Albert, the nation's operatic theater, built into the Arcadian Mountain hillside, is considered the most beautiful venue in the state.
