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{{Infobox political division
| name = Ila Protectorate
| native_name = 
| settlement_type = [[Protectorates of Liberta|Protectorate]]
| image_skyline =
| imagesize =
| image_caption =
| image_flag = Flag_of_Sherbro_Protectorate.svg
| flag_size = 150px
| flag_link =
| image_seal = Coat of arms of Sherbro.svg
| seal_size = 65px
| seal_type = Coat of Arms
| seal_link =
| etymology =
| nickname = Sherry
| motto = Ubi dubium, ibi libertas <br /><small>(English: "Where there is doubt, there is freedom")</small>
| image_map = File:Ila (orthographic projection).svg
| map_caption = Location of the Ila Protectorate
| subdivision_type ={{w|Sovereign state}}
| subdivision_name ={{flag|Liberta}}
| established_title = Libertan settlement
| established_date = 743 
| established_title2 = Protectorate status
| established_date2 = 819 
| established_title3 = Autonomy
| established_date3 = May 16th, 1707 
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Protectorates of Liberta|Protectorate]]
| leader_title1 = Governor
| leader_name1 = [[Layemin Augustus]]
| leader_title2 = Vice Governor
| leader_name2 = [[Asi Icarus]]
| legislature = [[Sherbro Grand Hall of Decision]]
| upper_house = 
| lower_house =
| national_representation =
| national_representation_type1 = 
| national_representation1 = 
| national_representation_type2 =
| national_representation2 =
| area_km2 = 600
| area_rank = 2nd
| area_sq_mi =
| percent_water = negligible
| population_estimate = 205,448
| population_census = 202,234
| population_estimate_year = 2022
| population_estimate_rank = 1st
| population_census_year = 2020
| population_density_km2 = 342.413
| population_density_sq_mi = <!-- Do not remove as per WP:MOSNUM -->
| population_density_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 6
| GDP_PPP =
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| Gini_change = <!-- increase/decrease/steady -->
| Gini_ref =
| HDI = <!-- number only -->
| HDI_year = <!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
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| currency = ''Libertan Dollar''
| currency_code = LRD
| timezone = UTC
| utc_offset = -1
| date_format =
| drives_on = right
| calling_code = +38
| iso_code = LE-2
| cctld =
| website = ila.gov.le
| footnotes =
}}
The '''Ila Protectorate''' ([[Elroy Standard of Libertan English|Libertan English]]: {{IPAc-en|aɪ|l|ɒ}}), often shortened to just '''Ila''', and also colloquially known as '''Sherbro''', is a protectorate of [[Liberta]]. It encompasses the entirety of Ila Island and is situated on the coast of {{w|Sierra Leone}}. Several smaller skerries surrounding the island are also part of the Protectorate. It is the largest and most populous of the Libertan protectorates. Ila has a population of roughly 200,000 and maintains a high degree of autonomy. The judicial capital of Ila is ''Malacia'', situated on the eastern coast, whilst the largest city, the economic and cultural capital, is ''Acta-Calet'' on the southeastern shore of the island.

Inhabited before and since the arrival of Libertans, the {{w|Sherbro people}} were the first inhabitants of Ila. Archaeological evidence suggests they lived a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Libertans arrived in the 700s, looking to expand their agricultural production. Upon their arrival, Libertans employed the local population in voluntary work camps, deeming colonization by force to be too dangerous. In 819 the colony was granted protectorate status, and the military instead spearheaded the operation. Libertan settlers looking to work the land arrived in waves during the 14th and 15th centuries, and again in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was granted autonomy on May 16th, 1707. The industrial revolution swept across the island, and in the 20th century, the protectorate was further modernized. Beginning in the 1950s, the infrastructure allowed the tourism industry to flourish. During the {{W|Sierra Leone Civil War|Sierra Leonean Civil War}}, the strategic military importance of the protectorate allowed for it to act as a base for {{W|United Kingdom|British}}, {{W|United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone|UNAMSIL}}, {{W|Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group|ECOMOG}} and Libertan troops. Since the cusp of the 21st century, Ila has been a firmly interconnected part of Liberta.

As the largest domestic producer of agricultural products, excluding olives, by a considerable margin, the Ilan government has been able to leverage a considerable amount of autonomy compared to other protectorates. Maintaining a strong agrarian culture, the main economic sectors have historically been centered around farming and ranching, especially in the central regions. In modern times, this has largely been superseded by manufacturing and a growing domestic tourism industry. 

The historic isolation, differing climate and proximity to other ethnic groups has resulted in a unique Ilan culture. Though initially frowned upon by mainland Libertans as "low culture", the Ilan culture is today frequently celebrated and embraced in both the media and in general as a unique aspect of Libertan culture. Often likened with {{W|Culture of Australia|Australian culture}}, Ilan people are frequently portrayed as relaxed and familiar with nature. Following the gradual ousting of native Africans in the 14th and 15th century, Ila is today a largely homogeneous country. Though a small minority of native Sherbro remain in the northwestern regions of the island, they constitute less than 5% of the total population of the island.

==Etymology==
The origin of the name ''Ila'' is unknown, but was used since the Libertan discovery of the island, as shown in texts from the eight century documenting the exploration of the island. Some {{W|Historical linguistics|historical linguistic}} evidence points to the word likely originating in the {{W|Classical Latin}} word ''īnsula'', meaning "island". 

''Sherbro'' is the name used to denote both the native African people of the island, as well as the island itself. The {{W|Sherbro people}} have historically inhabited the island until their ousting in the 14th and 15th century. The nickname ''Sherry'' is also derived from the name.

==History==

=== Before Libertan arrival ===
Not much is known about the island before Libertan arrival, due to the absence of written history. Modern archaeology suggests that the {{W|Sherbro people}} have inhabited the island for at least a thousand years. Though little is known about their style of life, it was likely similar to the hunter-gatherer lifestyle of nearby tribes. The Sherbro maintained a fishing based economy and traded by boat with neighboring villages along the coast. Swamp-rice cultivation was the main farming activity on the island. 

=== Arrival of Libertan explorers ===
The overcrowding and lack of resources of the impoverished Liberta sparked an interest in exploration and a search for new lands which could be used for farming and resources. In the spring of 743, the Libertan convoy of ''Pristinus'' and ''Aequor'', led by ''Hadrian the Great'' departed from Liberta proper. They traveled along the coast of Morocco, stopping by {{W|Agadir}} where the crew took great interest in the town of Imsouane. However, unable to purchase the town outright, they continued to venture south. Following stops in Gambia and Ghana, but without coastal contact with the wealthy {{W|Ghana Empire}}, the crew relied on trade with local tribes along the coast. By the late summer of 743, the convoy arrived at Ila. Hadrian, yet to have yielded any major success in trading nor in finding a good location for a colony, promptly established the colony on the second day of anchorage. Scouting of the area proved that what was initially believed to be a peninsula was instead an island. The locals proved to be friendly, but Hadrian documented that he was nonetheless disappointed by their "primitive way of life." Half of the crew were left on the island, before ''Pristinus'' and ''Aequor'' departed for Liberta.

It is widely believed that Hadrian and the remaining crew widely oversold the resources of the island to the government, as they were granted a considerable amount of material and men to return to the island to establish a colony. After securing funding and permission from the military, the crew returned to the island by the winter of 743. Skilled laborers, architects, planners, fishermen totaling in excess of 150 were brought along. Two {{W|Company_(military_unit)|companies}} were sent to assist and to protect the Libertans. As the initial crew left on the island comprised solely of men, Hadrian was disappointed to see that many of them had taken a liking to the local women, many becoming parents by the arrival of reinforcement. Learning the ways to cultivate swamp rice, the first Libertan farmers were taught basic agriculture. {{W|Lieutenant colonel}} ''Petronius'' deemed a subjugation by force to be too dangerous, leading to the establishment of a voluntary {{W|Labor camp|work camp}}. Maintaining an alcohol monopoly, the local workers were paid in wine. Food was promptly exported to Liberta, whilst tree plantations were set up across the island. Workers were also taught to speak and to write {{W|Vulgar Latin}}, whilst the native language was discouraged though not expressly forbidden according to Petronius himself.

==Geography==
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