Ila
Ila Protectorate | |||
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Nickname(s): Sherry | |||
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Motto: Ubi dubium, ibi libertas (English: "Where there is doubt, there is freedom") | |||
.svg) Location of the Ila Protectorate | |||
| Sovereign state |
 Liberta | ||
| Libertan settlement | 743 | ||
| Protectorate status | 819 | ||
| Autonomy | May 16th, 1707 | ||
| Government | Protectorate | ||
• Governor | Layemin Augustus | ||
• Vice Governor | Asi Icarus | ||
| Legislature | Sherbro Grand Hall of Decision | ||
| Area | |||
• Total | 600 km2 (230 sq mi) (2nd) | ||
• Water (%) | negligible | ||
| Elevation | 6 m (20 ft) | ||
| Population | |||
• 2022 estimate | 205,448 (1st) | ||
• 2020 census | 202,234 | ||
• Density | 342.413/km2 (886.8/sq mi) | ||
| Currency | Libertan Dollar (LRD) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-1 (UTC) | ||
| Driving side | right | ||
| Calling code | +38 | ||
| ISO 3166 code | LE-2 | ||
| Website | ila.gov.le | ||
The Ila Protectorate (Libertan English: /aɪlɒ/), 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 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 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 Sierra Leonean Civil War, the strategic military importance of the protectorate allowed for it to act as a base for British, UNAMSIL, 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 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 historical linguistic evidence points to the word likely originating in the 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 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.