Austral Republic

 

The Austral Republic is a sovereign state in Austeria Minor. As of 5504 CE, it comprises only a single settlement, the capital of Glenhaven. The Austral Republic is the most recently established sovereignty on Alzir III, having been established on 12 March 5501 CE. With a population of 12 as of 5509, it is believed to be the least populous sovereignty on Alzir III.

The Austral Republic is a presidential republic with a strong element of direct democracy. The Mayor serves as the executive head of the Republic's government, elected every four years by a direct popular vote. The inaugural election took place on 6 March 5504; Mayor Mattias TBD was elected unanimously and won another term on 6 March 5509. The Mayor has the ability to make executive decisions in matters of diplomacy and security, essentially serving as the Republic's chief diplomat and chief security officer. The Mayor also receives special dispensation to order construction projects, although like any such project, they require quorum and a majority vote in the Republic's Meeting Hall. Any citizen over the age of 16 is eligible to serve as Mayor.

Like many established communities on Alnasir III, the Austral Republic is economically autarkic. As of 5509, it straddles between Industrial and Spacer in technological achievement. Electricity via nuclear energy is widely used as major component of its agricultural and mineral production as well as in civilian purposes. Industrial medicine production gives the Austral Republic relatively positive health outcomes for incidences of disease and injury, although the crisis capacity of its singular clinic is considered inadequate to its size. Since the Republic's establishment in 5501, there has been two citizen deaths, both due to raids, and one birth. Overall, individual freedom is respected in the Republic, while economic freedom is nearly non-existent due to strong central management of economic affairs.

The Austral Republic has neutral-to-warm relations with many of the other civil sovereignties on Alzir III. Its principal trading partners are Itla in Austeria Major, which uses aviation to reach the Republic, and the Abelé Confederacy, located on the far side of the Purple Mountains, which travels to Republic via land-based caravan in the spring and summer. The Austral Republic faces open hostility from the various pirate clans and raider tribes of Austeria much as any other civil sovereignty, but the Bichoem Confederacy in particular views the existence of the Republic as an incursion on its home territory and has fielded extensive attacks against Glenhaven throughout the settlement's short history.

Economy

Agriculture is a major component of the Austral Republic's economy, with large surpluses in greenhouse-farmed cannabis and rice providing the majority of the Republic's wealth. As of 5504, new crops have been introduced for cultivation in the Republic, including hops and healroot. Mining is another major source of economic activity in the Republic, with local deposits providing the entirety of its component and steel supply. Electricity was introduced after the harnessing of Glenhaven's natural geothermal sources, allowing for the year-round cultivation of crops in greenhouses and a general improvement in the standard of living via the introduction of climate control and electrified plumbing.