Cataduanes
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| Flag of Cataduanes | |
| Motto: "Sacrificio y Independencia" | |
| [ ] | |
| Region | UNFR |
|---|---|
| Capital | Oltaloro |
| Official Language(s) | Cataduaño |
| Leader | Ferdinando Sendoa |
| Population | |
| Currency | UNFR Credit |
| NS Sunset XML | |
A small and agressive nation, it is characterised by its history of colonial oppression in the past in which Spanish colonisers invaded and overthrew the native Merdicas Kingdom leading to hundreds of years of colonial rule, and the subsequent War of Liberation that led to independence amid bitter and merciless fighting. The present goverment of the Commissar, Ferdinando Sendoa, has embarked upon a policy of participation with the war ravaged yet resurgent UNFR, this has led to the National army being submerged into the greater UNFR armed forces and the confirmation of Sendoa as Major of the UNFR armed forces and Foreign Minister, this has boosted his status among the Cataduaños (the citizens of the republic as they are largely called) who perceive the nation as punching above its weight and becoming a regional player.
The capital of Oltaloro is renowned for its 'Ciudad Vieja' or old town based around the San Martin harbour and the Santiago fortress, its narrow cobbled streets and dilapidated colonial buildings give it an old world charm, in marked contrast the 'Malagondon' district houses the goverment/diplomatic and commercial districts inland from San Martin on the Malagondon hills, largely built since the influx of revenue from the Uranium mining industry is modern and brash, a marked contrast to the old town and the small towns surrounding the capital. Also of note is the second city of Cataduanes, Subanon, where the ruins of the old Merdicas capital of Mahapari attract tourist who come to see the intricate stone carvings of the ruined temple complexes.
Cataduanes is renowned for its ´Wild Beared Pig´, a species close to extinction, however goverment reserves have been set up in protected forest areas in an attempt to avert the extinction of the national symbol of the nation.
Geography
The western half of the island is characterised by thin stretches of lowland and hills inland leading to the Coron mountains in the center. The east is charcterised by the descent from the Coron range leading to the Busuanga plains and capped off by the once heavily forested Samal region along the eastern coast. The Coron is also noteworthy for its San Vicente Volcano which has lay dormant for some 400 years, this 2,060 m high volcano is symmetrically shaped and is a symbol of the Coron region, it is located in the south east of the range amid 3 extinct volcanoes, known locally as the three kings. Off the western coasts are the small islands of El Nido and Romblon.Climatically the Republic is characterised by destructive tropical storms in winter and hot dry summers.
Territorial Subdivisions
After independence the country was divided into 8 provinces.
Culion (containing the capital Oltaloro)
Merida
Coron Norte
Coron Sur
Busuanga
Samal
EL Nido
Romblon
Economy
In recent times the Uranium mines of Samal have shot to prominnece and are now the biggest source of revenue for the Republic, the province's traditional Logging industry suffers from lack of forests due to the remaining areas being either sold off for Uranium mining concessions or placed in the Forest reserves, as a result illegal logging is rampant. In Busuanga, Culion and Merida rice farming remains the dominant industry while in the Coron semi-nomadic pastoral farming remains the main source of income. Along all the coast fishing is the largest employer.
(Flag is courtesy of www.fotw.net)
