Cataduanes
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| Flag of Cataduanes | |
| Motto: "Sacrificio y Independencia" | |
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| Region | Nasicournia |
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| Capital | Oltaloro |
| Official Language(s) | Cataduaño and in a semi official capacity 'Neo-Merdicas' |
| Leader | Ferdinando Sendoa |
| Population | |
| Currency | Peseta |
| 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. However after a long period of service to the UNFR Cataduanes broke its ties and has since become a member of Nasicournia.
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. The old spanish capital of Villa Merida is noteworthy for its history but since independence has slipped into neglect and is considered a backwater.
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.
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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 prominence 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 exasperating the already disasterous de-forestation of the Republic. 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, however these regions suffer from acute poverty in marked contrast to the capital and Samal both of whom have benefitted from Uranium mining revenues. Along all the coasts fishing is the largest employer. Commissar Sendoa has recently announced plans to expand investment into diversifying the economy, reversing many Socilist policies in effect since independence.
Politics
After the war of independence the liberation movement was dominated by the socialists and communists, yet important splits were becoming apparent and the old socialist movement faded away while the communists split into Maoist and Stalinist factions until the rise of Ferdinando Sendoa. Originally a Marine commander it was he who united the military behind a program of reform and overthrew the largely inept Liberation government. Despite the veneer of Marxist government it is in reality little more than a dictatorship and despite the official legitamacy of the Cortes (Senate of Cataduanes) the Junta or military council led by Sendoa has effective control.
Military
The Republican armed forces are under the direct command of the Commisariat, the paramilitary 'Guardia Nacional' support the Police in internal security, while the 'Guardia Cataduaño´ are retained as highly trained gaurds for the Commissar and goverment ministries. The elite 'Legio Marina' are normally used as a rapid response amphibious division in national operations.
Religious composition
The Catholic church remains the most paramount religious group in the republic, however in rural areas especially in the east the religious traditions of the ancient Merdicas remain in existence usually in tandem with the official catholic faith. The Merdicas faith was largely a syncretic faith combining elements of shamanism, nature and ancestor worship and Hinduism, this faith now known as 'Merdicasismo' has also absorbed christian elements.
Media
The national media remains strictly controlled. In the print sector the newspaper 'La Verdad' remains the vehicle of government, other major daily prints include 'Tiempo', 'Merdicasy' and the spanish language 'El Mundo'.
There are 3 terrestial TV channels Tele Cataduanes 1, Tele Cataduanes 2 and Merdicasy Hoy. However the proliferation of international satellite TV outside of the government control has led to a growing awareness of the outside world.
Sports
Traditional sporting pastimes include Cock fighting and Sailing, but the king of sports is Football (also known as Soccer), this sport was first established by the Spanish military garrisons earlier in the century and the first teams were ones representing the Army, Navy, Colonial bureaucracy and merchant community. By the time of the war of independence the top teams were San Martin, Marina and Hercules, of these three only San Martin survived the war to the present times as La Union, the Liga's other big sides include Ardar, Minas (de samal) and La Union's big rivals Alcantara de Oltaloro. Despite Football's traditional predominance Basketball has become increasingly popular especially in the Capital.
