San Adriano

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San Adriano
san_adriano.jpg sanadrianosealsmwp6.gif
Flag Emblem
Motto: Strength in smallness
map of San Adriano
Region Uhuhland
Capital San Adriano
Official Language(s) Wymgani, Italian, English, Dutch
Leader Princess Serena Eu
Sovereignty 1641
Population 439
Currency Sanadrianese lira 
Internet TLD .sna
Calling code ++2133
ISO Code SVSA
NS Sunset XML

The Sovereign Village of San Adriano is a tiny landlocked nation entirely surrounded by the Imperial Autocracy of Uhuh-Topia. It is located both near the coast and near Uhuh-Topia's border with the Plutocratic Kingdom of Uhuh-Ropa. San Adriano has been a fully sovereign State for centuries, and its inhabitants are mainly of Italian, Wymgani and Uhuh-Topian descent.

San Adriano has a total surface area of 0.32 sq.km., making it one of the smallest countries in the world. There are no official languages, but Wymgani and Italian are spoken by most Sanadrianese, with English and Dutch, the languages of neighbouring Uhuh-Topia, coming close behind. The population is predominantly atheist, though there are a few Catholics, and a minute body of people who follow other religions; San Adriano has a single, multi-faith prayer building used by all.

The country's political system comes close to being a form of direct democracy, despite there being officially a monarchy; Sanadrianese politics are discussed below.


History

Main article: History of San Adriano

Until the late sixteenth century, the Ropa-Topian Empire is thought to have held sway over much of the southern coast of Uhuhland, though some areas remained autonomous or semi-autonomous. It was a loosely controlled area that a small group of Italian explorers reached, and colonised, in 1529. San Adriano, named after an earlier explorer, was founded as an Italian colonial village. It maintained itself as a community, mostly free from Ropa-Topian intervention, for about seventy years, then began to break apart as the settlers' descendants died or moved elsewhere. The colony's last links with its homeland were broken as vessels ceased to visit.

In the early and mid-seventeenth century, Wymgani explorers from the Ariddian Isles were voyaging through the continent, charting its coasts, journeying inland and making contact with continental natives. In 1639, Wymgani explorers discovered San Adriano, a forlorn, partly abandoned village, and some settled there with the consent of the villagers. Together, Wymgani and prior Sanadrianese rebuilt a living community and, in 1641, proclaimed San Adriano as a sovereign state. Various other small to medium-sized nations existed in the vicinity, and San Adriano began to establish formal contacts with several of them.

In 1723, the Empire of Uhuh-Topia was founded, when Delmer the Conqueror forcibly united a number of lands under his rule. San Adriano was not invaded, for reasons that are still speculated on today; some suggested that the mighty emperor was simply amused by the tiny village-State, and allowed it to endure for that reason. The village was, however, now completely surrounded by a major foreign power. Borders were formalised, and the two nations exchanged diplomatic representatives. San Adriano remained fully autonomous and independent.

In the early twentieth century, the region was rocked by two major conflicts, the two Ropa-Topian Wars, and San Adriano found itself on the front line of the fighting. Prince Federico promptly declared San Adriano to be a neutral State, and, remarkably, its neutrality was not violated by either side. In the second half of the twentieth century, the country's population continued to increase, very slowly, and successive governments remained stable and democratic. The nation's economy was fragile, but governments focused their efforts on social rights, even long before the advent of communism in Ariddia, the Wymgani homeland. San Adriano strengthened its diplomatic relations with Uhuh-Topia and with Ariddia, and remains a peaceful, stable nation to this day.

Geography & climate

San Adriano's location within Uhuh-Topia.

San Adriano has a mostly temperate, often wet climate, leaning towards tropical. Its tiny area is relatively flat.

Images

The following images were taken from orbit by a West Ariddian media satellite. The superimposed red line indicates the border between San Adriano and Uhuh-Topia.

[1] [2] [3] [4]

Politics

San Adriano is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. The Constitution, amended for modern democratic reforms in 1795, stipulates that political parties are authorised, but the population is, in practice, too small for formal parties to emerge. There are some loosely structured political movements, however.

The monarchy is hereditary, established as early as 1648. The monarch, though, has no real political power, and serves mostly as a figurehead to strengthen the nation's legitimacy. The current head of state, Princess Serena Eu, is 64 years of age.

Political authority officially lies in the hands of Parliament, which has seven members, elected by every citizen aged sixten and over, except the monarch, who is not entitled to vote. In practice, all important decisions are submitted to referendum, and debated in public meetings in which any Sanadrianese may take part. There is no other government in the formal sense, although committees of experts are sometimes appointed by Parliament or the people to study specific issues and implement new laws.

As from the early nineteenth century, Parliament and the citizenry have become increasingly focused on social issues, and on promoting equality and decent living conditions. In accordance with Wymgani traditions and culture, environmentally responsible policies have been paramount ever since the country's birth.

Buildings and facilities

The largest buildings in San Adriano are the Parliament & National Assembly Hall, the Royal Palace and the National Museum.

The Parliament and National Assembly Hall may be seen as the heart of Sanadrianese society. It is not only the centre of national politics, it also doubles as a cultural centre, organising cultural events, exhibitions, and celebrations or parties of various kinds. Parliament gathers in a smallish room, and any citizen may sit in on proceedings, on the condition that they do not intervene. Another, larger room is used for debates and votes (referenda) in which all citizens are invited to take part.

The Royal Palace is the official residence of the monarch, and is occasionally opened up so that citizens may visit the Princess and discuss various issues with her.

The National Museum may be a fairly small, poor building, but it houses documents and artefacts of significant historical value, some of them dating back to the foundation of the village. It has a section on Sanadrianese and Ropatopian history, and other, more general sections which include fauna, flora and scientific exhibits. One room is sometimes used for displays of cultural dancing for the benefit of foreign visitors.

San Adriano also has its own school, two small restaurants, two doctors (general practitioners) as well as a small medical centre, a market and various shops. There is also a gymnasium, and a field used for various outdoor sports; the Sanadrianese National Stadium is located across the border in Uhuh-Topia, in the town of Nieuw Duijnen, where it benefits from extra-territoriality.

There is a single hotel, the National Village Inn.

There is no hospital and no university; most Sanadrianese students attend the university in the Uhuh-Topian city of Katoren, about 50km north of the country. Sanadrianese make use of the hospital facitilies in the Uhuh-Topian town of Nieuw Duijnen, which also has a railway station and a rather lovely beach with sand dunes.

Media

Sanadrianese people have access to the television, radio and newspapers of Uhuh-Topia. However, a monthly newspaper, Corriere del San Adriano, published across the border, is issued on the first Friday of each month.

PINA, an Ariddian 24-hour news channel, is broadcast in San Adriano via Uhuh-Topia.

Sport

San Adriano has a few informal sports' clubs, but its population is too small for it to compete internationally in most. It has, however, got a national football team, as well as a single League team which competes in the Ropatopian Football League.

Sanadrianese have developed various games and sports of their own, which they practice for entertainment and to celebrate national events and holidays.

See also: Sanadrianese Olympic Committee

Diplomacy

As a fully sovereign State, San Adriano maintains formal diplomatic relations with various foreign nations. Below is a partial list of diplomatic representatives to and from the country. Due to San Adriano's small size, there are no embassies located on the territory of the Sovereign Village. Ariddia, Uhuh-Topia and Uhuh-Ropa each have an embassy, located on Uhuh-Topian territory; all other nations accredit an ambassador posted in a third country as their representative to San Adriano.

Similarly, San Adriano does not maintain embassies abroad (due to lack of a pool of diplomatic personnel), except in Ariddia, Uhuh-Topia, Uhuh-Ropa, the Roman Republic and Zanski. In almost all other cases, Ambassador Lorenzo Shau is San Adriano's non-resident accredited ambassador.

Moreover, San Adriano is an observer at the United Nations.

Diplomatic relations within Uhuhland

  • Wosh’e FAVALLI, ambassador to the People's Democratic Social Republic of Ariddia
  • E IWE, ambassador to the Plutocratic Kingdom of Uhuh-Ropa
  • Lorenzo SHAU, ambassador to the Imperial Autocracy of Uhuh-Topia
  • Keith TAYLOR, ambassador of the People's Democratic Social Republic of Ariddia
  • Dr. Veronica GOLDSMITH, ambassador of the Plutocratic Kingdom of Uhuh-Ropa
  • Baron Pieter VAN VOHR TOT AGTER, ambassador of the Imperial Autocracy of Uhuh-Topia

Diplomatic relations outside Uhuhland

When the Sovereign Village decided to extend its network of diplomatic relations to the wider world, it received favourable responses from several countries. In most cases, Lorenzo SHAU is San Adriano's ambassador accredited to these countries. Ambassador Shau resides in San Adriano's embassy in Uhuh-Topia - considered to be the country's most important foreign embassy.

Later, San Adriano's diplomatic relations were extended further when Crown Prince Mauro and his sister Princess Petra began to serve as ambassadors.

Full diplomatic relations

Ambassador Thomas CHEVKOV is the People's Republic of Alfegos' accredited ambassador to San Adriano.

Ambassador Jack SIMONEIT is the accredited ambassador from the People's Sovereign Republic of British Londinium to San Adriano. He resides in Kensington.

Ambassador Richard PORTER is Bhreatain Mhor's accredited ambassador to San Adriano. Princess Petra KATOREN is recognised as non-resident Sanadrianese Ambassador accredited to Bhreatain Mhor.

Ambassador F. Mark WENTRE is the United States of Cookesland's accredited ambassador to San Adriano.

Ambassador Laura WILCOX is the Social Republic of Honako's accredited ambassador to San Adriano. A 30 year-old worker for Honako's Environmental Commission, Ambassador Wilcox makes frequent visits to San Adriano, and is the foreign ambassador most often present on Sanadrianese territory.

Ambassador Nabilah AL-HAKIM is the United Socialist States of New Brittonia's accredited ambassador to San Adriano. Additionlly, Prime Minister David Flower has paid a State visit to the country.

Ambassador Samrat VARMA is the Roman Republic's accredited ambassador to San Adriano. Princess Petra KATOREN is Sanadrianese Ambassador to the Roman Republic, and resides there.

Ambassador Robert JESUIT is the Rosian Republic's accredited ambassador to San Adriano. He resides in Rosanica.

Lady Elfhame ERIDA, described as "a young noble of high birth", is the Scandinvan Empire's accredited ambassador to San Adriano. She resides in the Empire.

Ambassador Shar Ishme DAGAN is Sumer's accredited ambassador to San Adriano.

Ambassador John MASOMAKALI, the Federation of Ubundi's ambassador to Ariddia, is accredited to San Adriano.

Ambassador Julis NAMIRAN is Zanski's accredited ambassador to San Adriano. Sanadrianese Crown Prince Mauro KATOREN resides in Zanski as Sanadrianese Ambassador.

Ambassador Hannah ANGSTROM, Zwangzug's ambassador to Ariddia, is accredited to San Adriano.

San Adriano has particularly good relations with the Scandinvan Empire. The latter has bestowed the title "Lady of Erigatad" upon Princess Serena - a very ancient title whose line of direct inheritance has died out. The title "bears with it 65,000 acres and 12,000 farmers". These are now managed indirectly in Princess Serena's name. The Empire has also donated the huge sum of SL 20,878,100,000 to Princess Serena, who has begun using it to develop the country and to donate to charities.

Relations are also very good with Alfegos, due to the latter having provided infrastructural improvement to the village-nation. Alfegos provided solar panels on the roof of every building, as well as a satellite uplink to the Internet. The authorities in Alfegos have erected a Sanadrianese embassy building in their capital city, the only such building outside Uhuhland; it remains, for now, empty.

Honako has granted all Sanadrianese citizens the titles of "Extended Members of Greater Honakon", which comes with the benefit of free travel to Honako. Additionally, the government of Honako donated $2,000,000, to be donated in turn to a charity of the village's choice. Independent television channel Honakon Free Media Express Channel #1 prepared an hour-long documentary on San Adriano, entitled The Life of a Village Nation. Honakon Free Express sells the Corriere del San Adriano in Honako. "San Adriano-themed products" have become a craze in the country, including mugs with images of the village, towels with pictures of Sanadrianese landmarks, and flags. All this has strengthened relations between the two nations.

Zanski has donated a sum of Z200,000,000 to San Adriano, and grants Sanadrianese nationals a "discount" to study in Ghollomo University.

Pending diplomatic relations

The Bundesrepublik has expressed its intent to name an ambassador accredited to San Adriano. Princess Petra KATOREN is recognised as non-resident Sanadrianese Ambassador accredited to the Bundesrepublik.

The Nomadic People of Mujtahed have expressed a willingness to establish diplomatic relations, but have not named an ambassador.

The Republic of Zaire has expressed a willingness to establish diplomatic relations, but has not named an ambassador.

In an effort to encourage and strengthen bilateral relations, Princess Serena has visited Zanski, Cookesland and Rosanica. Similarly, Zanski's King Kang Arma and New Brittonia's Prime Minister David Flower have visited San Adriano.

Laquasa Isle has no diplomatic relations with San Adriano, but has donated the staggering sum of SL 208,781,000,000 to the tiny country (far more than the country's minuscule economy had ever generated), which is being used in the same way as the Scandinvan gift.

Visiting San Adriano

A passport valid for at least two months after the intended date of departure is required of all visitors. Visitors may stay up to twenty-two days if they have a valid passport; proof of sufficient funds may be requested. Any stay beyond twenty-two days requires a visa of some sort (tourist, student or work), except for citizens of Uhuh-Topia, Uhuh-Ropa, Ariddia and North-West Ariddia, who need only a valid passport. In practice, it is extremely rare for a visitor to stay in San Adriano for more than a few hours.

Population statistics

Age structure

0-14 years:

  • male: 66 (15.0%)
  • female: 71 (16.2%)

15-64 years:

  • male: 106 (24.1%)
  • female: 113 (25.7%)

65 years +:

  • male: 36 (8.2%)
  • female: 47 (10.7%)

Ethnic groups

Wymgani: 60 (13.7%)
Other Polynesian: 1 (0.2%)
Italian: 33 (7.5%)
Dutch Ropatopians: 15 (3.4%)
English Ropatopians: 6 (1.4%)
Other Caucasian: 14 (3.2%)
Lwealsol’o (mixed ethnicity): 305 (69.4%)
Other: 5 (1.1%)

Religions

Atheists: 260 (59.2%)
Agnostics: 49 (11.2%)
Catholics: 85 (19.4%)
Jews: 24 (5.5%)
Protestants: 15 (3.4%)
Muslims: 6 (1.4%)
Other: 0 (0.0%)

Languages

Fluent in:
Wymgani: 408 (95.1%)
Italian: 382 (89.0%)
Dutch: 190 (44.3%)
English: 80 (18.6%)
Other: 69 (16.1%)

Literacy

Population aged 18 and above able to read and write: 268 (100%)

International codes

International Codes
Internet code (TLD):.sna
Sports' code:SNA
Carplate:SA
Telephone dialing code:2133



The Uhuhland Union
Member states: Ariddia, ESAT, North-West Ariddia, Ropa-Topia, San Adriano, Uhuh-Ropa, Uhuh-Topia, West Ariddia
See also: Uhuhland, Uhuhland Council, Uhuhland Parliament, Uhuhland Defence Force, Uhuhland Cabinet