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Canterbury is an island country in the North Atlantic Ocean. The capital and largest city is Ciudad de Miguel, located on the southwestern coast of the island. Other major population centers include Orléans, Joya de Sol, and Villanueva. A large volcanic and limestone formed island, the landscape varies from expansive beaches and flat plains to forested hills and snow-capped peaks. Moderated by the Gulf Stream and the surrounding North Atlantic Ocean, the island has a warm, temperate Oceanic climate.
On June 9th, 1493, Conquistador Miguel Torres became shipwrecked on the southern tip of the island. Torres and his men established the colony of Puerto Miguel. The colonial government operated under a hereditary benevolent dictatorship, maintaining tight control over its citizens, whilst offering them with housing and money. Torres became the first Governor, due to his high intelligence, experience and wealth. The population subsequently grew. Following the death of Miguel Torres in 1526, the country came under the power of Sebastian "Diablo" Capitán (1504-1569). Under the reign of Capitán, tens of thousands were executed as many crimes, including misdemeanors, were made punishable by death. There were many reports of widespread brutal torture and slavery towards prison inmates. His merciless reign came to an end in 1569, when he was stabbed in the back by secretary Nicolás Lorenço after burning nearly half of the capital, Puerto Miguel and killing Lorenço.
Immediately after the death of Capitán, the country was again thrust into peace and prosperity, as Governor Málaga Diego Fernández was appointed. Fernández, described as intelligent, charismatic and enlightened, rebuilt the city, restored the constitution back to its previous state and offered housing. In 1571, Fernández ordered over 800 men to scout the island, who also founded hundreds of towns and villages across the island. In 1623, Fernández was assassinated and replaced by his son, Juan Diego Fernández, who followed in his father's footsteps. Málaga also appointed the Vice Governor and secretaries to deal with provincial issues. Under the efficient rule, the following centuries would bring innovation, wealth and prosperity to Canterbury. The country would gain its independence from the Spanish Empire in 1809, and remained under a policy of armed neutrality from then onwards. The company of Verde, established in 1883, would produce the majority of automobiles and technological advancements throughout Canterbury from then onwards. The expanding British Empire would conquer Canterbury in 1892. In May of 1913, the country revolted against the British, gaining its second independence. Canterbury's economy rapidly expanded and diversified from the 1980s following reforms from Governor Christopher Páez, transitioning into a mixed social market economy. The nation experienced a rapid growth, becoming one of the world's largest economies by 1990.
Canterbury is a unitary one-party presidential republic, with a highly centralized and authoritarian government under the Partido Verde (PV), which wields tight control and dominance over politics and society. Nonetheless, the country ranks relatively high in terms of human rights, education, environmental sustainability, innovation, and quality of life. Canterbury is a global leader in the robotics, electronic, and automotive industry. As of 2023, the country has a population of 53.8 million. Its high-income, mixed economy ranks as the 7th largest worldwide. The official languages are Spanish and English. The country has a social welfare system with universal healthcare and tuition free university. Canterburians also enjoy one of the highest life expectancies in Europe, and has relatively low levels of crime, income inequality and corruption. Since its independence from Spanish Empire in 1809, the country has maintained a policy of armed neutrality but has maintained one of the world's most powerful militaries. The country has no aspirations of joining the European Union, bit maintains relations with Spain, France, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
History[]
Antiquity[]
Prior to the discovery by the Spanish, Canterbury was uninhabited. The island remained untouched by humans until the late 15th-century. In 1982, a small number of hypogea (underground structures carved into rock) were identified near the site of present-day Pueblo de Gaya, possibly implying a human presence on the island. Anthropologist Juan Luis Gutiérrez stated that these structures may have been small villages or burial grounds, but their true use is unknown.
Discovery and 15th-century[]
Conquistador Miguel Torres, along with 30 men and his family set sail in search of new colonies for the Spanish Empire. Christopher Columbus had returned to Spain in March. Inspired by Columbus, Torres offered to sail northwest into the Atlantic, out from Bilbao. Ferdinand II and Isabella I agreed to sponsor his voyage, and Torres set sail on May 29th, 1493 with 30 men and his family. Initially planning to sail to North America, they encountered a violent storm along the way, and washed up on a sandy beach on the southern coast of the island on June 9th, 1493, a day celebrated now as Día del Descubrimiento. Miguel Torres, who was described as "highly intelligent", formed a colony under the control of a benevolent dictatorship, to assert dominance and control over his people, whilst providing them with money and housing. Self-appointed, Miguel Torres became the first Governor, and was favored due to his status, charisma and intellect. The capital was founded in 1495, and was named after Torres.
16th-century[]
By 1520, the population of Ciudad de Miguel reached 46,000.
After Torres' death in 1526, a new Governor, Sebastian "Diablo" Capitán, was appointed. In 1527, he overwrote the constitution, which made many crimes punishable by death. Over 9,000 prisoners were executed by the end of his reign. There were even accounts of brutal torture towards inmates. In addition to brutality, he also used the military to brutally attack his own people on several occasions. The country remained under his brutal rule until 1569. On October 29th, 1569, Diablo violently attacked and killed a secretary after an argument at the Casa del Gobernador, and there was an attempt to remove him from office. Subsequently, he started a fire which burned one-fifth of the city and killed thousands over the next two days. On the 31st, Diablo, standing amidst the charred ruins, was stabbed in the back by Nicolás Lorenço, who was then knocked unconscious, stabbed to death and burned by a wounded Diablo. Wounded, the nefarious governor succumbed to his injuries that night, marking the end of his reign.
Following the death of Diablo, Governor Málaga Diego Fernández, the richest and most well-known Governor in Canterbury, was appointed on November 4th, 1569. He modified the constitution back to its previous state and built numerous schools, libraries, and hospitals. Fernández also vastly expanded the city and, by the end of his reign, had built over 60,000 homes. In January 1571, Fernández ordered over 800 men to scout the island. Much of the uninhabited island had been explored by 1578. Hundreds of towns and villages were built across the island.
In 1582, the capital, Ciudad de Miguel, was devastated by an extraordinarily violent tornado, which killed over 200 people and ravaged large swathes of the city. It is the earliest known and the most powerful tornado to ever hit the country. Detailed sketches and a book named Tubería Oscura by Governor Málaga Diego Fernández are the only proof of the storm. In 2004, the tornado was officially rated F5 by the Canterbury Meteorological Office, the first of only six such tornadoes in the country's history.
17th-century[]
On June 29th, 1623, Málaga Diego Fernández was executed in his sleep.
18th century[]
1783 - Joya de Sol is founded.
1794 - A saint visits the town of Santo del Toro. The town was renamed in his honor.
19th century[]
December 17th, 1809 - Canterbury gains independence from the Spanish Empire.
March 23rd, 1836 - The Canterbury Meteorological Office is founded.
1883 - The company of Verde was founded in 1883 by a merchant from Villanueva.
In 1892, the British Empire occupied Canterbury. The occupation lasted until 1913 after a brutal retaliation. The town of Real was named in its honor after a visit by Governor Thomas Owen.
20th century[]
- 1901 - Ciulonia is founded by a French mime.
- 1971 - Reforms of the healthcare and judicial systems. Crime sprees result in strict control and regulation over imports.
- 1978 - The famous band Jose y Pedro is founded in the town of Villa Astugovia by brothers Jose and Pedro García. Since its founding, they have become known nationwide for their travels across Canterbury.
- 1974 - 1999: A series of deadly violent tornadoes impact Canterbury, leading to improved funding in severe weather research.
- 1997 - Torre de la Riqueza is built in Ciudad de Miguel. Numerous skyscrapers are built afterwards.
21st century[]
- Throughout the 21st-century, economic booms have greatly shaped the country. In 2008, Canterbury suffered an economic hardship, which greatly impacted trade and exports.
- August 18th, 2014 - A violent tornado rips through Ciudad de Miguel. The extensive damage and subsequent rebuilding process kickstarted a technological boom.
- Mass immigration from France, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Geography and climate[]
Geography[]
Canterbury is located in the Atlantic Ocean, on the same latitude as Spain, Ireland and France. It is located between 45°30 and 50°N, and between 15°30 and 26°30W. The rectangular-shaped island country consists of flat plains in the interior and around the mountains, except in the north, where there are rolling hills. The tallest peak, Montaña de Málaga, rises to 3,524 meters (11,561 feet) above sea level. There are mountains and hills that surround the interior, but there are two wide corridors in the south and north. The coastlines are lined with steep cliffs up to 35 m (115 ft) tall and expansive beaches. The longest, Playa Dorada, extends for 91.7 km (57 mi). In the south and central regions, the land consists of flat plains and small hills with little undulations in topography. The northern regions, particularly in Tierra de Árboles, are known for unusual limestone and karst formations.
The main island has approximately 467,995 square kilometers (180,695 square miles) of land area, ranking it as the largest European island and the 6th largest worldwide. The longest river, Rio de la Paz, flows south from the nation's largest lake, Lago de Paz, into the Atlantic Ocean via a waterfall in the town of La Verde. Streams and small lakes can be found across the country, mostly in the central and northern regions. The Valle de los Lagos is home to the highest concentration of lakes, as well as Canterbury's only marshland. Directly adjacent is the Torres Verdes (lit. Green towers), named for its tall limestone pillars, covered by dense foliage. Fiordo Azul, a system of fjords, lies to the northwest. Rocks, small islets and islands dot the coast, most heavily just off the eastern coast. with the largest ones being Isla Verde and Isla Blanca in the south and northwest respectively. Geysers can be found in the Valle de Nubes.
Landmarks and tourist destinations[]
Main article: Landmarks of Canterbury
Climate[]
See also: Climate of Canterbury, Tornadoes in Canterbury
The climate is oceanic and temperate, with cool summers and mild winters. Due to the presence of the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Current, the coastal regions of the southwest and west feature a subtropical climate, with mild winters and warm summers with frequent precipitation. Across much of the country, temperatures reach up to 25°C in summer, and around 5°C in winter. Tempratures seldom exceed 30°C or dip below -5°C, except in mountainous regions, where winter temperatures often reach below -10°C and occasionally heavy snowfall. Cloud cover is high throughout much of western and northern Canterbury. The sunniest region is the southeast. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest regions are the west and south, averaging 1,500-2,800 mm of rainfall annually, with higher rainfall rates in some places due to orographic lift. Thunderstorms are relatively uncommon in Canterbury, with storms most prevalent in the south. Oftentimes, these are weak and short-lived. However, on rare occasions, these storms can become severe and produce large hail and strong winds. Canterbury averages between 30 and 40 tornadoes annually, most frequently occurring in the provinces of Centrales Montañas and Granjas del Sur. The island is also subject to Atlantic depressions during the wintertime, which can bring high seas and strong winds to the western and northern coasts. Weather forecasting, research, and data collection is conducted by the country's sole meteorological service, the Canterbury Meteorological Office (CMO).
Government[]
Officially, Canterbury is a unitary one-party presidential republic governed by a president (governor). The national legislature, the unicameral Asamblea Nacional, is dominated by the sole and founding political party, Partido Verde, which maintains tight control over politics and society. The Asamblea Nacional has the power to directly appoint the Governor and make suggestions on foreign and domestic policy. The country follows a progressive and nationalistic ideology, with an emphasis on financial equality, economic development, and welfarism. The constitution and government uphold freedom of speech, religion, and thought. All foreign media, including radio and broadcasting, must be state-approved to operate in Canterbury. Although the citizens' rights to express personal opinions is upheld, there are moderate restrictions on freedom of assembly. Public demonstrations are always under direct government oversight, and political opposition is strictly prohibited. Term limits of the Governor have never been established, and the role may pass down from heir to heir. Dynastic rule has occurred historically, with the Diego Fernández dynasty lasting 226 years, from 1569 to 1795.
The president, more commonly known as the Governor (El Gobernador), is the ultimate head of state and government, as well as the commander in-chief of the military. Advisors may also accompany the Governor under their permission. The Governor will retain their role until their death, but they can leave office at will. As stated above, the role of Governor is passed down from heir to heir. Should a Governor unexpectedly die while in office, the eldest heir will assume the role. If no heir is present, the Asamblea Nacional will appoint a new Governor from an alternate linage, often a high-ranking official from within the party itself.
Secretaries are appointed by the Vice Governor in each province. They, along with the Vice Governor, agree together on a Governor if they truly believe that the candidate is highly capable of improving, maintaining, and protecting the lives of Canterburians. Secretaries hold no control over federal matters, but they do have regulation over their respective provinces. They are solely responsible for informing the Governor of national and regional issues, and enforcing policies within their respective provinces. In modern times, the Governor typically hails from Canterbury. Prior to independence, Governors were from the former Spanish Empire, often Spain itself. Canterbury also has elements of meritocracy, as Governors typically hold high expertise and intelligence prior to the beginning of their term. Once a Governor is decided, one of the secretaries will invite that person. Should that person agree to become the Governor, the Vice Governor will announce that the person is now the Governor; otherwise they will select a new candidate. Governors are required to have all of the following attributes:
- IQ > 140
- Citizenship of Canterbury for 5+ years.
- Be a member of the Partido Verde.
- Commitment to improving quality of life and addressing societal issues.
- A devotion to enlightened and intellectual leadership, accountability, and transparency.
The Vice Governor is the deputy head of state, and is responsible for enacting policy on order of the governor. They also serve as a regent should the governor be absent.
Demographics[]
The country of Canterbury is home to 53.8 million people as of 2023. The population is homogenous, with 89% of these people identifying as "Canterburian".
96% are Christian or Roman Catholic, 3.1% of the population is irreligious, and the final 0.9% are other religions (Islam, Buddhism, etc.)
Economy[]
Canterbury has a mixed social market economy characterized by sizeable government intervention and economic diversity, with notable state participation in strategic sectors. The country has a robust and effective social welfare system. This system prioritizes economic development, while securing the well-being of its citizens. The Canterburian economy has been described as innovative, diverse, high-tech, and business-friendly. Despite operating under a one-party system and maintaining some protectionist policies over certain industries such as agriculture, the country is among the most innovative and least corruptive in the world.
Services supply two-thirds of the workforce and GDP, while the industrial and agriculture sectors accounts for a fourth of the nation's GDP and similar levels of employment. Main exports include pharmaceuticals, motor vehicles, ships, electronics, machinery, iron and steel, renewable energy, and aircraft.
Ciudad de Miguel is an Alpha level global city, and has among the largest economies of any city in the world.
Transportation[]
Canterbury has invested significantly into its high-speed transportation since the 1990s. The transportation sector is dominated by Ferrocarril Inteligente (FI), which operates and maintains the high-speed railways.
The country has two international airports, Miguel Torres International Airport and Orléans International Airport. There are several regional airports as well.
Culture[]
See also: Culture of Canterbury
Canterbury is one of the major Latin countries in Europe. The Catholic Church has played a significant role in Canterburian culture. The culture of Canterbury is heavily influenced by Spain, as well as its interaction with the western world and historically Catholic roots. It has been shaped by the country's geography and oceanic climate. WIP