Cataduanes

RP History
An island nation in South East Asia, it is characterized by its history of colonial oppression in the past in which Spanish colonizers invaded and overthrew the native Merdicas Kingdom leading to hundreds of years of colonial rule in which Spanish settlers intermarried among the natives forming a Mestizo populace that eventually assimilated the dwindling Merdicasi natives. Spanish rule came to an end during the Spanish Civil War in 1936, with Cataduanes based branches of the 'CNT' (Spanish anarchists) uniting with the peasant rebel groups (the Katipunan) and seized control instituting a popular front government that encompassed the left wing Spanish with the new native Anarcho-Syndicalist 'CCT' (Confederacion Collectivo de Trabajadores, largely the old Katipunan) uniting with the CNT, the Anarcho-Syndicalist movement dominates the Co-alition that essentially governs Cataduanes, the Co-aliton government is also termed the 'Frente Popular' or Popular Front. After Franco's victory in Spain the island became a haven for many Spanish republicans of all ideologies. The Political situation in Cataduanes was volatile with the communist 'PCC' (Partido Communista Cataduano) and the socialist 'FSD' (Federacion Socialista y Democratia) distrustful of the dominant CCT and each other yet united as a coalition in the Popular Front, outside of the Popular front factions are the 'PL' (Partido Liberal) which represents the remnants of the old liberals, the monarchist 'PBD' (Partido Bangsa Datulos) who advocate the rule of the old Datu's or native princes, who in colonial times were co-opted by the Spaniards, the 'PMI' (Partido Marxismo Internacional) a splinter group from the PCC, and the HMU (Hizb Mussalman Urang) party which represents Cataduanes small but noteworthy Muslim minority.

The provinces all elected there own councils from the village level and upwards, the provincial councils or 'Ateneos' sent representatives to the Commissariat (senate) in the capital, in addition to these provincial Commissars they were joined by the sitting commissar who held veto powers in certain situations, the sitting Commissar also represented Cataduanes on the international stage and postion in recent times fell to the politically unaffiliated Military Commissar, Erramun Sendoa, the commander of the Armed Forces (Sandatahang Lakas ng Cataduanes.

Towards the end of the GATO-1V War the near collapse of authority led to the near outbreak of civil war as communist and Anarchist factions began to show alarming degree's of hostility towards each other while the opposition blocks were gaining more support. As the nation teetered upon the brink the military overthrew the Popular Front with Commissar Erramun Sendoa seizing ultimate control citing the Armed Forces as being the only capable guardians of the nations integrity during the reconstruction efforts after the end of the GATO conflict and also allowing relaxation of formerly prohibitive laws aimed at the opposition parties while imprisoning the more intractable members of the formerly dominant Communists and Anarchists.

It remained to be seen whether the Military government will allow free elections or retain its total grip on power, at present Commissar Erramun Sendoa is head of the Military Council (Junta) that is in total control of the country. The Junta is also made up of the Chiefs of the 3 branches of the armed forces, the head of the intelligence service (Servicio de Inteligencia) and the various heads of the civilian institutions like the police and fire service.

With the Commissariat dissolved, the war weary nation exhausted and the civil service incorporated into the military logistical departments the old opposition parties were powerless to contest military rule. The people by and large accepted the coup and the Junta's rule has seen the rebuilding process gather peace and the increasing prosperity of the nation has help to stifle internal opposition.

The capital of Oltaloro is renowned for its 'Ciudad Vieja' or old town based around the San Martin harbor and the Santiago fortress, its narrow cobbled streets and dilapidated colonial buildings give it an old world charm, in marked contrast the new districts on the Magalona hills largely built since the influx of revenue from the growing Uranium and Aluminum extraction industries, 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 and palace complexes. The old Spanish colonial capital of Villa Merida further up the coast from Oltaloro is noteworthy for its history but since independence has slipped into neglect and is considered a backwater while the largely Spanish populated islands of El Nido and Romblon are crammed with beautiful unspoiled beaches and picturesque fishing villages.

Game History since entering Cybernations
As a Nationstates player Cataduanes joined the ODN upon invitation from a fellow Nationstates player, Pope Hope having spent some time unaffiliated.

The Sunny Island nation has also been involved with the Popular Front, a proposed loose coalition of the Left wing nations in CN, which became a catalyst for the unification of the ICSN and ICP (now both defunct.)

With the start of The Great War the armed forces of Cataduanes had been serving mainly in offensives against the NPO member Federal Dutch Union in conjunction with GATO member, Zeroth Reich, a second front has been opened up against James of the Universe. The culmination of the Great War saw the Island come out stronger and the army demobilized in peacetime. However conflict with the small COBRA alliance led to more military action in which the Cataduanes military showed a good account of itself.

Since the war with COBRA the peace within the ODN and by extension Cataduanes remained stable, even when the chaos of the 2nd Great War threatened Commissar Erramun Sendoa steered the island nation to even closer relations within the ODN and remaining a patriotic member of the Orange Defense Network. However with the ODN deciding to not involve itself in GW2 the island nation was forced to watch as its many comrades in the ICP were cut down, this was to be repeated as the LSF were cornered and chrushed by Nordreich.

However the outbreak of GW3 saw the island nation once again march to war against the GOONS (fighting Wolfraim, Kakakaka and Point Given), a conflict in which the nation fought despite horrendous losses and was only 52 infra points away from ZI. Since the end of GW3 the Freestate was engaged in restoring lost infrastructure, and labored hard as an ODN military officer in the subsequent reforms to the ODN armed forces following the war. However in late June 2007 the reformation of the ICP (reformed with the blessing of NoV and the NPO) saw the Freestate resign its membership of the ODN after 14 months of service, on the 5th July the Cataduanes Freestate officially became a member state of the reformed ICP.

However this change of allegiance was to be ill fated with the Golden Sabres and NoV launching a unwarranted surprise attack sparking what became known as the ICP Reformation War. The attack was also aided by Team Orange sanctions imposed by IRON which crippled the Freestate's revenue and long term ability to fight. The unjustifiable war ended with the ICP being forced to disband and all members of the non defunct ICP forced to pay reparations. The Freestate subsequently returned to the ODN along with a number of other ICP refugees.

With the entrance of the ODN into the Just war (also called by some the Unjust War) the Freestate was once again been sent to war, this time far better equipped (than in GW3) for the type of warfare that currently characterizes CN warfare. After a number of weeks fighting the war settled down as the GOONS slowly but surely disappeared.

After some thought the Freestate returned to its adherence to Left wing principles and for the second time resigned from the ODN, this time to join the CPCN. The Freestate helped the CPCN defeat the attempted coup mounted by the militant Marxist-Leninist faction led by then party chairman Demokratikos, with the coup consigned to the dustbin of history the Freestate has played a high profile role as Commissar Erramun Sendoa was duly elected to head the Foreign Affairs Commissariat of the CPCN. And has helped the CPCN sign a number of treaties with the most vital being the establishment of a TOA/ODP with ODN, and the entrance of the Party into the Orange Unity Treaty(OUT).

After months of stalwart service to CPCN the eruption of the GATO-1V War has seen Cataduanes join GATO's fight for survival. This is due to the MDP between CPCN and GATO that was dissolved in the opening days of the war, with Cataduanes and other CPCN member nations opting to honor the spirit of the treaty and join the fight (see the Commie Volunteer Force article. Over the subsequent weeks the Freestate fought bitterly against unending hordes of One Vision nations.

The Freestate fought on till terms were agreed ending the GATO-1V War, the nation was devastated having been forced to disband many improvements and possessing only 62 infra. After a number of days the battered island nation then returned to ODN applying for entry to the Network on the 22/04/08.

However the return to ODN coincided with one of the darkest episodes in ODN's history when on the eve of war the pact with the New Polar Order was canceled, plunging the network into infamy and allegations of cowardice. Horrified by what was seen as a gross error the Freestate has worked long and hard to try play a part in ODN's redemption serving as a diplomat and latterly as a member of the senate, partaking in such decisions as ending the war with Vox Populi and the siding with Karma in the Karma War and helping to restore relations with GATO and MK, with the former granting Honorary membership of the the Global Alliance in recognition of the bonds between it and the Cataduanes Freestate 1.

The outbreak of the TOP-C&G War has saw the Freestate engaged in its first ever nuclear conflict (Surprising for such an old nation), as part of the first wave the Freestate meted out and sustained much damage in pursuit of its duty to ODN and the Complaints and Grievances Union, and continued to fight on till peace was declared.

Geography


Cataduanes is 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 iconic symbol of the nation, it is located in the center of the island amid 3 extinct volcanoes, known locally as the Tres Reyes or Three kings (there exist at least 9 active yet smaller volcanoes throughout the Curon mantain provinces). Off the western coasts are the islands of El Nido and Romblon.



The local climate is largely hot, humid, and tropical in the lowlands. The average yearly temperature is around 26.5°C (79.7°F). In the Curon Mountains the climate during the dry season is pleasant and sunny, but it is alpine, with thick forest and snows during the winter.

There are three recognized seasons (all seasonal names are in Cataduaño and Mahabeño):

Verano/Tag-init (the hot season or summer from March to May)

Otoño/Tag-ulan (the rainy season from June to November)

Invierno/Taglamig (the cold season from December to February).

The southwest monsoon (May-October) is known as the Habagato/Habagat and the dry winds of the northeast monsoon (November-April) as the Viento-Zabio/Amiha.

Geo-Political subdivisions
After independence the country was divided into 9 Communidades (provinces), abolishing the old Spanish system of the 14 Barrio's. The majority of the Communidades are tropical in terrain except for alpine like provinces of Coron Norte and Coron Sur. El Nido and Romblon are small islands off the western coast.

Culion (containing the capital Oltaloro)

Merida 

Marinduque

Coron Norte

Coron Sur

Busuanga

Samal

El Nido

Romblon

Demographics
The Mestizo's or Cataduaños represent some 78% of the population, the ethnicity and culture is a blend of the now extinct Merdicasi and the spanish conquerors, the language is a creole language combining Spanish, Malay (Merdicasi) and Chinese elements.

The Mahabeños are also descendants of the Merdicasi natives however they have retain more of their indigenous language and culture, they form 9% of the population and are largely concentrated in Samal province and eastern Basuanga province.

The Spanish population constitute 6% (this includes the community of descendants of Catalan refugees)of the nation and are spread across Culion, Romblon & El Nido provinces, the majority of whom arrived as refugee's from Franco's triumph over the second Spanish Republic. Among the those counted as Spanish are an assortment of descendants of Europeans with various nationalities who had fought for the second Spanish Republic, while fully integrated into the Spanish society around them many retain pride in their ancestry, the largest in number are the Alemanes(descendants of Germans who fought for the Spanish republic during the civil war) who are concentrated in the capital.

A small but growing expatriate communtiy can also be found in the capital, mainly consisting of employees of foreign companies and their families.

The Freestate is also home to a vibrant Catalan community, the Catalans are by and large bilingual with some 80% using Catalan as a mother tongue (and Spanish for inaction with non-Catalans), they are largely concentrated in the capital especially in the Barrio Negrenses area of the city.

Ethnic Chinese, also known as the Juachis, make up 5% of the population and are concentrated in Merida and Culion provinces, the Juachis were originally Cantonese migrants who had settled during the age of the Merdicas kingdom but it remained a small population until the influx of Cantonese migrants from the early 20th century greatly expanded the numbers of the Jauchis, The Juachis have fully retained their Cantonese language and customs, the Chinatown of the capital Oltaloro city is famed for its vibrancy.

A tiny Basque community (1% of the total population) exists in Oltaloro city where they live mainly in the 'Luxemburgo' barrio (city area). They are largely the descendants of refugee's from the Spanish civil war, they have retained their unique language and customs rather than being assimilated into the Spanish community and have contributed many leading figures to the Popular Front and the Militia's.

Religious Demographics
Since Independence religion has had no official status in Cataduanes and the Catholic Church in Cataduanes lost much of its land, however it continues to remain a force and it is estimated that at least 70% of Cataduaños are committed Catholics. Among the Spanish population an estimated 55% could be classed as committed Catholics. In modern times the arrival of missionaries from the Orange Catholic Church has led to small minority of adherents among the Chinese minority and a tiny following among Mestizo's in Oltaloro City, while the Hare Krishna movement and Buddhism have gained small but growing numbers of converts in the Capital.

Among the Maharbeños the religious traditions of the ancient Merdicas remain in existence. 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, this faith exist alongside conventional Catholic faith with many families attending Mass on Sundays but retaining statues of the Merdicasi gods to worship within the home.

The Jauchis are a mix of Catholics, Confucians, Taoists, Buddhists and a small community following the Orange Catholic Church.

Islam has found converts largely on the northern coast of Merida province and in Samal province. Islam in Merida dates back to the early 1920s when Spanish colonial troops of Moroccan origins introduced the faith to the local fishermen, as a result the coast rapidly underwent conversion and now form a slight majority on the north Coast of Merida, the majority are Sunni Muslims of the Hanafi school. Islam has begun to make inroads into Samal province with a growing number of Muslim converts to be found on the northern coasts of Samal province around the port of Ardar, in contrast to the Muslim Cataduaños the Muslims of Ardar are Sunni's of the Shafi`i school as a result of Malaysian missionaries.

Education
The Island is home to two universities, the oldest is the 'Colegio de Torrevieja' in the city of Merida and was established during Spanish colonial rule (when it was known as the 'Esquela Coloniales') having survived the ravages of the Spanish civil war and the subsequent independence to become the premier educational institution in the Freestate. The second university is the 'Universidad Pamatasang de Oltaloro' which is based in the Barrio Canlaon area of the capital Oltaloro.

Economy
In recent times the Uranium mines of Samal province have shot to prominence and are now the biggest source of revenue for the Freestate, also of note is the Aluminium mines of Marinduque province. In Busuanga, Culion, Coron Norte & Sur and Merida rice farming remains the dominant industry, Along all the coasts fishing is the largest employer.

Energy Production
With its seemingly limitless stocks of uranium the Freestate recently embarked on an ambitious program of expansion of the Nuclear energy sector, with construction of 10 new reactors to supplement the 14 ageing reactors built in the pre-GW3 era.



With the new reactors coming online the nuclear sector now produces about 78% of the Freestate's electricity, with the remainder being taken up by the declining fossil fuel power station sector. With the growing environmental concerns of the leadership plans were recently announced to phase out the fossil fuel energy sector in favor of further expansion of the nuclear sector in the coming years.

Media
The national media is largely independent and split along political lines. In the print sector the newspaper 'Verdadera' is the broadsheet of the Anarcho-Syndicalist movement, other major daily prints include 'Tiempo' from the communists, 'Merdicasy Hoy' from the Socialists and the spanish language publication 'Libertad' which represents the large spanish populations in Oltaloro, El Nido and Romblon. 'Mar' is the socialist affiliated paper of the ethnic Chinese.

There are 3 terrestrial TV channels Tele Cataduanes 1, Tele Cataduanes 2 and Merdicasy Hapon, all 3 are jointly run by the various factions of the Popular Front.

However the proliferation of international satellite TV outside of the government control has led to a growing awareness of the outside world.

Sports and Popular Culture
The traditional sports vary with the west of the island and sections of the central areas of the Curon possessing a tradition of Bull fighting handed down by the Spanish colonisers, while in the east of the island Cockeral Fighting is king.

However Football (or Soccer as it is known in some parts of planet Bob) is the biggest spectator sport by far, Professional Football in Cataduanes can be traced back to late 20's when the colonial authorities established a semi-professional domestic league consisting of three teams, with the end of Spanish rule a fully fledged professional league structure was established.

However in recent years other team sports have gained a measure of popularity, with the most successful being Rugby Football. Rugby in Cataduanes is based on the two universities (it Oltaloro and Merida), Mining companies (in Samal), International schools (All in Oltaloro) and small but growing Expatriate community teams.

Armed Forces
Please see the Sandatahang Lakas ng Cataduanes article.