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{{Other uses|Freice (disambiguation){{!}}Freice}}
{{Short description|Country in Olivacia}}
{{Short description|Country in Olivacia}}
{{Infobox country
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Country of Freice
| conventional_long_name = Country of Freice
| common_name = Freice
| native_name = ''Feese Kaaunga'' (Freician)
| native_name = ''Punqya Fris''
| image_flag             = [[File:Flag of Freice.png|125px]]
| image_flag = Flag of Freice.png
| image_coat            = [[File:Coat of arms of Freice.png|100px]]
| image_symbol = File:Public Seal of Freice.png
| flag_type            = [[Flag and emblem of Freice|Flag]]
|symbol_type = Seal
| coat_alt              = Coat of arms of Freice
| national_anthem = ''Fris Enqe''<br/>({{lang-en|"Onward Friece"}})<br/>
| symbol_type           = [[Flag and emblem of Freice|Coat of arms]]
| image_map = File:Location of Freice in Olivacia.png
| other_symbol          = <div style="padding:0.3em;">
| image_map_size = 310px
[[File:Coat of arms of Freice (Riamese variant).png|75px|]]</div>
| map_caption = The location of Freice in Olivacia
| other_symbol_type      = [[Flag and coat of arms of Freice|Federal arms]]
| capital = Freice City
| national_motto        = ''Kalaa ata Lavaae'' (Freician)<br>(Common: "Separate and Free")
| largest_city = Freice City
| national_anthem        = ''Tasaam Feese'' (Freician)<br>(Common: "The Freician Song")
| official_languages = {{unbulleted list |Frecian}}
| image_map             = [[File:Freice on the globe (Kaldaz Sea centred).png|260px]]
| ethnic_groups = {{unbulleted list |98.1% Frecian |1.9% Other}}
| capital                = Sekaapa
| ethnic_groups_year = 2021 census
| coordinates            =  
| demonym = Freician
| largest_city           = capital
| government_type = Unitary parliamentary republic with an executive presidency
| official_languages     = {{hlist|Freician|Common Language}}
| leader_title1 = [[President of the Assembly of Delegates of Freice|President of the Assembly of Delegates]]{{Ref label|a|a}}
| national_languages    =
| leader_name1 = [[Aniara Neze]]
| ethnic_groups         = Freician (95%)<br>Other Kaldaic (3%)<br>Other Olivacian (1%)<br>Other (1%)
| leader_title2 = Vice President of the Assembly of Delegates
| ethnic_groups_ref      =
| leader_name2 = Saral Tene Siegna
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2019
|leader_title3 =
| demonym               = Freician
|leader_name3 =  
| government_type       = Regional assembly-independent democracy under a federal monarchial republic
|leader_title4 =
| leader_title1 = Monarch
|leader_name4 =
| leader_name1 = Diana II
| legislature = [[Assembly of Delegates (Freice)|Assembly of Delegates]]
| leader_title2 = [[Maaita of Freice|Maaita]]
| sovereignty_type = Formation
| leader_name2 = [[Kaana Tenkel]]
| established_event1 = Independence from [[Maricoen]]
| leader_title3 = [[Maaita_of_Freice#Regency|Regent]]
| established_date1 = 1969
| leader_name3 = [[Makeeia Taaguvigi]]
| established_event2 = Current constitution
| legislature           = [[Representative Council (Freice)|Representative Council]]
| established_date2 = 1971
| sovereignty_type       = Establishment
| area_km2 = 121.3
| established_event1     = Riamese protectorate established
| area_rank = {{small|unranked}} <!-- Area rank should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]];(should not be any here as it is listed with a dash) -->
| established_date1     = 1878
| area_sq_mi = 46.8
| established_event2     = Constitution
| percent_water =
| established_date2      = 1 September 1925
| established_event3    = Current status
| established_date3      = 3 April 1972
| established_event4    =
| established_date4      =  
| area_km2               = 121.3
| area_rank             =  
| area_sq_mi             =  
| percent_water         = negligible
| population_census = 14,158
| population_census = 14,158
| population_census_rank = X
| population_estimate_year =
| population_census_year = 2016
| population_census_rank = not ranked
| population_census_year = 2019
| population_density_km2 = 117
| population_density_km2 = 117
| population_density_sq_mi = 303
| population_density_sq_mi = 303
| population_density_rank = 1
| population_density_rank = not ranked
| GDP_nominal = ₳32.7 million
| GDP_PPP =
| GDP_nominal_rank ={{nowrap|{{small|not ranked}}}}
| GDP_PPP_rank =
| GDP_PPP_year =
| GDP_PPP_per_capita =
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank =
| GDP_nominal = 32.7 million ACU
| GDP_nominal_rank =  
| GDP_nominal_year = 2020
| GDP_nominal_year = 2020
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = ₳2,312
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = 2,312 ACU
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = {{nowrap|{{small|not ranked}}}}
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank =  
| HDI =  
| HDI                   = 0.640
| HDI_year =  
| HDI_year               = 2021 <!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_rank =  
| HDI_change            = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| currency = Freician are
| HDI_ref                =  
| currency_code = FRA
| currency = [[Riamese_hull#Freice|Freician hull]]{{efn|Non-circulation legal tender.}}<br>[[Riamese hull]]
| time_zone = FST
| currency_code =  
| utc_offset = +05:25
| timezone = RST
| utc_offset = +5:00
| timezone_DST =
| utc_offset_DST =  
| utc_offset_DST =  
| time_zone_DST =
| drives_on = left
| drives_on = [[Right- and left-hand traffic|left]]
| calling_code = +451
| calling_code = +451
| iso3166code = FR
| postal_code_type = Postcode
| cctld = .fr
| postal_code = RMT 1972
| footnote_a = {{Note|a}} serves concurrently as head of state, head of government and speaker of the legislature.
| iso_code =
| area_magnitude =  
| cctld = .fe
| HDI_category =  
| footnotes =
}}
}}
'''Freice''' (/friːs/ fr-EE-s; Freician: ''Feese'' [feɪeɪsə]), officially the '''Country of Freice''' (Freician: ''Feese Kaaunga'') is an island country in the Kaldaz Sea, approximately 936 km (582 mi) southeast of mainland Olivacia. The country, consisting of a single island that forms part of the wider Pohnpenesian Island group, has a land area of 121 km<sup>2</sup> (47 sq mi) and a population of 14,158 people as of 2019. The capital and largest city is Sekaapa.


'''Freice''' (Frecian: Fris), officially the '''Country of Freice''' (Frecian: Punqya Fris) is an island country located in Olivacia, positioned to the south of Latvilande. Constituting only one island and having an area of only 121 km2 (46.8 sq mi), Freice is the second-smallest country in the world. Furthermore, with a population of 14,158, it has one of the smallest population of any independent state. It's capital is Freice City.
Freice was first inhabited by Kaldaic people in the first millenium, with a stable and comparatively complex system of government established by the time of colonial contact in the eighteenth century. The Riamese first landed on the island in 1871, making contact with the local chiefs. In 1872, a [[Riamo|Riamese]] protectorate was established, with the indigenous rulers allowed to retain control of internal government. In 1972, Freice assumed full self-governance as a Country of the Riamese Federation, with Riamo retaining control over defence and foreign affairs.
 
Settled by nomadic peoples from mainland Olivacia around 900 BC, Freice was colonized and annexed by [[Maricoen]] in the mid 18th century. Following a gradual process of reform and the introduction of local self-government in the 1950s, Freice became an independent country in 1969, during the height of the Era of Civil Wars. Following independence, a program of political and economic modernization was undertaken by successive governments, although mostly focussed in the capital and other larger urban areas. It transitioned from a colonial state to a democratic republic, with the 1971 constitution creating the Assembly of Delegates and an executive presidency, elected by the assembly from amongst its members.


Freice has maintained traditional cultures and ways of life, with political and economic society marked by the sharp contrast between local cultures and urban modernity<ref>[https://www.chargrilled.co.uk/t-shirts/prodimages/staticimages/square/g0pleasegoaway_g_White.jpg/ Visit Freice: Culture]</ref>. Beginning in 2021, Freice has slowly emerged from a long period of self-isolation. It successfully sought membership of the Saltstil Pact and of the Anterian Socialist Republics Alliance. In the Rohyn crisis, Freice took part in a Saltstil Pact-organized program of aid to people affected by conflict<ref>[https://www.chargrilled.co.uk/t-shirts/prodimages/staticimages/square/g0pleasegoaway_g_White.jpg/ Department for for Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Sustainable Development:] STATEMENT: "The Country of Freice, upholding its obligations as a member state of the Saltstil Pact, has engaged in operations in Rohyn, helping to provide relief for those affected by the current situation.</ref>. This marked the first time since independence that Freice took part in a multi-nation exercise.
Today, Freice remains one of the poorest countries in the world, despite Riamese financial aid. In the early twenty-first century, tourism steadly grew and is now one of the main sources of income for the island's small economy. The island's culture remains tied to its Kaldaic traditions, with minimal residents coming from mainland Olivacia, Riamo, and the other Pohnpenesian islands.


==History==
==History==
{{Main|History of Freice}}
===Riamese Era (1878-1972)===
 
Between 1878 and 1972, Freice was a protectorate of the [[Riamo]]. In Freician historiography, this period is known as the "Riamese Era" (Freician: ''Teeia Ramiotam''). During this period, Freice remained a nominally independent state, with its foreign affairs and defence the responsibility of the Riamese Government as part of a Treaty of Friendship and Amicable Relations. In 1878, the Maaita Tuaa Savou signed the treaty under pressure, with implied threat of full annexation if he resisted. Despite promises of domestic autonomy, the Freician government came under increased Riamese influence through the presence of a number of Resident Ministers.  
===Early history and Colonization===
Freice was first inhabited by nomadic peoples from Olivacia around 900 BC. However, the population today traces its heritage to a number of waves of migration across a thousand years from numerous groups of varying ethnic backgrounds. Until the colonization by the Maricoenians in the mid 18th century, Freice was governed by a succession of different political systems, but only under one single, unified government from the mid sixteenth century with the establishment of the Frecian kingdom.


Maricoen imperialists first landed on Freice in 1756, making contact with the natives and their Queen. In the first stages, an agreement was made that allowed Maricoenians use of the island as a base from which to trade and station part of its naval fleet. Although Freice remained de jure independent, the two years that followed this agreement saw the government and economy of Freice increasingly come under Maricoenian, with the Queen becoming subordinate to the wishes of the resident naval commander.
In 1893, a number of Freician chiefs unsuccessfully sought to rebel against Riamese hegemony, resulting in the execution of five chiefs in what has subsequently been called Black November (Freician: ''Neeia Nogutumaa''). In 2003, the Riamese government apologised for its role in these executions. By 1900, with Christianity well-established as the religion of the majority of Freicians, Maaita Teeakaala Neeiet proclaimed Riamese Orthodoxy the state religion.  


In 1758, Maricoen formally annexed Freice as a colony, introducing a new colonial government with a Governor exercising supreme authority on the island. The Queen remained a public figure with limited powers, often serving as a representative of the Frecian people to the colonial authorities and vice versa. However, in 1832 the Queen was formally stripped of all political responsibilities.
Beginning in the 1910s, the Riamese government placed growing pressure on the Freician government to introduce some form of representative body to avoid a second rebellion amongst the chiefs. In 1923, the Maaita's Council was established as an advisory body. This was replaced, in 1928, with the [[Representative Council (Freice)|Representative Council]], which consisted of all the chiefs and representatives of other senior groups. This body was largely hereditary, with the Maaita appointing additional members at their discretion.


Freice became an important trading post, providing Maricoen with an important strategic position from which to deploy its navy, and played a crucial part in the [[Marco-Thoren Wars]].
Throughout the 1930s, Freice embarked on a series of social reforms to align it with Riamo. This included a new criminal code, a codified constitution, a form of state welfare, and elections to the Representative Council on a limited suffrage. Under the brief rule of Leiseini Mataasat (1943-1945) and his son Jalimateki Leiseini (1945-1953), restrictions on the press were lifted and universal suffrage was finally introduced.


The large fishing reserves found in the ocean surrounding Freice remained an important part of the local economy and was an important source of revenue for the colonial government, which created a monopoly on the fishing of local waters and imposed a quota on all fish that was to be sent to mainland Maricoen.
===Recent history===
In the 1960s, the Riamese federal government requested that the Freician Representative Council discuss and decide on Freice's future political status. The government gave the Council three options: full political independence, integration into Riamo proper, or associated status within the Federation. From 1966, the Freician government supported a policy of association, maintaining political and constitutional links with the Riamese Crown and government whilst maintaining its unique form of self-governance.


===Self government and the road to independence===
On 3 April 1972, the Freice Act formalised the island's political status and clarified debated aspects of its relationship with Riamo. The act formally recognised Freice as a "Country under the Jurisdiction of the Riamese Federation" and granted the Riamese federal government responsibility for the island's foreign affairs and defence. A subsequent bilateral treaty granted the federal government further powers over fiscal and some monetary policy areas. Nonetheless, Freice assumed greater rights of self-government, including (from 1999) the unrestricted right to sign treaties and join international organisations.
Beginning in 1950, steps were taken to introduce self government in Freice. This began with the creation of an Assembly of Delegates, an advisory body to the Governor. This body was not elected but rather appointed by local community leaders. This body was an important first step in the process of independence.


In 1954, the Maricoenian government issued the Frecian Internal Reorganization Act, which devolved many of the powers held by the Governor to the Assembly and provided for the appointment of a local political leader with limited political powers. The President of the Assembly, previously just the chairman of the body, assumed the responsibility of assisting in the governance of the colony alongside the governor. This process of democratization continued with the introduction of elections to the assembly on a limited franchise. Over the next ten years, the assembly continued to expand its functions and responsibilities on an ad hoc basis, with the colonial government transferring powers when necessary.
In the 1980s, successive Freician governments sought to reduce Freice's economic dependency on Riamo. New agreements with Anahuac and Leogria, as well as greater cooperation between Freice and Pohnpenesia, led to a greater diversification in the economy. By 1992, Freice's exports to Riamo fell as a proportion of national income by a quarter. However, Riamo continued to be the destination of over 60 percent of Freician imports until the late 2000s, when further economic agreements substantially increased Freician exports to non-federation markets.


In 1965, colonial authorities provided for the creation of a constitutional convention to determine the future of Freice's sovereignty. It was widely expected that, due to the lack of economic and political development on the island, the public would opt for continued Maricoenian rule for the foreseeable future. However, the convention found in favour of independence, which began the process of independence, with the creation of a new convention to draw up plans for the eventual independence of Freice.
In 2003, [[Maaita of Freice|''Maaita'']] Tenkel Maairai publically congratulated Diana II on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of her accession. This was the first time that a Maaita affirmed their loyalty to the Riamese Crown, with predecessors avoiding a direct statement of allegiance in favour of "respectful reverence." ''E Tai Seelit'' suggested that the change in stance reflected a "greater sense of self-confidence within government circles." Tenkel's son and successor, Kaana Tenkel, echoed his father's comments during the Queen's golden jubilee.


===Independence===
In 2011 council elections, a record number of women were elected, with 7 women elected to the 20-member body. In 2017, the council became majority-female for the first and only time, with 11 women elected. In 2021, the Elections (Gender Balance) Act was passed and requires a minimum of 8 members to be women.
Freice achieved full independence on 16 February 1969 after a decade of negotiations with Maricoen. Under the independence agreement, a Constituent Assembly was established to draw up a new constitution, with Maricoen continuing to provide guidance in the construction of the new nation. The Constituent Assembly was dissolved on 31 December 1971 after the signing of the Constitution, although many of its responsibilities had been transferred to the new Assembly of Delegates.
 
In 1972, the Frecian government adopted a policy of 'internal focus', becoming increasingly isolated from the outside world and working on establishing new institutions and managing the country's economy without outside interference.
 
Despite initial attempts at the 'nativization' of Freice and the removal of western influences, the government formally abolished the residual native institutions that had survived on a semi-official basis. The traditional Queen of Freice was stripped of all formal power, although the Queen still retains significant informal power and influence, and the Council of Elders was disbanded. Despite this, traditional culture prevails on the island, with an increasing gap between the highly-westernized political class, centred in Freice City, and the rest of the population.
 
In 2021, Aniara Neze was elected leader of Freice and initiated reforms known as the 'external focus'. Her government successfully negotiated entry into the Saltstil Pact and the Anterian Socialist Republics Alliance, and has embarked on a process of formalizing relations with other states, including Maricoen.


==Geography==
==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of Freice}}
[[File:Coastal rocks - geograph.org.uk - 5401154.jpg|thumb|Etuenao Rocks, located in Northwest Freice.]]
Freice is an island nation in the Kaldaz Ocean, 936 km (582 mi) from the nearest point on mainland [[Olivacia]]. It is located in the south-centre of the Olivacian plate, and so is geologically considered part of the continent. It is located at latitude 92°E and longtitude 52°S. The island is approximately 47 km (29 miles) in length and 26 km (16 miles) wide, covering an area of 121.3 km<sup>2</sup> (46.8 sq mi) in the general shape of the letter 'L'.


There are four lakes in Freice: Lake Tagnaz (28 ha (69.2 acres)), Lake Buna (19 ha (47 acres)), Lake Baten (8 ha (19.8)), and Lake Kamza (1.7 ha (4.2 acres)).
The island's geography is divided between hilly terrain in the north-east of the island, and flat plateaus and west and south. There, the terrain is generally flat and fertile, and which is where the vast majority of the population resides and economic activity takes place. The north-west of the island is dominated by the Eastern Highlands, which includes the Nogupi Hills. The area surrounding the range constitutes a National Nature Reserve and is protected by law.


Freice is home to a large variety of flora and fauna, with around 19 mammal species, 10 amphibian species, 8 repticle species, and around 150 species of fish native to the island and its surrounding waters<ref>[https://www.chargrilled.co.uk/t-shirts/prodimages/staticimages/square/g0pleasegoaway_g_White.jpg/ Department for the Economy, Utilities, Industry, and the Environment]</ref>. Historically, Freice was host to a number of endemic bird species and subspecies, but these have since become extinct following decades of hunting and land clearance from the 1920s to the 1960s.
There are a number of small rocks off the coast, which are nature reserves and host to a number of birds and sea species. All are located within five miles off the shore.


The Ajen National Forest is host to a number of introduced plant species, with shrubs, plants, and climbers. This project has been funded by the Department for the Economy, Utilities, Industry, and the Environment.
Freice is home to a large variety of flora and fauna, with around 19 mammal species, 10 amphibian species, 8 reptile species, and around 150 species of fish native to the island and its surrounding waters. Historically, Freice was host to a number of endemic bird species and subspecies, but these have since become extinct following decades of hunting and land clearance from the 1820s to the 1960s.


=== Climate ===
=== Climate ===
According to the Köppen climate classification, Freice is Cfb, with consistent temperatures all year round. Days are mild and nights are cool, with precipitation heavy. June and July are the driest months. March is the wettest month, with up to 350mm of rain, with July the driest month, having only 120mm.
Freice has an oceanic climate (Koppen: Cfb), characterised by relatively frequent rainfall and a narrow temperature range. The highest recorded temperature in Freice (36.3 °C) was in Sekápa on 3 January 2010. Average temperatures range between 15 and 20 °C (59 and 68 °F) in summer, and between 2 and 10 °C (41 and 50 °F) in July, with the climate broadly characterised as cool, wet, and windy. Snow is rare, recorded only in the highland hills in the island’s northeast, usually once every few decades.


The temperature rarely falls below 6 °C (43 °F) or rises above 30 °C (86 °F). The highest temperature ever recorded on the island is 34.1 °C (93.4 °F), while the lowest temperature ever recorded is 4.1 °C (39.4 °F)
{{Weather box
| location = [[Freice]]
| width = auto
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 36.3
| Feb record high C = 34.6
| Mar record high C = 33.6
| Apr record high C = 25.5
| May record high C = 20.2
| Jun record high C = 15.1
| Jul record high C = 16.6
| Aug record high C = 19
| Sep record high C = 25.5
| Oct record high C = 29.1
| Nov record high C = 31.3
| Dec record high C = 35.1
| Jan high C = 19.9
| Feb high C = 19.4
| Mar high C = 17.9
| Apr high C = 15.1
| May high C = 12.5
| Jun high C = 9.8
| Jul high C = 9.5
| Aug high C = 10.8
| Sep high C = 12.7
| Oct high C = 14.8
| Nov high C = 16.3
| Dec high C = 18.2
| year high C = 14.8
| Jan low C = 10.2
| Feb low C = 10.1
| Mar low C = 8.8
| Apr low C = 6.6
| May low C = 4.8
| Jun low C = 2.7
| Jul low C = 2.4
| Aug low C = 2.8
| Sep low C = 4.1
| Oct low C = 5.5
| Nov low C = 7.2
| Dec low C = 8.8
| year low C = 6.2
| Jan record low C = 3.1
| Feb record low C = 3.2
| Mar record low C = 1.6
| Apr record low C = 0.9
| May record low C = −1.4
| Jun record low C = −2.5
| Jul record low C = −2.6
| Aug record low C = −1.5
| Sep record low C = −0.5
| Oct record low C = 0.0
| Nov record low C = 0.1
| Dec record low C = 3.1
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 41.7
| Feb rain mm = 35.8
| Mar rain mm = 35.0
| Apr rain mm = 40.6
| May rain mm = 37.2
| Jun rain mm = 44.0
| Jul rain mm = 42.5
| Aug rain mm = 61.0
| Sep rain mm = 52.6
| Oct rain mm = 50.8
| Nov rain mm = 48.7
| Dec rain mm = 51.0
| year rain mm = 540.9
| unit rain days= 0.2 mm
| Jan rain days = 8.5
| Feb rain days = 8.1
| Mar rain days = 10.3
| Apr rain days = 10.1
| May rain days = 11.0
| Jun rain days = 11.4
| Jul rain days = 13.1
| Aug rain days = 14.3
| Sep rain days = 14.7
| Oct rain days = 14.0
| Nov rain days = 12.5
| Dec rain days = 10.7
| year rain days = 138.7
| humidity colour = green
| Jan afthumidity = 51
| Feb afthumidity = 52
| Mar afthumidity = 52
| Apr afthumidity = 56
| May afthumidity = 58
| Jun afthumidity = 64
| Jul afthumidity = 61
| Aug afthumidity = 56
| Sep afthumidity = 53
| Oct afthumidity = 51
| Nov afthumidity = 53
| Dec afthumidity = 49
| year humidity = 55
| Jan sun = 257.3
| Feb sun = 226.0
| Mar sun = 210.8
| Apr sun = 177.0
| May sun = 148.8
| Jun sun = 132.0
| Jul sun = 151.9
| Aug sun = 179.8
| Sep sun = 195.0
| Oct sun = 232.5
| Nov sun = 234.0
| Dec sun = 248.0
| year sun = 2393.1
| Jan percentsun= 59
| Feb percentsun= 62
| Mar percentsun= 57
| Apr percentsun= 59
| May percentsun= 53
| Jun percentsun= 49
| Jul percentsun= 53
| Aug percentsun= 58
| Sep percentsun= 59
| Oct percentsun= 58
| Nov percentsun= 56
| Dec percentsun= 53
| source 1 = Riamse Meteorological Office
}}


==Politics and foreign relations==
==Politics==
{{Main|Politics of Freice|Foreign relations of Freice}}
{{Main|Politics of Freice}}
Alongside Pohnpenesia, Freice is one of the last remnants of the Riamese Empire still under a form of Riamese sovereignty. Freice is officially designated a "Country under the Jurisdiction of the Riamese Federation" and has a relationship with the Riamese federal government based on a series of bilateral treaties. Since 1999, Freice has maintained a separate personality in international law, although the Freician government continues to allow the Riamese government to legislate in foreign affairs on its behalf.
[[File:Vanuatu Parliament, Port Vila - Flickr - PhillipC.jpg|thumb|right|The Public Building Complex houses the Representative Council of Freice.]]
Freice's government follows a mixed system, combining elements of democracy and aristocracy. The [[Maaita of Freice|Maaita]] is the hereditary chief of the island, a position shared between the inheritors of three original claimants. Prior to 2001, the Maaita was the head of government; laws required the Maaita's approval and it was the Maaita that appointed government officials. Since the enactment of a new constitution, the Maaita's functions are now largely ceremonial. The current Maaita, since 30 January 2023, is [[Kaana Tenkel]], who is the 6th Maaita of his Tuaa share. His wife, [[Makeeia Taaguvigi]], serves as regent since 22 December 2023.


Freice's political system combines elements found in both parliamentary and presidential systems, but is unique in that the executive and legislative branches are tightly interconnected, with little division of powers between the two branches.
The [[Representative Council (Freice)|Representative Council]] is the unicameral legislature. 20 members are elected every three years through plurality block voting. All legislation requires the approval of the Council and the Maaita promulgates all laws. As part of the committee-based system used in Freice, councillors are appointed to one or more committees, which serve as equivalent to ministries, and which oversee and coordinate policy in a given area. The Policy Development Committee is the most important committee, consisting of a president, the chairs of the committees, and a number of ex officio members. The president of the Policy Development Committee is analogous to a prime minister.  


Under the 1971 constitution, executive power is vested in the Senior Committee of the Assembly of Delegates, whilst legislative power is vested in both the Senior Committee and the wider Assembly. The Senior Committee is comparable to a cabinet, and operates within the Assembly. It is lead by the President of the Assembly of Delegates, who is elected by delegates at the beginning of each Assembly following an election. The Assembly of Delegates also elects specific members to serve as 'Lead Delegate' within a certain department of the committee, akin to a minister in charge of a ministry.
===Judiciary===
Freice's legal system consists of traditional Freician Customary Law overlaid with principles and practices taken from Riamese law and statute law passed in the Representative Council. The Courts of Freice are responsible for the administration of justice, which are independent from the executive and legislative branches.


The Assembly of Delegates of Freice is the country's unicameral legislature, elected every year by all Frecian citizens aged eighteen and over. Whilst permitted to exist, Freice has no political parties, with the assembly operating under a consensus-based system. The President of the Assembly, as de facto head of government, is elected at the beginning of each Assembly, and who serves at the pleasure of the Assembly. Under this system, the government is directly tied to the legislature, rather than independent of it. The Assembly as the power to recall any member of the Senior Committee with a two-thirds vote, and can pass a motion of no confidence with a simple majority.  
The principal court is the Island Court, which exercises jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. The Island Court is the highest court of appeal, with the the power to interpret law and to reexamine the facts of a given case. The President of the Island Court is the head of the island's judiciary and is usually a Riamese jurist appointed with the approval of the local government. Other courts include the District Court, which deals with serious criminal matters, and the Summary Court, which deals with minor criminal matters and civil cases. Land Courts are specially-formed courts to hear disputes over land ownership.


The Assembly of Delegates consists of 15 members with each of the regions of Freice sending multiple delegates based on their population. The delegation numbers as as follows: Northwest, 4; Northeast, 2; Southeast, 5; Southwest, 4.
The Federal High Court (FHC) and the Federal Supreme Court (FSC) are the final courts of appeal in certain cases. The two federal courts have the power of appeal only in cases relating to good government and human rights, as well as in cases reserved for the federal government.


===Foreign Affairs and defence===
===Administrative divisions===
{{See also|Foreign relations of Freice|Community Protection Force of Freice}}
Freice is divided into nine administrative districts. Each district is governed by an elected mayor and district council, which have some jurisdiction over local matters.The most populous district is Sekápa, with 3,810 residents. The following table shows the population of each district according to the 2019 census.
Foreign relations are conducted with the Department for Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Sustainable Development, lead by the Lead Delegate for Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Sustainable Development.


Freice's foreign policy is largely determined by its membership of the Saltstil Pact and, to a lesser extent, the Anterian Socialist Republics Alliance (ASRA). As a member of the Saltstil Pact, Freice aligns itself with the policies adopted by the organization and agrees not to wage any act of aggression against another member. [[Vultesia]], as lead nation of the Pact, has an embassy in Freice City, which acts as the representative office of the whole Pact in the state.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! No. || District || District town || Area<br>(km<sup>2</sup>) || Population<br>(Census 2021) || No. of<br>towns
|-
| 1 || Dukoraani || Kapia || align="right" | 18 || align="right" | 1,439 || 2
|-
| 2 || Koimuk || Puti || align="right" | 7.2 || align="right" | 1,381 || 2
|-
| 3 || Maraana || Hamia || align="right" | 13.1 || align="right" | 1,352 || 3
|-
| 4 || Maatta || Matta || align="right" | 12.3 || align="right" | 907 || 2
|-
| 5 || Peeka || Soni || align="right" | 9.4 || align="right" | 1,503 || 3
|-
| 6 || Iisa || Tuhee || align="right" | 15.1 || align="right" | 1,343 || 3
|-
| 7 || Nogupi || Nogupi || align="right" | 32.6 || align="right" | 402 || 2
|-
| 8 || Sekaapa || Sekaapa || align="right" | 3.5 || align="right" | 3,810 || 3
|-
| 9 || Sekaapa Alut || Maui || align="right" | 10.1 || align="right" | 2,021 || 3
|-
|- style="background: #CCC;" | class="sortbottom"
|  || '''Freice''' || Sekaapa || align="right" | 121.3 || align="right" | 14,158 || 23
|-
|}


Freice has no formal military force. The Community Protection Force (Gosi Karjyazul Eknekuge; GKE) is the local police force and plays much of the role usually assigned to the armed forces. Within the Community Protection Force is an Officer Corps (Sana Otnen; SO), a paramilitary force under the command of the GKE that also operates as a coast guard<ref>[https://www.chargrilled.co.uk/t-shirts/prodimages/staticimages/square/g0pleasegoaway_g_White.jpg/ Office of the Chief Officer, Community Protection Force Freice]</ref>. Although officially part of the local police force, the SO can be called upon as a last line of defence in times of war. The Officer Corps works closely with Vultesian military officials.
==Population==
 
===Ethnicity===
===Administrative subdivisions===
As of 2019, the population of Freice was 14,158. Of these, approximately 95 percent were ethnic Freicians, of whom around 98 percent were born in Freice. The remaining five percent consist of other Kaldaic peoples (3 percent), other Olivacians (1 percent) and a small number of Riamese nationals (1 percent). Freicians are a Kaldaic ethnic group closely related with Pohnpenesians. According to Freician custom and tradition, persons born to one Freician are considered fully-Freician and are counted as such in censuses rather than as mixed race.
[[File:Regions of Freice.png|thumb|The regions of Freice]]
{{bar box
Freice is divided into four regions, each of which governed by a regional council (Local Government Organization Act 1972). Regional councils are elected by all eligible voters in their respective regions and undertake many local responsibilities such as waste collection, roads and community cohesion. Freice City, the national capital, is the only part of Freice not subject to this system; despite being a part of the Southeast Region, Freice City is governed directly by the Assembly of Delegates and the Senior Committee.  
|title=Ethnic Groups in Freice (2021 Census)
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1=Ethnic Groups
|right1=percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|Frecian|darkgreen|95}}
{{bar percent|Other Kaldaic|blue|3}}
{{bar percent|Other Olivacian|violet|1}}
{{bar percent|Other|purple|1}}
}}
From 2015, a small number of Leogrian and Riojanian workers came to Freice as part of a Riamese-initiated program of infrastructure development. The vast majority of these workers had left the island by 2019, although a small number remain in Sekaapa.
{{Historical populations
| title= Historical population
| percentages = pagr
| 1877 | 2129
| 1909 | 4829
| 1919 | 5739
| 1929 | 7192
| 1939 | 7619
| 1949 | 8261
| 1959 | 8928
| 1969 | 10005
| 1979 | 10872
| 1989 | 12029
| 1999 | 12881
| 2009 | 13429
| 2019 | 14158
}}
===Languages===
Freice has two official languages: Freician and the Common Language Freician is a Kaldaic language, closely related to Pohnpenesian. Due to the influence of the Riamese, it has borrowed a number of terms from the Common language, with the former significantly influencing Freicians’ grammar.


Most governing at a local level, however, is conducted through local village communities. These communities, known as ''tekbo'' are self-governing, self-sufficient towns and villages that exist largely independent of the national government. Under the Local Government Organization Act, tekbo are given a significant degree of automony in their management of local government affairs. Freice is home to over 350 such communities, which continue to play a large cultural as well as economic and political role. It is estimated that up to 60% of Frecians live in such communities. Tekbo are governed by committees elected by the local population.
The Freician language is spoken by the vast majority of islanders, and is recognised in Freice’s constitution as the island’s “national language”. Whilst the Common Language was, historically, a lingua franca for communication between island and Riamese authorities, it has since become the most prevalent second language. The Common Language has been an official language since 1969 upon full independence.


==Demographics==
Estimates claim the number of people who speak Freician worldwide to be around 30,000. Freician television and radio transmits Freician-language programming, with specialist providers offering some services in Freician in Riamo, Anahuac, and Pohnpenesia.
{{Main|Demographics of Freice}}
Population figures are largely unknown prior to colonization. In 1900, the population was reported to be around 2,000; by 1971, the population had grown to approximately 7,200. In the 2021 census, 14,158 people were counted. Almost two-thirds (around 30%) of the population live in Freice City, whilst another ten percent live in Ista Otti, home to Freice's largest port.


A large majority of the population are ethnic Frecian, who are the product of three main waves of immigration that took place in around 900BCE, 200CE and 1390CE. Ethnic Frecians constitute 98.1% of the population according to the 2021 census. The small number of non-ethnic Frecians are mostly Vultesians.
===Religion===
The Riamese Orthodox Church is the largest religion in Freice, with adherents comprising about 76% of the population. The Constitution of Freice guarantees freedom of religion, including the practice and changing of religion, and prohibits the government from promoting one religion over others. Other Christian groups include the Silvadian Catholic and Methodist communities, which represents much of the remaining Christian population. There are also small groups of Seventh-Day Adventists and Christadelphians.
{{Pie chart
{{Pie chart
| thumb = left
| thumb = left
| caption = <center>'''Ethnic groups of Freice'''</center>
| caption =  
| other =  
| other =  
| label1 =Frecian
 
| value1 =98.1
| label1 =Christian
| color1 =yellow
| value1 =85.2
| label2 = Vultesian
| color1 =blue
| value2 =0.9
 
| color2 =blue
| label2 ="Spiritual"
| label3 = Gassasinian
| value2 =9.9
| value3 =0.4
| color2 =yellow
| color3 =red
 
| label4 =other
| label3 =Traditional beliefs
| value4 =0.6
| value3 =0.8
| color4 =white
| color3 =lightblue
 
| label4 =Other/none
| value4 =4.1
| color4 =black
}}
}}
The sole official language of Freice is Frecian. There are, however, a number of dialects that have developed due to the largely isolated and independent nature of the many tekbo that exist on the island.
There is a large number of people who identify as "spiritual" and avoid direct participation in organised religion. Although many believe in God, and a large number believe in the Christian doctrine, self-declared spiritual people identify more with a personal relationship with God that bypasses ordained clergy and defined practices of worship.
 
The introduction of Christianity to the island largely ended traditional religion and the worship of other deities. However, there have been many attempts at reviving traditional religion to varying degrees of success. Today, around 1% of the population identify as professing a traditional religion, although religious scholars have pointed out that the link between today's traditional religion and pre-Christian practices is weak. Much of traditional worship in modern Freice is more akin to Christianised spiritualism, leading some to argue that such practices come under the "spiritual" heading.
 
===Health===
Life expectancy of the people of Freice in 2019 was 68 years for men and 72 years for women. Historically, infant mortality was high due to a lack of infrastructure and limited knowledge of good medical practice. However, since the 1980s infant mortality has been reduced from 37 to 20 per 1,000 live births.


=== Religion ===
The Sekaapa General Hospital is the only hospital in Freice, and is the primary provider of medical services A number of villages and towns host medical centres staffed by both qualified practitioners and volunteers, offering consultations and limited medical provision.
Freedom of speech, thought, and belief are protected rights in Freice, and therefore no religion is promoted moreso than any other and nor has any state religion been adopted. However, the majority of citizens identify as Christian, with the 2021 census recording 96.1% of Frecians as being Christians. The predominant church is the [[Unitarian Universalist Church in Freice]], which is a Unitarian church featuring significant Freician cultural practices and values.


The remaining religious groups in Freice consist of a small number of Muslims and other groupings. However, these are mostly either short-term residents or immigrants, with very few ethnic or second or third generation immigrants practicing anything other than Christianity.
Since the 1980s, the most significant health problems in Freice are related to HIV/AIDS. Freice faces a generalized epidemic, with approximately 3 percent of adults aged 15 to 49 infected. In the 21st century, this rate has declined and stabilised, reducing from an historic high of 11.1% in 1998. A renewed focus on combating the virus in the 2020s has prompted an international response, with medical aid coming from Riamo, Leogria, and Anahuac. HIV prevalence is higher in rural areas than in urban areas, arising from a greater prevalence of prostitution and limited knowledge of safe-sex practices.
 
===Education===
Education in Freice is free and compulsory between the ages of 4 and 17. The Ministry of Public Health, Education, and Social Services oversees education on the island, with the primary agency being the Commission on Education Standards and Testing.
 
Freicians enjoy a relatively high level of education when considering its income level and development, with a 97.9% literacy rate.
 
Each district has at least one primary school, with boarding schools more common in isolated areas where transportation links are more limited. Previously, a majority of schools were operated by the Riamese Orthodox Church, but most of these have since fallen under the operation of the national government.
 
There are two tertiary institutions on the island: University School of Medicine, Sekápa, and the Freice Institute of Science, Technology, and Engineering (FISTE). The majority of students study abroad, predominantly in Riamo and Anahuac.
 
Culturally, scholarship is held in high esteem. The body of academic knowledge created by Freicians has been collected and preserved at the Institute of Education and Learning in Sekápa. This includes all doctoral and master’s dissertations written by any ethnic Freician in any country, as well as all scholarly works published by or about Freicians. Since 2012, these have been made publicly available at no cost.


==Economy==
==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Freice}}
The economy is strongly affected by the island’s geography. Freice is isolated from most foreign markets, lacks in modern infrastructure, has very few natural resources, and has little capacity for manufacturing. Consequently, most income comes from tourism, which makes up approximately 71.2% of the country’s GDP. Foreign aid, largely from Riamo but also from Pohnpenesia and [[Anáhuac]], also makes up a significant part of the island’s budget.
TBD
 
Freice forms part of the Riamo-Kaldaz Customs Agreement (RKCA), with unfettered trade to and from Riamo and a common tariff on imports. Suggestions of a new agreement, particularly one that gives Freice control over import tariffs, have been raised on several occasions. As part of this, Freice is a party to a number of free trade agreements negotiated by the Riamese federal government.
 
Despite this, a significant part of Freice’s export market is in Anahuac (26.6%) and Leogria (18.3%). Because of this, Freice enjoys a strong economic relationship with the two states.
[[File:Le chalutier Le Miquelon (1).JPG|thumb|left|Sekaapa Marina.]]
The island is a member of the Oriental Trade Alliance (OTA) within the Saltstil Pact, which provides for a reduction of quotas and tariffs amongst member states and simplifies processes for the movement of goods, services, and people across the Oriental Trade Area.
 
The Comprehensive Action Plan for a 21st Century Freice (CAP) is a government initiative created to develop Freice’s economy and reduce the island’s dependence on foreign aid and tourism. The plan sets national priorities for social and economic development, including the modernisation and expansion of infrastructure, the promotion of the private sector, and the construction of a number of new commercial centres. The Freice Chamber of Commerce, a not-for-profit organisation of Freician businesses, is a major participant in the CAP.


===Infrastructure===
===Transport===
{{See also|Transport in Freice}}
Transport services in Freice are limited, although recent efforts have been made to modernise and expand roads as part of the CAP initiative. The A1 is the main road on the island, starting at Mattá in the northwest and progressing along the island's western, southern, and eastern coasts to Álui in the northeast. The A2 crosses the country east-to-west, linking Sekápa to Nána. The Sekápa Tramway is the only railroad on the island, opened in January 2023 following the redevelopment of the old railway opened in 1901.
[[File:Vehicle registration plate (Freice).png|thumb|right|[[Vehicle_registration_plates_of_Freice|Riamese vehicle registration plate for use in Freice]], including a variant of the [[Flag and coat of arms of Freice|coat of arms of Freice]].]]
A number of roads are unpaved, with the limited number of paved roads causing congestion to be an issue at certain peak times in major urban areas.


TBD
The only airport on the island is Sekápa Airport. Passenger services is provided by Freice Airlines, the flag carrier airline for Freice. Flights operate four days a week to Hernández de Córdoba International Airport, with chartered flights available for Guri and Harpan.
 
The Sekaapa Marina provides sea access. In recent years, the marina has been modernised in recent years, including expansion and the improvement of roads linking it to the A1. The marina is an important import/export hub, as well as the home of a limited number of civil vessels.


==Culture==
==Culture==
{{Main|Culture of Freice}}
===Language===
The official languages of Freice are Freician and the Common Language. Although the Common Language is commonly used in politics and business, it is rarely spoken on a day-to-day basis amongst ordinary Freicians. The Common Language is spoken by approximately two-in-ten Freicians.


TBD
Freician is a Kaldaic languages and is related to Pohnpenesian, although many of its characteristics are sui generis. It is the principal language of communication for the majority of Freicians and is used for all road signs and forms of public communication. Freician is regulated by the Freice Language Commission, which publishes the ''Official Dictionary of the Freician Language'' and works to protect the integrity of the language.


==Education==
Amongst Freicians, the most common greetings ''tai baas'' ("Good day") and ''deei taitamee teeiaga'' ("God bless your day").


The Department of Home Affairs, Education, Transport, and Telecommunications manages education policy in Freice, operating through the Frecian Education Council.
===Media===
The Freice Broadcasting Commission is the national broadcaster of the island, owned by and operated through the Ministry of Finance, Infrastructure, and Sustainable Development. It broadcasts domestic programs as well as certain programs from Anáhuac, Riamo, and Ponhpenesia, and also provides radio and limited internet services. There are also a small number of private commercial radio stations, which also carry some programming from Riamese and Anáhuaca stations.


Freice operates 13 primary schools and 9 secondary schoools, all of which are operated by or ultimately owned by the Education Council. There are no private schools on the island, but local village groups have been given license to operate schools by the Education Council.
There are a small number of newspapers in circulation on the island. The most popular is ''E Tai Seelit'' (Common: ''The New Day''), which was founded in 1948. Newspapers continue to be one of the main methods of consuming news on the island, particularly in areas where radios and televisions are less common.


Schooling is mandatory for all people aged 5 to 16, with the option of undertaking further education at one of Freices three educational colleges. All schools are required to teach their lessons in Frecian, although schools have increasingly opted to conduct some lessons in the common language. This has, however, been kept to a minimum, with most schools opting to limit the use of the common language to dedicated common language lessons, in order to preserve Freice's culture.
===Arts===
Arts and crafts play an important role in Freician culture. Predominant among this is boat building, a practice long associated with the island's seafaring culture. This includes both boats and seafaring accessories, including ornately-decorated oars. The giving of nautical crafts, most commonly a small boat, is a common sign of appreciation or affection, usually given to confirm or affirm a friendship.


There is only one university in Freice, the National University of Freice, located in Freice City. The President of the Assembly of Delegates is ex officio Chancellor of the institution<ref>[https://www.chargrilled.co.uk/t-shirts/prodimages/staticimages/square/g0pleasegoaway_g_White.jpg/ National University of Freice - Chancellor]</ref>, which offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The university also hosts one of only two teacher training colleges on the island and one of only three medical training colleges.
Most Freicians have some experience in crafting these objects, with a significant informal economy operating around the buying and selling of these items. The Freice National Arts Centre, located in Sekápa, includes an extensive display of arts and crafts, which is an important tourist attraction.


==See also==
==See also==
<!-- * [[Bibliography of the Cook Islands]] -->
* [[Politics of Freice]]
<!-- * {{wikipedia books link|Cook Islands}} -->
* [[Monarchy of Freice]]
* [[Demographics of Freice]]
* [[Index of Freice–related articles]]
* [[List of Freicians]]
* [[List of islands]]
* [[Outline of Freice]]
 
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}


==Further reading==
==Notes==
* Ferrant, Víctor. ''The Forgotten Island: The Isle of Freice.'' Gavrilopolis, Gavrilia: Gavrilopolis University Press, 2017.
{{notelist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [https://www.chargrilled.co.uk/t-shirts/prodimages/staticimages/square/g0pleasegoaway_g_White.jpg Official government website] Frecian Government
* [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Official government website]
* [https://www.chargrilled.co.uk/t-shirts/prodimages/staticimages/square/g0pleasegoaway_g_White.jpg Tama Adune aFris] – daily newspaper
* [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Freice Broadcasting Commission]
{{Template:Anteria info pages}}
{{Template:Anteria info pages}}
{{Template:Freice topics}}
[[Category:Freice]]
[[Category:Freice]]
[[Category:Anteria]]
[[Category:Anteria]]
[[Category:Countries in Anteria]]

Latest revision as of 16:47, 29 December 2023

Country of Freice
Feese Kaaunga (Freician)
Motto: Kalaa ata Lavaae (Freician)
(Common: "Separate and Free")
Anthem: Tasaam Feese (Freician)
(Common: "The Freician Song")
Federal arms
Coat of arms of Freice (Riamese variant).png
Freice on the globe (Kaldaz Sea centred).png
Capital
and largest city
Sekaapa
Official languages
  • Freician
  • Common Language
Ethnic groups
(2019)
Freician (95%)
Other Kaldaic (3%)
Other Olivacian (1%)
Other (1%)
Demonym(s)Freician
GovernmentRegional assembly-independent democracy under a federal monarchial republic
• Monarch
Diana II
• Maaita
Kaana Tenkel
• Regent
Makeeia Taaguvigi
LegislatureRepresentative Council
Establishment
• Riamese protectorate established
1878
• Constitution
1 September 1925
• Current status
3 April 1972
Area
• Total
121.3 km2 (46.8 sq mi)
• Water (%)
negligible
Population
• 2019 census
14,158 (not ranked)
• Density
117/km2 (303.0/sq mi) (not ranked)
GDP (nominal)2020 estimate
• Total
32.7 million ACU
• Per capita
2,312 ACU
HDI (2021)Increase 0.640
medium
CurrencyFreician hull[a]
Riamese hull
Time zoneUTC+5:00
Driving sideleft
Calling code+451
Internet TLD.fe

Freice (/friːs/ fr-EE-s; Freician: Feese [feɪeɪsə]), officially the Country of Freice (Freician: Feese Kaaunga) is an island country in the Kaldaz Sea, approximately 936 km (582 mi) southeast of mainland Olivacia. The country, consisting of a single island that forms part of the wider Pohnpenesian Island group, has a land area of 121 km2 (47 sq mi) and a population of 14,158 people as of 2019. The capital and largest city is Sekaapa.

Freice was first inhabited by Kaldaic people in the first millenium, with a stable and comparatively complex system of government established by the time of colonial contact in the eighteenth century. The Riamese first landed on the island in 1871, making contact with the local chiefs. In 1872, a Riamese protectorate was established, with the indigenous rulers allowed to retain control of internal government. In 1972, Freice assumed full self-governance as a Country of the Riamese Federation, with Riamo retaining control over defence and foreign affairs.

Today, Freice remains one of the poorest countries in the world, despite Riamese financial aid. In the early twenty-first century, tourism steadly grew and is now one of the main sources of income for the island's small economy. The island's culture remains tied to its Kaldaic traditions, with minimal residents coming from mainland Olivacia, Riamo, and the other Pohnpenesian islands.

History

Riamese Era (1878-1972)

Between 1878 and 1972, Freice was a protectorate of the Riamo. In Freician historiography, this period is known as the "Riamese Era" (Freician: Teeia Ramiotam). During this period, Freice remained a nominally independent state, with its foreign affairs and defence the responsibility of the Riamese Government as part of a Treaty of Friendship and Amicable Relations. In 1878, the Maaita Tuaa Savou signed the treaty under pressure, with implied threat of full annexation if he resisted. Despite promises of domestic autonomy, the Freician government came under increased Riamese influence through the presence of a number of Resident Ministers.

In 1893, a number of Freician chiefs unsuccessfully sought to rebel against Riamese hegemony, resulting in the execution of five chiefs in what has subsequently been called Black November (Freician: Neeia Nogutumaa). In 2003, the Riamese government apologised for its role in these executions. By 1900, with Christianity well-established as the religion of the majority of Freicians, Maaita Teeakaala Neeiet proclaimed Riamese Orthodoxy the state religion.

Beginning in the 1910s, the Riamese government placed growing pressure on the Freician government to introduce some form of representative body to avoid a second rebellion amongst the chiefs. In 1923, the Maaita's Council was established as an advisory body. This was replaced, in 1928, with the Representative Council, which consisted of all the chiefs and representatives of other senior groups. This body was largely hereditary, with the Maaita appointing additional members at their discretion.

Throughout the 1930s, Freice embarked on a series of social reforms to align it with Riamo. This included a new criminal code, a codified constitution, a form of state welfare, and elections to the Representative Council on a limited suffrage. Under the brief rule of Leiseini Mataasat (1943-1945) and his son Jalimateki Leiseini (1945-1953), restrictions on the press were lifted and universal suffrage was finally introduced.

Recent history

In the 1960s, the Riamese federal government requested that the Freician Representative Council discuss and decide on Freice's future political status. The government gave the Council three options: full political independence, integration into Riamo proper, or associated status within the Federation. From 1966, the Freician government supported a policy of association, maintaining political and constitutional links with the Riamese Crown and government whilst maintaining its unique form of self-governance.

On 3 April 1972, the Freice Act formalised the island's political status and clarified debated aspects of its relationship with Riamo. The act formally recognised Freice as a "Country under the Jurisdiction of the Riamese Federation" and granted the Riamese federal government responsibility for the island's foreign affairs and defence. A subsequent bilateral treaty granted the federal government further powers over fiscal and some monetary policy areas. Nonetheless, Freice assumed greater rights of self-government, including (from 1999) the unrestricted right to sign treaties and join international organisations.

In the 1980s, successive Freician governments sought to reduce Freice's economic dependency on Riamo. New agreements with Anahuac and Leogria, as well as greater cooperation between Freice and Pohnpenesia, led to a greater diversification in the economy. By 1992, Freice's exports to Riamo fell as a proportion of national income by a quarter. However, Riamo continued to be the destination of over 60 percent of Freician imports until the late 2000s, when further economic agreements substantially increased Freician exports to non-federation markets.

In 2003, Maaita Tenkel Maairai publically congratulated Diana II on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of her accession. This was the first time that a Maaita affirmed their loyalty to the Riamese Crown, with predecessors avoiding a direct statement of allegiance in favour of "respectful reverence." E Tai Seelit suggested that the change in stance reflected a "greater sense of self-confidence within government circles." Tenkel's son and successor, Kaana Tenkel, echoed his father's comments during the Queen's golden jubilee.

In 2011 council elections, a record number of women were elected, with 7 women elected to the 20-member body. In 2017, the council became majority-female for the first and only time, with 11 women elected. In 2021, the Elections (Gender Balance) Act was passed and requires a minimum of 8 members to be women.

Geography

Etuenao Rocks, located in Northwest Freice.

Freice is an island nation in the Kaldaz Ocean, 936 km (582 mi) from the nearest point on mainland Olivacia. It is located in the south-centre of the Olivacian plate, and so is geologically considered part of the continent. It is located at latitude 92°E and longtitude 52°S. The island is approximately 47 km (29 miles) in length and 26 km (16 miles) wide, covering an area of 121.3 km2 (46.8 sq mi) in the general shape of the letter 'L'.

The island's geography is divided between hilly terrain in the north-east of the island, and flat plateaus and west and south. There, the terrain is generally flat and fertile, and which is where the vast majority of the population resides and economic activity takes place. The north-west of the island is dominated by the Eastern Highlands, which includes the Nogupi Hills. The area surrounding the range constitutes a National Nature Reserve and is protected by law.

There are a number of small rocks off the coast, which are nature reserves and host to a number of birds and sea species. All are located within five miles off the shore.

Freice is home to a large variety of flora and fauna, with around 19 mammal species, 10 amphibian species, 8 reptile species, and around 150 species of fish native to the island and its surrounding waters. Historically, Freice was host to a number of endemic bird species and subspecies, but these have since become extinct following decades of hunting and land clearance from the 1820s to the 1960s.

Climate

Freice has an oceanic climate (Koppen: Cfb), characterised by relatively frequent rainfall and a narrow temperature range. The highest recorded temperature in Freice (36.3 °C) was in Sekápa on 3 January 2010. Average temperatures range between 15 and 20 °C (59 and 68 °F) in summer, and between 2 and 10 °C (41 and 50 °F) in July, with the climate broadly characterised as cool, wet, and windy. Snow is rare, recorded only in the highland hills in the island’s northeast, usually once every few decades.

Climate data for Freice
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 36.3
(97.3) 		34.6
(94.3) 		33.6
(92.5) 		25.5
(77.9) 		20.2
(68.4) 		15.1
(59.2) 		16.6
(61.9) 		19
(66) 		25.5
(77.9) 		29.1
(84.4) 		31.3
(88.3) 		35.1
(95.2) 		36.3
(97.3)
Average high °C (°F) 19.9
(67.8) 		19.4
(66.9) 		17.9
(64.2) 		15.1
(59.2) 		12.5
(54.5) 		9.8
(49.6) 		9.5
(49.1) 		10.8
(51.4) 		12.7
(54.9) 		14.8
(58.6) 		16.3
(61.3) 		18.2
(64.8) 		14.8
(58.6)
Average low °C (°F) 10.2
(50.4) 		10.1
(50.2) 		8.8
(47.8) 		6.6
(43.9) 		4.8
(40.6) 		2.7
(36.9) 		2.4
(36.3) 		2.8
(37.0) 		4.1
(39.4) 		5.5
(41.9) 		7.2
(45.0) 		8.8
(47.8) 		6.2
(43.2)
Record low °C (°F) 3.1
(37.6) 		3.2
(37.8) 		1.6
(34.9) 		0.9
(33.6) 		−1.4
(29.5) 		−2.5
(27.5) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		−1.5
(29.3) 		−0.5
(31.1) 		0.0
(32.0) 		0.1
(32.2) 		3.1
(37.6) 		−2.6
(27.3)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 41.7
(1.64) 		35.8
(1.41) 		35.0
(1.38) 		40.6
(1.60) 		37.2
(1.46) 		44.0
(1.73) 		42.5
(1.67) 		61.0
(2.40) 		52.6
(2.07) 		50.8
(2.00) 		48.7
(1.92) 		51.0
(2.01) 		540.9
(21.30)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 8.5 8.1 10.3 10.1 11.0 11.4 13.1 14.3 14.7 14.0 12.5 10.7 138.7
Average afternoon realative humidity (%) 51 52 52 56 58 64 61 56 53 51 53 49 55
Mean monthly sunshine hours 257.3 226.0 210.8 177.0 148.8 132.0 151.9 179.8 195.0 232.5 234.0 248.0 2,393.1
Percent possible sunshine 59 62 57 59 53 49 53 58 59 58 56 53 56
Source: Riamse Meteorological Office

Politics

Main article: Politics of Freice

Alongside Pohnpenesia, Freice is one of the last remnants of the Riamese Empire still under a form of Riamese sovereignty. Freice is officially designated a "Country under the Jurisdiction of the Riamese Federation" and has a relationship with the Riamese federal government based on a series of bilateral treaties. Since 1999, Freice has maintained a separate personality in international law, although the Freician government continues to allow the Riamese government to legislate in foreign affairs on its behalf.

The Public Building Complex houses the Representative Council of Freice.

Freice's government follows a mixed system, combining elements of democracy and aristocracy. The Maaita is the hereditary chief of the island, a position shared between the inheritors of three original claimants. Prior to 2001, the Maaita was the head of government; laws required the Maaita's approval and it was the Maaita that appointed government officials. Since the enactment of a new constitution, the Maaita's functions are now largely ceremonial. The current Maaita, since 30 January 2023, is Kaana Tenkel, who is the 6th Maaita of his Tuaa share. His wife, Makeeia Taaguvigi, serves as regent since 22 December 2023.

The Representative Council is the unicameral legislature. 20 members are elected every three years through plurality block voting. All legislation requires the approval of the Council and the Maaita promulgates all laws. As part of the committee-based system used in Freice, councillors are appointed to one or more committees, which serve as equivalent to ministries, and which oversee and coordinate policy in a given area. The Policy Development Committee is the most important committee, consisting of a president, the chairs of the committees, and a number of ex officio members. The president of the Policy Development Committee is analogous to a prime minister.

Judiciary

Freice's legal system consists of traditional Freician Customary Law overlaid with principles and practices taken from Riamese law and statute law passed in the Representative Council. The Courts of Freice are responsible for the administration of justice, which are independent from the executive and legislative branches.

The principal court is the Island Court, which exercises jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. The Island Court is the highest court of appeal, with the the power to interpret law and to reexamine the facts of a given case. The President of the Island Court is the head of the island's judiciary and is usually a Riamese jurist appointed with the approval of the local government. Other courts include the District Court, which deals with serious criminal matters, and the Summary Court, which deals with minor criminal matters and civil cases. Land Courts are specially-formed courts to hear disputes over land ownership.

The Federal High Court (FHC) and the Federal Supreme Court (FSC) are the final courts of appeal in certain cases. The two federal courts have the power of appeal only in cases relating to good government and human rights, as well as in cases reserved for the federal government.

Administrative divisions

Freice is divided into nine administrative districts. Each district is governed by an elected mayor and district council, which have some jurisdiction over local matters.The most populous district is Sekápa, with 3,810 residents. The following table shows the population of each district according to the 2019 census.

No. District District town Area
(km2)		 Population
(Census 2021)		 No. of
towns
1 Dukoraani Kapia 18 1,439 2
2 Koimuk Puti 7.2 1,381 2
3 Maraana Hamia 13.1 1,352 3
4 Maatta Matta 12.3 907 2
5 Peeka Soni 9.4 1,503 3
6 Iisa Tuhee 15.1 1,343 3
7 Nogupi Nogupi 32.6 402 2
8 Sekaapa Sekaapa 3.5 3,810 3
9 Sekaapa Alut Maui 10.1 2,021 3
Freice Sekaapa 121.3 14,158 23

Population

Ethnicity

As of 2019, the population of Freice was 14,158. Of these, approximately 95 percent were ethnic Freicians, of whom around 98 percent were born in Freice. The remaining five percent consist of other Kaldaic peoples (3 percent), other Olivacians (1 percent) and a small number of Riamese nationals (1 percent). Freicians are a Kaldaic ethnic group closely related with Pohnpenesians. According to Freician custom and tradition, persons born to one Freician are considered fully-Freician and are counted as such in censuses rather than as mixed race.

Ethnic Groups in Freice (2021 Census)
Ethnic Groups percent
Frecian
 
 95%
Other Kaldaic
 
 3%
Other Olivacian
 
 1%
Other
 
 1%

From 2015, a small number of Leogrian and Riojanian workers came to Freice as part of a Riamese-initiated program of infrastructure development. The vast majority of these workers had left the island by 2019, although a small number remain in Sekaapa.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1877 2,129—    
1909 4,829+2.59%
1919 5,739+1.74%
1929 7,192+2.28%
1939 7,619+0.58%
1949 8,261+0.81%
1959 8,928+0.78%
1969 10,005+1.15%
1979 10,872+0.83%
1989 12,029+1.02%
1999 12,881+0.69%
2009 13,429+0.42%
2019 14,158+0.53%

Languages

Freice has two official languages: Freician and the Common Language Freician is a Kaldaic language, closely related to Pohnpenesian. Due to the influence of the Riamese, it has borrowed a number of terms from the Common language, with the former significantly influencing Freicians’ grammar.

The Freician language is spoken by the vast majority of islanders, and is recognised in Freice’s constitution as the island’s “national language”. Whilst the Common Language was, historically, a lingua franca for communication between island and Riamese authorities, it has since become the most prevalent second language. The Common Language has been an official language since 1969 upon full independence.

Estimates claim the number of people who speak Freician worldwide to be around 30,000. Freician television and radio transmits Freician-language programming, with specialist providers offering some services in Freician in Riamo, Anahuac, and Pohnpenesia.

Religion

The Riamese Orthodox Church is the largest religion in Freice, with adherents comprising about 76% of the population. The Constitution of Freice guarantees freedom of religion, including the practice and changing of religion, and prohibits the government from promoting one religion over others. Other Christian groups include the Silvadian Catholic and Methodist communities, which represents much of the remaining Christian population. There are also small groups of Seventh-Day Adventists and Christadelphians.

  Christian (85.2%)
  "Spiritual" (9.9%)
  Traditional beliefs (0.8%)
  Other/none (4.1%)

There is a large number of people who identify as "spiritual" and avoid direct participation in organised religion. Although many believe in God, and a large number believe in the Christian doctrine, self-declared spiritual people identify more with a personal relationship with God that bypasses ordained clergy and defined practices of worship.

The introduction of Christianity to the island largely ended traditional religion and the worship of other deities. However, there have been many attempts at reviving traditional religion to varying degrees of success. Today, around 1% of the population identify as professing a traditional religion, although religious scholars have pointed out that the link between today's traditional religion and pre-Christian practices is weak. Much of traditional worship in modern Freice is more akin to Christianised spiritualism, leading some to argue that such practices come under the "spiritual" heading.

Health

Life expectancy of the people of Freice in 2019 was 68 years for men and 72 years for women. Historically, infant mortality was high due to a lack of infrastructure and limited knowledge of good medical practice. However, since the 1980s infant mortality has been reduced from 37 to 20 per 1,000 live births.

The Sekaapa General Hospital is the only hospital in Freice, and is the primary provider of medical services A number of villages and towns host medical centres staffed by both qualified practitioners and volunteers, offering consultations and limited medical provision.

Since the 1980s, the most significant health problems in Freice are related to HIV/AIDS. Freice faces a generalized epidemic, with approximately 3 percent of adults aged 15 to 49 infected. In the 21st century, this rate has declined and stabilised, reducing from an historic high of 11.1% in 1998. A renewed focus on combating the virus in the 2020s has prompted an international response, with medical aid coming from Riamo, Leogria, and Anahuac. HIV prevalence is higher in rural areas than in urban areas, arising from a greater prevalence of prostitution and limited knowledge of safe-sex practices.

Education

Education in Freice is free and compulsory between the ages of 4 and 17. The Ministry of Public Health, Education, and Social Services oversees education on the island, with the primary agency being the Commission on Education Standards and Testing.

Freicians enjoy a relatively high level of education when considering its income level and development, with a 97.9% literacy rate.

Each district has at least one primary school, with boarding schools more common in isolated areas where transportation links are more limited. Previously, a majority of schools were operated by the Riamese Orthodox Church, but most of these have since fallen under the operation of the national government.

There are two tertiary institutions on the island: University School of Medicine, Sekápa, and the Freice Institute of Science, Technology, and Engineering (FISTE). The majority of students study abroad, predominantly in Riamo and Anahuac.

Culturally, scholarship is held in high esteem. The body of academic knowledge created by Freicians has been collected and preserved at the Institute of Education and Learning in Sekápa. This includes all doctoral and master’s dissertations written by any ethnic Freician in any country, as well as all scholarly works published by or about Freicians. Since 2012, these have been made publicly available at no cost.

Economy

The economy is strongly affected by the island’s geography. Freice is isolated from most foreign markets, lacks in modern infrastructure, has very few natural resources, and has little capacity for manufacturing. Consequently, most income comes from tourism, which makes up approximately 71.2% of the country’s GDP. Foreign aid, largely from Riamo but also from Pohnpenesia and Anáhuac, also makes up a significant part of the island’s budget.

Freice forms part of the Riamo-Kaldaz Customs Agreement (RKCA), with unfettered trade to and from Riamo and a common tariff on imports. Suggestions of a new agreement, particularly one that gives Freice control over import tariffs, have been raised on several occasions. As part of this, Freice is a party to a number of free trade agreements negotiated by the Riamese federal government.

Despite this, a significant part of Freice’s export market is in Anahuac (26.6%) and Leogria (18.3%). Because of this, Freice enjoys a strong economic relationship with the two states.

Sekaapa Marina.

The island is a member of the Oriental Trade Alliance (OTA) within the Saltstil Pact, which provides for a reduction of quotas and tariffs amongst member states and simplifies processes for the movement of goods, services, and people across the Oriental Trade Area.

The Comprehensive Action Plan for a 21st Century Freice (CAP) is a government initiative created to develop Freice’s economy and reduce the island’s dependence on foreign aid and tourism. The plan sets national priorities for social and economic development, including the modernisation and expansion of infrastructure, the promotion of the private sector, and the construction of a number of new commercial centres. The Freice Chamber of Commerce, a not-for-profit organisation of Freician businesses, is a major participant in the CAP.

Transport

Transport services in Freice are limited, although recent efforts have been made to modernise and expand roads as part of the CAP initiative. The A1 is the main road on the island, starting at Mattá in the northwest and progressing along the island's western, southern, and eastern coasts to Álui in the northeast. The A2 crosses the country east-to-west, linking Sekápa to Nána. The Sekápa Tramway is the only railroad on the island, opened in January 2023 following the redevelopment of the old railway opened in 1901.

Riamese vehicle registration plate for use in Freice, including a variant of the coat of arms of Freice.

A number of roads are unpaved, with the limited number of paved roads causing congestion to be an issue at certain peak times in major urban areas.

The only airport on the island is Sekápa Airport. Passenger services is provided by Freice Airlines, the flag carrier airline for Freice. Flights operate four days a week to Hernández de Córdoba International Airport, with chartered flights available for Guri and Harpan.

The Sekaapa Marina provides sea access. In recent years, the marina has been modernised in recent years, including expansion and the improvement of roads linking it to the A1. The marina is an important import/export hub, as well as the home of a limited number of civil vessels.

Culture

Language

The official languages of Freice are Freician and the Common Language. Although the Common Language is commonly used in politics and business, it is rarely spoken on a day-to-day basis amongst ordinary Freicians. The Common Language is spoken by approximately two-in-ten Freicians.

Freician is a Kaldaic languages and is related to Pohnpenesian, although many of its characteristics are sui generis. It is the principal language of communication for the majority of Freicians and is used for all road signs and forms of public communication. Freician is regulated by the Freice Language Commission, which publishes the Official Dictionary of the Freician Language and works to protect the integrity of the language.

Amongst Freicians, the most common greetings tai baas ("Good day") and deei taitamee teeiaga ("God bless your day").

Media

The Freice Broadcasting Commission is the national broadcaster of the island, owned by and operated through the Ministry of Finance, Infrastructure, and Sustainable Development. It broadcasts domestic programs as well as certain programs from Anáhuac, Riamo, and Ponhpenesia, and also provides radio and limited internet services. There are also a small number of private commercial radio stations, which also carry some programming from Riamese and Anáhuaca stations.

There are a small number of newspapers in circulation on the island. The most popular is E Tai Seelit (Common: The New Day), which was founded in 1948. Newspapers continue to be one of the main methods of consuming news on the island, particularly in areas where radios and televisions are less common.

Arts

Arts and crafts play an important role in Freician culture. Predominant among this is boat building, a practice long associated with the island's seafaring culture. This includes both boats and seafaring accessories, including ornately-decorated oars. The giving of nautical crafts, most commonly a small boat, is a common sign of appreciation or affection, usually given to confirm or affirm a friendship.

Most Freicians have some experience in crafting these objects, with a significant informal economy operating around the buying and selling of these items. The Freice National Arts Centre, located in Sekápa, includes an extensive display of arts and crafts, which is an important tourist attraction.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Non-circulation legal tender.

External links

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