Western Territories SREP

Sister Republic of the Western Territories Sesuo Vakarų teritorijų Respublika (Ras) Schwesterrepublik der Westliche Territorien (Dolch)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: “Through hard work we conquer all”
Anthem: "With hammer and axe in hand"
Capital and largest city	Laikai
Official languages	Ras Dolch
Ethnic groups	Ras Gintarian Dolch
Demonym(s)	Westorians
Government
• Governor	Kaiser Weber
Legislature	Central Baltican Government
Autonomous State
• Establishment of the SREP of the Western Territories	2023 CE February 3rd
Population
• 2022 census	72,543
GDP (nominal)	2022 estimate
• Total	500,543,123
• Per capita	6,899
HDI (2022)	0.77 high
Currency	Gintarian Liten
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+252
Internet TLD	.ba

The Sister Republic of the Western Territories or simply the Western Territories are one of three Sister Republics within the Baltican Federation. Created on the 3rd of February of 2023, its also the newest Sister Republic of Baltica and also the first Republic to be created instead of Incorporated. It is located in the "Far West" of Baltica, bordering only the Republic of Raskia.Boasting a population of 72,543 people, it is the smallest SREP in terms of population, also making it the least populated division of Baltica. However, itit'ss the largest SREP by size area. The Western Territories are by far the most recently settled areas of Baltica, having had no recorded population until 1855. In 1855 however, the land would be sold to the Graf Logging Company, who was granted a Royal Decree to exploit and develop land that was North of the Duchy of Nemale but West of the High Duchy of Raskia. The Graf Brothers, Dirk Graf and Kuno Graf would end up financing a large expedition into the lands of the Western Territories, eventually discovering the Graften River that flowed through the area, on which they established the Territories first and largest city, Laikai. In 1859, with the aid of various Inve,stors the Graft Login Company would construct the second largest rail line of the time, the Nemale-Laikai railway. This would connect the city to the quickly developing port of Nemale making the export of timber extremely profitable.The Western Territories are the only area within Western Baltica that boast a large Dolch population, with Dolch making up 64% of the SREP's population. This is largely attributed to the Graft Logging Company, which employed many Dolch workers. Additionally, the became a popular destination for criminals, as, after 1870, prisoners serving less than 15 years could apply to move and live within the Western Territories to shorten their sentences. It's estimated that 35% of the modern population of the Western Territories can trace their descendants from criminals who moved to the area after the 1870s. Due to the relative Isolation of the Western Territories, they have historically not been very active in Baltican politics, although in recent years they have solidified themselves as an SREP, they still remain under the partial administration of Raskia but enjoy many more freedoms than the region or Central Territory.

Etymology and Flag

The Western Territories never had an official name, hence the common use of simply "Western Territories" to refer to lands West of the Grand Duchy of Raskia and Duchy of Nemale. However, in recent years, the name "Westoria" has become increasingly popular, especially so among the local inhabitants of the Western Territories who want to differentiate themselves from the greater Raskian Republic. As of 2023, the term Westoria is able to be used interchangeably with "Western Territories". The flag of the Western Territories consists of a regular tricolour, consisting of Dark Green, Prussian Blue and White. The Dark Green represents the area's historic Ras roots, whilst the blue symbolises the Gintarian Dolch who lead the settlement of the land. Lastly, the White represents the peace forged between these communities in their long history of partnership and cooperation.

History

Purchase and Aquasition

Although the lands of the Western Territories had been uninhabited for the better half of two millennia, the lands were often visited by local Ras people, who would camp in the area during the winter, and in the summer transport timber back to Central Raskia. The large problem with settling the Western Territories is the lack of agricultural land, as much of the area that makes up the Western Territories is swarmed with thick forests. Additionally, the hostile wildlife and lack of major (known) navigable rivers only made the area less favourable than the highly fertile and navigable Balandeli river basin. However, the potential economic exploitation of the area still proved to be a major attraction to the early Industrialists of the late 19th century. As such, the Graf Logging Company, which had been operating in the neighbouring area of Nemale, would approach the Baltican Royal Family to purchase the area for 1.8 Million Liten (5.8 Million Gintarian Liten today). They were able to acquire the land on two conditions, one being that they will aid in the development and habitation of the region and the second that they will help finance the construction of a railway to connect the area to Nemale and Sveaja.

Settlement

The first official survey of the Western Territories would be conducted in 1856, during which the main goals were to find areas with the potential for logging as well as a suitable location for a settlement. The discovery of the Graften River (Named after the Graf Brothers) would prove to be critical for the development of the city of Laikai, which was set up along the river, whilst the area around it slowly began to be cleared to make way for housing and Industry. 2,500 labourers would be moved to the area, who were primarily Gintarian Dolch from the Graf Logging Companies other facilities in Dokestva. These labourers also brought over their families, including women and children and altogether over 8,000 people would move to the area from 1856-1858. Construction of the Nemale railway had already begun in 1848, in an effort to connect the port town with other cities of the Western Baltica, however, once the Western Territories were purchased and settled, the railway would be extended North into Laikai, creating the Nemale-Laikai railway. This helped bring over machinery and tools which aided in the further development of the Graf logging monopoly in the region. Other industries too soon began to develop, many relating to the logging industry such as the carpeting industry, but also the fur industry seeing as the Western Territories were inhabited by many foxes, wolves and bears, whose pelts were in high demand. By 1863, the area had a reported population of 14,000 people, 10,000 of whom lived in Laikai and four thousand of whom lived in the nearby town of Seden.

Map of the Far West Territory. Commisioned by the Graft Logging Company in 1893, showing all the known settlements within the region.