Valdinas Islands

Autonomous Region of the Valdinas
Autonomous region of Atresca
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Atresca
Status	Autonomous region
Statue of Autonomy	1996
Capital	Librizzi
Government
• Governor	Andrea Finocchiaro
• Legislature	Senate
Population  (2016)
• Total	1,575,902
Demonym	Valdinian
GDP (PPP)
• Total	TBD
• Per capita	$23,100
GDP (nominal)
• Total	TBD
• Per capita	$19,500
Time zone	UTC+1 (Western Asura Standard Time)
Official languages	Valdinian Atrescan

The Valdinian Islands (Valdinian: Ìsuli Vaddinas), also known as the Valdinas (Valdinian: Las Vaddinas), is an autonomous region off the southern coast of Atresca. In 2016, the region had a population of 1,575,902. The regional capital is Librizzi, the largest city. It is divided into two provinces: Valdina and Furnari.

The Valdinas are located in the eastern Asur Sea and are separated from the Atrescan mainland by the Strait of Albasani. Together, the islands form a small archipelago. The eastern island of Valdina is defined by by hills and plains. Furnari, located in the west, has a rocky and jagged coastline and a mountainous interior. Mont Avic, an active volcano located on Furnari, is one of the Valdina's most famous landmarks. The islands have an Asur climate.

Humans have lived on the islands since 12,000 BCE. Colonies were established by the Myrians starting in 650 BCE. The islands were conquered by the Fiorentine Empire and gradually the dominance of Myrian declined. After the fall of the Fiorentines in 492 CE, the Valdinas were ruled independently. They sided against the Atrescan League in the Pontifical War and subsequently lost their independence. The islands became part of the Kingdom of Atresca following unification in 1858. Following a political instability, economic downturn, and a low-level insurgency the Valdinas were granted special status as an autonomous region in 1996.

The Valdinas have their own devolved government. The Regional-Governor leads the Valdinian government and has executive powers. The Valdinian Senate servers as the regional legislature. Most political parties active in the Valdinas are regionally focused. Several support independence while others back further devolution or want to maintain the status quo. The current Regional-Governor is Andrea Finocchiaro, who was elected in 2015.

Despite having been part of varying Atrescan states for over 400 years, the Valdinas have retained a strong cultural identity. The Valdinas have a unique and rich culture with significant achievements in the arts, literature, music, and cuisine. The islands have many important archaeological sites and are visited by thousands of tourists annually. Librizzi International Airport serves international travelers.

Politics

Andrea Finocchiaro, the current Regional-Governor.

The 1996 Statue of Autonomy implemented a framework of a presidential representative democracy. The Regional-Governor is the head of government and leads the Regional Government, which exercises executive power. The Regional-Governor appoints members of the Executive Council which overseas regional governmental departments. As an autonomous region of Atresca, Eleonora in her capacity as Queen of Atresca also serves as the monarch of the Valdinas. She has few reserved powers, all of which are ceremonial. The most significant is the ceremonial right to officially appoint the Regional-Governor. The Regional-Governor is directly elected every four years. Andrea Finocchiaro has held the post since 2016 and was re-elected in January 2020.

Legislative power is delegated to the Valdinian Senate. The Valdinas has a multi-party system. Over a dozen regionally-focused parties hold official at a regional and local level. The Senate has 100 members who are elected alongside the Regional-Governor every four years. The last election was held in January 2020 and a legislative majority in support for Fionocchiaro's presidency has not yet formed.

Traditionally, the Valdinas supports centre-right parties and politicians. The two largest parties in the regions are the liberal Democratic Party of the Valdinas (PDdV) and the Alydian democrat Valdinian Peoples' Party (PdPV). There are a number of parties that support increased devolution and some that are separatist. The centre-left Party for Our Republic is the main separatist party in the Valdinas. It won the most seats in the 2020 election. Other separatist political parties include the right-wing Rally for the Valdinas! and the centrist Valdinian Nation. Regional-Governors are typically supported by electoral alliances that form around specific candidates. Finocchiaro leads the centre-right Finocchiaro List, an alliance the PDdV, the PdPV, and several local parties.

Demographics

Largest cities

Librizzi, the regional capital and largest city.

Marsala, the provincial capital of Furnari.

The following table shows the ten largest cities of the Valdinas.

Pos.	Name	Pop. 2016	Prov.
1	Librizzi	168,460	Valdina
2	Reitano	117,125	Valdina
3	Salemi	73,985	Valdina
4	Vita	57,900	Valdina
5	Caronia	44,189	Valdina
6	Marsala	36,540	Furnari
7	Balestrate	33,861	Valdina
8	Enna	27,923	Valdina
9	Modica	24,212	Furnari
10	Tusa	22,317	Valdina