Paloa

Republic of Paloa República de Paloa (Palon)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Vivemos livres ("We live free")
Anthem: X
Map of Paloa
Location of Paloa (Green) in Oranland (Dark Grey)
Capital	Leitao
Largest city	Araujo
Official languages	Palon
Recognised regional languages	Hestandan
Ethnic groups (2000)	65.3% Palon 21.4% Hestandan 9.7% Azoran 3.6% Others
Religion (1999)	89.2% Terranity —64.1% Altenic —24.9% Paxist 9.5% No religion 1.3% Others
Demonym(s)	Palon
Government	Unitary semi-presidential republic
• President	Filipa Maciel
• Prime Minister	Sebastião Rebelo
Legislature	Congress of Paloa
• Upper house	Assento
• Lower house	Baixo Assembly
History
• Palon people	c. 100 BCE
• Palon Revolution	12 Tebax 1102-3 Pusper 1105
• Palon Empire	23 Hunyo 1555
• War of Palon Succession	15 Pulungana 1823-9 Kunnen 1825
• Peninsular War	22 Okjatab 1828-17 Tebax 1830
• Republic	31 Enero 1957
• Current constitution	22 Enero 1960
Area
• Total	360,087.9 km2 (139,030.7 sq mi) (X)
• Water (%)	0.4
Population
• 1997 estimate	35,200,000 (X)
• 1999 census	34,926,602
• Density	96.9/km2 (251.0/sq mi) (X)
GDP (PPP)	1999 estimate
• Total	$462.4 billion (X)
• Per capita	$39,843 (X)
GDP (nominal)	2000 estimate
• Total	$310.1 billion (X)
• Per capita	$22,983 (X)
Gini (2000)	28.4 low (X)
HDI (1999)	0.874 very high (X)
Currency	Palon Ober (PØ) (PLO)
Time zone	MTS-9 (West Oranland Time) MTS-11 (East Ingentric Time) MTS-12 (New Roque Time)
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	X
Internet TLD	.pl
Preceded by Palon Empire Kingdom of Paloa

Paloa, officially the Republic of Paloa (Palon: República de Paloa), is a country whose mainland is located on the Hesterlon Peninsula in western Oranland, and whose territory also include the New Roque archipelago and the island of Farata. Paloa is bordered by Paqueonia to the east, Cavala to the north, the Ingentric Ocean to the west, and the Zestoric Sea to the south. Leitao is the capital city of Paloa while Araujo is the largest city.

Paloa was inhabited by Homo rectus before they went extinct around 300,000–30,000 BP. Paloa during the Novalithic experimented with domestication of animals and cereal crops. Metallurgy later appeared during the middle of the 3rd millennium BCE. The Calidum Empire first settled in Paloa some time around 1300 BCE. They were expelled from the region around the 11th century BCE by the Veragon tribes. There were other related tribes such as the Farovans, Cyconts and Aeroans. Paloa was a relatively isolated region until the late 4th century BCE when the Pylosan Empire colonized the region. In the early 6th century, the Palon people formed numerous kingdoms in modern day Paloa most notable being the Kingdom of Norab. At its height in 608, the kingdom occupied a territory of about 540,000 km² (208,495 sq mi). In 776, the Dardonan Empire invade Paloa. In 1102, the Palon Revolution occurred allowing Paloa to break away from Dardona. From 1140 to 1164 and again from 1178 to 1204, Paloa was devastated by the Great Plague. The Terranist Genocide in Paloa saw the deaths and percecution of an estimated 200,000 to 600,000 Terranists. The enbarck was invented in 1505 by Palon engineer Quim Vaza which led to the discovery of the Domicas by Paqueon explorer Kuno Schenck in 1513. On the 23 Hunyo 1555, the Palon Empire was formed after the Mudon Charter was signed. Thorughout the late 16th century, the Palon Empire expanded until 7 Phupu 1582 with the beginning of the Flonesian War. It ended in 1586 with the expulsion of Paloa from the island of Aralona.

During the Brunoan Era, the Second Palon Reformation occurred. It began the process of modernisation, and the emergence of rival political parties. In rural areas, it saw huge changes to the movement of people and the decline of small communities. Abroad, Paloa lost teritories in both Flonesia and Naphtora. However, Paloa also won the War of 1740 in 1743 allowing Paloa to assume control of the western half of the Trimeshian continent. During the reign of Bruno IV, Palon exploration of the South Domican interior commenced after silver was found in Palon controlled territories of which he used to maintain a lavish court and ruled as an absolutist king. The Brunoan Era ended in 1818 with the beginning of a succession crisis which culminated in a succession war, ending in the Paqueon annexation of Paloa. Paqueonian rule ended with the Palon victory during the Peninsular War. Isabella of Pesatisico was installed as queen of Paloa in 1830. Ideologically, Isabella's reign witnessed resistance to the absolutism that defined the late Brunoan Era. Paloa's relations with the other Great Powers were driven by antagonism with Paqueonia and Seronia-Sotha. However, Paloa also held cordial relations with the Omaran Empire which allowed them to trade with them directly using trading posts. Simultaneously, they a part of the Chaleureuse Entente along with Cavala and Brigano.

Following the death of Isabella was the Franciscan Era. It saw the rise of anti-monarchist sentiments especially among the lower-classes. In 1924, Afonso VI of Paloa became king. The era of his regin is marked by the inefficiency of the monarchic governments as well as the monarchs' apparent lack of interest in governing the country. The situation culminated in his assassination in the Leitao regicide of 1937 and the beginning of the Third Palon Civil War. During the war, numerous colonies in Naphtora saw this as their chance to break away from the empire resulting in the independence of South Naphtora and Azzara. The war ended 9 Gunyana 1956 in a monarchic victory. However, the monarchy was soon overthrown with the Enero 1957 Revolution which abolished the monarchy and installed a republican government in Paloa, ending the Franciscan Era. The first president of Paloa was Estevão Gonsalves. reigning from 1957 to 1960, and again from 1966 to 1973. From the 1950s to the 1970s, the young Palon republic was a founding member of OSO, ARDO, and the Oranland Trade Union. Paloa's last overseas colonial territories, Hoy Kok, gained full independence in 1990 following the 1990 Hoy Kokese independence referendum, officially ending the Palon Empire.

Palon has left a profound cultural, architectural and linguistic influence across the globe, with a legacy of around X Palon speakers around the world. It is a developed country with an advanced economy and high living standards. Additionally, it ranks highly in peacefulness, democracy, freedom, stability, social progress, and prosperity. A member of the Union of Realms, and the Oranland Trade Union, Palon was also one of the founding members of ARDO, and the Community of Palon Language Countries.

History

Prehistorical Paloa

The Santo Vaz dolmen near Santo Vaz, built around the 4th millennium BCE.

The region of what is now Paloa was settled by Dordon tribes, giving origin to peoples such as the Veragons and X which eventually evolved into the modern Palon people. Present-day Paloa was inhabited by Homo rectus before they went extinct around 300,000–30,000 BP and then by Homo validus and Homo captiosus, both species roaming the border-less region of the Hesterlon Peninsula until the extinction of the Homo validus c. 7,000–6,000 BP after which Homo captiosus remained. These were subsistence societies and although they did not establish prosperous settlements, they did form organized societies. Paloa during the Novalithic experimented with domestication of herding animals, the raising of some cereal crops and fluvial or marine fishing. Metallurgy later appeared during the middle of the 3rd millennium BCE. Paloa, like its neighbours Cavala and Paqueonia, possesses numerous megalithic sites with 435 known sites as of 2000, some well knowns of which are the Castro stones near present day Pinta, and the Santo Vaz dolmen near Santo Vaz.

Ancient and Antiquity Era

The Alarican Temple of Merida, in Santa Carlito, is one of the most well preserved Alarican-built structures in the country.

Based on the Calidum chronicles about the Veragon peoples and the interpretation of the abundant archaeological remains throughout the southern and central half of Paloa and some of X in X during the Ancient Era, it is possible to infer that there was a matriarchal society, with a religious aristocracy. The figures of maximum authority were the chieftain, of military type and with authority in his tribe, and the druid, mainly referring to medical and religious functions that could be common to several tribes. The first documentary references to tribal society in Paloa are provided by chroniclers of Calidum military campaigns such as Apui, Stephinates and X among others, about the social organization, and describing the inhabitants of these territories, the Veragese tribes of southern Paloa, also known as the Amossan are described as: "A group of barbarians who spend the day fighting and the night eating, drinking and dancing under the moon". There were other similar tribes and subgroups, chief among them were the Boromans; the core area of these people lay in central Paloa, while numerous other related tribes existed such as the Farovans, Cyconts and Aeroans.

The Calidum Empire first settled in Paloa some time around 1300 BCE. However, they were expelled from the region around the 11th century BCE by the Veragon tribes. Beginning from the 11th century BCE, the region would stay relatively isolated from the rest of the Zestoric until the late 4th century BCE when the Pylosan Empire colonized the region resulting in the founding of several cities that still remains to this day such as Tahu (Tavares), Nun-oni (Novaro), and Donkor (Dantas).

After the 2nd Zestoric War in 1 CE, Pylosan colonies including those in Paloa were assimilated into the Alarican Empire. However, Alarican control over the region suffered a setback in 3 CE when a rebellion began in the south. The Farovans and remnants of the Pylosan army under the leadership of Glycon, a former Pylosan general, fought for control over the southern Hesterlon Peninsula. Alarico sent numerous legions and its best generals to Paloa to quell the rebellion, in 10 CE, Glycon was killed in battle near Tavares resulting in a power struggle among Glycon's allies allowing Alarico to put an end to the rebellion in 11 CE.

In 129, Alarico conquered the rest of the Hesterlon Peninsula, installing a colonial regime over the region. Several works of engineering, such as baths, temples, bridges, roads, circuses, theatres and laymen's homes are preserved throughout the country. Coins, as well as numerous pieces of ceramics, were also found. Contemporary historians include Caninius (c. 360–422) and Oppius (c. 417–481), who detailed the final years of Alarican control over Paloa and the rebellions and uprisings led by the Palon people.

Palon kingdoms, Dardonan Empire, and revolution

The Kingdom of Norab at its height in 608.

In the early 6th century, the Palon people formed numerous kingdoms in modern day Paloa. The Kingdom of Norab was the post-Alarican kingdom, established in what is now Santo Vaz and one of the largest in the region. Settlements such as Laton (Leitao) and Seabra was founded during this time period.

About during the 6th century it formally became the Kingdom of Norab, when king Romeric made a peace treaty with the Cyconts to the north establishing his control over the region. In 563 Romeric died, leaving the state to be divided by Romeric's two sons, with Alfredo and Filipe ruling simultaneously. Both reigned from 563 to 585, the year in which Parauno reunified the kingdom. From 589, he attempted to unite the Hesterlon Peninsula until his death in 614 after which the kingdom dissolved to numerous kingdoms and city-states. At its height in 608, Parauno's kingdom occupied a territory of about 540,000 km² (208,495 sq mi).

In 766, the Dardonan Empire invaded the Hesterlon Peninsula from Alarico. An army of roughly 9,000 men led by Alexius I landed on the southern coast near Tavares. He won the Battle of Tahu against Joham, ruler of the Kingdom of Aavalo, securing a Darodan beachhead on the peninsula. By 769, Alexius conquered the southern and eastern coast and controlled most territory south of the Leitao River. However, he sustained severe injuries during the Battle of Laton in Memesa of 770 after which he died. His son Marcian II took his father's role as ruler in Marto the same year. The Battle of Aroun in 774 marked the end of the Darodan conquest of the Hesterlon Peninsula which saw the death of Alvoro, the leader of the last Palon kingdom. In 778, the Hesterlon Peninsula was fully intergrated into the empire as three provinces: Hestanda, Pallas, and Xamida.

Early Palon architecture appeared during this period of Palon history. The Pallas Council also sponsored works of architecture such as the Estrutura de Belas Artes (literally, the Structure of Fine Art) and led to the creation of the Pallaic style of achitecture in the 11th century. The Casa de Lã is the oldest known structure built of this architectural style in the early 9th century.

In 1059, the Hestando people rebelled against the Dardonans followed by numerous other movements most of which failed. Inspired by these uprisings and revolts, Tristico de Vasa, the mayor of Santa Vaz led a revolution against the Dardonans in 1102 known as the Palon Revolution. Tristico would be executed in 1104 after being captured at the Battle of Cume in Gunyana the same year. However the revolution was successful resulting in 1105 with the emergence of the Kingdom of Paloa under Nicolau I, a friend and successor of Tristico who also served as a general during the revolution.

Pre-Imperial Era

Castelo de Bettencourt was build by King Mudar I in 1468 to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Bettencourt against the Nicolists.

Luca de Sisonte.

From 1140 to 1164 and again from 1178 to 1204, Paloa, like the rest of Oranland, was devastated by the Great Plague, with victims ranging from 0.4 to 1.5 million. During the time of the plague; around 1142, the trend of the Mutamni Purge spreaded to the region from Cavala. From 1142 to 1210, about 300,000 Mutamniers were condemned resulting in the near extinction of Palon Mutamniers. Additionally, the Terranist Genocide in Paloa saw the deaths and percecution of an estimated number of 200,000 to 600,000 Terranists. After the end of the last plague in Paloa, a famine swept across the region resulting in the starvation of about 0.3 million people.

During the reign of Tristico II in 1264, A civil war broke out between the government and the White Hand, an extremist Terranist branch that resisted the Palon gevernment. The civil war, known as the First Palon Civil War lasted to 1269 and resulted in the dissolution of the White Hand. It also paved the way for more rebellions from between 1270 to 1303 in a time period known as the Décadas Terríveis (translating to Terrible Decades). It ended when King Afonso I signed the Carta Religiosa in Tebax ending Terranist percecution in Paloa.

Although Paloa did not actively participate in the Oranland War they gave money and sometimes sent volunteers to Seronia-Sotha to fight for them.

During the population boom of 1329, Paloa's population rose back up to around 1.75 million people from the estimated 810,000 people that lived in Paloa during the 1310s. The period of Palon history from 1320 to 1457 is characterised by relative peace and economic prosperity. The period ended with the start of the Second Palon Civil War, a conflict between the Nicolists faction led by King Nicolau VI and the Mudarists, a faction of petty noblemen and commoners, led by Mudar de Ganara (later King Mudar I of Paloa). Commanded by General Plácido Hernandes, they defeated the Nicolists at the Battle of Bettencourt in Gunyana of 1460. With this battle, the House of Gunara became the ruling house of Paloa.

During the Age of Sails, the enbarck was invented in 1505 by Palon engineer Quim Vaza. The development of the enbarck caused sailing for the Oranish and Alabonians to be much quicker and easier resulting in the discovery of the Domicas by Paqueon explorer Kuno Schenck in 1513 and the discovery of Flonesia by Sothan explorer Alf Weiss in 1530.

In 1518, the Palon explorer Luca de Sisonte reached what is now X in North Domica and founded the city of New Novaro (present day Weston). A few years later in 1526, the colony of Novaterritoria was founded the the north by explorer Xavier Serra. In 1528, a new colony was also found in North Domica however this time in New Alves later New Gagnon at the west coast of the continent by Luca de Sisonte. Additionally, in 1522, Farata as well as New Roque were discovered and colonised. Meanwhile, in South Domica, the colony of Nicolaua was founded by Almir Mata in present day Walivia in 1546. In 1548, Filipe Ribeiro conquered X which at that time belonged to the Omaran Empire, claiming it for Paloa. Also in 1548, the Five Years' War begun in North Domica when Neragon sought to expand their territories into the interior of the continent as well as to eliminate competition in the region. The war eventually ended in 1553 with the Neragese dominance of North Domica.

Early Empire

Areas across Gentu that were, at one point in their history, part of the Palon Empire.

On the 23 Hunyo 1555, the Palon Empire was formed after the Mudon Charter was signed by Mudon II. The empire comprised of mainland Paloa and its colonies which had their own government bodies which included some indigenous representatives to prevent rebellion and unrest. In 1561, the Poder War erupted in South Domica after a naval incursion between the Atontec, Paqueon, and Palon Empire resulted in the Battle of Repent between the three empires on the 10 Phupu 1561. Although the war ended in a stalmate in 1562, the Treaty of Tavares which concluded the war saw the division of the continent between the three states.

During the war, the Palon South Aquamic Company was founded in Palon Aralona as one of at least a dozen trading companies. However, in 1569, a bill was passed by the Congress of Paloa making the CSA the only Palon trade company in the south Aquamic region. A conflict in 1572 against the Neragese known as the Coffee War saw the expulsion of the Neragese East Naphtora Company, the biggest rival of the CSA, leaving the CSA as the only trading company in the region and beginning the company's monopoly over Naphtoran coffee as well as tobacco and tea.

Fredric Rego, General of the Palon Aralonan Army during the Flonesian War.

On 7 Phupu 1582, a skirmish occurred on the colonial border of Paqueonia and the Omaran Empire, starting the Flonesian War. Paloa later joined the war on the Omaran side with the creation of the Arbrim-Afonso Pact in Enero of 1583. The Palons were initally successful, being led by General Fredric Rego. However, on 13 Enero 1583, Rego started a campaign into Paqueon controlled Aralona with around 4,000 Omaran and 70,000 Palon soldiers. By 13 Memesa 1583, they reached Ironey and began to siege it. The siege lasted until the 2 Pusper when the Paqueons were driven out of the city. An estimated 90,000 soldiers died, making the siege one of the most deadilest in the war. Although the Rego won, he did not have the manpower to take control of the city and was forced to retreat after losing the Battle of Lake Cylon, ending the campaign in defeat.

From Memesa 1583 to Hunyo of 1584, Victor Catalá and Seronian general Jūsmiņš Osis invaded Omaran controlled territory in Aralona and succeeded in driving the bulk of the Omaran army of the island. Meanwhile, Paqueon forces under the command of Enrique Charpantier managed to successfully expel Palon forces off of Aralona by Enero of 1584. After hearing the news on the 20th of Enero, Fredric Rego gathered remnants of the Palon and Omaran army and begun to conduct guerilla warfare in the desert as well as the jungles of Aralona. Guerilla warfare ended in Tebax of 1586 with the dual surrender of Paloa and the Omaran in exchange for the return of remaining soldiers in Aralona, ending the war. The Nuevo Ahorrar Peace Conference which took place saw the end of an Omaran and Palon presence over the island and allowed Paqueonia and Seronia-Sotha to solidify their hold over Aralona with Sereno-Sothan dominance over the northern region of the continent, and a Paqueon presence in the south. Additionally, the war also saw the displacement of millions of native Flonesians and the near extinction of the Iolana Culture.

During the Great Enlightenment, Paloa was considered one of Oranland's "unenlightened" backwaters. At that time, it was a country of about 2.5 million in 1590. Deeply embarrassed, Márico Machado de Seabra, Prime Minister of Paloa assisted in reforming the education system in 1593. He created the basis for secular public primary and secondary schools, introduced vocational training, created hundreds of new teaching posts, added departments of mathematics and natural sciences to the University of Leitao, and introduced new taxes to pay for these reforms.

But Machado's greatest reforms were economic and financial, with the creation of several companies and guilds to regulate every commercial activity. He demarcated the region for production of wine, the first attempt to control wine quality and production in Oranland. He ruled with a strong hand by imposing strict laws upon all classes of Palon society from the nobility to the working class, and through his widespread review of the country's tax system. These reforms gained him enemies in the upper classes, especially among the high nobility, who despised him as a social upstart. The reform of the wine industry in 1608 provoked riots that were suppressed with considerable bloodshed. Machado would be assassinated in Kunnen of 1617, ending the First Palon Reformation.

Meanwhile, the War of 1602 begun between the Paqueon and Neragese Empire which later led to the involvement of 5 other main combatants: Seronia-Sotha, Paloa, the Omaran, Eudocia, and Zhao dynasty. Paloa joined the conflict nearing the end of the war in 1613 on the Neragese side. Under the leadership of General António Melo, the Palon army managed to reach Castelano, the capital of Paqueonia in Okjatab of 1614. However, they lost the Battle of Castelano forcing the two sides into a stalemate. After the war ended in Enero of 1615, the borders between the two nation did not change.

Brunoan Era

Bruno I, first King of Paloa during the Brunoan Era.

The Brunoan Era begun on 13 Marto 1633 with the coronation of King Bruno I, son of the late King Afonso V. The reign of Bruno I was a time of immense social change in Paloa, with the beginnings of the Second Palon Reformation which began the process of modernisation, and the emergence of rival political parties like the Verdes and Ideinov. In rural areas, it saw huge changes to the movement of people and the decline of small communities, the growth of the cities and the beginnings of an integrated transportation system but, nevertheless, as rural towns and villages declined and work became scarce there was a huge increase in emigration to Palon South Domica, and other parts of the Palon Empire.

Bruno I's reign ended in 1697 with his death. King Bruno II became king just 5 days later. Bruno II was a beloved monarch, a patron of fine art and music, and a proficient composer and writer on musical subjects. He is known for collected one of the largest libraries in the world. Abroad, the Serono-Sothans took over Palon Nullarica in Memesa of 1703 and the Palon South Aquamic Company ceased operation in the Aquamic Ocean region after losing the Companies' War in 1722. However, Paloa won the War of 1740 in 1743 allowing Paloa to assume control of the western half of the Trimeshian continent while Neragon took over the other half. Bruno II died in 1755 and was succeeded by his son Bruno III.

Bruno III became king when he was seventeen years old. The young king suffered from an illness that paralyzed the left side of his body and left him mentally unstable. After a two-year regency of X, the uncle of Bruno III, Bruno assumed the control of the country. However, his reign was short-lived as he contracted smallpox in 1757 and died shortly after in Phupu. His nephew Bruno IV succeeded him.

Bruno IV encouraged the focusing of Palon exploration of the South Domican interior after silver was found in Palon controlled territories of which he used to maintain a lavish court and ruled as an absolutist king, ignoring the Congress of Paloa (which had only convened sporadically since 1757) and personally appointing ministers. He is perhaps the best example of an absolutist monarch in Paloa. His long reign from 1757 to his death in 1818 (end of the Brunoan Era) was characterized by a strengthening of the king's powers, made possible by the large revenues flowing to Paloa from South Domica.

Succession Crisis and Peninsular War

Bruno IV died in 1818 without an heir which resulted in Congress rule from 1818 until Sebastião da Alves proclaimed himself king in 1823. During these five years, Paloa lost their colonies in South Domica to revolutionaries the most notable being the Walivian Revolution in 1819. By the end of the Amplan Wars in 1826, all Palon colonies had gained independence.

Proclaimation of Sebastião da Alves as king of Paloa; painted in 1846. (It is unlikely the artist saw or even knew someone who witnessed the event)

on 18 Tebax 1823, Sebastião da Alves, an uncle of the late Bruno IV, with an army of supporters marched to the royal palace in Leitao and proclaimed himself king. His proclaimation was met with protest especially from Pedro III of Paqueonia, a cousin of Bruno. This ultimately led to a succession crisis between the two claimants which ended on 15 Pulungana when Paqueon forces crossed the border into Paloa and the Battle of Salgado took place, sparking the War of Palon Succession. The war ended 4 Memesa 1825 with the Treaty of Salgado which saw the Paqueon annexation of Paloa and the exile of Sebastião to New Roque where he died of a stroke in 1831.

for the duration of Paqueon rule over Paloa from 1825 to 1828, numerous uprisings would occur throughout the region the last of which (most successful) in 1828 was called simply the Palon Rebellion. They rose up in Leitao on 20 Gunyana. On the 20th of Okjatab, Paloa and Cavala forged an alliance during the Brumeux Conference entering Cavala into the war against Paqueonia. The Paqueons held the advantage in the early stages, but were forced onto the defensive after 1829 Battle of Pinta. Cavala's invasion of Paqueonia was led by General Jean Forgeron and in Disemba of 1829 launched a campaign to reach Castelano. He scored major victories such as the Battle of Muerte, and Ifiere. Paqueonia's capital of Castelano fell on the 12th of Tebax 1830 after a month long siege. The Treaty of Hidalgo on 17 Tebax saw majorly the independence of Paloa and some minor border changes between Cavala and Paqueonia.

The death of Bruno IV is regarded by historians as the end of the "First" Palon Empire and the end of the Peninsular War as the beginning of the "Second" Palon Empire.

Isabellan Era

Queen Isabella of Pesatisico served as reigning monarch from 28 Gunyana 1830 to her death 4 Enero 1906.

With Paloa's victory over Paqueonia in the Peninsular War, Isabella of Pesatisico, the closest living relative to Bruno IV, was crowned queen in Gunyana of 1830. She reigned from the 28 Gunyana 1830 to her death on 4 Enero 1906. Under Queen Isabella, Paloa was modernised further. Under her reign, roads, telegraphs, and railways were constructed and improvements in public health advanced similar to how they were advanced during the Brunoan Era. Her popularity increased when, during the Palon cholera outbreak of 1841–1849, she visited hospitals handing out gifts and comforting the sick.

Ideologically, the Isabellan era witnessed resistance to the absolutism that defined the late Brunoan Era, and an increasing turn towards romanticism and even mysticism in religion, social values, and arts. This era saw a staggering amount of technological innovations that proved key to Paloa's power and prosperity. Doctors started moving away from tradition and mysticism towards a science-based approach; medicine advanced thanks to the adoption of the germ theory of disease and pioneering research in epidemiology. Domestically, the political agenda was increasingly liberal, with several shifts in the direction of gradual political reform, improved social reform, and the widening of the franchise. Thanks to educational reforms, the Palon population not only approached universal literacy towards the end of the era but also became increasingly well-educated; the market for reading materials of all kinds boomed.

The two main political parties during the era remained the Verdes and the Ideinov; by its end, the Palon Volkist Party had formed as a distinct political entity. These parties were led by such prominent statesmen as Cláudio de Seabra, Gaspar de Ferreira, Graciano Bento, Ivo Moniz, Emanuel Vomlel, Rafinha Cordeiro, and Tadeu de Serra.

Paloa joined the Urgo-Wravian War 17 Marto 1859 following the Urgan declaration of war on Warvia as Paloa was a Wravian ally at that time. In response, Paqueonia declared war on Paloa, entering the nation into the war. Because of this, Cavala joined the war against Urga as well since they were an ally of Paloa. During the war, approximately 250,000 soldiers died in combat while another 400,000 perished due to diseases and starvation. However, civilian casualties are unclear, with some estimates ranging from 300,000 to 1 million. At the height of the war in 1863, Paqueon forces managed to reach Santo Vaz and Araujo before they were pushed out in 1969. Although the war ended in eastern Oranland, fighting did not cease in western Oranland until 23 Kunnen 1869 with an Armistice of the same name. The heavy casualties from diseases during the Urgo-Wravian War served as a wake up call for Paloa, resulting in the establishment of the Corpo Médico do Exército Palôvesa (Palon Army Medical Corp) in Gunyana of 1869, the first in Oranland and the 3rd in the world.

During the late Isabellan Era, Paloa's relations with the other Great Powers were driven by antagonism with Paqueonia and Seronia-Sotha, most notably the Nomanan War with Paqueonia from 1874-1881, the Aragon Crisis with Seronia-Sotha in 1894, and the Great Games. Paloa also held cordial relations with the Omaran Empire which allowed them to trade with them directly using trading posts most notably in 1823 with the leasing of Casafora in the city of X. Simultaneously, they were a part of the Chaleureuse Entente along with Cavala and Brigano, the accords preceding the Cordial Alliance. During this era, Paloa shifted its colonial policies away from South Domica to Naphtora and Hesterath, acquiring trading posts in places such as the Omaran Empire and present day Qiuha. Most notably the acquisition of Palon Hoy Kok.

With the Neo-Odian Conference from 1 Tebax to 16 Pulungana 1869, the Naphtoran Conquests commenced, the territories of Nomana, Bemier, and South Naphtora were colonised by Paloa in 1872, 1887, and 1894 respectively. Additionally, A victorious war against the Kingdom of Azzara (1883) saw the vassalisation of the nation. Palon colonial settlements in Naphtora such as Nova Leitao, Rio de Framboesa, São Texilo, Azveinho, and Moranga were founded or redeveloped inland during this period and beyond. Other events during Paloa's presence in Naphtora include the Nomanan Gulf Conflict (1872), the Rebiran Crisis (1883-1884), and the Rokotan War (1889-1896).

Queen Isabella died at 4:38 WOT, 4 Enero 1906 from complications with old age, bringing an end to the Isabellan Era and ushering in the Franciscan Era with the coronation of Francisco I on the 27 Phupu 1906.

Franciscan Era and Contemporary Age

Following the death of Isabella in Enero of 1906 was the beginning of the Franciscan Era which lasted until 31 Enero 1957 with the deposition of the king and the founding of the Republic of Paloa. The son and successor of Isabella, Francisco I was the first ruler of the era from 1906 until his death 17 Disemba 1924.

Francisco I's reign saw the rise of anti-monarchist sentiments especially among the lower-classes. Under his rule, Paloa had been declared bankrupt twice: first on 28 Hunyo 1908, and then again on 1 Pusper 1920, causing social turmoil, economic disturbances, angry protests, revolts and criticism of the monarchy. After his death, his son Afonso VI of Paloa became king. The era of his regin is marked by the growth of the Palon Republican Party. This was caused mainly by the inefficiency of the monarchic governments as well as the monarchs' apparent lack of interest in governing the country. The situation culminated in a dictatorship-like government imposed by Afonso VI, followed by the king's assassination in the Leitao regicide of 1937 and the beginning of the Third Palon Civil War shortly therafter on 22 Phupu.

The Pro-Monarchist faction was led by Francisco II, second son of Francisco I and were known simply as the "Os Monarquistas". While the Anti-Monarchist faction was led by the Palon Republican Party. During the war, numerous colonies in Naphtora saw this as their chance to break away from the empire resulting in the independence of South Naphtora and Azzara in 1942 and 1947 respectively. The war ended 9 Gunyana 1956 with the fall of the republican capital in Novaro.

However, the monarchy was soon overthrown on the 31 Enero 1957 with the Enero 1957 Revolution, which abolished the monarchy and installed a republican government in Paloa, causing Francisco II and his royal family to flee into exile to Wilding, Neragon, ending the Franciscan Era.

Beginning in Memesa of 1957, Paloa was ruled by the Junta Nacional Republicana until 1 Marto when the 1957 Palon Presidential Election took place. It was won by the Palon Liberal Party (PL) nominee Estevão Gonsalves. Gonsalves would be president from 1957 to 1960, and again from 1966 to 1973. In this capacity, Gonsalves tried to resume the economic growth and development record that had been achieved before the Franciscan Era, during the last decade of the previous regime.

From the 1950s to the 1970s, the young Palon republic was a founding member of OSO, ARDO, and the Oranland Trade Union. With the rise of Nationalism in Paloa's remaining overseas colonies, Paloa was forced to release them. Paloa's last overseas colonial territories, Hoy Kok, gained full independence in 1990 following the 1990 Hoy Kokese independence referendum, officially ending the Palon Empire.

In 1993 the country was a co-founder of the Community of Palon Language Countries (CPLP) headquartered in Leitao. In 1995, the 1995 Palon Presidental Election results in Filipa Maciel and Sebastião Rebelo sworn in as President and Prime Minister respectively.

Geography

Topographic map of Paloa.

The territory of Paloa consists of an area on the Hesterlon Peninsula sometimes referred to as the mainland by most Palon people, and an island and archipelago in the Ingentric Ocean: the island of Farata and the archipelago of New Roque. Paloa has a total land area of 360,087.9 km² (139,030.7 sq mi) making it the X largest in Oranland and the X in Gentu.

Mainland Paloa is split by its 2 main river, the Leitao River and the Alemán, both of which flows from X and disgorges into their own respective estuaries, before escaping into the Ingentric. The northern landscape is mountainous towards the exterior with large plains towards the interior, the central landscape meanwhile consists of a mixture of flat plains and rolling hills, whereas the south, including the islands and archipelago region, is characterized by rolling plains with a few mountain ranges dotted about the region. Paloa's highest peak is Mount Subir in the Surmonté mountains which measures 897 m (2,942.9 ft) while to lowest point is the Afundar Depression which sits at 104 m (341 ft) below sea level on the Afundar Peninsula in central Paloa. The island and archipelago of Farata and New Roque are scattered within the Ingentric Ocean: Farata as well as New Roque is situated along a range formed by in-plate hotspot geology. Geologically, these islands were formed by volcanic and seismic events. The last terrestrial volcanic eruption occurred in 1848 (Matarmorrer) and minor earthquakes occur sporadically, usually of low intensity.

Paloa's territorial waters, a sea zone over which Paloa have special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources, has 3,776,946 km². This is the X largest territorial waters of Oranland and the X largest in Gentu.

Climate

The Climate of Paloa is characterised by an oceanic climate to the north and central region, and a Zestoric climate in the south and in Farata and the New Roque archipelago.

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Environment

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Administrative divisions

Farata

Arauja

Vasa

Afundar

Alemán

Tavera

Farova

Guerra

Xindan

New Roque

Since 1957, Paloa has been divided into 8 prefectures overseen by a prefect as well as 2 autonomous regions which is ruled over by an elected governor and their own legislature. The prefectures are then divided into 27 municipalities which themselves consist of 113 counties. Meanwhile, autonomous regions cannot be divided further. The 8 prefectures are: Arauja, Alemán, Afundar, Vasa, Farova, Xindan, Tavera and Guerra; and the 2 autonomous regions are the New Roque and Farata autonomous regions.

Prefecture/Autonomous Region	Capital	Area (km2)	Area (sq mi)	Population (1999)
Arauja	Araujo	48,767.9	18,829.4	5,948,000
Alemán	Bettencourt	67,618.99	26,107.8	7,593,400
Afundar	Dantas	30,464.7	11,762.5	4,245,000
Vasa	Leitao	56,739.7	21,907.3	7,063,500
Farova	Novaro	59,840.3	23,104.5	2,674,000
Xindan	Xindanho	33,703.9	13,013.1	1,338,100
Tavera	Tavares	30,829.5	11,903.3	3,673,000
Guerra	Santa Guerra	30,941.6	11,946.6	1,923,000
New Roque	New Roque Cidade	4,494.9	1,735.5	319,000
Farata	Reis	3,117.1	1,203.5	149,600
Paloa	Leitao	360,087.9	139,030.7	34,926,600

Major cities

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Politics and government

Filipa Maciel
President of Paloa
since 1995

Sebastião Rebelo
Prime Minister of Paloa
since 1995

Paloa has been a Unitary semi-presidential republic since the ratification of the Constitution of 1960, with Leitao as its capital. The Constitution grants the division or separation of powers among five bodies referred as "organs of Sovereignty": the President of the Republic, the Government, the Congress of the Republic and the Courts.

The President, who is elected to a five-year term, has an executive role: the current President is Filipa Maciel. The Congress of the Republic comprises of an upper house known as the Assento which is composed of a maximum of 60 deputies 53 seats of which are hereditary, and 7 are appointed directly by the government; and a lower house known as the Baixo Assembly which is composed of 520 Assemblian elected for a four-year term. The Government is headed by the Prime Minister (currently Sebastião Rebelo) and includes Ministers and Secretaries of State. The Courts are organized into several levels, among the judicial, administrative and fiscal branches. The Supreme Courts are institutions of last resort/appeal. A thirteen-member Constitutional Court oversees the constitutionality of the laws.

Portugal operates a multi-party system of competitive legislatures/local administrative governments at the national, regional and local levels. The Congress of the Republic, Regional Assemblies and local municipalities and parishes, are dominated by two political parties, the Palon Volkist Party and the Gregario Party. Other political parties included the Palon Socialist Party, Ecologista Party, the Democratic People's Party and the Peruca Party.

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Foreign relations

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Economy

The financial district of Leitao is arguably the most largest in Paloa.

Paloa is the X-largest economy in Oranland and the X-largest economy in Gentu by nominal GDP at $310.1 billion as of 2000. However, it is ranked X-largest (in Oranland) by GDP purchasing power parity at $462.4 billion as of 1999. It has also a HDI of 0.874 (the X-highest in Gentu) as of 1999. Paloa was also one of the founding members of the Oranland Trade Union in 1973. Paloa's central bank is the Banco de Paloa, an integral part of the Oranish System of Central Banks. Most industral, financial and commercial centres are concentrated in the areas of Leitao, Araujo, and Tavares. However, Dantas, Bettencourt, Santa Carlito, Novaro, and Valente are also the biggest economic centres outside these three main areas.

Paloa is one of the Oranland Trade Union's largest exporters with $211.6 billion exported in 2000. The service sector contributed with 67.6% of the GDP, the industry sector contributed with 28.5% and agriculture with 3.9%. Paloa's top 5 biggest trading partners are Cavala, Paqueonia, X, X and X. The majority of Palon products are vehicles, electonic devices, textile, and plastic products. Some of the most industrialized cities in Paloa are Leitao, Araujo, Tavares and Bettencourt.

The household net income in Paloa is $37,925 per year. The average salary is $1,580 per month, excluding self-employed individuals and the minimum wage, which is regulated by law, is $812 per month as of 2000.

All major companies related to infratructure or basic human rights are state owned such as the Águas de Paloa, Corporação Bancária Geral Palôvesa (CBGP), Companhia Ferroviária Palôvesa, TCP, and Aeroportos de Paloa. Companies listed on the Oranet Leitao-Araujo stock exchange like Paloa Telecom, X, X, and X, are amongst the largest corporations of Paloa by number of employees, net income or international market share. The Oranet Leitao-Araujo the Palon branch of Orannet, the first global stock exchange.

Tourism

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Energy

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Industry

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Infrastructure

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Transport

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Science and technology

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Demographics

Total population growth of Paloa 1600-2000. (Not including overseas territories and colonies)

The Palon Ministry of Statistics estimates that, according to the 1999 census, the population was 34,926,602 (of which 37% was female, 63% was male). 65.3% of the population is identified as Palon; 21.4% are Hestandan, heavily concentrated in the eastern region of the country; 9.7% of the population are Azoran; while the remaining 3.6% identifies as Qiuese, Neragese etc. In terms of religious belief, as of 2000, 89.2% answered as a part of Terranity with 64.1% (of the total population) identifying as an Altenic and 24.9% as Paxist, 9.5% answered with no religion while 1.3% had other beliefs such as Plecanism and Kaoism. The Palon language is the official language of Paloa with Hestandan as a recognised regional languages in some subdivisions of the eastern region.

Paloa has a population density of 96.9/km² (251.0/sq mi). Being a developed country, Paloa has a life expectancy of around 82.75 years. Palo additionally has a very low infant mortality rate of 1.4 boys and 1.7 girls per 1,000 births. Historically the rate of reproduction remained above-average with 1.3 children in the mid 1900s, but deteriorated significantly since then with a period of the death rate of Paloa exceeding its birth rate and a slightly shrinking population between 1950 and 1970. The fertility rate of Paloa as of 1995 was estimated at 1.92 children born/woman, the Xth in Gentu, it remains considerably below the high of 5.02 children born per woman in 1899. In 1996, 65.2% of births were to unmarried women. Like most Oranish countries, Paloa has to deal with low fertility levels: the country has experienced a sub-replacement fertility rate since the 1960s. Paloa subsequently has the Xth oldest population in the world, with the average age of 44.6 years.

Paloa's congress has approved a budget plan in 1993 for 1994 that includes tax breaks for emigrants that have recently emigrated to Paloa. The expansionary 1994 budget, backed by a left-wing majority in congress, also aims to boost the purchasing power of households while cutting the already low deficit even further. Emigrants will also be allowed to declare only half their taxable income for five years, provided they lived abroad for at least three years. The programme is to run for two years. Emigrants returning in 1998 and 1999 will see their taxes halved as part of the stimulus to bring emigrants to Paloa and revitalize the population and promote continued economic growth – as Paloa struggles with a low birth rate and an ageing population. According to projections by the Ministry of Statistics, Paloa's population will fall to 32.1 million by 2020 from 34.9 million now if the trend continues and the population will continue to age.

Language

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Major cities

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Education

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Magic

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Religion

Religions in Paloa (Census 1999)
Terranity			89.2%
—Altenicism			64.1%
—Paxism			24.9%
Others			1.3%
No Religion			4.6%
Undeclared			4.9%

According to the 1999 Census, 89.2% of the Palon population was Terranist with 64.1% identifying as Altenic and 24.9% as Paxist, 1.3% consists of other beliefs such as Plecanism, Kaoism, and Hafan. Influences from Naphtoran Traditional Religion and Native Domican Traditional Religion are also felt among many people, particularly in fields related with Traditional Domican Medicine and Traditional Naphtoran Herbal Medicine. Some 4.6% identifies to have no religion, and 4.9% did not give any answer about their religion. Many Palon holidays, festivals and traditions have a Oranish origin or connotation.

The growth of the Palon Empire made its missionaries important agents of colonization, with important roles in the education and conversion of people from all the inhabited continents. The growth of liberal and nascent republican movements during the eras leading to the formation of the Republic of Paloa in 1957 changed the role and importance of organized religion. Paloa is a secular state, the Palon constitution guarantees freedom of religion as an individual constitutional right. Thus the religious view of the state is determined to be neutral and the right of self-determination for religious groups upheld. While the government refrains from recognizing any certain rights of a religious group, and these groups are expected to reject any interaction with politics.

Culture

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Music and art

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Fashion

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Philosophy

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Literature

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Architecture

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Cuisine

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Sports

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Media

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