Terre-Belle

Terre-Belle
Province
Flag
Motto(s):  Regnat populus (Solarian) "The people rule"
Map of Cassier with Terre-Belle in red
Country	Cassier
Capital (and largest city)	Porte-Calme
Largest metro	Porte-Calme metropolitan area
Confederation	1 July, 1757
Government
• Premier	[name]
• Governor	[name]
• Legislature	Provincial Assembly of Terre-Belle
Area
• Land	2,278,492.16 km2 (879,730.74 sq mi)
• Rank	1st
Population  (2018)
• Total	519,685
• Rank	8th
• Density	0.23/km2 (0.6/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+7 to +8 (Florian/Vehemens)
Abbreviation	TB
Prefix	A, B
ISO 3166 code	CA-TB
Rankings include all provinces and territories

Terre-Belle is the westernmost province in Cassier. It comprises of the islands of Terre-Belle, Île du Édouard, and several thousand other smaller islands. As of 2018 Terre-Belle had 518,685 inhabitants, making it the least populated province in Cassier, accounting for only 1.3 percent of Cassier's total population. The majority of its population reside in or within the surrounding metropolitan area of Porte-Calme, which is both the province's capital and largest city. With a geographical area of 2,278,492.16 square kilometres, Terre-Belle is the largest province in terms of geographical area, accounting for roughly 24 percent of Cassier's land area.

Terre-Belle is surrounded by bodies of water and has no land borders with any other province or territory. Gaullicans make up the majority of Terre-Belle’s population, however minorities such as Ghailles and indigenous groups such as the Megsig and Borealians also have a noticeable presence in the province.

The recorded history of Terre-Belle began in 1488 following the arrival of explorer Assim Asteris on Île du Édouard. His arrival brought an end to the isolation of the indigenous Asterians and the beginning of Euclean colonization of the New World. Caldian and Ghaillish mariners established small seasonal outposts in the late 15th century, though they were largely abandoned by the mid-16th century. Gaullican explorer Rogerin Dumont bestowed Terre-Belle its name in 1534 following his difficult voyage across the Vehemens Ocean to Asteria Superior, claiming the land for Gaullica. For most of its history, Terre-Belle was administered by the colonial government of Terre-Belle and the Dumont Bay Company, which controlled much of northern Cassier until its incorporation in 1870. Terre-Belle was one of the colonies to confederate into the Domain of Cassier on July 1, 1757, along with Chicadia, New Sylvagne, Upper Cassier, and Lower Cassier. It remained a part of Cassier until 1915, when Terre-Belle voted to return to direct Gaullican rule. As a consequence, it was directly involved in the events of the Great War, having an active role in contrast to Cassier’s neutrality during the conflict. Following Gaullica’s defeat, Terre-Belle was briefly occupied by Rizealand and other Grand Alliance forces until Cassier’s declaration of independence on October 14, 1936.

Etymology

There are two widely accepted theories regarding the etymology behind the name of Terre-Belle. The first and most widely accepted of these two postulates that the name can be traced back to the first Eucleans; Caldians and Ghailles, who sighted the island following its initial discovery. The records and maps produced by these mariners generally referred to Terre-Belle as "Eilean Bòidheach", meaning "beautiful isle", likely in referencing both its geographical beauty and the feeling of relief felt by these sailors following their difficult journies across the Vehemens Ocean. Rogerin Dumont is known to have brought several of these sailors with him on his first voyage to the Asterias in 1534, who recorded the direct though grammatically incorrect translation of the name from Ghaillish to Gaullican; Terre-Belle.

The second but not as accepted theory postulates that Terre-Belle was chosen by Dumont to honour the reigning monarch and supporter of his voyage; Queen Anne the Financer of Gaullica.