Constantia
Constantian Free State Constantian Vrystaat (Afrikaans) | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
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| Anthem: "The Homeland" | |
| Capital |  Christiana |
| Largest largest city | Port Alfred |
| Official languages | Afrikaans English Dutch |
| Religion | See Religion in Constantia |
| Demonym(s) | Constantian |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic |
| Simone Breytenbach | |
• Premier | Christiaan Van Vollenhoven |
| Tanitha Wessels | |
| Legislature | Constantian Parliament |
| Area | |
• | 186,447.0 km2 (71,987.6 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• Estimate | 15,116,205 |
• 2017 census | 15,005,316 |
• Density | 209/km2 (541.3/sq mi) |
| Gini (2020) |  29.7low |
| HDI (2020) |  0.892very high |
| Currency | Rand (R) (RAN) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +112 |
| Internet TLD | .co |
Constantia, officially the Constantian Free State (Afrikaans: Constantian Vrystaat; Dutch: Constantiaanse Vrijstaat) is a coastal sovereign state. It is home to 15,116,205 people, making it one of the most populous countries in its region. Its population tends to be largely urban and is concentrated in the Chris-Alf Corridor, an urban and suburban expansion between the capital city Christiana, to the largest city, Port Alfred.
The first records of human presence in Constantia evolve to several indigenous tribes who spoke Algonquian languages and were spread along the coastline and on the banks of major rivers. Several records have left mark of long periods of conflicts between these groups and other significant native tribes. The first contact with trans-oceanic communities happened during the last decades of the 16th century, and were increased during the first ones of the following century. In 1615, the first settlement was founded by Christian separatists and other Christian religious minorities in what was later called Christiana. These groups rapidly enganged in territorial conflicts with indigenous peoples, which became frequent during the initial years of the colony although sicknesses and advanced weapons proved cathastrophic to natives in the long run. The majortiy of these were forced to leave the new colony or become slaves. The success of these colonial settlements drew interest in trans-oceanic powers, which increased funds for explorers and colonisers. During the colonial period, the harbours of Christiana and Port Alfred became crucial in the region, being important centres for the spicies and slaves trade.
During the 18th century, the imposition of higher tax quotas started causing local disconfort, forcing the emergence of political and social leaders from Constantia that reclaimed fairer trade conditions. Tensions escalted to numerous turmoils and later wars between locals and colonial figures, which by 1778 were already expulsed of Constantia, marking the declaration of independence of the colony. In the years that followed, the newborn nation became a centre for liberal thought; slavery was entirely abolished during 1820 and an advance on social rights was pushed on the base of humanist and Christian views. At the start of the 20th century, the country rapdily developed an important industrial capacity, which met a growing quality of life, being the base for an export based economy and the development of social democratic values under the leadership of Stiaan Van Der Byl. A period of war and extended impoverishment in the old world increased the immigration from these countries, turning Constantia and its urban poles in diverse melting points. Approaching the 1950s, however, exports decreased drastically, affecting the country's economy and forcing the end of the Liberal-Union Coalition dominance over Constantian politics; a period of conservative governments followed, with National and Conservative parties disputing most elections. Major corruption scandals in 1972 marked the return of the now Liberal Party and Progressive Alliance to power, which consolidated the welfare state in Constantia. Economic downturns during the 1990s propitiated the return of National governments, which implemented neoliberal programs through most of the 90s and early 00s.
Constantia is a parliamentary democracy, which ranks high in social inclusion and democratic performance. Its society is deeply shaped by centuries of immigrations and is considered one of the most ethnically diverse in the world. As a developed economy, Constantia lies its financial roots in the services and industrial sectors.
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