Constantia

Constantian Free State Constantian Vrystaat (Afrikaans)
Flag Coat of arms
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
• President	Simone Breytenbach
• Premier	Christiaan Van Vollenhoven
• Speaker of Parliament	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)	29.7 low
HDI (2020)	0.892 very 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, shaping the society and recognising it as one of the most ethnically diverse in the world since then. 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 counts with a diverse geography throughout most of its territory; while most of the south is covered in coastal plains covered in forests, northern regions see the proximity of numerous mountain chains, which allow the formation of rolling hills across most of the countryside. Constantia is also rich in water reserves and power, as it counts with numerous aquifers and major rivers. It is described as a developed high-income economy, with its roots in the services and industrial sectors; however, farming and diary production are also crucial for the country's exports, making it a largely agrarian-oriented economy.

Politically, Constantia is a parliamentary democracy and counts with a Head og Government and a Head of State. The Parliament of Constantia plays a major role in the daily political development of the nation; Constantia usually ranks high in social inclusion and democratic performance, as well as government transparency and protection of civil liberties.

Government and politics

Simone Breytenbach
President of Constantia

Christiaan Van Vollenhoven
Prime Minister of Constantia