Los Angeles

Free Democratic Republic of the Island of Los Angeles 6 official names Conversilha Liber i Demokrátiko di e Repúblika e Isla di Los Angeles Engelpraaten Vryje Demokratische Republiek van det Eiland Los Angeles Agnian República Democrática Livre da Ilha de Los Angeles Serran República Democrática Libre de la Isla de Los Ángeles Angelean Gagian République Démocratique Libre de l'Île de Los Angeles Angelean Niagaran Den Frie Demokratiske Republik øen Los Angeles
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem: The People's March
Capital and largest city	Playadiestat
Official languages	Conversilha Engelpraaten Agnian Serran
Recognised regional languages	Angelean
Ethnic groups (2023)	61.2% Eilandpersoon 8.7% Indigenous Angelean 9.2% Agnian 4.2% Alannan 3.9% Onslander 3.1% Iodaian Jewish 2.8% Turkish 2.3% Serran 2.0% Onhsanenean 2.6% Other
Religion (2015)	69.8% Catholicism 12.1% Onslander Reformed Church 3.7% Other Christian 3.2% Jewish 11.2% Unaffiliated or other
Demonym(s)	Angelean
Government	Unitary presidential republic
• President	Ricardo Johansen
• General Secretary	Willem Aalves
• Chairman of the Presidium	Luzia Faria
Legislature	Grand National Congress
• Upper house	Presidium
• Lower house	Supreme National Council
Established
• Onslander Colonization of Los Angeles	1540s AD
• Conquest of Los Angeles by Serro	1671 AD
• Conquest of Los Angeles by Onsland	1756 AD
• Independence	7 April 1805
• Communist Government	12 December 1945
• Bloodless April	15 April 1969
• 1971 Angelean Elections	2 March 1971
Area
• Total	759,266 km2 (293,154 sq mi)
Population
• 2023 estimate	30,200,000
• 2015 census	29,092,321
• Density	39.8/km2 (103.1/sq mi)
GDP (nominal)	2022 estimate
• Total	₭1.18 trillion
• Per capita	₭39,333
Gini (2022)	31.8 medium
HDI (2022)	0.900 very high
Currency	Angelean Valero (V͇) (AVA)
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+80
Internet TLD	.la

Los Angeles, officially the Free Democratic Republic of Los Angeles, is a sovereign country comprised of the Island of Los Angeles and numerous smaller islands. It is one of the largest island states on Manala, with just over 30 million people. It has a diverse climate, with tropical regions in the southern half and northern tip separated by a highland, where the ocean and higher temperatures play a moderating effect on the country's climate. Further east, this highland turns into dry desert. The capital and largest city is Playadiestat, but other major cities include San Andreas, Nova Ralume, Paoloa, Jerrostad, and Santa Maria

The ancestors of Indigenous Angeleans came from an unknown location. Some recent evidence has led historians to theorize that roughly 30-40,0000 years ago indigenous groups arrived by sea from Alanna and began forming their own cultures and groups, but there is no evidence of a signifigant seafaring civilization in Alanna at this time. By the time of the arrival of Serran explorers in the late 1500s the indigenous tribes had maintained some of the longest known cultural traditions in the world. Alannan explorer Mbku Kalenene was the first known nonnative to arrive in what is now Los Angeles in 1401, but he arrived in the desert portion of the country and decided never to return. Onslander explorer Jeroen Vlootman discovered some of the more habitable portions of the island in 1529 and reported them back to the Onslander Empire, which settled some small trade outposts in the south over the 1540s, most notably what is now the town of Jerrostad. These Onslander settlements struggled in the tropical climate and with raids from Alannan pirates posing a major issue. A Ndibeanyan chain of settlements was established in the 1560s, but were abandoned by 1580 due to a greater need for troops and resources back home in one of the internecine wars in what is now in Alanna.

It would not be until 1600 that that the Serran explorer Álvar Hernando de Paoloa discovered the island for the Serrans and named it Isla de Los Angeles, or Los Angeles for short. In 1607, Paoloa returned with a colony and established the colony of San Andreas. Several years later, in 1615, Agnia established its own colonial holdings on the east of the island, centered around the city of Nova Ralume. As the nonnative population grew the native populations were increasingly displaced. Smallpox and warfare had cut the native population down to roughly 15% of its numbers before the arrival of the Serran colonies. By 1630, Agnia's colony, mostly due to the much more moderate weather and valuable resource deposits, had grown rapidly, outstripping both Serran and Onslander colonies on the island. seized the colony from the Serrans. It is about this time that the language of Conversilha developed as the island became a trading hub, including pirates operating in the area. In 1671, Serro annexed the Agnian colonies with the support of Onsland. The peace would last until 1756 when, as a part of the Sexdick War, Onsland and Serro fought over territory in Los Angeles and the Furbish Islands. Onsland won, and annexed the Serran colonies. For the first time, all of the island was under the political control of a single power.

However, in the late 1700s, when Onsland's grip began to falter due to more pressing matters closer to home, the restless Los Angelean population saw its chance. In 1805, as a part of the Gagian Revolution, which distracted other colonial powers, and the ongoing independence conflict in the Furbish Islands the colony of Los Angeles revolted. Despite a proposal to make Los Angeles an autonomous territory of the Furbish Islands, both sides rejected the plan. Los Angeles would slowly democratize over the 1800s, moving from an aristocratic society dominated by wealthy colonial interests to a more egaltarian democracy. In 1859, a new and fully democratic constitution was adopted. Los Angeles would remain neutral in the First Great War but would join the Second Great War on the side of the Second Coalition. However, an Alannan invasion toppled the democratic government and replaced it with a communist puppet state. Despite being nominally communist, Los Angeles would drift away from the Laurillac Pact and move towards the Third Coalition. In 1974, Los Angeles withdrew from the Laurillac Pact. A joint invasion by Alanna and Inglaterra was attempted in 1977, but failed. After the war, Los Angeles was not occupied and returned to democracy, despite keeping much of the symbolism and positions established during the communist government. Los Angeles has since maintained a stable liberal democratic presidential government and wealthy capitalist market economy.

Politically, Los Angeles is a unitary presidential republic. Eleven provinces serve as administrative divisions. Three provinces are considered autonomous regions with lingual minorities. The population of just over 30 million is relatively urbanized and heavily concentrated along the southern and eastern coasts. Los Angeles's population is highly diverse, with large numbers of Serran, Agnian, Gagian, Fluvan, and Onslander populations in addition to a mixed ethnic group called Eilandpersoonian. An interesting trait of Los Angeles is that it is the largest (and one of the only) nations with a creole as an official langugage; the language of Conversilha is primarily based off of Agnian and Serran vocabulary, but has signifigant influence from Onslander, Gagian, Fluvan, and various Alannan languages. Additionally, while the colonial languages of Onslander, Serran, and Agnian are all present, Los Angeles has its own distinctive dialect and accent. Of note, the Onslander dialect, called Engelpraaten, reflects what has been called a halfway point between Eilandwons, spoken in the Furbish Islands, and conventional Onslander, spoken in Onsland.

Abundant nature resources, a well-developed industrial economy, tourism, and a vibrant agricultural sector generates most income in the country. Los Angeles's status as a large port of call, popular vacation destination, and outsized influence in the manufacturing of luxury products make the country into one of the wealthiest on the planet, with a GDP per capita of $39,202. It ranks highly in the Human Development Index, quality of life metrics, democracy, health, education, civil liberties, and economic freedom. It is a founding member of the Galian Entente and is also a part of both the Trans-Galian Partnership and North Galian Union. It is a founding member of the Global Community.

Politics

Main Article: Politics of Los Angeles

Government

Main Article: Government of Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a unitary, parliamentary, representative, democratic republic. Legislative power is formally invested into the Supreme National Council, which consists of representatives from each of the country's 1509 municipalities plus 300 representatives of provinces. The Supreme National Council meets at the start of every five year term to formally inaugurate the new Presidium and to elect a new president. The Supreme National Council, while theoretically wielding all power in the country, in practice delegates this power to other organs of government. Any citizen over the age of 16 without a conviction for felony can serve on the Supreme National Council as a municipal representative, however delegates younger than 35 are rare. Method of election varies widely, in some municipalities the mayor serves as delegate or appoints one in his stead, in others the local electorate elects their councilor. However, given the lack of power of the Supreme National Council, it is commonly a sinecure for distinguished citizens of the local electorate.

After inaugurating a new session of government, the Supreme National Council elects a committee, called the Presidium, to administer the country when the Supreme National Council is not in session. While nominally a temporary measure, the Presidium is in practice a full-time legislative body and de facto operates as the sole house of the country's legislature. While the Supreme National Council could, in theory, elect any of its members to the Presidium, the Presidium is, in practice, always made up of the 300 provincial representatives, who are elected as a singular slate. Any citizen over the age of 16 can serve on the Presidium, but no one younger than 25 has ever been elected. Candidates can run for one of the 300 constituency seats, distributed to the provinces according to population and elected by a first-past-the-post system.

The president, currently Ricardo Johansen, is the head of state and is invested primarily with minor, usually ceremonial, responsibilites and powers. He is elected by the Supreme National Council for an unlimited number of five year term and presides over the body whenever it is active. Otherwise, the president is a purely ceremonial head of state. The second-highest official and head of government is the general secretary, who is elected directly by the people. The most recent election was in 2018. The general secretary, currently Willem Aalves, exercises executive power with his Advisory Council. The third-highest official is the Chairman of the Presidium, who oversees daily sessions of the Presidium and is elected by the Presidium and serves as a neutral third party arbiter of parliamentary discourse.

In order to amend the constitution a two thirds vote in the Presidium and majority vote in the Supreme National Council are needed. The president has the power to veto legislation, including amendments, but rarely uses it. Legislation which would otherwise impact human dignity, separation of powers, and the rule of law is forbidden.

Political Parties

Main Article: Political Parties of Los Angeles
Los Angeles initially, for much of its early history, operated under a dominant party system with the National Party being the primary political party from 1801 until 1861, winning a streak of 12 straight victories. This streak ended with the victory of the Liberal Party victory in 1861. The two parties would change power until 1896, when the divisions in the Liberals led to a collapse of the party, leading to a period of National dominance until the rise of the Democratic Party. The Democratic-National system would last until 1944, with the end of democracy and implementation of Communist government.

The Communist Party of Los Angeles governed as a one party state until the late 1970s, when reforms allowed for open election. Despite the name and symbolism of the Communist Party, the party has governed as a social democratic party since 1971 and is comparable to most left-wing parties in the Nordic world. The center-right is primarily represented by the United Democratic Party. Both parties have no formal central organization at the national level that controls membership, elected officials or political policies; thus, each party has traditionally had factions and individuals that deviated from party positions.

Foreign Relations

Los Angeles's foreign relations network includes diplomatic missions in virtually every country and embassies in the vast majority. Los Angeles is a member of the Global Community, Gobal Monetary Fund, International Bank, the Trans-Galian Partnership, and the North Galian Union. Los Angeles maintains particularly close relations with Alaoyi, whom it sees as a valuable ally against Alanna, which Los Angeles's government has declared to be a "state with hostile intent" since 2004. The governments of Los Angeles and the Furbish Islands alos have mutual defense agreements, and a Furbish naval base is located in Playadiestat. Los Angeles troops regularly conduct joint training with Alaoyi, the ACS, the Furbish Islands, and Niagara.

Los Angeles is a founding memory of the Galian Entente, alongside Alaoyi and the Antarctic Circle States. It also has had historically close relatioships with both Greater Niagara and The Furbish Islands, both of whom have large presences in Los Angeles for use as a jumping off point for operations in Galia.. In particular, Onhsanenea and Los Angeles have had close trading relationships, and a large population of Angelean immigrats lives in Onhsanenea and vice versa.

Administrative Divisions

Main Article: Administrative Divisions of Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a unitary state, divided into eleven provinces (provinsianan). The provinces are administered through elected legislative bodies called provincial assemblies. These provincial assemblies are responsible for approving the appointment the governor of the province, who is nominally appointed by the central government. As such, the central government is directly represented through the governor's offices. The provinces are then dividied into 1,509 second-level muncipalities (munisipio), which are in turn administered by a council, headed by a mayor who is elected by voters in the municipalities. Several major cities, including the capital of Playadiestat, are not administered as provinces but are rather independent cities with the powers of both provinces and municipalities.

The provinces and independent cities of Los Angeles are:

Human Rights

International organizations have frequently held Los Angeles and its human rights record in immensely high standing, with basic freedoms such the freedom of assembly, association, and expression being widely observed and protected. Angelean have in recent history been protected by a strict set of codified working laws in Los Angeles and enjoy a wide variety of workplace rights and freedoms to ensure safety and fair working conditions. However, advocates for migrant workers frequently have criticized Los Angeles for its treatment of young and disproportionately male migrant workers; these foreign workers, usually from Alanna, have historically had no real legislation protecting their working conditions and often fall prey to poorer working conditions and lesser wages. In addition, discrimination against these migrant workers is considered common.

Women and members of the LGBTQ+ community have reported that, despite considerable legal protections, cultural attitudes sometimes impede progress for these groups. Women in Los Angeles are frequently paid only 76% of what a man is paid for the same amount of work. While some discrimination against gay or lesbians in Los Angeles does exist, including lack of recognition for same-sex marriage, the majority of cases of human rights violations is primarily reported by transgender individuals. The Angelean government does not recognize transgenderism and no legal protections for transgenders exist in Los Angeles. Indigenous Angeleans, who are disproportionately of disadvantaged socioeconomic standing, have shorter life spans, and make up a disproportionately high number of imprisoned persons, thus receiving disproportionately high levels of social welfare payment as well as preferential employment and tertiary educational placement in state sectors.

Historically, other than during the period of hardline communist rule in the 1960s, Los Angeles has generally respected the civil and political rights of a vast majority of the population.

Economy

Main Article: Economy of Los Angeles
Los Angeles has a major advanced capitalist mixed economy, ranking as the tenth-largest economy in the world and the third-largest economy in Galia. It is regarded as one of the world's wealthiest countries. Its location and historical tie as a large port-of-call means that Los Angeles is considered a major player in world trade and exports. It has the 7th highest Human Development Index. It preforms well by most metrics, especially in life expectancy, quality of life, healthcare, and education. Los Angeles is well known as one of the largest agricultural sectors of any developed economy and for an influential and high quality manufacturing sector. While historically mining and exploitation of resources has been very important to the Angelean economy, mining revenues have declined, especially due to the environmental movement of the late twentieth and early twenty first centuries.

A coal mine outside of Jerroland. Historically, mining has been extremely important to Los Angeles's economy, but its importance has decreased in recent years.

Los Angeles's manufacturing is notable due to the relatively smaller number of multinational corporations, with Angelean law incentivizing Angelean-owned corporations in the manufacturing sector. Angelean manufacturing is focused on the export of high-quality luxury goods, often described as competing not on quantity but rather on quality. Despite being unable to compete with the low costs of products from third-world manufacturing centers such as Alaoyi or Alanna, Los Angeles's products have been praised for their quality. Angelean products rank highly in consumer perception, one study found that 84% of consumers in eight countries trusted Angelean products. Los Angeles was the world's tenth largest exporter in 2021. Its closest trade ties are with Alaoyi (14%), Gagium (12%), the Fluvannia (11%), and the Furbish Islands (9%). Alanna traditionally formed a major trade partner, but due to the start of civil war in the 2010s trade between the two has heavily declined.

Playadiestat is the country's largest city and focal point of Los Angeles's national economy.

Manufacturing and industry makes up about 22% of Los Angeles GDP and 24.1% of the workforce, with several thousand manufacturing firms and employing over 230,000 people. The largest firm is Kalberg, which employs over 32,000 people. However, over half of all Angelean manufcturing firms employ less than 2,000 people. Manufacturing is primarily centered in the southeast and central portions of the country, especially around the provinces of Jerroland, Nuevo Serro, and Noord Groenkus.

The Bank of Puntonorte, headquartered in the northern city of Puntonorte, is one of the largest international banks in the world and one of the oldest banks in continuous operation. Los Angeles has a strong financial industry, thanks to its history of being a stable and prosperous economy for several decades, in addition to generous tax incentives for banks. The financial sector is the largest single economic activity in the service sector.

In addition, considerable mineral resources, particularly copper and iron making exists, primarily centered around the northern highlands of the country. The provinces of Lugarseco and Westelijke Grogebied are the largest exporters in the country. While iron production has declined, copper mining has risen. Los Angeles is one of the largest producers of copper and zinc worldwide, and has considerable iron exports. Historically, coal and peat mining, especially in the south, were critical parts of the economy. Alanna operated coaling stations in the south during the early 20th century, but these stations were closed down by 1935.

Los Angeles currency is the Valero, which is the fifth most traded reserve currency in the world. Its monetary policy is set by the Republican Bank, but currency is printed by the Angelean Printing Bureau.

Agriculture

Main Article: Agriculture in Los Angeles
There are over 450,000 farms in Los Angeles, primarily centered in Nova Agnia, Nuevo Serro, Zuid Groenkus, and Noord Groenkus. Los Angeles's about 70% of farms are small and family owned, averaging just 21 acres per farm. Agriculture employed 4.1% of the workforce and was responsible for about 2.8% of Los Angeles's GDP, a greater proportion than most other developed countries. Agricultural policy recognizes four classes of agriculture in Los Angeles; edible crops, inedible crops, livestock and livestock products, and aquaculture.

Edible agriculture refers to crops such as coffee, soybeans, passion fruit, pineapple, peaches, peanuts, rice, and citrus fruit. Edible agriculture represents about 39% of Angelean agricultural profits. It is primarily dominated by small family farms, with over 90% of farms involved in edible agriculture being small and family owned farms. In contrast, inedible agriculture refers to crops such as rubber, tobacco, or crops destined for feeding livestock and represents about 24% of agricultural profits. It is primarily dominated by large and corporate owned farms, with virtually no family-owned farms involved in the cultivation of rubber or tobacco.

A passion fruit farm outside of Plaasdorp, Noordkus. Passion fruit is the national fruit of Los Angeles.

Livestock represents about 23% of agricultural profits and is primarily the domain of larger corporate owned farms. The most common type of livestock is pork, closely followed by beef and chicken. Livestock agriculture has declined in recent years, but remains vibrant. Aquaculture is roughly 10% of agricultural profits and is also primarily corporate-owned. However, the remaining 4% of profits from food production comes from fisheries and crabbing.

Commerical crabbers in Groen-Baai. Crabbing is an important agricultural export of Los Angeles, and is reflective of the importance of seafood in the country.

In addition to crops, food processing is a major economic sector in Los Angeles. Of note is Angelean brandy, a brandy made from distilled fruit wines. Various distillers experiment with different ratios, but the most common combinations consist of peach, pineapple, and citrus juices distilled into brandy. Regional differences exist, with the northern parts of the country more likely to use peach while the south uses citrus and pineapple blends. A total of nine unique and distinct types of Angelean brandy exist, these are protected as "heritage products" of Los Angeles, and can only be sold as Angelean brandy if it has earned a provincial seal of authenticity.

A brandy distillery in Abacaxi, Nova Agnia. Brandy is a cultural product of Los Angeles and has been identified as an important symbol of the country.

Transport

Main Article: Transport in Los Angeles
Transport within Los Angeles is highly dependent on rail and road transport. Rail transport is primarily located in the densely populated southern and eastern parts of the country, particularly in the coastal or near-costal cities. While some links connect smaller cities in the west, car transport predominates due to the less dense and spread out populations.

Trains in Los Angeles are generally divided into three levels. At the local level, large cities operate metro networks for public transport. Provinces may privatize or operate their own railway network within their own borders, and any network which crosses provincial lines is under the jurisdiction of the central government's Railway Management Office, or GFO. The national network totals about 14,343 km (8,912 mi) of which 10,291 km (6,395 mi) is electrified, and on which about 3,250 locomotives and railcars run. High speed rail connects provincial capitals and the 10 largest cities in the country. They are divided into three categories. Long-range trains, or red-lines, operate at a speed of 275-300 km/h on dedicated tracks and tend to connect larger or more distant cities. Medium-range trains, or blue-lines, operate at a speed of 200-250 km/h on either dedicated or general tracks and tends to connect smaller or closer cities. Finally, short-range trains, or green-lines, operate at a speed of 150-175 km/h on dedicated regional tracks and generally operate with close distance cities.

A red-line train in Playadiestat. Red-line trains are high speed rail which connect major cities in the country.

Roads are similarily divided into three levels. Local cities operate their own networks, provinces operate larger regional roads, and the central government operates larger interprovincial roads and highways. There are about 578,198 km (359,276 mi) of roads in Los Angeles, the vast majority of which are paved and public, although a toll network exists for the Vosrápidos (Fluvan: Fast Roads) which are large highspeed roads with tolls, operated by a series of private contractors which maintain the roads. Vosrápidos are almost always interprovincial with no exits outside of larger cities and have no speed limits, while a national limit varies between 90 and 120 km/h (55 and 75 mph).

Los Angeles is eighth in the world by the number of passengers by air transport. Over 90 million passengers worldwide transiting through Los Angeles's airports. In 2021, there were 24 airports, including the major hubs of San Andreas International Airport in San Andreas and Álvar Hernando de Paoloa International Airport in Playadiestat. Los Angeles's two major flag-carriers include the state owned Aire E Hendenan and privately owned Bluokashon.

In 2021 there were 30 major seaports, including the seaport of San Andreas, the country's largest. A merchant fleet of over 300 ships makes Los Angeles's merchant fleet one of the largest on the planet. Water traffic is primarily limited to oceanic travel, Los Angeles has no natural inland waterways.

The Port of San Andreas is one of the largest ports in the world and is a critical nexus in connecting Galia to Abos and Stratea.

Los Angeles has been, historically, one of the largest destinations and stops for trade in the world, owing to its central location. As trade between the countries of Stratea and Abos increased, Los Angeles became a valuable stop for refueling and resupplying. Its value as a stopping point has not been limited to civilian trade. Military bases, including coaling stations operated by Empire of Alanna and, later in the 20th century, naval bases for Greater Niagara. With increasing economic integration after the Third Great War, trade relations have intensifed and Angelean ports and the extensive merchant marine fleet have become valuable in linking Abos, Stratea, and Galia.

Energy

Main Article: Energy in Los Angeles

In 2021, Los Angeles's energy sources were coal (43.2%), natural gas (25.8%), nuclear (22.3%), and renewable energy soruces (8.7%). While coal has historically been the largest source of electricity production, reaching close to 85% of energy in 1975. However, due to environmental concerns, Los Angeles has been moving away from coal-based plants and towards natural gas. In particular, the administration of Karl Huerta from 1997-2009 heavily restricted the construction of coal based plants and incentivized natural gas and nuclear plant construction in the country.

A coal plant in Frontera Norte. Coal has been a historically important energy source in Los Angeles, but has been increasingly minimized in wake of efforts to increase the usage of renewable energy.

In 2006, Los Angeles set a goal to reduce coal usage from the roughly two thirds of energy to 50% of energy production or less by 2021. Los Angeles achieved this goal, with coal making up 43.2% of energy production.

Tourism

Main Article: Tourism in Los Angeles
The first major tourist for Los Angeles began in the 17th and 18th centuries, when Onslander aristocrats visited Onsland's colonies in the region. These visits, referred to as the Graduate's Tour, saw Onslander aristocrats who had come of age and graduated from educational institutions to travel to Onsland's colonies in either the Furbish Islands or Los Angeles in order to instill a sense of service and knowledge about the rest of the Onsland Empire. For Los Angeles, this was in order to study trade and economics, which the local authorities were well known for.

In the modern era, Los Angeles is one of the most visited countries in international tourism, with a total of 10.3 million arrivals in 2021. The total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP (including effects from investment, supply chains, and induced income impacts) was close to 9.1% of GDP and generated over 200,000 jobs in the country.

Tourist interests in Los Angeles are mainly recreational, natural beauty, nightlife, culture, and historical sites. Tourism is present all year round due to Los Angeles's equatorial location ensuring constant warm and sunny weather in most of the country. Seaside vacation resorts are common in the coastal regions and the Ilhas Californianas. The east coast of Los Angeles is considered one of the premier cruise tourism destinations in both Galia and the world.

A beach outside of Porto Azul, Nova Agnia.

The most visited provinces of Los Angeles, measured by arrivals, are Nuevo Serro and Noordkus. Major tourist destinations include Playadiestat, Paoloa, Santa Maria, and Nova Ralume.