Theodorous and the Parathalassias
Principality of Theodorous and the Parathalassias Afthentía Póleos Theodoroús kaí Parathalassías | |
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 Flag
 Coat of arms
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| Motto: Basileu Basileōn, Basilei Boithi "King of Kings, Long Live the King" | |
| Anthem: Polychrónion "For Many Years to Come" | |
 The Principality (dark green) in Europe | |
| Capital and largest city | Doros |
| Official languages | Crimean Greek |
| Recognised minority languages | Russian Ukrainian Tatar |
| Ethnic groups (2020) | 57% Greeks 17% Russians 12% Ukrainians 10% Crimean Tatars 2% Goths 2% Others |
| Religion (2020) | 78% Greek Orthodox 8% Muslim 7% Other 7% Nonreligious |
| Demonym(s) | Theodoran |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
• Prince | Constantine II |
• Mesazon | Stefanos Androulakis |
| Legislature | Senate |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,589 km2 (614 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2024 estimate | 192,911 |
• 2020 census | 189,403 |
| GDP (PPP) | 2020 estimate |
• Total | €9.3 billion |
• Per capita | €49,102 |
| Currency | Euro (€) (EUR) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (Eastern European Time) |
| Date format | dd-mm-yyyy |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +373 |
| Internet TLD | .tp |
The Principality of Theodorous and the Parathalassias (Greek: Afthentía Póleos Theodoroús kaí Parathalassías; lit. "Lordship of the City of Doros and the Coastal Regions"), historically known as Theodoro, and often called to Basileia (lit. "the Principality" or "the Imperial") is a country located on the Crimean Peninsula, in Eastern Europe. Spanning only 1,589 square kilometres and with a population of only 190 thousand, Theodorous is often considered to be a microstate. Theodorous has only one land border, which it shares with the Ukrainian Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Theodorous has been since 1998 a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with a Prince as its ceremonial head of state and a Mesazon (head of government) exercising executive power.
Theodorous and the Parathalassias was initially founded as the Principality of Theodoro, an overseas territory of the Byzantine and later Trapezuntine Empire. After both empires were conquered by the Ottomans, Theodoro managed to assert its independence, repelling a series of Ottoman invasions and briefly expanding to reconquer some of the territories lost by the Byzantines to the Ottomans. After quickly losing its overseas possessions, Theodoro once again faced (and repelled) a series of invasions, until its absolute monarchical government was overthrown in the early 19th century and replaced with a republic, which eventually federated with the newly-independent states of Greece and Samos. The federation eventually dissolved, but Samos opted to be annexed by Theodoro, which eventually restored its monarchy, albeit under a constitutional system. Samos seceded about about a century later, after which Theodoro was quickly invaded and conquered by the Soviet Union. Theodoro regained its independence after the Soviet Union's dissolution, adopting its native name, Theodorous and the Parathalassias, and was initially established as a republic, but the monarchy was once again restored after a referendum in 1998. The Principality joined NATO in 2015, and the European Union in 2017.
Theodorous and the Parathalassias is a developed nation, ranking highly in terms of HDI and GDP per capita. It is a member of the United Nations, the OSCE, and the European Union, and founded the Roman Heritage Group, together with Italy, Greece, and Cyprus.
Name
The Principality is named after the city of Doros, formerly known in Greek as "Theodorous". Today, "Theodorous" is used to refer both to the entire country and to its mountainous interior. The "Parathalassias" (roughly "shoreline) refers to the areas controlled by the Principality located along the western coast of Crimea. The Principality is often known colloquially as "Gothia", in reference to its historical links to the Crimean Goths.
History
Theodorous and the Parathalassias was initially founded as the Principality of Theodoro, an overseas territory of the Byzantine and later Trapezuntine Empire. After both empires were conquered by the Ottomans, Theodoro managed to assert its independence, repelling a series of Ottoman invasions and briefly expanding to reconquer some of the territories lost by the Byzantines to the Ottomans. After quickly losing its overseas possessions, Theodoro once again faced (and repelled) a series of invasions, until its absolute monarchical government was overthrown in the early 19th century and replaced with a republic, which became involved in the Greek War of Independence, forming a loose confederation (known as Revolutionary Rumelia) with various Greek breakaway states. Revolutionary Rumelia was dissolved as soon as the war ended, but Samos, which had not joined the mainland Greek kingdom, federated with Theodoro, forming Theodoro-Samos. After a brief period of republican governance, Theodoro-Samos was placed under the rule of the "Peristrophy" – a rotating dual monarchy of two royal houses, the Anhaltiner Dynasty of Theodoro and the Samiot House of Lycurgus. During this period, Theodoro-Samos engaged in colonial endeavours in North Africa. Samos was eventually retaken by the Ottomans, after which Theodoro was quickly invaded and conquered by the Soviet Union. After being invaded and occupied by the Nazis during World War II, Theodoro was liberated by allied forces in 1944 and was eventually incorporated into the Crimean ASSR. In 1989, Theodoro became the first post-Soviet state to regain its independence. It adopted its native name, Theodorous and the Parathalassias, and was initially established as a republic, but the monarchy was once again restored after a referendum in 1998. The Principality joined the OSCE in 2015, and the European Union in 2017
Geography
Theodorous and the Parathalassias is located in the southern part of the Crimean Peninsula, and is a semi-enclave, bordering only the Ukrainian Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the Black Sea. The eastern part of its territory is dominated by the Crimean Mountains, with its highest point being the Orman Qoş peak, while the western coastal areas are more flat and gentle. The Principality's capital city, Doros, is located on a plateau, with the mountains to its east and the coastal flatlands to its west.
Climate
The Theodoran capital, Doros, experiences a relatively mild temperate climate, while coastal areas have a more Mediterranean climate.
| Climate data for Doros (1991–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 20.8 (69.4) |
21.9 (71.4) |
28.7 (83.7) |
31.5 (88.7) |
34.2 (93.6) |
37.7 (99.9) |
39.3 (102.7) |
39.5 (103.1) |
37.2 (99.0) |
33.3 (91.9) |
28.0 (82.4) |
25.4 (77.7) |
39.5 (103.1) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 4.1 (39.4) |
5.5 (41.9) |
10.2 (50.4) |
16.3 (61.3) |
21.9 (71.4) |
26.5 (79.7) |
29.8 (85.6) |
29.7 (85.5) |
24.0 (75.2) |
17.5 (63.5) |
11.1 (52.0) |
6.1 (43.0) |
16.9 (62.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 0.4 (32.7) |
1.1 (34.0) |
4.8 (40.6) |
10.2 (50.4) |
15.6 (60.1) |
20.2 (68.4) |
23.0 (73.4) |
22.8 (73.0) |
17.6 (63.7) |
11.8 (53.2) |
6.4 (43.5) |
2.4 (36.3) |
11.4 (52.5) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −2.9 (26.8) |
−2.6 (27.3) |
0.4 (32.7) |
4.8 (40.6) |
9.9 (49.8) |
14.5 (58.1) |
17.0 (62.6) |
16.6 (61.9) |
12.1 (53.8) |
7.2 (45.0) |
2.7 (36.9) |
−0.8 (30.6) |
6.6 (43.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −26.0 (−14.8) |
−30.3 (−22.5) |
−18.4 (−1.1) |
−11.1 (12.0) |
−8.4 (16.9) |
0.7 (33.3) |
3.6 (38.5) |
3.8 (38.8) |
−5.1 (22.8) |
−11.4 (11.5) |
−21.7 (−7.1) |
−23.2 (−9.8) |
−30.3 (−22.5) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 42 (1.7) |
34 (1.3) |
36 (1.4) |
33 (1.3) |
40 (1.6) |
58 (2.3) |
39 (1.5) |
47 (1.9) |
40 (1.6) |
45 (1.8) |
44 (1.7) |
43 (1.7) |
501 (19.7) |
Government
Monarchy
The Theodoran Prince, also known as the Basileus, is the Principality's ceremonial head of state, but he does not have any effective political powers. The position is inherited through absolute primogeniture.
Executive
The Theodoran head of government and chief executive is the Mesazon, equivalent to a prime minister elsewhere. He is assisted in his duties by his deputy and the Council of the Logothetes, which is composed of various officials including titular logothetes (senior ministers), court secretaries (junior ministers), and other ceremonial officers. The Mesazon and his Logothetes are appointed by the Prince, who is obligated to select the leader of the largest party or coalition in the Senate and the individuals nominated by him for the respective offices. The Mesazon and Logothetes are responsible to the Senate, which may subject them to interpollation or remove them with a vote of no confidence. A successful motion of no confidence results in an automatic snap election; the Mesazon may also call snap elections at his sole discretion.
Legislative
Legislative power is vested in the unicameral Senate, which exercises legislative supremacy. It elects a presiding officer, known as a Speaker. It is elected at varying intervals, but partial elections must be held at least once every 3 years. Such elections are conducted using party-list proportional representation in a single nationwide constituency, and are used to elect 27 members, known as Senators. 3 members, known as Representatives, are elected by ethnic minority communities at fixed 5-year intervals.
Judicial
The Theodoran judiciary is organised into a 3-tier system. The lowest tier is composed of the 20 Episkepsis Courts, each covering a single Episkepsis (precinct). Each Episkepsis Court is presided by a single magistrate, with a civilian jury. Appeals from the Episkepsis Courts are sent to the two Despotate Courts, each composed of 3 judges appointed by the independent Judicial Appointments Commission. The highest tier is the Constitutional Court, composed of 3 judges appointed by the Mesazon (head of government) with the consent of the Referendary (opposition leader). The Constitutional Court deals with the permissibility of laws, and does not accept criminal or civil appeals.
Administrative Divisions
The top-level administrative divisions of Theodorous and the Parathalassias are the Despotates, of which there are two: the Despotate of the City of Doros and the Despotate of the Parathalassias. The former has a population of approximately 120,000 and an area of approximately 100 square kilometres; the latter has a population of only 70,000, but an area of around 1,400 square kilometres. Each is led by an elected council as well as an elected head of government known as a Despot. Each is divided into 10 Episkepseis (local government districts) of equal populations; each Episkepsis functions as a single-member constituency for Despotate council elections, as an electoral precinct for Senate elections, and as a utilities, waste collection, fire protection, law enforcement, and judicial district. The Episkepseis are led entirely by appointed officals, but an elected Public Commissioner serves in an advisory capacity.
European Integration
Theodorous and the Parathalassias has been a member state of the European Union since 2007. It is currently a member of both the Eurozone and Schengen Area, having joined the two zones in 2012 and 2009, respectively. It is represented in the European Parliament by six MEPs, who are popularly elected. It is designated one member of the European Commission, currently Katerina Stephanides, who serves as the commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement.